What the Atlas Credit Card Is
The Atlas Credit Card is a secured credit card issued by Worldpay, a payment processing company. You put down a cash deposit, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so your payment history builds a credit record that lenders can see.
Secured cards are designed for people rebuilding credit or establishing a credit history from scratch. You are not borrowing money against your deposit; the deposit sits in a reserve account while you use the card to make purchases and pay a monthly bill. The card itself works like any other Visa card at stores and online.
Atlas does not charge an annual fee, which sets it apart from many other secured cards in this category. However, there are other costs you should know about before you open an account.
Key Takeaways
- Your cash deposit becomes your credit limit, and the deposit stays frozen in a reserve account while you use the card.
- Atlas reports to all three credit bureaus each month, so on-time payments build a credit history that other lenders can see.
- There is no annual fee, but you will pay interest on purchases if you carry a balance, plus a monthly maintenance fee of $10.
- After 18 months of on-time payments, you may be able to move to an unsecured card and recover your deposit.
- The card comes with a high APR (typically 19.99% to 21.99%), so carrying a balance costs significantly more than with mainstream cards.
Deposit Amount and Credit Limit
You choose your deposit amount when you open the account, and that amount becomes your credit limit. Deposits typically range from $300 to $2,500, though the exact minimum and maximum may vary. Whatever you deposit is yours — it is not a fee — but it is held in a reserve account and you cannot touch it while the card is active.
Your credit limit does not grow automatically as you make payments. If you want a higher limit later, you would need to add more money to your deposit. Some cardholders increase their deposit after several months of on-time payments to raise their limit and show lenders they are managing credit responsibly.
Fees and Interest Rates
Atlas charges a $10 monthly maintenance fee, which appears on your statement each month regardless of whether you use the card. This fee is separate from interest charges. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will also pay interest at an APR between 19.99% and 21.99%, depending on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account.
There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no penalty APR for late payments — though a late payment will still damage your credit score and may trigger a higher interest rate on future balances. If your payment is 60 days or more late, Atlas may close the account and keep your deposit.
The monthly maintenance fee means you are paying $120 per year just to hold the card, even if you never carry a balance. This cost is higher than many mainstream credit cards and should factor into your decision about whether a secured card is the right tool for your situation.
How Payments and Credit Reporting Work
You make a monthly payment to Atlas by the due date shown on your statement. The payment covers interest, fees, and any portion of your balance you choose to pay down. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you avoid interest charges — you only pay the $10 monthly maintenance fee.
Atlas reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means on-time payments show up on your credit report and help build your credit score over time. Late payments, high balances, and account closures also report to the bureaus and can hurt your score.
Your payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score, so consistent on-time payments with Atlas can move your score upward within 6 to 12 months if you start from a low baseline. However, the high monthly fee and high APR mean this card is most useful as a short-term tool, not a long-term account to keep open indefinitely.
Moving to an Unsecured Card
After 18 months of on-time payments, Atlas may offer you the chance to convert to an unsecured card. If you accept, your deposit is returned to you and the card no longer requires a reserve account. You keep the same account number and credit history, so the transition does not reset your credit record.
Conversion is not automatic — Atlas reviews your account and decides whether to offer it based on your payment history. Missing even one payment can delay or prevent conversion. If you are offered conversion and accept, you should expect the APR to remain high (typically in the same range) because you are still rebuilding credit.
If conversion is not offered after 18 months, you have a few options: keep the card open and continue building history, close it and move to a different card, or request a review of your account. Closing the card returns your deposit but removes an active account from your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score.
When Atlas Makes Sense and When It Does Not
A secured card like Atlas is useful if you have no credit history, a very low credit score, or a recent negative event (bankruptcy, collections, late payments) on your record. The card gives you a way to show lenders you can manage credit responsibly, and the monthly reporting to all three bureaus means your progress is visible.
Atlas is less useful if you already have access to mainstream credit cards, even with a higher APR. A card with no annual fee but a $10 monthly maintenance fee costs more over time than a card with a $95 annual fee if you keep it for more than a year. Similarly, if you know you will carry a balance, the 20% APR makes this card expensive compared to alternatives.
The card also requires discipline: if you miss a payment or let your balance grow, the high APR and monthly fee work against you. If you are not confident you can pay on time every month, a secured card may not be the right choice yet.
How to Open an Account
You can open an Atlas account online through Worldpay's website. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and employment information. Worldpay performs a soft credit pull (which does not affect your credit score) and a hard credit pull (which does appear on your report and may lower your score slightly).
Once your account is approved, you choose your deposit amount and submit payment. Worldpay typically funds the account within 1 to 3 business days, and your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You set up the card by calling the number on the back or logging into your online account.
Before you open an account, compare Atlas to other secured cards in the same category. Some competitors charge lower monthly fees, offer rewards on purchases, or have lower APRs. The right card depends on your specific situation and how long you plan to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my deposit to make a payment?
No. Your deposit is held separately and cannot be used to pay your bill. You must make payments from a bank account or another payment method. The deposit is only released when you close the account or convert to an unsecured card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment reports to all three credit bureaus and damages your credit score. If your payment is 30 days late, you may be charged a late fee. If it is 60 days or more late, Worldpay may close your account and keep your deposit.
Does Atlas offer a rewards program?
No. Atlas does not earn cash back, points, or other rewards on purchases. The card is designed purely for credit building, not for earning benefits on spending.
Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?
No. Your credit limit is fixed at the amount of your deposit. To raise your limit, you must increase your deposit by sending additional money to Worldpay.
How long should I keep the card open after conversion?
Keeping an older account open helps your credit score because it increases your average account age. If you convert to an unsecured card, consider keeping it open even if you do not use it regularly, as long as there is no annual fee or monthly maintenance charge on the unsecured version.