What are the best guaranteed approval unsecured credit cards for bad credit?

Question

A secured credit card with no credit check is the easiest type of credit card to get if you have bad credit. For example, the opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card is very easy to get even with poor credit because the issuer does not check your credit history when you apply.

Easiest Credit Cards to Get with Bad Credit

If you’re looking for an unsecured credit card for bad credit, one of the easiest to get is the OneMain Financial BrightWay® Card. This card gives you 1% cash back on all purchases, and it has an annual fee of $0 - $89.

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read full answer by Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator

Answer 1 · 2025-09-29 14:10:52

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Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards Moderator

@lisacahill • 09/29/25

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The best unsecured credit card for bad credit with almost guaranteed approval is the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit, as it offers an initial credit limit of $300+ and 1% cash back on eligible purchases. No credit card offers 100% guaranteed approval, but cards like this offer high approval odds.

The problem with many unsecured credit cards for bad credit is they tend to be expensive. Many have annual fees, and some have one-time fees or monthly fees, too. That’s on top of a high APR.

Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit with High Approval Rates in 2025

Perpay Credit Card

Perpay Credit Card

Net First Platinum

Net First Platinum

At the end of the day, the closest thing you'll find to a guaranteed approval credit card is a secured credit card. Such cards aren't going to provide an emergency loan, since your spending limit equals the amount of your security deposit, but they can help you rebuild your credit.

This answer was last updated on 09/29/25 and it was first published on 01/21/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

@staceyevacaleb33

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I'm so fed up with these "articles", and I use that term lightly because they receive compensation when anyone clicks on the links, that say "Indigo approves people with bad credit". No, they don't. I applied, and I have a credit score of 600, my annual income is $80,000, my TOTAL debt (no credit card debt, just a few older bills in collections) is $1463, and I wasn't approved. My husband, who has similar if not almost identical circumstances to my own, was not approved. My best friend, credit score of 650, no debt and annual income of $92,000, was not approved. WHO IS APPROVED?? Journalist that receive compensation from the companies that they are writing about are biased and compromised.

Answer 2 · 2023-10- 6

@staceyevacaleb33

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I'm so fed up with these "articles", and I use that term lightly because they receive compensation when anyone clicks on the links, that say "Indigo approves people with bad credit". No, they don't. I applied, and I have a credit score of 600, my annual income is $80,000, my TOTAL debt (no credit card debt, just a few older bills in collections) is $1463, and I wasn't approved. My husband, who has similar if not almost identical circumstances to my own, was not approved. My best friend, credit score of 650, no debt and annual income of $92,000, was not approved. WHO IS APPROVED?? Journalist that receive compensation from the companies that they are writing about are biased and compromised.

Answer 3 · 2025-05-29 17:54:24

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Alexander Howard, Member

@alexh_finance • 05/29/25

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If you`ve got any banking history, try your own bank first. My cousin got a Capital One Quicksilver with no credit - 300 limit. Took 6 months of direct deposits with them first though.

This answer was first published on 05/29/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 4 · 2025-05-09 17:40:06

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Hannah Gray, Member

@hannah_gray_att • 05/09/25

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OneMain Brightway is good if you NEED unsecured for an emergency. But as others have pointed out, it’s not the best choice long term. You’ll save money and build credit just as well with a secured card.
Here’s what I recommend:

Check pre-approvals with Discover, Capital One, OneMain (soft pull, no risk).
If denied, go secured - Discover It Secured even gives cashback.
After 12 months of on-time payments, then apply for unsecured.

It’s slower, but you’ll save hundreds in fees and stress.

This answer was first published on 05/09/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Kevin Richardson @krich_business

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I agree. BrightWay is nice because it might not have a fee, and if it does, the fee isn’t crazy.

Answer 5 · 2025-05-21

Kevin Richardson @krich_business

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I agree. BrightWay is nice because it might not have a fee, and if it does, the fee isn’t crazy.

Answer 6 · 2025-06-06 18:26:16

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Lily CC, Member

@lily_camp • 06/06/25

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I can attest to approval not being guaranteed. I just got turned down…

This answer was first published on 06/06/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 7 · 2025-05-06 17:11:07

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MM Turner, Member

@matt_t_official • 05/06/25

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What you’re asking for doesn’t exist…

This answer was first published on 05/06/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 8 · 2025-04-17 17:12:08

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Jack Bennett, Member

@jbennett_23 • 04/17/25

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There's no such thing as a truly "guaranteed approval" unsecured card - any company offering that is usually predatory. You should use prequal tools from your bank and others to see if you’re likely to get any of their unsecured cards, and if you end up getting denied, go with a secured card instead. Cap 1’s has a low deposit.

This answer was first published on 04/17/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 9 · 2025-04-21 17:50:32

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Isabella Clark, Member

@izzy_clark • 04/21/25

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There’s no such thing as a guaranteed unsecured card, but if your credit’s rough, Credit One Platinum Visa and Reflex Platinum Mastercard might approve you. Just expect fees and high APRs.

This answer was first published on 04/21/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 10 · 2025-04-11 16:45:44

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Abigail Mitchell, Member

@abby_mitch • 04/11/25

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Forget "guaranteed approval" - that's a myth. But if you need an unsecured card with bad credit, Credit One Platinum Visa is your best shot.

$300+ starting limit
$0-$99 annual fee (varies by applicant)
Reports to all bureaus

High APR and sneaky fees though. Only use this if you're desperate and can't get a secured card.

This answer was first published on 04/11/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 11 · 2020-02-26 03:59:07

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Zachary Schmidt, Member

@zac_schmidt • 02/26/20

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There are no guaranteed approval unsecured credit cards.

The best unsecured credit cards with lenient approval conditions are the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa and the NASCAR Credit Card from Credit One.

They offer credit lines of at least $300 and charge $0-99 in fees per year.

This answer was first published on 02/26/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Answer 12 · 2025-05-07 16:40:27

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Joseph Allen, Member

@joe_allen_mn • 05/07/25

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Just get a secured card and move on with your life…

This answer was first published on 05/07/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Nathan WW @nward_nlt

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I agree with this. People bend over backward to avoid paying a security deposit, when it’s actually refundable, unlike unsecured card fees. If you’re patient and you have an emergency fund plus a secured card, you’ll be able to get a good unsecured card before long.

Answer 13 · 2025-06- 3

Nathan WW @nward_nlt

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I agree with this. People bend over backward to avoid paying a security deposit, when it’s actually refundable, unlike unsecured card fees. If you’re patient and you have an emergency fund plus a secured card, you’ll be able to get a good unsecured card before long.

Answer 14 · 2025-04-03 16:58:06

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James Wilson, Member

@jwilson87 • 04/03/25

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Nothing is truly "guaranteed," but if you’re desperate for something unsecured, the Credit One Platinum Visa and Reflex Platinum Mastercard are ok. Just know that they’ll nickel-and-dime you with fees and sky-high APRs. I’d avoid them unless you’re stuck. Secured cards like Discover It Secured / Capital One’s secured card are better options - they can graduate to unsecured pretty fast and cost way less long-term.

This answer was first published on 04/03/25. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

What are the best guaranteed approval unsecured credit cards for bad credit?

Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards Moderator

Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit with High Approval Rates in 2025

2025's Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards

2025's Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards

Alexander Howard, Member

Hannah Gray, Member

Lily CC, Member

MM Turner, Member

Jack Bennett, Member

Isabella Clark, Member

Abigail Mitchell, Member

Zachary Schmidt, Member

Joseph Allen, Member

James Wilson, Member

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