Minimum Credit Score Needed 
Limited History
Editor’s Take
Review: Fingerhut Credit Account
Even if you don’t plan on shopping from fingerhut.com’s catalogue, the Fingerhut Credit Card is good for building credit. With a $0 annual fee and a lower credit-score requirement than most store cards, the Fingerhut Credit Account can help people with limited credit history improve their credit standing for free. Even applicants with damaged credit may get approved in some cases.
If you apply for the Fingerhut Credit Account, as the card is officially known, it’s best not to carry a balance from month to month. Such balances will accrue interest at a very high rate: 29.99%.
Keep reading to learn more about what the Fingerhut Credit Card does and does not bring to the table.
Fingerhut Credit Card Review Highlights:
John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor
Aug 23, 2019
If you apply for the Fingerhut Credit Account, as the card is officially known, it’s best not to carry a balance from month to month. Such balances will accrue interest at a very high rate: 29.99%.
Keep reading to learn more about what the Fingerhut Credit Card does and does not bring to the table.
Fingerhut Credit Card Review Highlights:
- No major fees. The Fingerhut Credit Card, more formally known as the Fingerhut Credit Account, is quite unique among unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit in that it does not charge annual-, monthly- or one-time fees. That even makes it $18.61 per year cheaper than the average credit card overall, according to WalletHub data.
- Great way to rebuild credit. Given its low costs and the fact that you can get approved despite bad credit, the Fingerhut Credit Card is a great tool for inexpensively rebuilding your credit standing. It doesn’t even matter if you know what Fingerhut is, let alone have plans to shop there. Because you don’t actually need to make purchases for a credit card to add positive information to your credit reports each month. And if you do make purchases with your Fingerhut Card, just make sure to pay your bill on time. You can track your progress using WalletHub’s free daily credit score updates.
- Interest rates aren’t so hot. If you have bad credit, you probably shouldn’t be spending more at Fingerhut than you can afford to repay in a single billing period. Besides, doing so would be quite expensive, considering the Fingerhut Credit Account’s APR. For context, the average secured credit card charges 18.65%.
- Won’t provide much of an emergency loan. The Fingerhut Card won’t do you much good if you need an unsecured card to use for emergency expenses. After all, it only lets you make Fingerhut purchases. So it’s best as an alternative to a secured card for people whose top priority is credit improvement.
Aug 23, 2019
Fingerhut Credit Account's Key APRs & Fees
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ONE-TIME FEES
None
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ANNUAL FEE
None
-
MONTHLY FEE
None
-
REGULAR RATE
29.99%
-
GRACE PERIOD
24 days
Fingerhut Credit Account's Highlights
- Easy application! Get a credit decision in seconds.
- Build your credit history – Fingerhut reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- Use your line of credit to shop thousands of items from great brands like Samsung, KitchenAid, and DeWalt
- Not an access card
- *See complete WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account Terms and Condition. - https://www.fingerhut.com/content/FHTCreditTC
Fingerhut Credit Account's Additional Info
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MAX LATE FEE
$39
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MAX OVERLIMIT FEE
None
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MAX PENALTY APR
None
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FOREIGN TRANSACTION
FEE
N/A
-
SMART CHIP
No
-
CASH ADVANCE APR
N/A
-
CASH ADVANCE FEE
N/A
at WebBank's secure site
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Customer Questions and Answers
Don't see what you're looking for? Submit your question about Fingerhut Credit Account to our community.
What are the Fingerhut credit approval requirements? Reply 164
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Fingerhut Credit Account’s approval requirements aren’t public – at least not the specifics. You’ll need to meet all the general standards, like being at least 18 years old with a U.S. mailing address, SSN, and the ability to pay. But this much is clear: The Fingerhut Credit Account is one of the easiest “credit cards” to get approved for, and it can help you improve your credit standing if used responsibly. You even have good odds of getting it if you’ve made mistakes in the past, as Fingerhut accepts applicants who have bad credit. “Even if you have been turned down for credit, give us a try,” Fingerhut Credit’s webpage reads. “We can often say Yes! when others say no.”
So you don’t need any particular score to get the Fingerhut Credit Account. There are a few situations where Fingerhut will have to say no, though. Being in the middle of bankruptcy is one. But there are more.
Here are the Fingerhut Credit approval requirements:
- 18+ years old
- United States mailing address
- Social Security number (SSN)
- Enough income or assets to afford monthly payments
- No active bankruptcy
- Not a member of a consumer credit counseling service
- No past-due minimum payments while in the Fingerhut FreshStart program
- No foreclosure, tax liens or other derogatory marks on your credit
As long as you avoid the negatives, you should have a good chance of Fingerhut Credit approval. And the best part about the process is if you’re not qualified for the card, Fingerhut might instead enroll you in their FreshStart program.
With this program, you’ll be able to make a Fingerhut purchase between $50 and the spending limit they give you. You must make a down payment of at least $50 toward the balance, and then pay off the rest in the time limit they specify after (usually a few months). After you finish paying the balance off, as long as you weren’t late with any payments, you’ll graduate to the regular Fingerhut Credit Account. The FreshStart program doesn’t report to the credit bureaus, but the regular account you’ll get afterward does.
So a Fingerhut credit account is easy to get approved for and it’ll help you rebuild your credit. And to top it off, there’s no annual fee. But the only issue is that you can only use the card for Fingerhut purchases. If you’re looking for a card you can use anywhere, a good option might be the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, because it doesn’t even do a credit check.
And if you’d like to get more information about your credit standing before you apply, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, the only website where credit scores and reports update daily.
16
Upvotes
I got a Fingerhut pre approved credit offer. Is it the real deal? Reply 197
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Getting a Fingerhut pre-approved credit offer means you have a roughly 90% chance of being approved for the Fingerhut Credit Account if you decide to apply. You will only receive such an offer after the account’s issuer – WebBank – has done a harmless soft check of your credit and determined that you meet the basic eligibility criteria. Even if you have no interest in shopping at Fingerhut, which sells goods online and through a catalog, you still might want to apply. Despite its somewhat unusual name, the Fingerhut Credit Account is just like any other store credit card in the sense that it reports account information to the major credit bureaus each month. That means whether you make purchases and pay your bill on time every month or never actually buy anything, the Fingerhut Credit Account will help you improve your credit score.
You don’t need to get Fingerhut pre-approval before applying, though. And even if you have bad credit, your odds of success are still pretty good. Fingerhut is one of the easiest credit cards to get that doesn’t require you to put down a refundable security deposit.
So pre-approval isn’t a prerequisite. But it’s definitely nothing to worry about, either. Pretty much all credit card companies send out pre-approval offers. And getting one from Fingerhut could be your ticket to a higher credit score. That’s why it’s important to know what it means and how to react. And to help in that regard, we’ll summarize what you need to know below.
Here’s how Fingerhut pre-approved credit offers work:
- You Have to Be Invited: You can’t just go and check whether you pre-qualify. The only way to know you’re pre-approved for Fingerhut Credit is to receive a letter from them.
- You Can Apply by Mail or Online: Either complete the paper application included in your pre-approval letter or enter your “Pre Approved Customer Number” at the top of Fingerhut’s online application.
- There’s a Consolation Prize: If you don’t end up getting approved, Fingerhut might offer you a place in their FreshStart program, where you get an installment loan for a Fingerhut purchase. If you pay it back on time, you graduate to a credit account.
So in conclusion, the Fingerhut Credit Account is already pretty easy to get, receiving a pre-approved offer means your odds are even higher than usual, and getting approved is the first step toward rebuilding your credit. The account will help even if you don’t make any purchases.
If you’d like to see your credit status before applying, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, the only site where credit reports and scores update daily.
19
Upvotes
What are the usual requirements for a Fingerhut credit increase? Reply 104
WalletHub
@WalletHub
You can’t request a Fingerhut credit increase, unfortunately. But Fingerhut may give you one if you consistently pay your bills on time and improve your credit status. Fingerhut will keep tabs on your payment status and overall credit standing and may increase your spending limit if you manage your current financial obligations responsibly. If you’re granted a Fingerhut credit increase, you’ll be notified through mail and/or email.
Although you can’t just ask for a higher limit, there are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of receiving a Fingerhut credit increase. We’ll highlight them below.
Here’s how to get a Fingerhut credit increase:
- Always pay on time. This is the most important element. Consistent on-time payments are the key to getting more buying power and improving your credit score. And late payments will immediately disqualify you from an increase.
- Pay more than the minimum. If you make more than the minimum required payment on your FingerhHut Credit Account each month, you’ll not only improve your chances of a limit increase, but you’ll pay less interest as well.
- Rebuild your credit. This includes lots of activities, like paying down any debts you have, only using around 30% of any other credit lines and saving money for emergency use so you don’t fall any further behind. You can also sign up for a free WalletHub account to get access to a personalized credit analysis, which will tell you what to fix and how long it will take.
If Fingerhut decides to increase your credit limit, they will send you an email, mail you a letter or both. You should have increased buying power right away. It’s also worth mentioning that some users report being offered a temporary credit increase that becomes permanent if you make a big purchase. But there’s nothing about that on the Fingerhut website.
Finally, if you qualify for a higher limit with Fingerhut, you might also be able to get a card with better terms that you can use anywhere, rather than at a single retailer. Just keep that in mind.
10
Upvotes
Are there other places like Fingerhut for bad credit? Reply 33
Joyce Brown
@blackhole1
There are no other places like Fingerhut for bad credit. The Fingerhut Credit Account is an online store credit card marketed to people with bad credit. You can only use it for Fingerhut purchases, but it is one of the easiest store cards to get. By comparison, you’ll need at least fair credit to qualify for a store credit card from most retailers, including Amazon, Target and Walmart. And the Montgomery Ward card accepts people with bad credit but won’t help you build credit because it does not report to the credit bureaus.
While there aren’t any other places like Fingerhut for bad credit, there are even better options. Several credit cards are co-branded with a merchant but usable anywhere, and they’re just about as easy to get as the Fingerhut card. For example, the Aeromexico Secured Card offers a $99 Companion Certificate each year when you pay the $25 annual fee. It also gives 2 miles per $1 spent on gas and grocery store purchases and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. There is a $300 minimum security deposit ($5,000 maximum) required to open the account.
There’s also a co-branded unsecured card for bad credit, the Official NASCAR Credit Card. It offers 2% cash back on purchases at NASCAR.com and 1% on all other purchases. The annual fee is from $0 to $75 for the first year, and up to $99 every year after that.
3
Upvotes
What's the credit limit on this? Reply 92
@dj_jones7438
I started my fresh start account 3 and a 1/2 years ago and moved on to the next step my credit limit was like $300 is now $3000 if you just make your payments on time and make purchases that's all you have to do and It has greatly increased my credit score thanks fingerhut
9
Upvotes
How can I get a Fingerhut credit card cash advance? Reply 53
DONNAE PIERCE
@DONNAE_PIERCE
You cannot get a Fingerhut credit cash advance. They simply don't allow it.
Anyway, credit card cash advances are extremely expensive. If you absolutely need a cash advance, you can look up lenders online, but even those tend to have predatory rates. I'd go to a reputable bank and ask about a loan. That seems the smartest.
5
Upvotes
How much is the Fingerhut credit card delivery time? Reply 73
Tiara James
@tiarajames
You should be able to get your Fingerhut credit card within two weeks from approval. If it's any longer than that, give them a call.
7
Upvotes
Where can I use my Fingerhut credit card at? Reply 41
Shadow Banker
@shadowbanker4
Fingerhut credit was designed to be used for Fingerhut merchandise which accounts for more than 450,000 products, including the brand names like Samsung, Dyson, Skechers and KitchenAid. You'll find electronics, jewelry, shoes, furniture and decor items. However, an additional feature of the Fingerhut credit accounts is the chance to use spending power outside of Fingerhut’s catalog and website.
Among the select partners that honor Fingerhut credit accounts are florists and insurance companies. These partnerships change, and Fingerhut will notify you of your eligibility to participate once your credit application is accepted.
4
Upvotes
Will my Fingerhut credit card be closed due to inactivity? Reply 1
Nancy Stratham
@nancy_stratham
There's no official information on how long it will take for your Fingerhut credit card to be closed due to inactivity, but I can tell you that it's about a year before you can worry about it.
I got one, forgot about it and received a warning the mail that they were going to close the account due to inactivity. So yeah, maybe make a purchase once every couple of months, and you'll be fine.
1
Upvote
Fingerhut Credit Account Video Review
Fingerhut Credit Account Reviews
Share your insights and review the Fingerhut Credit Account.
Jul 06, 2019
Fingerhut gave me credit when other lenders would not. Im building credit and it takes time. I pay my bills on time and fingerhut noticed the good on my credit report and gave me a chance. Thanks fingerhut
Comment
Jun 25, 2019
I started the freshstart program and made 4 out of 6 payments before my due date. I got set back on the 5th payment due to my check coming in late. I spoke with a customer service rep for a extension and it was granted. I was told there would NOT be a late fee and it would count as a regular payment day. On the agreed payment date i was charged my minimum payment plus the late fee. A day or 2 later i was also charged the rest of my balanced owed without knowing so. I just received a letter stating that due to late PAYMENTS i did not qualify for the next program and i would have to start the freshstart program all over. This is not the way to conduct business especially when someone is actually doing their part as a loyal customer who wants to continue service but is denied. I could understand if there were numerous amounts of late payments. I would like someone to reach out to me about this matter.
May 30, 2019
Due to a glitch in Fingerhut's system, they over took 300$ when making a $35.00 payment. I thought it would be a simple process but, instead we are going on two weeks without a refund. The 1st rep said 3-5 business days, then i received an e-mail saying it could be 11-14 business days and then another e-mail stating it could be 30 business days for a refund. Requested a supervisor and waited almost 3 days and no one called. Finally got a supervisor just to be told the refund processor is a 3rd party and there is nothing they can do about it. Then requested the corporate office number which by the way is 952-656-4376 and was met by a receptionist who asked for a name of who I needed to speak to, which I told her I was not provided that and she said well this is a 3 party company and i would need a name, I then said so not only has fingerhut taken my money but, now I can't even file a complaint to which she hung up on me, I called back she hung up on me again. I called back a 3rd time and she sighed and said as i stated i need a name. I called fingerhut to speak to another supervisor who then said they cannot transfer me or provide a name for who I would need to speak with, contacted the corp office again and she sent me to an executive rep customer service who did not answer. That was 4 hours ago and still have not heard anything back. I would recommend never using this company, as they don't take ownership nor do they have any sympathy for their issue. I am at a lost and don't know what else to do. If you need to buy things on payment plan, use HSN or one of the other places. Fingerhut, also over charges for shipping and for the item its self. An item that is normally $50 like a tablet, is $100 on there. Hope this helps.
May 01, 2019
They take money out of my account for payments that I have not approved I told them they can take payments of 30dollars a month. But they take out not only that amount but also what ever amount they want to take out I never approved a payment of $213.00 on April 6th but they took it out of my bank account also in March they took out 159.00 twice and they have not reimbursed me yet for all those unauthorized payments. All I can say to everyone don’t use Fingerhut what they are doing is illegal.
06/15/19
No if there was a problem and they seen that it their fault. And your nice to them they are nice to you
Mar 25, 2019
I never had a problem with Fingerhut as I paid my bills on time and bought mostly electronics from them since 2012... About CL raises, they will give you raises every 6 mos but you have to buy the amount they are offering you.. For example, if you get an 1K CL raise it is temporary unless you buy 1K or less of merchandise to keep the raise... I started at 300.00 and now I’m at $4200.. Very high APR so what you buy you gotta avoid keeping a balance!
Mar 11, 2019
My score was in the 400 when I applied and got approved for the fresh start program. I paid by bill and was given a Fingerhut credit card. My score is now a 630. I make weekly payments and try to pay the balance of within 30 days. I got my card in January and my credit limit is $300.
Dec 31, 2018
Ordered an item on Saturday afternoon. Emailed to cancel it over the weekend and called on Monday morning first thing to cancel it. They said they cannot. When I called in the first lady (American) put me on hold and hung up on me after 5 minutes of hold. The 2nd time I called in Ron said he would put a request in but couldn't guarantee it and there was no way to know if it would cancel. I ordered this item on Saturday afternoon and called in at 7:30am on Monday morning Mountain time, and you folks can't do better than this?… read more
Dec 21, 2018
Fingerhut is in the business of helping people with bad credit get back in good standings. Yup their interest rates are high and their merchandise is not exactly priced at what you think it should be but at least some one threw a dog a bone. Because of fingerhut i just got approved for my first credit card in a while. Just buy one thing at a time and dont go crazy and your all good.
02/16/19
My first purchase was an Adidas shirt. Even after the promo code, when all was said and done, I had a balance of $33.00. If you think that's an outrageous price for one t-shirt, I challenge you to think of the last fifteen t-shirts you've purchased. I bet you none of them helped build your credit.
Dec 19, 2018
Wont do credit increases. Have had this card for 2 years with only one late payment and that was within the first 6 months i had it. Paid it off twice and all my payments are made 12 to 14 days berore the due date. No complaints with Fingerhut itself, fast shipping, great products, friendly customer service. The problem is with Web Bank!!! It sux!!!
03/10/19
Made one purchase paid it off and they increased mine after a month or 2 I didn't buy anything else. Now I just ordered a pair of carhart boots from there, we'll so what they do.
Dec 18, 2018
By far the worst customer service experience I've ever had. Placed my order on 12/13 they took my down payment and then canceled my order when I called to figure out what happened they continued to tell me that they didn't receive the payment which was bs because my bank account showed otherwise. There are very few people who speak English there hard to understand them and when they get frustrated they just hang up! I've called several times to get this sorted out and they keep saying there is nothing they can do! Save yourself from the hassel of this place. They don't care about you or your order even the supervisor is useless. So here we are a weel before Christmas and I still don't have answers and probably won't receive my packages. Way to go fingerhut. If I could give 0 stars I would.
Dec 16, 2018
Terrible and my payments never apply towards my balance. No one ever answers me on where my money is going but if I don't make ant payments they immediately hit my credit score after 1 late payment. Do not open an account with them! Ever! Save yourself the headache and stress.
Oct 03, 2018
Fingerhut raises and lowers credit limits for different holidays in hope you will spend more. It shouldn't negatively impact a credit score when they do it repeatedly. If at times with an increase if you don't buy anything they bump it up again.
Sep 19, 2018
It showed when my mom signed into her account,that she had a credit limit she proceeded to place an order and was showed an icon that she needed to contact customer service to update and review her account. As she had not recently used the account. She called was refused to speak to a supervisor,after about 20 minutes and a very disgusted customer rep she was handed over to a supervisor. They proceeded to tell her that she had closed her account in December 2016. The date itself proves that my mom did no such thing because it was only 4 days before Christmas the only thing she was worried about was the holidays and getting through them. She tried to tell them that it was not her, they proceeded to the tell her there was nothing that could be done because her account had been closed as she questioned why she was able to sign in with her old account information and why it had the available credit showing. she told her that she is more than welcome to call back and 7 business days from today and they would then take her application over the phone. Really wish we knew how to contact webbank!
Sep 19, 2018
omg I called 16 times and each time I got a foreign representative on the phone that I couldn't understand and who did not understand me that was the worse experience. I asked for an American representative and was told to call back the number until i get one... I was giving them information they kept repeating over and over misspelling what I spelled 5 times and explaining things I couldn't understand OMG that was HORRIBLE initially I wanted an account to begin ordering but after all I just went through to get to someone I understood and understood me I am so NOT INTRESTED!!! obviously the one star is there bc 0 was not an option.
Aug 14, 2018
My bill was due on the 13th I paid it at 6am on the 14th I was charged almost 30 dollars for late fees never missed a payment and this is what I get about to pay my balance off and never order from here again
Jul 23, 2018
Not able to provide utility bill........and don't have driver's license. Cancelled application........I ended a 20 year relationship with Fingerhut in 2010, and was willing to give them another try....Never again!
Feb 02, 2018
The first year went fine. Then I received an offer for doubling my credit limit, but only if you use the credit right away, and payment would be deferred. So like an idiot I fell for it. After a few months my payments skyrocketed and I couldn't afford the minimum payment. I called to "get help" and was told they could automatically debit a partial payment for 9 months and as long as I made my payments then it wouldn't affect my credit. I agreed and the following month I was reported to the credit agency for being delinquent and sent a bill saying I now owe them $300 and am in danger of being sent to collections. Don't make the same mistake I did. Stay away from these assholes.
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We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. When you click "Apply Now" you will be directed to the offering institution's website. In addition, keep in mind that actual rates and other information may vary for a number of reasons including the applicant's' creditworthiness and differences between an individual's situation and the criteria/assumptions used to generate the information displayed. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
Ad Disclosure: Offers originating from paying advertisers are noted as “Sponsored” at the top of this page. Advertising may impact how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Irrespective of whether an offering institution is a paid advertiser, the presence of offer information on WalletHub does not constitute a referral or endorsement of the institution by us or vice versa. Furthermore, offers have not been reviewed or approved by the offering institution. Information is displayed first and foremost to help consumers make better decisions.
Editorial Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. In addition, it is not issuer’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Last updated on: August 23rd, 2019 at 17:26
Related Credit Cards
If you are interested in the Fingerhut Credit Account, check out the following credit cards as well:
WalletHub is an independent comparison service.
We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. When you click "Apply Now" you will be directed to the offering institution's website. In addition, keep in mind that actual rates and other information may vary for a number of reasons including the applicant's' creditworthiness and differences between an individual's situation and the criteria/assumptions used to generate the information displayed. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
Ad Disclosure: Offers originating from paying advertisers are noted as “Sponsored” at the top of this page. Advertising may impact how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Irrespective of whether an offering institution is a paid advertiser, the presence of offer information on WalletHub does not constitute a referral or endorsement of the institution by us or vice versa. Furthermore, offers have not been reviewed or approved by the offering institution. Information is displayed first and foremost to help consumers make better decisions.
Editorial Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. In addition, it is not issuer’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Offer last updated: Aug 23rd, 2019 at 17:26 ET