Rewards Rate
-
This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or points
At A Glance
- Annual Fee
- $0
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 26.99% variable
Have bad credit? Here are the top offers designed to help you improve your score and rebuild your credit. Most of these options have minimal requirements to qualify or are secured cards (require an initial deposit), making them accessible to almost anyone. Boosting a bad credit score (in the 300 – 579 range) is possible through on-time payments and keeping a low balance with one of these cards, and specially designed features, such as regular reporting to credit bureaus, access to your score, consideration for a higher credit limit and less harsh fees will help along the way. New to credit cards? See offers from our partners for students or those with no credit. Looking for more credit card options? Check out our experts’ list of the best credit cards.
Have bad credit? Here are the top offers designed to help you improve your score and rebuild your credit. Most of these options have minimal requirements to qualify or are secured cards (require an initial deposit), making them accessible to almost anyone. Boosting a bad credit score (in the 300 – 579 range) is possible through on-time payments and keeping a low balance with one of these cards, and specially designed features, such as regular reporting to credit bureaus, access to your score, consideration for a higher credit limit and less harsh fees will help along the way. New to credit cards? See offers from our partners for students or those with no credit. Looking for more credit card options? Check out our experts’ list of the best credit cards.
March 2, 2021
Bad to Fair
Credit Recommended (300-670)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Bad to Fair
Credit Recommended (300-670)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Bad to Fair
Credit Recommended (300-670)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Bad to Fair
Credit Recommended (300-670)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Bad to Fair
Credit Recommended (300-670)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by CreditCards.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the bank's website for the most current information.
Okay, so your credit isn’t at its best. Maybe you don’t have much experience with paying bills, or perhaps you’ve had a couple of late payments. Well, we’ve got your back.
It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best and fastest ways to rebuild credit is with a credit card. That’s right. Believe it or not, with the right credit card, you can improve your credit in a few short months. The trick is to know how. We’ll tell you what you need to know and how to do it so there aren’t any surprises along the way. Here’s what we look at:
The required security deposit ranges from $49 to $200, depending on your credit. It’s one of the only secured cards that allows your initial credit limit to be higher than your security deposit (if you qualify). Plus, there’s no annual fee and after 6 on-time monthly payments, you’ll automatically be considered for a higher credit line, which could boost your credit.
This card offers rewards, which isn’t common among credit cards for bad credit. Cardholders get 2% cash back at gas stations and at restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%). The ongoing APR on purchases (22.99% variable) is high even for a secured card, but utilizing your cash back to help pay down your balance may make it avoidable and will pay off when Discover reports your credit behavior to the 3 credit bureaus.
You’ll get your quarterly FICO Score for free on each monthly billing statement, making it easy to keep track of your progress. Plus, cardholders can access several account management tools that make it easy to stay on top of your payments, like the ability to make payments online, 24/7 account access by phone, and the ability to enroll in email or text payment reminders. Be sure to pay off your balance with this card, as the APR for purchases is sky-high at 36% variable. You’ll also have to pay several fees, including a one-time program fee, an annual fee and a monthly fee.
One nice feature about this card is that no security deposit is required, yet you can get a credit limit of $225-$300, depending on your annual fee ($0-$99). The Indigo Platinum Mastercard also offers Mastercard ID theft protection, zero fraud liability and reporting your habits to all 3 credit bureaus. Unfortunately, the card doesn’t offer any rewards and features a high regular APR at 24.90%.
The Fit Mastercard Credit Card offers what it advertises as a fast and easy application, promising results in seconds. This can be handy if you need to get a decision quickly, but you will need a checking account to be approved. Thanks to Mastercard, this option has widespread acceptance and your cardholder habits will be reported to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Some things to know if you do elect for fast approval: You’ll be given an initial credit limit of $400 (subject to available credit) and there are a few fees, including an annual fee and a one-time processing fee, that can be avoided elsewhere.
The Self – Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa Credit Card doesn’t require credit history, and you dodge any credit dings since there is no hard credit pull. In addition to automatically being approved for the card once you’ve made 3 consecutive timely payments and at least $100 in savings, you also enjoy features like credit monitoring and account alerts to help you stay on track. There are fees that come along and you’ll have to wait until your 12- to 24-month payments are complete to receive your deposit, but this card can be a major help. Your payments will be reported, and unlike other secured card options, your repaired credit is stronger since this loan-and-card combo helps build a credit mix – worth 10% of a good credit score – with all 3 credit bureaus.
The card doesn’t require a credit check, so you won’t risk your score in applying. You don’t even need a bank account: You can pay your security deposit (up to $3,000) via check, Western Union or money order. Also, should you need to carry a balance, the card’s 17.39% (variable) APR is relatively low. The card does feature a $35 annual fee and lacks any rewards-earning capabilities.
The Petal 1 not only offers no foreign transaction or annual fees, but you can earn 2%-10% on purchases with select merchants and get a credit limit of $500-$5,000. The card’s regular APR is super high at 19.99%-29.49% variable, but sufficient and on-time payments will save you from that lofty APR. Plus, getting in a routine of good habits will serve you well when they’re reported to all 3 major credit bureaus.
If you’re approved for the unsecured version of the card, you can get a credit limit of $300–$750, which is fairly high for someone with damaged credit. Also, offering some leeway to newer cardholders, you’ll have a grace period of 25 days after your last billing cycle to pay your balance with no interest charges. There’s no guarantee you’ll be offered the unsecured version of the card, but your tendencies as a cardholder can pay off either way: Continental Finance states that your account will be reviewed for a credit limit increase after 6 months, which should incentivize you to stick to responsible spending and payment habits.
The maximum annual fee you’ll pay with this card is $99, but it could be as low as $0, depending on your creditworthiness. To help decide whether the card’s 1% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, and services such as mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV is worth it, you can check and see if you prequalify to get an idea of what your annual fee would be. This card protects cardholders from fraud, but has several things you’ll want to keep an eye on, such as fees associated with cash advances and foreign transactions and a high ongoing purchase APR of 17.99% to 23.99% variable.
With the Destiny Mastercard, your past financial mistakes don’t matter as much. Even with a prior bankruptcy on your credit report, you may still qualify and can begin building your bright financial future. You’ll have to pay an annual fee of $59-$99, but your payment history will be reported on a monthly basis, and prequalification is available ahead of time to avoid any impact on your credit score.
Credit Card | Best for | Annual Fee | Deposit Requirement |
---|---|---|---|
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One | Flexible security deposits | $0 | $49-$200 |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Cash back | $0 | $200-$2,500 |
First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard® Credit Card | Building credit | See Issuer Website | See Terms |
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® | No security deposit | $0-$99 | $0 |
Fit Mastercard® Credit Card | Fast application | See Terms* | $0 |
Self – Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa Credit Card | Establishing Credit | One Time $9 + Secured Card $25 | $0 |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | No credit check | $35 | $200-$3,000 |
Petal®1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card | No Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
Surge Mastercard Credit Card | Credit card with a high limit | See Terms* | $0 |
Credit One Bank® Visa® for Rebuilding Credit | Low Annual Fee | $0 - $99 | $0 |
Destiny™ Mastercard® | Imperfect Credit | $59-$99 | $0 |
A “bad credit” score is typically under 580 out of a range of 300-850 as defined by FICO, with 850 being the best possible score. Using the same 300-850 scale, a VantageScore defines “poor credit” as a credit score under 550.
To get a good or excellent rating, you’ll want to shoot for at least 670. Below that, you’ll consistently see less-than-stellar offers for financial products.
Bad credit can lead to several obstacles. You’ll face higher interest rates, trouble with credit and loan application approval, difficulty renting an apartment, higher insurance premiums and even issues when applying for certain jobs. Luckily, understanding why you might have bad credit could be an early step to turning your financial situation around. You can end up with bad credit in a variety of ways, including:
You can end up with bad credit in a variety of ways, including:
No matter your reason for having bad credit, there are ways for you to improve your score. Oftentimes, a secured card or a card for bad credit can be used as a tool to grow out of a poor credit rating. According to a study by the credit bureau Experian, only about 16% of consumers have bad credit, the smallest percentage across all credit ranges. With some financial discipline and the right habits, boosting your credit score out of that bottom range is more than possible.
Just as bad credit hinders what you can do, good credit can open doors to new possibilities. Getting out of bad credit will lead to numerous benefits:
With a proper amount of research and consideration, a credit card for bad credit can be a lifeline for rebuilding your credit. However, you need to do your research. Some credit cards for bad credit compensate for riskier lending with high APRs and harsh penalties. Especially if you’re inexperienced when it comes to credit, you should weigh the benefits against potential pitfalls.
Here are the key elements to keep in mind when evaluating credit cards for bad credit:
If you’ve made a few financial mistakes or don’t have a credit history, you may be wondering if it’s even possible for you to get accepted for a credit card. Fear not, because it is possible to get a credit card with bad credit. Here are a few steps you can take to increase your odds of approval.
Before you begin browsing and applying, it’s important to know where you stand – you might be surprised. Maybe your credit score falls within the “fair” range instead of “poor,” which gives you a better selection of cards you’re likely to be approved for. Even if your credit is poor, knowing how close you are to having fair credit allows you to decide whether you should apply now or wait until you’ve given your credit a boost and have better options.
Since you can check your credit score for free and without any damage to your score, there’s no reason not to. Though “get your free credit score” may sound like a gimmick, the 3 major credit bureaus are legally required to give you a free credit report at least once per year. You can request yours online, by phone or by mail.
If your credit score is surprisingly low, you may want to do some investigating. It’s possible that fraud or mistakes are wrongfully affecting your credit. If you’ve been a victim of fraud or if you find mistakes on your credit report, be sure to dispute the incorrect items on your credit report.
One of the major factors that go into your credit score is your credit utilization ratio, which is basically the percentage of your available credit limit that you’re borrowing. A high utilization ratio can lower your credit score, so it’s a good idea to pay down existing balances before you apply for a new credit card.
Once you’ve done your research and feel comfortable with your standing, it’s time to start browsing credit cards. Be sure to pick a card with credit requirements that you satisfy. That is, don’t waste time looking at or applying for cards that require good credit if yours isn’t quite there yet.
The cards at the top of this page have low credit requirements. Secured credit cards are another great option for applicants with bad credit. They require a one-time, refundable security deposit and some even offer rewards.
Luckily, you won’t be left in the dark on the “why,” as issuers are legally required to send you an adverse action notice explaining why you were denied.
Here are some common reasons for denial and what you can do about them:
When you have a bad credit score and are looking for a new credit card, it can be tough to know where to begin. Check out these commonly asked questions to get a sense of which direction you should go.
It will be very difficult to get a credit card without a bank account. Even most cards backed by a deposit require you to have a bank account. One exception is the OpenSky Secured Visa: You can pay your security deposit via money order or have someone send the issuer a check or transfer on your behalf.
You certainly can, though not all issuers offer prequalification. Luckily, those that do typically determine who prequalifies for a card with a soft credit pull, which won’t impact your credit score. That said, your application can still be denied even after you’ve prequalified.
Credit cards for bad credit that offer prequalification include:
Yes. Not only is it possible to find a credit card after bankruptcy, it’s a great way to get your credit back on track. To save time and protect your credit score, it’s best to only apply for credit cards explicitly stating that previous bankruptcy is OK, such as the Indigo Platinum Mastercard and the Milestone Gold Mastercard.
There are two main types of cards to consider when you’re looking for a credit card with bad credit: secured and unsecured cards. Both can be a useful tool in your credit-rebuilding efforts.
Secured cards require a refundable deposit, which is usually equal to your credit limit. With many cards, after 6-12 months of on-time payments, you should be able to get your deposit back and graduate to a traditional (unsecured) credit card with a higher limit.
Examples of secured credit cards for bad credit:
Card | Credit Recommended | Annual Fee |
---|---|---|
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One | Limited/No Credit | $0 |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Limited/No Credit | $0 |
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | Bad Credit | $49 |
OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card | No Credit Check | $35 |
An unsecured credit card, as the name implies, offers an “unsecured” line of credit, so you won’t have to put down a security deposit to borrow money. You’re given a credit limit based on your creditworthiness and can borrow up to that amount. A high credit limit will also likely improve your credit score by helping your credit utilization.
Examples of unsecured credit cards for bad credit:
Card | Credit Needed | Annual Fee |
---|---|---|
Total Visa Unsecured Credit Card | Bad/Fair Credit | See Terms |
Credit One Bank Visa for Rebuilding Credit | Bad Credit | $0 – $99 |
It’s technically possible to do a balance transfer with bad credit, but it’s probably not practical. The only cards you’re likely to qualify for that allow balance transfers are secured cards, and it usually makes more sense to tackle paying down your balance and building your credit for a bit until you’re eligible for better balance transfer cards.
While there’s no official credit “blacklist,” if you’ve burned a credit card company in the past, they may be unlikely to offer you any new credit for years to come. Additionally, if you have a history of bounced checks or refusing to pay a negative balance at your bank, you could be flagged by ChexSystems, a consumer reporting agency that gathers reports of checking account misuse or fraud. Activity stays in a ChexSystems report for five years.
A store credit card could be a solid bad credit option, offering a low entry barrier and a chance to build credit while you earn rewards at your favorite retailer.
Bottom line: The best store credit card for bad credit is one that keeps you on track with your credit-building goals. To ensure good habits, pick a card tied to a store you visit frequently for everyday purchases.
Credit cards for bad credit analyzed: 269
Criteria used: credit needed: deposit required (if any); annual fee; regular APR; other rates and fees, including hidden fees such as copy fees and new card fees; customer service; ability to improve credit line; tools to track credit score; rewards rates; security; and miscellaneous benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees and extended warranty protection.
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CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
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