All You Need to Know about the Indigo® Mastercard®
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Indigo® Mastercard®, designed to answer all your questions and orient you on the essential features and benefits of this credit card. We will explore how this card can potentially help you build or rebuild your credit score, the costs associated with owning one, and how it stacks up against other credit cards in the market.
What is the Indigo® Mastercard® and How Does it Work?
Understanding the Indigo® Mastercard®
The Indigo® Mastercard® is a type of credit card designed primarily for those looking to improve their credit scores. Indigo credit cards serve those who have less than perfect credit or are struggling with poor credit history. Unlike secured credit cards, the Indigo card is an unsecured credit card and does not require a security deposit.
How the Indigo® Mastercard® Works
Just like other credit cards, the Indigo Mastercard allows you to borrow funds up to your credit limit to make purchases. You repay the borrowed money, with interest, over a specific period. It’s important to note that your credit limit with the Indigo card may be relatively low, particularly if you carry a balance or have a high credit utilisation rate.
The Process of Getting the Indigo® Mastercard®
To get an Indigo Mastercard, individuals apply through the advertiser’s application process. Intuit Credit Karma provides potential applicants with the necessary information to understand if they may be a good fit for this card. Bear in mind that approval does not guarantee a high credit limit, and some users may receive a low credit limit initially.
Building Credit with Indigo® Mastercard®
One major advantage of the Indigo card is its ability to help build credit. How does the Indigo Mastercard do this? It reports to the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Regular, on-time payments can gradually improve your credit score over time, as long as the rest of your credit report stays in good shape.
The Role of Credit-Building Cards
Credit-building cards like the Indigo® Mastercard® play a significant role in helping individuals establish a credit history or recover from bad credit. By using these cards responsibly and maintaining a low credit utilisation rate, one can gradually build towards a higher credit limit and better credit scores overall.
Tips to Improve Your Credit Score with Indigo® Mastercard®
To improve your credit score with the Indigo card, ensure you make your payments on time, keep a low balance, and monitor your credit report regularly. It’s also advisable to retain the card even if you qualify for cards with better terms, as maintaining long standing credit accounts can also positively impact your credit score.
Understanding Your Credit Score Requirement for Indigo® Mastercard®
The exact credit score requirement for the Indigo Mastercard varies, but it tends to be more forgiving towards lower scores than premium cards. This makes it a viable option for those needing a credit line increase but who have struggled with credit issues in the past.
Does Applying for Indigo® Mastercard® Impact Your Credit Score?
Just like other credit cards, applying for the Indigo Mastercard may temporarily impact your credit score. This results from the lender making a hard inquiry into your credit report. If you are approved, responsible use can gradually help rebuild your credit.
Rebuilding Credit Score with Indigo® Mastercard®
As highlighted before, the Indigo Mastercard can be a stepping stone towards rebuilding a credit score. It is especially beneficial for people with bad credit or those trying to establish a credit history. However, be consistently prudent with your spending habits, timely payment of bills, and always aiming for a low credit utilisation rate.
Understanding the Indigo® Mastercard® Annual Fee
The Indigo Platinum Mastercard typically carries a high annual fee in comparison to similar credit cards for people with bad credit. However, the absence of a required security deposit can make it appealing for certain consumers. It’s always best to weigh the cost of this fee against potential benefits when considering this card.
The Impact of APR on Indigo® Mastercard® Ownership
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) can significantly impact the cost of owning an Indigo Mastercard. It’s crucial to bear in mind that carrying a balance from month to month will result in interest charges that can accumulate and increase the overall cost of your credit card debt.
How the Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Limit Affects Cost
The assigned credit limit on your Indigo Mastercard directly affects your credit utilisation rate – how much of your total available credit you use. A high credit utilisation may potentially impact your credit score negatively and increase the cost of owning an Indigo Mastercard through higher interest costs.
How Does the Indigo® Mastercard® Compare to Other Credit Cards?
Indigo® Mastercard® vs. Secured Credit
Unlike secured cards that require a security deposit, the Indigo Mastercard demands no security deposit. This can be beneficial for individuals who don’t have the required deposit for secured cards. However, the trade-off may be a higher APR and annual fee.
Indigo® Mastercard® vs. Platinum Cards
Platinum cards often draw consumers with excellent credit scores and offer greater rewards and lower APRs. However, for individuals rebuilding credit or with less than perfect credit, the Indigo Mastercard can be a more achievable option.
Indigo® Mastercard® vs. Discover It® Secured Credit Card
Though the Discover It® Secured Credit Card and Indigo Mastercard both assist in building credit, their terms differ. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card requires a security deposit that acts as your credit limit but offers cash back on purchases, while the Indigo Mastercard requires no security deposit but typically has a higher annual fee and APR.
Understanding the Indigo Mastercard’s APR]
The annual percentage rate or APR associated with the Indigo Mastercard may be considered higher when compared to other credit cards. However, potential cardholders should take into account the advantages of the card for those with less than perfect credit. It’s advisable to avoid carrying a balance to minimise the interest charges.
Analysis of the Indigo Mastercard’s annual fee
The Indigo Mastercard does come with an annual fee. While this may seem high compared to some other credit-building cards, it’s important to remember that this card caters to a market with fewer card options available due to credit history limitations.
Comparing the costs of the Indigo Mastercard and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card
While both the Indigo Mastercard and Discover it® Secured Credit Card are designed to help individuals with poor credit, their costs differ. Despite having an annual fee, the Indigo Mastercard doesn’t require a security deposit. This is an advantage for those who may struggle to provide the upfront capital that the Discover it® Secured card requires.
Finding out about your Indigo Mastercard’s initial credit limit
Typically, the initial credit limit for the Indigo Mastercard can vary based on individual creditworthiness. A foundational understanding of low credit limit credit cards can ensure individuals can best use these types of cards to build credit.
Understanding low credit limit credit cards
Low credit limit credit cards are designed to help individuals with less than perfect credit improve their credit score. By offering a lower limit, the card issuer is minimizing their risk while providing the cardholder with an opportunity to prove their creditworthiness.
How does the credit limit of the Indigo Mastercard compare to other cards?
The Indigo Mastercard offers a comparatively lower credit limit, which may be appropriate for those looking to manage their credit utilization. However, it’s possible to receive a credit limit increase over time through consistent and responsible card use.
Detailed step-by-step process for applying to the Indigo Mastercard
Applying for an Indigo Mastercard is a simple and straightforward process, which requires providing basic personal and financial information and submitting the application online. An initial credit check will be performed, which may have a minor effect on your credit score.
How to check your eligibility for the Indigo Mastercard without hurting your credit
Performing a ‘soft’ credit check, available directly on the Indigo Card’s official website, can determine your likelihood of qualifying without affecting your credit score. This is beneficial for those who are cautious about their credit score.
Understanding the security deposit requirements of the Indigo Mastercard
Unlike some other secured credit cards, the Indigo Mastercard doesn’t require a security deposit. This eliminates any upfront capital need and makes it more accessible to a broader audience looking to improve their credit score.
Following these insights, the Indigo Mastercard definitely deserves consideration for those with less than perfect credit. As you navigate your credit history improvement journey, it’s critical to compare and understand the card terms and usage patterns to make an informed decision.