William Memphis, WalletHub Credit Card Advisor
@bill.memp1
One of the best credit cards 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 (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) every month, which is your ticket to a better credit score. And a $35 annual fee isn’t too much to pay for that.
Another good option is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card. This card offers 1 - 5% cash back, depending on the type of purchase and has a $0 annual fee.
However, 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:
You can also check our editors’ latest picks for the best credit cards for bad credit on the market to see which one better suits your needs.
Before applying for a card, though, 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.

2023's Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Compare CardsBart Ashton, Member
@bart_ashton
The First Progress Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card is one of the best. They'll approve you at any credit score, there are no application fees, and security deposits start at $200.
Savannah Reese, Member
@SavannahBanana
I had no credit and was able to get a credit card without a secured deposit. It is the QuicksilverOne card by Capital One. It was a life saver for building my credit.
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