What credit cards will offer me a $1,000 credit limit with bad credit?

The best high limit credit cards for bad credit are the Surge Mastercard® Credit Card ($300+ limit) and the Total VISA® Credit Card ($300+ limit). “High limits” for bad credit will be very different from high limits for better credit scores, though.

Most people with high credit scores looking for high-limit credit cards want $10,000+. That’s not going to be possible with credit cards for bad credit, unless you place a deposit of $10,000+ too.… read full answer

You can aim for a limit of a few hundred dollars with poor credit. But just getting approved usually is the biggest priority for people with bad scores.

Best High Limit Credit Cards for Bad Credit

• Surge Mastercard® Credit Card
• Total VISA® Credit Card
• Bank of America® Cash Back Secured Credit Card
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card

With secured cards, you have to put down a security deposit. This security deposit then acts as your credit line. Secured credit cards are a popular choice for individuals with bad credit since it’s easy to get approved. In addition to easier approval, secured cards usually have lower fees as well. Most secured cards have $0 annual fees, and even those that charge more usually don’t go above $39.

In general, you likely won’t get a very high credit limit with bad credit. However, these cards are a great place to start and you can always request a credit limit increase once you’ve had your account open for at least six months.

The easiest credit card to get with bad credit is the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card because there’s no credit check required for approval. As long as you have a U.S. mailing address, proof of your identity and some income, you can get an OpenSky. It has an annual fee of $35 and requires a refundable deposit of at least $200 to “secure” the credit line. The deposit amount becomes your credit limit.… read full answer

If you’re looking for an unsecured credit card for bad credit, one of the easiest to get is the Fingerhut Credit Account. It’s a store credit card, meaning you can’t use it for anything but Fingerhut purchases. That said, the Fingerhut online store has a wide range of merchandise for sale, and the Fingerhut Credit Account will report to credit bureaus and build your credit in the process. It has a $0 annual fee.

You should be wary of credit card companies that offer unsecured credit cards to people with bad credit though. They can give you an unsecured line of credit, but most come with big fees and high interest rates. Unless you need an emergency loan, it’s better to get a secured credit card and build up your score enough to qualify for a good unsecured card.

The best credit card for a 550 credit score is the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. There’s no credit check when you apply, so approval is almost guaranteed. You just need $200 for a refundable security deposit and enough income to make monthly payments. This card also reports to all three major credit bureaus every month, which is your ticket to a better credit score. And a $35 annual fee isn’t too much to pay for that.… read full answer

The Discover it® Secured Credit Cardis another great 550 credit score credit card. It has a $0 annual fee and actually rewards you for making purchases. A 550 credit score won’t keep you from getting approved either. But a pending bankruptcy will.

Those aren’t the only credit cards you can get with a 550 credit score. In fact, there are two kinds of credit cards for people at that credit level: Secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards for bad credit. A 550 credit score is within the bad credit range, unfortunately. Bad credit goes from 300 to 639. But picking the right 550 credit score credit card and using it responsibly could help you improve your score to “fair” territory within 12-18 months.

The best credit cards for a 550 score:

• OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® with Cash Back Rewards
• Secured Mastercard® from Capital One
• Milestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered

Before applying for a card, make sure to check out its terms and conditions, or a FAQ page if there is one, just to make sure you fit the criteria for eligibility. You can also try getting pre-approved for a credit card. It won’t hurt your credit, and it will give you a good idea of your odds if you decide to apply.