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. But second chance cr… show more
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Secured Card
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Min Deposit of $200
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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24.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
None
Rewards Rate
1 - 2% Cash Back
Minimum Credit
Limited History
Rewards Details
- 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.
- INTRO OFFER: We automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Additional Info
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- It's a real credit card. You can build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, debit and prepaid cards can't help you build a credit history.
- Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Secured
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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24.9%
Additional Info
- 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
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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19.49% - 25.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 - $99
Monthly Fee
None
Rewards Rate
0 - 1% Cash Back
Minimum Credit
Bad Credit
Rewards Details
- Receive 1% cash back rewards on eligible purchases, terms apply
Additional Info
- See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Track your progress with free online access to your Experian credit score, terms apply
- Looking to rebuild credit? We report to the major credit bureaus monthly
- Accounts are automatically reviewed for credit line increase opportunities
- Make paying your bill easier with the ability to choose your payment due date, terms apply
- Stay in-the-know with customizable account alerts via email and text
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCredit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Secured Card
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Min Deposit of $49, $99 or $200
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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26.99% (V)
Additional Info
- No annual fee, and all the credit building benefits with responsible card use
- Unlike a prepaid card, it builds credit when used responsibly, with regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
- Access to an authorized bank account is required to make your $49, $99 or $200 refundable security deposit
- Make the minimum required security deposit and you'll get an initial credit line of $200. Plus, deposit more money before your account opens to get a higher credit line
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time with no additional deposit needed
- Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
- It's a credit card accepted at millions of locations worldwide
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One® Secured Mastercard®
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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24.9%
Additional Info
- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Protection from fraud if your card is stolen
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Disclaimers: *Dependent on credit worthiness
- See More Details & Reviews About TheMilestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered
One-Time Fees
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$95*
Regular APR
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34.99%
Annual Fee
$75 1st yr, $48 after
Monthly Fee
None 1st year, $6.25 after
Minimum Credit
Bad Credit
Additional Info
- Get the security and convenience of a full-feature, unsecured Visa® Credit Card – accepted at millions of merchant and ATM locations nationwide and online
- Reporting monthly to all three major credit reporting agencies
- Perfect credit not required for approval; we may approve you when others won’t
- Easy and secure online application
- If approved, pay a Program Fee and you can access the $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- Receive your card more quickly with optional Expedited Processing (additional fee applies)
- Get a result in as little as 60 seconds upon completion of the online application
- Select your favorite card design from our gallery, for free!
- Online Customer Center available 24 x 7
- Issued by The Bank of Missouri
- See More Details & Reviews About TheFirst Access VISA® Credit Card
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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29.9% (V)
Annual Fee
$125 1st yr, $96 after
Monthly Fee
None 1st yr, $10 after
Minimum Credit
Bad Credit
Additional Info
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Initial Credit Limit of $500.00!* (subject to available credit)
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere that Mastercard® is accepted
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSurge Mastercard® Credit Card
One-Time Fees
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$89*
Regular APR
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34.99%
Annual Fee
$75 1st yr, $48 after
Monthly Fee
None 1st year, $6.25 after
Minimum Credit
Bad Credit
Additional Info
- 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
- If approved, simply pay a Program Fee to open your account and access your available credit
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
- Select your favorite card design from our gallery, for free!
- See More Details & Reviews About TheTotal VISA® Credit Card
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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29.99%
Additional Info
- Enjoy payments as low as $6.99 per month if you apply and are accepted for a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank, who determines eligibility and qualifications for the terms of credit.
- Easy application! Get a credit decision in seconds.
- Build your credit history – Fingerhut reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- Use your line of credit to shop thousands of items from great brands like Samsung, KitchenAid, and DeWalt
- Not an access card
- *See complete WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account Terms and Condition. - https://www.fingerhut.com/content/FHTCreditTC
- See More Details & Reviews About TheFingerhut Credit Account
Secured Card
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Min Deposit of $200
One-Time Fees
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None
Regular APR
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23.99% (V)
Additional Info
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
- A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
- Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
- With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 23.99%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCiti® Secured Mastercard®
NO FOREIGN FEE
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What are the best second chance credit cards?
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.
2020’s Best Second Chance Credit Cards
| Best For… | Card Name | Editors’ Rating | One-Time Fee | Annual Fee | Minimum Deposit |
| No Credit Check | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | 4.0 / 5 | None | $35 | $200 |
| International Travel | Capital One® Secured Mastercard® | 5.0 / 5 | None | $0 | $49, $99 or $200 |
| No Security Deposit | Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit | 3.0 / 5 | None | $0 - $99 | |
| Rewards | Discover it® Secured | 5.0 / 5 | None | $0 | $200 |
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.
Questions & Answers
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 moreshow less
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Searching for answers...No Matching Results
How can I rebuild my credit fast? Reply
Alicia Kane, savvy shopper
@Alicia_K
In order to improve bad credit, you must begin infusing positive information into your credit report that will negate past negatives such as bankruptcies, foreclosures and payment issues. A secured credit card is the easiest tool for developing a pattern of positive credit usage.
The best option is the Capital One Secured MasterCard. It doesn’t charge an annual fee, and it has the potential to be “partially secured,” providing a credit line as as $3,000 for a deposit as low as $49 in some cases.
For more information, you can check out our guide on rebuilding credit.
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Featured Credit Cards
Ask the Experts
- 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?
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Mauricio Rodriguez
Professor and Chair of the Finance Department in the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University
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Lawrence J. White
Robert Kavesh Professor of Economics in the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University
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Richard Kish
Allen C. DuBois Distinguished Professor of Finance at Lehigh University
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Robert H. Scott III
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at Monmouth University
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Sarah Jane Hughes
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.
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