By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: Fortiva, Surge, Reflex, and Verve are unsecured subprime cards aimed at people rebuilding credit, and they pile on fees: annual fees often 75 to 175 dollars, monthly maintenance fees after the first year, and APRs up to about 36 percent. The fees eat into already small limits, and there is usually no upgrade path. A secured card builds the same credit without the fee stack.
A stack of fees on a small limit
These cards, issued through Continental Finance and related banks, market themselves as a path to rebuild credit without a deposit, but the cost is steep. Surge, Reflex, and Verve typically charge an annual fee of 75 to 125 dollars in the first year, then 99 to 125 dollars plus a monthly fee around 12.50 dollars after the first year. Fortiva annual fees range roughly 49 to 175 dollars with monthly fees too. On a small starting limit, those fees consume a big share of your available credit before you buy anything. See the Credit One and First Premier takedown.
High APR and no way up
Beyond the fees, APRs run up to about 36 percent, so any carried balance grows fast, and cardholders frequently report that fees offset their payments, making small balances hard to clear. There is usually no upgrade path to a better product when your credit improves, so the card does not grow with you. It is a high-cost holding pattern, not a stepping stone. See how to build credit.
Choose a secured card instead
For rebuilding credit, a secured card is cheaper and cleaner. A refundable deposit becomes your limit, fees are low or zero, and the card reports to all three bureaus exactly like these do, building your score without the annual-plus-monthly fee drain. Many secured cards also graduate you to an unsecured card and refund your deposit. Skip the fee-harvester and start secured. See secured cards explained.
Frequently asked questions
Are Fortiva and Surge cards worth it?
Rarely. Fortiva, Surge, Reflex, and Verve charge annual fees, monthly maintenance fees after year one, and APRs up to about 36 percent, all on small limits with no upgrade path. A secured card builds credit for far less.
Why are these subprime cards so expensive?
They stack fees: annual fees often 75 to 175 dollars, monthly fees after the first year, and high APRs up to about 36 percent. On a small limit those fees consume much of your available credit before you spend, and balances grow quickly.
Do Fortiva and Surge cards build credit?
They report to the credit bureaus, so they can, but expensively and with no upgrade path. Because fees eat into payments and limits, they are a costly holding pattern rather than a true stepping stone to better credit.
What should I use instead of a Surge or Fortiva card?
A secured credit card with a refundable deposit and low or no fee. It reports to all three bureaus just like these cards, builds credit without the annual-plus-monthly fee stack, and often graduates you to an unsecured card.
Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.
