Credit Cards for Bad Credit

There is no secret for how to get a credit card with bad credit, other than choosing the right kind of card. There are two types of credit cards that you can get with a poor credit score: secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit. Both types report account information to the major credit bureaus each month, which means either can help you rebuild your credit if used responsibly. But they’re far from equal in terms of accessibility and cost.

Secured cards are the easiest credit cards for anyone to get, offering nearly guaranteed approval even to people with very bad credit. Some don’t even check applicants’ credit history, which means there’s no hard pull to hurt your score more. Secured cards also charge much lower fees than unsecured cards for bad credit.

All of that, from the high approval odds to the low fees, is thanks to the fact that you have to place a refundable security deposit to get a secured credit card. The amount of this deposit, which you typically have to place when you apply, usually serves as your spending limit. This prevents you from spending more than the card’s issuer knows for sure you can afford to repay. And without the risk of being left with an unpaid balance, the issuer can afford to approve more people as well as offer more attractive terms.

Now that you know the lay of the land, the path to plastic despite poor credit should be clear. But for your convenience, we’ll lay out step-by-step instructions below.

How to get a credit card with bad credit:

1. Compare secured credit card offers. Shopping around will help you find the card with the lowest fees, lowest deposit requirement and highest approval odds.
2. Fill out an application. Applying online is best because you get a decision soonest.
3. Place your security deposit. You’ll have to submit your deposit either when you apply or after approval but before opening an account. You can usually fund the deposit with a transfer from a bank account or prepaid card. The funds will be returned if you don’t get approved or when you close your account (minus any unpaid balance).
4. Get approved. It’s possible to get rejected for a secured credit card, but not likely.

Getting a credit card with bad credit can be tricky. But it’s crucial to open an account as soon as possible in order to begin repairing your credit reputation. A secured card allows you to do that. And it has the added benefit of helping you avoid being rejected repeatedly, which would only make matters worse.

When it comes to specific cards to consider, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card and Discover it® Secured Credit Card are two of the best options available. And they’re generally available to people with bad credit who don’t have a non-discharged bankruptcy on their credit report. Alternatively, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card and First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card won’t check your credit when you apply.

No matter which secured card you choose, paying your bill on time every month will add positive information to your credit reports, which will help cover up past mistakes. But sometimes that’s not enough. Some people with bad credit need a credit card with no security deposit to cover emergency expenses. In that case, an unsecured credit card for bad credit is your only option.

You won’t have much of a selection when shopping for an unsecured card with bad credit, unfortunately. You won’t get too much extra spending power, either, because high fees will initially consume much of your credit line. But it’s definitely possible to get approved for such a card. Just compare your options and double-check the eligibility requirements in their terms and conditions to make sure nothing in your background rules you out.

So, to recap, a secured credit card is your best bet if getting approved and beginning to rebuild your credit as soon as possible is your top priority. But if you need an emergency loan, you’ll have to make do with a costly unsecured card for bad credit.

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.

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 Card 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 high limit credit card for bad credit is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured 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. 

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

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. 

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.

Yes, there are credit cards for bad credit with no deposit and instant approval. But it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Credit cards for bad credit with no deposit are unsecured cards. There are lots of them. And there’s the possibility of instant approval with any card you can apply for online. But it’s never guaranteed. Instant approval tends to happen when your credit and income are better than the card’s requirements. You’ll also need to make sure all your personal information is correct. The company needs to verify it to instantly approve you.

The best credit cards for bad credit with no deposit and instant approval are the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit and the Credit One Bank® NASCAR® Credit Card. The Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit offers a credit line of at least $300 and charges $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after in fees per year. The Credit One Bank® NASCAR® Credit Card also gives you a $300+ spending limit and charges $39 - $99 per year. Both are available to people with poor credit and let you apply online, and both give you at least 1% cash back on all purchases.

There are some other contenders, too. They include the Milestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered and the Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit. Neither of these cards give rewards, but they also won’t charge one-time fees, which certain unsecured cards for bad credit do.

Best credit cards for bad credit with no deposit and instant approval:

• Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit: 1% cash back on eligible purchases. Annual fee of $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after. Minimum credit limit of $300.
• Credit One Bank® NASCAR® Credit Card: 2% cash back at NASCAR.com, 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Annual fee of $39 - $99. Minimum credit limit of $300.
• Milestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered: No rewards. $35 - $99* annual fee, depending on your credit. Minimum credit limit of $300.
• Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit: No rewards. $0 - $99 annual fee, depending on your credit. Minimum credit limit of $300.
• First Access VISA® Credit Card: No rewards. $95 one-time fee. Monthly fee: None 1st year, $8.25 after. Annual fee: $75 1st yr, $48 after. Minimum credit limit of $300.
• Total VISA® Credit Card: No rewards. $89 one-time fee. Monthly fee: None 1st year, $6.25 after. Annual fee: $75 1st yr, $48 after. Minimum credit limit of $300.

As you can see, several cards come with a one-time fee. Most cards call this a “processing fee” and make you pay it before you can use your account. It’s basically like an extra annual fee for just the first year.

Some of the best instant approval unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit are the Fingerhut Credit Account, the Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit, and the Total VISA® Credit Card; all 3 of these unsecured cards approve people with bad credit and offer instant approval most of the times.

The only thing you’d have to worry about with unsecured cards and bad credit are the fees. Most unsecured cards for bad credit charge high fees - annual fees, monthly fees, and account opening fees. The Fingerhut Credit Card, however, doesn’t charge those fees because it’s a store credit card, meaning you can only use it at Fingerhut.com. But it’s unsecured, and it will still build your credit.

Lastly, you might want to check out several other credit cards for bad credit, that offer high instant approval odds for some applicants.

The best credit cards for a 600 credit score are secured cards because they offer easy approval and are often much less expensive than unsecured credit cards for bad credit. Secured credit cards require a security deposit, and the card’s credit limit is equal to the amount of the deposit. This deposit is fully refundable when you close your account with a $0 balance.

If you’re not sure where to start looking for secured credit cards for a 600 credit score, WalletHub has picked out a few examples of popular offers.

Best Credit Cards for a 600 Credit Score

• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• BBVA Compass Secured Visa® Business Credit Card
• OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
• Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards® Secured Credit Card
• SunTrust Secured Credit Card

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides on secured credit cards and how to rebuild credit.

The best gas credit card for bad credit is the Discover it Secured Card, which gives cardholders 2% cash back on $1,000 in gas purchases each quarter, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. And all the rewards you earn the first year get doubled after your account anniversary. Discover it Secured has a $0 annual fee, but you need to place a security deposit of at least $200.

Another good gas card for bad credit is the Official NASCAR Credit Card from Credit One Bank, which gives 1% cash back on most purchases – including gas – plus 2% back on nascar.com. The NASCAR Credit Card does not require a security deposit, it accepts people with bad credit, and you can see if you prequalify online first. But its annual fee is $39 - $99.

There isn’t much of a selection, though. Gas credit cards for bad credit are hard to come by because fair credit or better is usually required. So the best choice for you will depend on whether you’re willing to compromise on a security deposit or an annual fee. Keep reading to learn more.

Here are gas credit cards for bad credit:

• Credit One Bank® NASCAR® Credit Card: Earn 1% back on gas and automotive. You get double that at the NASCAR.com Superstore. The annual fee is $39 - $99, but bad credit is accepted. Plus, you can see if you prequalify without dinging your score.
• Discover it Secured: Get 2% back on gas up to $1,000 in spending each quarter.  You also get 2% back on restaurants purchases up to $1,000 in quarterly spending. All other purchases give 1% back. Rewards earned the first year get doubled. A $200+ security deposit is required, and your credit limit will equal the amount you put down. There is no annual fee.
• Harley-Davidson Secured Credit Card: With every purchase, you earn 1 point per $1 and get entered to win a new motorcycle. So if you want to put Harley savings toward free gas, all while building credit, then this is your card. You’ll need a $300 minimum deposit, but there’s no annual or monthly fees. You can start redeeming for H-D gear at 2,500 points. After a year of responsible use, you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card.
• Credit One Bank Visa: You’ll earn 1% back on gas and some other purchases. The annual fee is $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after. Credit One may apply the annual fee as equal charges each month.

The biggest things to watch out for on these gas credit cards for bad credit are high interest rates and annual fees. That’s just the price of bad credit. But you can minimize the cost, and your credit can get better! Gas cards can be a great way to build credit history since they are easy to get approved for. Plus, the best part of a routine purchase like gas is that you can pump your credit report full of on-time payments.

The best secured credit card for bad credit is Discover it® Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee, rewards you with 1 - 2% cash back on purchases, doubles the rewards you’ve earned after the first year, and doesn’t require a minimum credit score. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card Card’s main approval requirements are being 18+ years old and having enough income to afford monthly bill payments, plus a refundable security deposit of $200 or more.

The rest of the best secured credit cards for bad credit scores are the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card (no credit check), the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (could be just partially secured), and the Harley-Davidson® Secured Credit Card ($0 annual fee). The first two in particular deserve recognition because of their uniquely attractive features.

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is the best secured card for people with very poor credit because the issuer won’t check your credit history when you apply. As long as you’re at least 18 years old with a U.S. mailing address, an SSN, and income that exceeds your expenses, you should be approved. And the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is great for people with bad, but not terrible, credit because you have the opportunity to get a credit limit that’s higher than the amount of the deposit you put down. The starting credit limit is $200, and you might be approved for a deposit of as low as $49. This card also has a $0 annual fee.

Best Secured Credit Cards for Bad Credit:

• Best Overall: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
• Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
• No Annual Fee: Harley-Davidson® Secured Credit Card

In general, secured credit cards are the best type of credit card for people with bad credit. Secured cards offer the highest approval odds of any credit cards, and they tend to be a lot cheaper in the long run than unsecured cards for bad credit.

You just have to make sure to pay your bill on time every month. If you do that, your credit should steadily improve. And that should help you qualify for a credit card upgrade sooner than you might think.

The best travel credit card for bad credit is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card because it offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice, including travel, for the first $2,500. Plus, you earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% on all other purchases. This card also comes with a $0 annual fee.

Another good travel card for bad credit is the SKYPASS Secured Credit Card. It offers 5,000 miles just for making your first purchase, and you also receive 1,000 bonus miles at renewal. This card gives 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases, but it has a $50 annual fee.

There aren’t really many other travel branded credit cards for bad credit. But there are some general secured cards that could work well instead. The Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards® Secured Credit Card is a good choice because it has rewards (1 point per $1 spent) and comes with 0% foreign transaction fees and a $0 annual fee.

All of these cards report to the major credit bureaus every month. So, they’ll all help you improve your credit if you pay your bills on time.

The best Discover credit card for bad credit is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card because it is designed for applicants with credit scores below 640. This Discover card also comes with a $0 annual fee and reports account activity to all three of the major credit bureaus each month. Most other Discover credit cards require at least limited-to-good credit for approval.

If you use the Discover it Secured Credit Card responsibly over time, you may be able to qualify for a Discover credit card with more attractive terms. Responsible card use means establishing a history of on-time payments and not maxing out the card’s credit limit.