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Best Second Chance Credit Cards
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best second chance credit card for you.
Second chance credit cards are designed for people with bad credit, which means you should be able to get approved for one even if you’ve made mistakes with money in the past. There are two main types of second chance credit cards: secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards for bad credit. You can find both types below (some offers are from WalletHub partners)
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Best Second Chance Credit Cards
No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
International Travel:Â Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
No Security Deposit: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Rewards: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- No annual or monthly fees
- Starting credit line $200
- Great for credit-building
- No rewards
- Higher-than-average interest rate
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with our mobile app
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Secured Sable ONE Credit Card Secured Sable ONE Credit Card
- NEW! Get a dollar-for-dollar match on all cash back at the end of your first year with Sable Double Cash Bonus.
- Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and more! Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- Low regular APR
- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- No rewards bonus
- Foreign fee
- Requires security deposit
- Auto-review to unsecured card in as FAST as 4 months, 3X faster than anywhere else with Sable’s graduation promise.
- Up to $10,000 credit limit
- No credit check or US credit history required.
- No SSN required for non US citizens.
- Build US credit history FAST. Sable offers enhanced reporting on more data points than any other card so you can build your credit faster.
- Premium benefits like coverage in the event your covered cell phone is stolen or damaged (including cracked screens!), rental car insurance, and much more!
- Please see terms and conditions for additional details.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSecured Sable ONE Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- No annual or monthly fees & No fees for account opening
- Up to 2% cash back
- First-year rewards doubled
- Relatively low minimum deposit
- High regular APR
- No credit score required to apply.*
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- Using your secured credit card helps build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, prepaid and debit cards can’t do that.
- Establish your credit line with your tax return by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200. That means a $200 deposit for a $200 credit line. Or a $500 deposit for a $500 credit line. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit, and the security deposit equals your credit limit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.*
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Secured Credit Card
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- Membership fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- Pre-qualify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score.
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Fraud protection for stolen or lost cards
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheIndigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
Surge Mastercard® Surge Mastercard®
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No balance transfers allowed
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 - $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
- $0 monthly fee for the first 12 months. $10.00 per month starting the second year, waived for those with a $750 or $1,000 credit limit
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSurge Mastercard®
Total Visa® Card Total Visa® Card
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- $89 one-time program fee
- $75 annual fee for the first year
- $123 in fees starting year two
- High APR
- Checking Account Required
- Fast and easy application process; response provided in seconds
- A genuine Visa® card accepted by merchants nationwide across the USA and online
- Manageable monthly payments
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit).
- Multiple card designs available
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
- See rates, fees, costs and limitations for additional details
- Offer not guaranteed; response provided in seconds.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheTotal Visa® Card
FIT Mastercard® FIT Mastercard®
- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- Does not require security deposit
- One-time fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- $400 credit limit doubles to $800! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Initial Credit Limit of $400.00* (Subject to available credit)
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Checking Account Required
- See More Details & Reviews About TheFIT Mastercard®
Destiny Mastercard® Destiny Mastercard®
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- High membership fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- Greater access to credit than before - $500 credit limit
- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit.
- Keeping your account in good standing may help establish and/or improve your credit history
- Less than perfect credit is okay, even with a prior bankruptcy!
- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDestiny Mastercard®
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- One-time fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- Get Pre-Qualified in Less Than a Minute
- A $300 Unsecured Credit Line which can be used at Grocery Stores, Gas Stations, Discount Stores, ATM's and Online!
- A REAL Visa® Credit Card with Automatic Reporting to all Three National Credit Bureaus
- No Penalty Rate. Your Rate Won't Go Up Even If You are Late
- Access Additional Credit With On-Time Payments and Responsible Usage
- A True Unsecured EMV enabled (chip) Visa Credit card
- Does not require perfect credit for approval
- Fixed APR and Manageable Monthly Payments
- See More Details & Reviews About TheApplied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
Revvi Card Revvi Card
- Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- One-time fees
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No balance transfers allowed
- Fast and easy application; response provided in seconds
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- Build your credit score with on-time payments and keeping your balance below the credit limit
- Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies
- Checking account required
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
- Manageable monthly payments
- Perfect credit not required
- Easy-to-use mobile app for management on the go!
- *See rates, fees, costs & limitations, and rewards for complete offer and Revvi Rewards details^^
- See More Details & Reviews About TheRevvi Card
Best Second Chance Credit Cards of 2022
The best second chance credit card is the cheapest offer that you can get approved for with damaged credit. After all, your top priority at this point in your credit career should be to open a credit card and make on-time payments in order to add positive information to your credit reports every month. Beyond that, you should try to save as much money as possible.With those criteria in mind, our editors compared 1,000+ credit cards in search of the best second chance offers available. You can find their favorites below.
Best Second Chance Credit Cards Comparison
| Credit Card | Best For | Editors’ Rating | Annual Fee |
| OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | No Credit Check | 4/5 | $35 |
| Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | International Travel | 5/5 | $0 |
| Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit | No Security Deposit | 3/5 | $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Rewards | 5/5 | $0 |
Unless you absolutely need an emergency loan, placing a refundable security deposit to open a secured credit card account is the best way to make the most of your second chance. The deposit makes it a lot easier to get approved, and you’ll get it back when you close your account in good standing. An unsecured credit card for bad credit, on the other hand, is likely to have high, non-refundable fees and provide only a very small credit line.
We also recommend signing up for a free WalletHub account to get free credit scores (updated daily) as well as personalized credit-improvement advice.
Methodology for Selecting the Best Second Chance Credit Cards
To identify the best second chance credit cards, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare the 1,500+ credit card offers in our database in terms of their approval requirements, fees, interest rates, rewards, credit limits, and deposit requirements. The goal is to find the cheapest cards that people with damaged credit can get a second chance with. So, after comparing cards based on their accessibility and overall cost, we select the cheapest cards in the most popular categories – from unsecured cards with no deposit to the cards with the best rewards.
About the author
John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 10 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Read Full Author Bio
Best Second Chance Credit Cards FAQ
Comparing second chance credit cards can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.show more
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What's the best Chase second chance credit card? Reply
Chase doesn't have second chance credit cards. All of its cards require good (700+) or excellent (750+) credit for approval.
Second chance credit cards are designed for people with bad (300+) credit, so you can be approved for one even if you've made some financial mistakes in the past. To find the one that best suits your needs, click here.
What are the best second chance credit card companies? Reply
The best second chance credit card companies are Continental Finance/Genesis Financial Solutions and First Progress.
Here are a few cards they offer for people with bad credit who made some financial mistakes in the past:
- Reflex Mastercard
- Milestone Mastercard
- Indigo Mastercard
- Surge Mastercard
- First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard Secured
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured
- First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard Secured
Keep in mind that secured credit cards are always cheaper and have the highest approval odds. That's why they're considered the best second chance cards overall.
Is Self Lender better than a second chance credit card? Reply
Self Lender (now known as Self) is not necessarily better than a second-chance credit card. Self offers credit-builder loans that help people with low scores improve their credit standing. Borrowers pay money into a CD every month, and then get access to that money at the end, but they're charged fees and interest.
With a second-chance credit card, you may have the opportunity to get a card with a $0 annual fee and can avoid interest if you always pay in full. Plus, a credit card helps you build credit indefinitely, while a credit-builder loan from Self is temporary.
Featured Credit Cards
Ask the Experts
Second chance credit cards play an important role in the personal finance marketplace. They are among the only credit-rebuilding tools available to people who’ve previously made financial mistakes, allowing them to gradually reverse credit damage and reduce the costs associated with loans, lines of credit, insurance and more. Neither choosing nor using a second chance credit card is necessarily straightforward, however. So we asked a pair of personal finance experts for their best advice on making the most of your second chance. You can check out their bios and responses to the following questions, below.
- What incentive does a bank or credit union have to offer second chance credit cards?
- Is it worth giving credit cards a second chance if you've had bad experiences with them in the past?
- What advice do you have for someone who is looking for a second chance credit card?
- Will it be easier or harder to get a second chance credit card 12 months from now?
- Which credit card companies are most and least likely to give a second chance to consumers with negative items on their credit reports?
Professor and Chair of the Finance Department in the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University
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Robert Kavesh Professor of Economics in the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University
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Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at Monmouth University
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Allen C. DuBois Distinguished Professor of Finance at Lehigh University
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University Scholar and Fellow in Commercial Law in the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University
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We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
† Approval Odds are WalletHub estimates intended to gauge your likelihood of approval for a particular product. Approval Odds are based on WalletHub data and are not provided or endorsed by the lender. Approval Odds are not meant to imply or guarantee that you will be approved by the lender or that credit will be extended. WalletHub may share your information with third-parties in order to show personalized offers, as well as enable you to interact more easily with pre-fill forms or applications. You can opt-out of sharing your personal info here.
Ad Disclosure Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any issuer.
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