Credit Building Credit Cards - Reviews
Credit building credit cards are an ideal starting point if you’re looking to build or improve your credit score and expand your purchasing power down the road. The best credit cards to build credit regularly report on-time payments to the credit bureaus and offer value-adding incentives like cash back rewards, welcome offers and low APRs on purchases.
To make the most of your credit building card, look for one that fits your spending habits and payment management needs. Cash back credit-builder cards can help you save money by paying you back on the things you buy the most. Low interest cards with flex-pay and balance transfer options help you pay off debt and save on interest. Managed correctly, any of these credit building credit cards will help boost your credit score.
Our CreditCards.com experts reviewed hundreds of credit building card offers based on several factors. Annual fees, deposit and credit score requirements, interest rates, cash back rewards, flexible payment options, late payment forgiveness and credit reporting features are the criteria we used. In the reviews below, you can compare the best credit builder credit cards for 2021 and find expert recommendations based on your specific needs.
Reflex Mastercard® Credit Card
Last reviewed: September 29, 2021
Riddled with fees, including an extremely high variable APR, the Reflex Mastercard is best seen as a last resort and stopgap for credit-builders.
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®
Last reviewed: September 22, 2021
Though it could be useful if you want to build credit without putting down a security deposit, the Milestone Gold Mastercard’s high annual fee, high APR and bare-bones cardholder perks make it hard to recommend for most cardholders.
First Access Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: September 22, 2021
Due to its gargantuan fees and APR, the First Access Visa Credit Card is tough to recommend – even for cardholders with severely damaged credit.
Surge Mastercard® Credit Card
Last reviewed: September 29, 2021
The Surge Mastercard could get you a high credit limit and a chance at a credit limit increase in as little as six months, but the card’s inflated fees and APR make it a poor choice for most credit-builders.
USAA® Secured American Express® Card
Last reviewed: September 21, 2021
If you can afford to invest more than $250 into a security deposit, this military-friendly credit builder card offers a number of appealing perks, including a flexible credit limit, below average APR and consumer-friendly fee schedule. This offer is no longer available on our site.
USAA® Secured Visa Platinum® Card
Last reviewed: September 21, 2021
This affordable credit-builder card offers lower rates than many of its competitors and perks that are especially appealing to military families, including no foreign transaction fee and exclusive benefits for active duty service members. This offer is no longer available on our site.