Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
A credit score of at least 550 to 650 is needed for an unsecured credit card in most cases, though it’s possible to get approved for an unsecured card with a lower score or even no credit score. For example, some of the best beginner and student cards are unsecured and will approve applicants with little or no credit.
If your credit score is below the 550 to 650 threshold needed to get a good unsecured card, you’d be much better off applying for a secured card such as the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or the Secured Mastercard® from Capital One. They’re easier to get than unsecured cards because you’re putting up your own money, typically a minimum deposit of $200, to secure the account.
For people with bad credit who are set on getting an unsecured card, two of the best options are the Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card (cash back on select purchases) and the Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit (no upfront fees). Remember, unsecured credit cards for bad credit do not require a security deposit to open an account. As such, they typically come with low credit limits, high fees and high interest rates.
FRANKIE SOLOMON, Member
@solosolosolo
The minimum credit score for unsecured cards for bad credit is around 500. You can get approved with a really low credit score, but you'll also have to live with lower credit limits, high annual fees and high APR rates.
Honestly, I'd say a secured card is probably a smarter alternative.
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