What are the best credit cards for a $1,000 credit limit with bad credit?

The best credit card with a $1,000 credit limit for bad credit is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card because it has good rewards and no annual fee. You can qualify for this secured card with bad credit and get a $1,000 credit limit by putting down a security deposit of the same amount.

Best $1,000+ Limit Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Many credit cards for bad credit can offer credit limits of $1,000 or more, but getting one without a deposit is difficult. Most credit cards for bad credit start out with low limits in the $200–$300 range.

Ways to Get a $1,000 Credit Limit with Bad Credit

Get a secured credit card 

Most secured cards, including the Bank of America Custom Cash Secured Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card, allow you to add a $1,000 security deposit, which will serve as your credit limit. The deposit is fully refundable when you close the account in good standing. Most secured cards also come with $0 annual fees. 

As you build good credit, you may be eligible for a credit limit increase without an additional deposit. In some cases, you’ll be allowed to graduate to an unsecured card with better terms.

Get an unsecured credit card 

An unsecured credit card for bad credit could give you a $1,000 credit limit, but it depends on just how damaged your credit is. Your income, debts, and overall ability to make credit card payments are also crucial factors that help determine your credit limit and overall eligibility. 

Just keep in mind that most unsecured cards for bad credit, such as the Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard, start with a $350+ credit limit. Plus, it’s not always all yours to spend right away. Many unsecured credit cards for bad credit come with high annual, one-time, and monthly fees.

Get a store card 

Some store credit cards, such as the Fingerhut Credit Card, will start out with a low credit limit. However, you could increase your credit limit after you make a few on-time, above-minimum payments. 

You can get approved for a Fingerhut Credit Card with bad credit, and it has a $0 annual fee. Most other store credit cards require fair credit or better.

Become an authorized user

Another way to get a $1,000 credit card limit with bad credit is to become an authorized user. When you sign on as an authorized user on someone else’s credit card, you’ll share the account’s credit limit while you rebuild your credit history. Missed payments on the account can have a negative effect on both the primary cardholder’s and authorized user’s credit scores. But as an authorized user, you have the right to dispute negative information in order to get it removed from your credit report.

If you’re not in need of emergency money, and your focus is more on building your credit, you should get a secured credit card. Your limit on a secured card is as high as your initial deposit in most cases. Alternatively, you can also look at ways to increase your credit limit after you get approved for a card. After several months of responsible credit card use, you can request a higher credit limit yourself, or you might even be offered an automatic increase by the issuer.

The only way to get a credit card for bad credit with a $1,000 limit is to place a $1,000 security deposit on a secured credit card. The top secured credit cards are the Capital One Secured, BofA Secured, Citi Secured and Discover it Secured cards.

If a security deposit is not an option, a decent unsecured card is the Credit One Bank Visa. It starts you out with a limit of at least $300, but there's no guarantee you’ll ever see a $1,000 credit limit. Plus, the annual fee and interest rates are high. Not an attractive option in my opinion.

If you need to borrow for an emergency, you’ll need an unsecured card like Credit One or OneMain Brightway, but plan for a limit that’s just a fraction of $1,000…if you get more, great…if not (which is more likely), you won’t be disappointed.  
If you just want some breathing room for everyday purchases while you build credit, definitely get a secured card. It will be less expensive overall, and you can get good rewards.

The best secured cards - like Discover it Secured - but you have to prepay that $1k limit. The deposit is refundable though. Without a deposit, you’ll probably get a much lower limit with much higher fees.