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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
June 30, 2022
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated June 30, 2022 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top overall pick for best credit card for bad credit. Along with reporting your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), the card provides the opportunity to get your security deposit back after demonstrating responsible card usage. The card also charges a $0 annual fee and earns cash back rewards.
If you have bad credit (typically a credit score less than 580), you may feel limited as to which credit cards you can qualify for.
But while credit cards designed for those with bad credit often have less favorable terms than credit cards intended for those with good or excellent credit – including higher APRs, more fees and less benefits – there are cards available with solid rewards rates, reasonable APRs and $0 annual fees. In fact, some of the best credit cards for bad credit are secured cards, which require a security deposit as collateral for your card’s credit line.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers and credit unions, we compiled a list of the best unsecured and secured credit cards for individuals with bad credit for the following categories:
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a $0 annual fee secured card that reports your credit activity to the three major credit bureaus. The card requires a refundable deposit, which will serve as your line of credit. After seven months, Discover will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to get your deposit back and graduate to an unsecured card. It even provides a solid cash back rewards program, and will match all the cash back you earn in your first year of card membership.
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The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the top cards around if you need to rebuild your credit. It’s accessible with a $200 minimum deposit, and Discover is clear on when your account will be reviewed for the chance to upgrade to an unsecured card. Plus, it earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. And Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a $0 annual fee secured card that reports your credit activity to the three major credit bureaus. The card requires a refundable deposit, which will serve as your line of credit. After seven months, Discover will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to get your deposit back and graduate to an unsecured card. It even provides a solid cash back rewards program, and will match all the cash back you earn in your first year of card membership.
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The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the top cards around if you need to rebuild your credit. It’s accessible with a $200 minimum deposit, and Discover is clear on when your account will be reviewed for the chance to upgrade to an unsecured card. Plus, it earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. And Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Check out our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: Unlike the majority of credit cards and secured cards, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not pull your credit when you apply. Additionally, the card reports your credit usage to the major credit bureaus.
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Since the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check when you apply, it’s a solid option for those whose credit is too bad to get approved for a traditional card or even a secured card.
Additionally, the card does not require a bank account for approval. You will, however, have to provide some personal financial information, such as your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee and has a regular APR of 18.89% (variable). The card also requires a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: Unlike the majority of credit cards and secured cards, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not pull your credit when you apply. Additionally, the card reports your credit usage to the major credit bureaus.
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Since the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check when you apply, it’s a solid option for those whose credit is too bad to get approved for a traditional card or even a secured card.
Additionally, the card does not require a bank account for approval. You will, however, have to provide some personal financial information, such as your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee and has a regular APR of 18.89% (variable). The card also requires a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000.
Check out our OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card review.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $49, $99 or $200
Credit limit: $200 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: Typically, when you get a secured credit card, you must submit a deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit. But the $0 annual fee Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers the chance to get a $200 starting credit limit with a $49, $99 or $200 deposit. Just know, you aren’t guaranteed to get the lower deposit amounts.
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If you want to use a secured card to help build your credit without submitting a large deposit upfront, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good fit — as long as you qualify for the lower deposit amount.
Additionally, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card does, however, come with a relatively high purchase APR of 26.99% (Variable), and there is no rewards program.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $49, $99 or $200
Credit limit: $200 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: Typically, when you get a secured credit card, you must submit a deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit. But the $0 annual fee Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers the chance to get a $200 starting credit limit with a $49, $99 or $200 deposit. Just know, you aren’t guaranteed to get the lower deposit amounts.
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If you want to use a secured card to help build your credit without submitting a large deposit upfront, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good fit — as long as you qualify for the lower deposit amount.
Additionally, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card does, however, come with a relatively high purchase APR of 26.99% (Variable), and there is no rewards program.
Check out our Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card review.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,000
Why we picked this card: While cards intended for those with bad credit often have very high APRs – sometimes upwards of 30% (variable) – the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has a low ongoing APR of 12.24% (V) on purchases. Additionally, the card does not require a minimum credit score or credit history for approval.
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While we recommend paying your balance in full each month, that may not always be possible. So if you find yourself needing to carry a balance on your card month over month, a card with a low APR, like the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card could be ideal.
The card requires a refundable security deposit of $200 to $2,000 and charges a $49 annual fee.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,000
Why we picked this card: While cards intended for those with bad credit often have very high APRs – sometimes upwards of 30% (variable) – the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has a low ongoing APR of 12.24% (V) on purchases. Additionally, the card does not require a minimum credit score or credit history for approval.
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While we recommend paying your balance in full each month, that may not always be possible. So if you find yourself needing to carry a balance on your card month over month, a card with a low APR, like the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card could be ideal.
The card requires a refundable security deposit of $200 to $2,000 and charges a $49 annual fee.
Check out our First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card review.
Credit needed: Fair/Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The AvantCard Credit Card is a rare unsecured card intended for people with fair/poor/limited. The card does charge a $59 annual fee, but you may find that worthwhile if you want to build credit without submitting a security deposit.
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If you don’t want to tie up money in a security deposit, and you’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee, the AvantCard Credit Card is an unsecured card worth considering. However, the card does come with a high APR of 27.24%* Variable APR. Additionally, the card is not available to residents of Colorado, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Credit needed: Fair/Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The AvantCard Credit Card is a rare unsecured card intended for people with fair/poor/limited. The card does charge a $59 annual fee, but you may find that worthwhile if you want to build credit without submitting a security deposit.
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If you don’t want to tie up money in a security deposit, and you’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee, the AvantCard Credit Card is an unsecured card worth considering. However, the card does come with a high APR of 27.24%* Variable APR. Additionally, the card is not available to residents of Colorado, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Check out our AvantCard Credit Card review.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a solid cash back rate on everyday purchases. Cardholder 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
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If you want to build credit while earning cash back at a competitive rate on every purchase, you may like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Additionally, the $0 annual fee card offers automatic credit line reviews starting at six months to determine if you qualify for a higher credit line.
Credit needed: Poor/Limited
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a solid cash back rate on everyday purchases. Cardholder 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
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If you want to build credit while earning cash back at a competitive rate on every purchase, you may like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Additionally, the $0 annual fee card offers automatic credit line reviews starting at six months to determine if you qualify for a higher credit line.
Check out our Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $300
Credit limit: $300 to $5,000
Why we picked this card: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card offers a generous rewards program for foodies: 4X points on dining and takeout, 2X at grocery stores, gas stations and on streaming services, 1X on all other purchases. Plus, get a $15 annual streaming credit after you’ve made 11 consecutive months of eligible streaming purchases.
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If you’re looking to build credit and you often spend on restaurant dining, takeout or delivery, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is a good card to consider. Rewards can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, cash back or gift cards. You can also redeem points instantly for nearly any purchase with Real-Time Rewards.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $300
Credit limit: $300 to $5,000
Why we picked this card: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card offers a generous rewards program for foodies: 4X points on dining and takeout, 2X at grocery stores, gas stations and on streaming services, 1X on all other purchases. Plus, get a $15 annual streaming credit after you’ve made 11 consecutive months of eligible streaming purchases.
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If you’re looking to build credit and you often spend on restaurant dining, takeout or delivery, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is a good card to consider. Rewards can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, cash back or gift cards. You can also redeem points instantly for nearly any purchase with Real-Time Rewards.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $100
Credit limit: $100 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: The Amazon Secured Card has a lower minimum deposit than many secured cards, making it easier for consumers who might struggle to put together a $200 or $300 deposit to start building credit. Plus, Amazon may allow you to graduate to an unsecured card after using the Amazon Secured Card responsibly for 12 months. Finally, Amazon Prime members can earn cash back.
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If you shop frequently at Amazon.com and want to build credit, the Amazon Secured Card might be what you’re looking for. Plus, for consumers who want to avoid the $200 minimum deposit many secured cards require, the Amazon Secured Card is accessible with a deposit as low as $100. Lastly, the card also offers an opportunity to earn 2% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and more, with an eligible Prime membership.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $100
Credit limit: $100 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: The Amazon Secured Card has a lower minimum deposit than many secured cards, making it easier for consumers who might struggle to put together a $200 or $300 deposit to start building credit. Plus, Amazon may allow you to graduate to an unsecured card after using the Amazon Secured Card responsibly for 12 months. Finally, Amazon Prime members can earn cash back.
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If you shop frequently at Amazon.com and want to build credit, the Amazon Secured Card might be what you’re looking for. Plus, for consumers who want to avoid the $200 minimum deposit many secured cards require, the Amazon Secured Card is accessible with a deposit as low as $100. Lastly, the card also offers an opportunity to earn 2% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and more, with an eligible Prime membership.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, no set maximum
Why we picked this card: After six months with the Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card, the issuer will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to graduate to an unsecured card. Plus, cardholders earn 1X points per dollar spent.
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The Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card is an excellent credit-building tool if you qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) membership.
Membership is open to United States military members and veterans, family members and Department of Defense civilians.
The Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee, a 0% balance transfer fee and a $0 cash advance fee. As for foreign transaction fees, there are $0. Additionally, there is an 18.00% variable APR.
Credit needed: limited-poor
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, no set maximum
Why we picked this card: After six months with the Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card, the issuer will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to graduate to an unsecured card. Plus, cardholders earn 1X points per dollar spent.
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The Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card is an excellent credit-building tool if you qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) membership.
Membership is open to United States military members and veterans, family members and Department of Defense civilians.
The Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee, a 0% balance transfer fee and a $0 cash advance fee. As for foreign transaction fees, there are $0. Additionally, there is an 18.00% variable APR.
Credit card | Best for | Annual fee | Minimum deposit |
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Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Overall | $0 | $200 |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | No credit check | $35 | $200 |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | Chance for a low deposit | $0 | $49, $99 or $200 (determined upon approval) |
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | Low APR | $49 | $200 |
AvantCard Credit Card | No deposit | $59 | None |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | Flat-rate cash back | $0 | $200 |
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card | Dining rewards | $0 | $300 |
Amazon Secured Card | Online shopping | $0 | $100 |
Navy Federal nRewards® Secured Credit Card | Military connection | $0 | $200 |
The credit scoring method lenders typically use is the FICO Score, which can range from 300 to 850. Any FICO Score lower than 580 is considered a bad credit score. Another credit scoring model you may encounter is the VantageScore, which also ranges from 300 to 850. Any number below 600 on the VantageScore scale is considered poor.
FICO Score
Credit rating | Credit score |
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Poor credit | 300 to 579 |
Fair credit | 580 to 669 |
Good credit | 670 to 739 |
Very good credit | 740 to 799 |
Exceptional credit | 800 to 850 |
VantageScore
Credit rating | Credit score |
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Very poor credit | 300 to 499 |
Poor credit | 500 to 600 |
Fair credit | 601 to 660 |
Good credit | 661 to 780 |
Excellent credit | 781 to 850 |
If you have fair or poor credit, you may be limited to which credit cards you are eligible to get. Most cards with travel rewards programs or stylish perks and benefits are reserved for people with good or excellent credit. Still, there are credit cards that you can get with bad credit, and using those responsibly can help improve your credit score, to the point where you may be eligible for a card with an outstanding rewards program.
Most credit cards that are designed for those with bad credit come with high APRs and/or annual fees. This can make it challenging to pay off your credit card, since so much of your monthly payment ends up going to interest or fees. That is one reason why it’s important to look for a credit card with a low interest rate and/or no annual fee. If you’re being denied for an unsecured credit card, consider a secured credit card. Many credit card issuers will approve people with poor credit for a secured credit card, since your initial security deposit serves as collateral for your credit line.
Many cards targeted towards those with bad credit also offer tools to help build credit. One of the best ways to improve your credit is by paying your monthly credit card statement in full, each and every month. Try to only charge purchases that you know you can pay off when the statement comes due. Another feature that is common with many secured credit cards is regular account reviews, where you might graduate to an unsecured credit card or have your credit limit increased.
Does it report to the credit bureaus?
Each credit bureau maintains a separate report of your credit history. Most credit card issuers will report your activity to the three major credit bureaus, but that’s not always the case. With some cards, your activity might only be reported to two out of three bureaus, for example. It’s best if you can get a card that reports to all three, because then no matter which credit report lenders pull when you apply for other credit products later, they’ll see your history of responsible spending and on-time payments.
Can I earn my deposit back?
If you get a secured card, a nice feature is the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card with good behavior and get your deposit back. Not all secured cards offer this, but many do.
Are the fees and other terms clear?
We typically recommend against unsecured cards targeted at people with bad credit because they may charge expensive fees and come with opaque terms. So, first, you want to make sure you’re clear on what you’re getting when you apply for a new card. And, second, you want to make sure any fees that you’re charged are reasonable. In many cases, building credit with a secured card that charges no annual fee is your best option. You’ll have to submit a deposit, but it can be more affordable in the long run.
Many issuers of credit cards for bad credit let you check online for prequalification or preapproval. While you aren’t guaranteed an actual approval even if prequalified or preapproved, this process is a good way to gauge your chances without affecting your credit score. For example, Capital One’s online preapproval tool is here.
Then, you’ll need to actually apply. Submitting your application online is likely to be the easiest way to go. Credit card issuers typically ask for personal and financial information including the following:
With a secured credit card, you’ll need to submit your deposit after being approved. Doing so as an electronic transfer from a bank account is widely accepted. It’s less common to be able to make your deposit by other methods, but some issuers may allow it — for example, the fastest way to make your deposit for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is via debit card, but you can also use a check, money order or Western Union.
If paying the whole deposit at once will be difficult, check with your issuer if you’re allowed to submit it in increments. For example, with the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, you can pay your deposit in whole-dollar increments of at least $20 each — but you do have to pay it in full within 35 days of being approved.
Repairing your credit can be done on your own with a little patience and grit. Here’s how:
There are numerous ways to check your credit score for free, and checking your credit score doesn’t hurt it.
One way to get your credit score is by signing up for a free LendingTree account. Another way to get your free score is by creating an account directly with the credit bureau Experian. In addition, Experian offers a service called Experian Boost, which allows payments that wouldn’t normally affect your credit score — such as utilities, eligible streaming services and your phone bill — to build positive credit history on your Experian report.
As far as credit reports, you’re entitled to a free report every year from each of the three bureaus via annualcreditreport.com. And during the coronavirus pandemic, the bureaus have been offering free weekly reports.
Used poorly, a credit card can bury you in debt and drain your bank account due to interest charges. But used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for showing lenders you’re trustworthy. Here’s how to do it right:
Spend only what you can afford to pay off in full. This will accomplish two things. First, it will ensure you don’t pile up credit card debt. And second, limiting how much you spend on your credit card is good for what’s known as the utilization ratio. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of your credit limit — for example, spend no more than $60 at any time on a card with a $200 credit limit.
Use your card for small, recurring monthly charges. Issuers want to see you’re using your card, not letting it stay dormant. If you’re worried having the card in your wallet might tempt you to overspend, consider using it for a recurring monthly payment, like a HBO Max or Spotify subscription. Then, set up autopay so you never miss a payment.
Make sure to pay on time and in full every month. On-time payments are typically the biggest factor impacting your credit score. Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO Score and 41% of your VantageScore. We always recommend paying in full so as to avoid interest charges, but even if you can’t pay in full, you should make at least the minimum payment due so you’re not reported as late to the credit bureaus.
Getting a credit card that reports to the bureaus can help improve your credit score. But once you’ve obtained it, you should avoid applying for new credit too often, because doing so hurts your score the following ways:
Putting a hard inquiry on your credit report. Each time you apply for a credit card, a hard inquiry will typically appear on your credit report. This can knock your credit score down by a few points and stay on your credit report for two years.
Reducing the average age of your accounts. Length of credit history makes up 15% of your FICO Score, and average age of accounts is part of this. Each time you open a new account, that average age takes a dip.
When you have bad credit and you’re looking for ways to rebuild, you need to be on high alert to avoid scams and predatory credit products. Be on the lookout for credit repair scams (a scam where someone tells you they can fix your credit quickly, or get negative information removed from your credit reports). You can take many steps to repair your credit on your own. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are legitimate nonprofit credit counselors who may be able to help.
Using a credit card for a year or more can be a good way to rebuild credit. However, you should also be wary of many credit products marketed to people with bad credit. These may be legitimate products, but can cost you money and cause frustration through expensive fees, high interest rates and opaque terms. We typically recommend avoiding unsecured cards for bad credit for these reasons.
Beware of fees such as:
When you have a bad credit score, using a credit card responsibly is one way to help rebuild your credit. And since your credit is not in the best shape, getting a credit card to rebuild your credit is one of the few affordable options you have since lenders will likely not consider you for a loan until your credit score rebounds. Lenders want to see that if they extend you credit, you’ll pay back what you borrow, and payment history is the most important factor affecting your credit score. To build a solid payment history, put a small recurring charge on your credit card (a Netflix or Spotify subscription, for example) and pay it off in full as soon as it posts to your account each month.
No credit card has a guaranteed approval. However, the recommended cards in this guide can help people with bad credit rebuild their credit. Most are secured cards, which require a deposit, and one is an unsecured card with an annual fee. Other cards that may be easier to qualify for are store cards, which often come with high APRs and low credit limits, but if used responsibly, can help build your credit score.
Credit cards are a useful tool that can help you rebuild from bad credit. However, if you don’t want a credit card — or can’t get a credit card — another option to consider is a credit builder loan. You may be able to apply for a credit builder loan from credit unions, smaller banks and online lenders. Though it’s called a “loan,” you don’t get money upfront. You’ll make payments of a set amount over a certain period of time, and when you’ve paid in full you’ll get your money back (minus any fees the financial institution charges). Your payment history gets reported to the credit bureaus, which helps you build credit.
If you’ve been denied when applying for an unsecured credit card, you might consider applying for a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you generally put down a refundable security deposit that serves as your initial credit limit. Many lenders are willing to issue secured credit cards to those with fair or poor credit since your deposit serves as collateral.
It is possible to get an unsecured credit card with no credit history, depending on your overall financial situation. While each credit card issuer has its own criteria for approvals, there are many credit cards (even unsecured ones) that are marketed towards students and those with no or limited credit history. If you’ve been denied an unsecured credit card, you can always consider one of the secured credit cards in this list.
Most credit cards do not ask for detailed bank account information on the application itself. This means that it is possible to get a credit card without having a bank account. However, it may be difficult to regularly pay your credit card account each month without a bank account. You may consider a card like the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, which does not do a credit check when you apply and allows you to fund your card via Western Union.
The biggest factor in determining whether a particular credit card can help you build credit is whether or not it reports transaction and payment information to the major credit bureaus. Most store credit cards do report this information to the credit bureaus, so they can help build credit if you use them responsibly. However, if you don’t use your store credit card responsibly, it can also harm your credit profile.
In selecting the best credit cards for bad credit, we opted for cards accessible to people with poor credit histories, but avoided any cards that hit cardholders with opaque terms and expensive fees.
Many of the cards on this list charge no annual fee; those that do come with an annual fee offer enough value to make the fee worth it in certain situations.
Finally, all of the cards on this list report activity to the credit bureaus, meaning using them responsibly can help improve your credit score.
Additional reporting by Dan Miller.
Glen Luke Flanagan is a senior credit card writer for LendingTree. He joined the team in June 2019, and covers topics including new credit cards, how your credit score works and what you need to know about credit card interest.
Before joining LendingTree, Glen worked in journalism and government communications. As a journalist at newspapers in North Carolina and South Carolina, his reporting won awards from the North Carolina Press Association and the South Carolina Press Association, respectively.
Glen earned his bachelor’s degree in media studies with a concentration in journalism from Radford University, graduating summa cum laude in May 2014. He also earned a master’s degree in English with a concentration in technical and professional communication, as well as a graduate certificate in marketing, from East Carolina University in May 2022.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.