Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (2024)

Table of Contents
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit Featured Partner Discover it® Secured Credit Card Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit 2024 Best Low-Interest Card for Bad Credit First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Best Lower Annual Fee Card for Bad Credit First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Best for Everyday Rewards with Bad Credit Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card * Summary of the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit More About the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card * Methodology Complete Guide to Credit Cards for Bad Credit What Is a Bad Credit Score? Credit Cards and Credit Scores What Causes Bad Credit? How Bad Credit Can Affect You Where Can I Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit? When To Use a Credit Card for Bad Credit How To Tell If You Need a Credit Card for Bad Credit Determine Your Credit Score Consider Your Credit History Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Card Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024 How To Choose Credit Cards for Bad Credit What Credit Card Can I Get With Bad Credit? How To Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit How To Get a Secured Credit Card With Bad Credit How To Get an Unsecured Credit Card With Bad Credit Credit Cards After Bankruptcy How To Get Approved for a Credit Card With Bad Credit How To Pre-Qualify for Credit Cards With Bad Credit How To Use a Credit Card To Build Credit Find The Best Credit Cards for Rebuilding Your Credit Score Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit? How can I get an American Express card with bad credit? How can I get a high-limit credit card with bad credit? Can you do a balance transfer with bad credit? What should I look for in a credit card for bad credit? What credit card companies will approve me with bad credit? Next Up In Credit Cards FAQs
  • Advisor
  • Credit Cards
  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit

Advertiser Disclosure Updated: Mar 28, 2024, 1:50pm

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (2)

Becky PokoraCredit Card Rewards Expert

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (4)
  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (5)

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (7)

Barbara KingCredit Cards Writer

Always dreaming about the next destination, credit cards specialist Barbara King is an avid traveler who optimizes her adventures through the use of points and miles. Barbara has earned and redeemed millions of credit cards points which has enabled her to explore over 50 countries on six continents, enjoying both budget and luxury travel.

Becky Pokora,

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (9)

Becky PokoraCredit Card Rewards Expert

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (11)
  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (12)

Barbara King

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (13)

Barbara KingCredit Cards Writer

Always dreaming about the next destination, credit cards specialist Barbara King is an avid traveler who optimizes her adventures through the use of points and miles. Barbara has earned and redeemed millions of credit cards points which has enabled her to explore over 50 countries on six continents, enjoying both budget and luxury travel.

Credit Card Rewards Expert, Credit Cards Writer

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (16)

Jerod MoralesDeputy Editor

Jerod Morales is a deputy editor at Forbes Advisor and a travel rewards expert. He took a deep dive into points and miles in 2016, searching for a way to make travel both possible and affordable for his growing family. Now, as a dad to four sons, he and his wife enjoy introducing their kids to cultures and cities across the globe as often as they can.

  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (18)

Fact Checked

Jerod Morales

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (19)

Jerod MoralesDeputy Editor

Jerod Morales is a deputy editor at Forbes Advisor and a travel rewards expert. He took a deep dive into points and miles in 2016, searching for a way to make travel both possible and affordable for his growing family. Now, as a dad to four sons, he and his wife enjoy introducing their kids to cultures and cities across the globe as often as they can.

  • Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (21)

Deputy Editor

Fact Checked

Updated: Mar 28, 2024, 1:50pm

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Low credit scores often leave borrowers with limited options. Those with bad credit have two central credit card product options: a secured card which requires an upfront deposit, or an unsecured credit card for bad credit which often comes laden with fees and sky-high APRs. Whichever option you choose, it’s best to find a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus so your on-time payments can help strengthen your credit score as quickly as possible.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Read more

Show Summary

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

  • First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Best Low-Interest Card for Bad Credit
  • First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Best Lower Annual Fee Card for Bad Credit
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *: Best for Everyday Rewards with Bad Credit

Find the Best Credit Card

  • Best Credit Cards Of 2024
  • Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
  • Best Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Best First Credit Cards To Build Credit
  • Best Travel Credit Cards
  • Best Business Credit Cards

Featured Partner Offer

Featured Partner

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Apply Now Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (22)

On Discover's Website

Apply Now Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (24)

On Discover's Website

Up to 2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. PlusRead More

Welcome Bonus

Cashback Match™

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

28.24% Variable APR

Card Details

  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
  • Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
  • 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, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match™ - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit 2024

Best Low-Interest Card for Bad Credit

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Apply Now

On First Progress's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

5.0

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (27)

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On First Progress's Website

Welcome Bonus

None

Annual Fee

$49

Regular APR

15.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Poor/Limited/No Credit

Editor's Take

Here is First Progress’ lowest APR secured card, but it charges a hefty $49 annual fee. A low APR is a valuable feature in an unsecured card, but it doesn’t make sense to carry a balance on a secured card; you’re paying interest to the bank on your own money. It’s a better idea to use a secured card with a lower annual fee to build your credit.

Pros & Cons

  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Lower than average standard APR
  • May be an option for those with bad credit seeking an approval
  • $49 annual fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Deposit required

Card Details

  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score. Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.

None

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best Lower Annual Fee Card for Bad Credit

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Apply Now

On First Progress's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

4.5

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (31)

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On First Progress's Website

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$39

Regular APR

19.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Bad Credit(0 - 649)

Editor's Take

One of a small handful of secured cards where a recently discharged bankruptcy won’t automatically disqualify you from getting approved.

Pros & Cons

  • Provides a way for those with low credit scores to rebuild
  • Low variable APR for a secured card
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Can apply even with a discharged bankruptcy in your file
  • $39 annual fee
  • Lower-than-average credit line maximum

Card Details

  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score. Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.

N/A

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Best for Everyday Rewards with Bad Credit

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (33)

3.7

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (34)

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Up to 3% Reward Rate

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug storesRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

28.24% variable

Credit Score

New to Credit

Editor's Take

A secured card with no annual fee and the ability to earn rewards, this Bank of America card can provide a way forward for those needing to build their credit profile.

Pros & Cons

  • No annual fee
  • Earns cash-back rewards on eligible purchases
  • Potential for an upgrade to an unsecured card
  • The rewards system can be complicated to track
  • An opening deposit of $200 is required
  • There’s a foreign transaction fee

Card Details

  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement & furnishings
  • Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
  • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%
  • A minimum refundable security deposit of $200 (maximum of $5,000) is required to open this account
  • Now, you can access your FICO® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking
  • No annual fee

N/A

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Summary of the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Credit Card

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (35)

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (36)

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (37)

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *

Credit Card

Best For

Credit Score

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (38)

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Best Low-Interest Card for Bad Credit

Poor/Limited/No Credit

$49

None

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (39)

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Best Lower Annual Fee Card for Bad Credit

Bad Credit

$39

N/A

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (40)

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *

Best for Everyday Rewards with Bad Credit

New to Credit

$0

N/A

More About the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card offers 1% cash back on payments made to the credit card, but otherwise doesn’t provide much in the way of benefits. A security deposit of $200 to $2,000, which determines your credit limit, is required. For rebuilding credit, this card may be a good starting point since it has a low APR, modest rewards earnings and reports to all three credit bureaus.

Who it’s best for: This card is ideal for people who may need to carry a balance and would benefit from the lower APR.

Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on payments.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $49

Other benefits and drawbacks: The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card offers a relatively low 15.24% variable APR. While we don’t recommend carrying a balance on your credit card even at this interest rate, having a low interest rate can provide peace of mind if an emergency strikes. The annual fee is also worth considering. Since the age of your credit is a key factor in your credit score, it’s wise to hold on to your oldest card as you rebuild your credit. Choosing a card with no annual fee would make this less painful.

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

Nearly identical to its First Progress Platinum Prestige sibling, the First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card also earns 1% cash back on payments but has a higher APR for purchases while carrying a lower annual fee. Again, the credit limit is determined by your security deposit, which can range from $200 to $2000. The card is effective for building credit since it reports to all three major credit bureaus. If you’re unlikely to carry a balance, the lower annual fee may make this a better choice than the Prestige version.

Who it’s best for: Those who prefer to receive a lower annual fee in exchange for a higher APR.

Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on payments.

Welcome Offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $39

Other benefits and drawbacks: There’s no minimum credit score or credit history required for card approval. You can also access free credit education and keep an eye on your VantageScore through the mobile app.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *

[ jump to details ]

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card* offers generous rewards in a choose-your-own earnings structure. Each calendar month, you can select one of the everyday spending areas for your enhanced cash-back earning category, and all other purchases earn a flat rate. As a secured card, it requires a security deposit of at least $200.

Who it’s best for: Everyday spenders who would appreciate the flexibility of being able to pick a different top-earning category each month.

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in a category of choice: gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings; 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs; unlimited cash back on all other purchases. Earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: Bank of America will periodically review your account to determine if you qualify to graduate to the unsecured version of the card. If you do, your security deposit will be refunded or applied to your balance. You can redeem your earnings for any amount at any time, for statement credits, deposits into a Bank of America checking or savings account or for credit to an eligible account with Merrill, including qualifying 529 accounts.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor analyzed dozens of credit cards for those with bad credit. Factors taken into consideration for each category included:

  • Annual fee
  • Any monthly fees
  • Security deposit requirements
  • Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  • Other benefits that come with card ownership, like rewards and other extras
  • Reporting to major credit bureaus
  • Upgrade path to better credit cards

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case (the card rating you see on a specific “Best” list). The rating for each card changes on different “Best” lists according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre on a list of rewards cards could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates credit cards

Complete Guide to Credit Cards for Bad Credit

  • What Is a Bad Credit Score?
  • How Bad Credit Can Affect You
  • Where Can I Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit?
  • When To Use a Credit Card for Bad Credit
  • How To Tell If You Need a Credit Card for Bad Credit
  • Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Card
  • How To Choose Credit Cards For Bad Credit
  • How To Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit
  • How To Get Approved for a Credit Card With Bad Credit
  • How To Pre-qualify for Credit Cards With Bad Credit
  • How To Use a Credit Card To Build Credit
  • Bottom Line
  • Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Bad Credit Score?

There are many different credit scoring models, and each lender may have a particular version it prefers to use. This means the definition of what constitutes a bad credit score can vary among lenders. While there’s not exactly a one-size-fits-all number marking the threshold between “bad” and “fair” credit, a FICO Score below 580 is generally considered “poor,” and “fair credit” usually describes scores between 580 and 669.

Credit Cards and Credit Scores

The lower your credit score, the more limited your options when it comes to credit cards. Typically, consumers with bad credit are stuck choosing between secured cards or cards with higher-than-average interest rates and other additional fees. Not only does a credit score play a major role in your approval, it usually has a direct impact on how favorable the terms of your credit card are.

What Causes Bad Credit?

Bad credit doesn’t always happen overnight. One late payment may reduce your score, but probably won’t completely ruin your credit. Commonly, consumers end up with damaged credit because they hit a financial crisis or repeatedly used credit irresponsibly.

Understanding what factors affect your score is essential to managing your credit more effectively. Here’s what to look out for.

  • Payment history: Even one late or missed payment can affect your score. A flawed payment history is a red flag to lenders.
  • Credit utilization: Utilization is the ratio of debt to overall credit limit. If you’re consistently using most of the credit line available to you, high utilization, then lenders become concerned that you may default on the money owed.
  • Age of accounts: This refers to how long your credit accounts have been open. A long history of accessing and using credit responsibly is beneficial to your credit score. Closing your longest-held credit card, or the oldest, can bring your score down since it would reduce the average age of accounts.
  • History of bankruptcy or foreclosure: These events severely affect your credit score and remain on your credit report for seven to 10 years.
  • Applying for too many credit cards: Frequent hard pulls on your credit report, indicating that you are routinely applying for credit, may be perceived by lenders as risky behavior as you may be overextending yourself.

How Bad Credit Can Affect You

Where Can I Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit?

Many banks and other card issuers offer secured credit card options. We’ve highlighted the best options based on our calculations, in the list above. We also recommend talking to your bank for credit card suggestions.

When To Use a Credit Card for Bad Credit

If you are in the process of rebuilding your credit, a credit card for bad credit is a good tool to help you improve your financial profile. You should use your credit card sparingly and wisely. Keep in mind that credit utilization has a large impact on your credit score. That means you should minimize the balance on your credit card and make payments on time and in full.

The best way to benefit from a credit card for bad credit is to demonstrate responsible card usage, thereby increasing your credit score.

Clearly, there are exceptions. For example, a credit card can save the day if you have an emergency expenditure, such as unexpected auto repair. But otherwise, you should be cautious in how you use the credit card.

How To Tell If You Need a Credit Card for Bad Credit

If you are still considering which credit card for bad credit is most suitable for you, here are a few more points to consider.

Determine Your Credit Score

If you’re looking to apply for a credit card but aren’t quite sure where you stand credit-wise, you should check your credit score to get an idea of your options. Depending on your results, it may be best to focus on cards designed for poor credit and work on improving your credit so you can apply for a better card down the line. If you’re not sure what to make of your credit score, consider talking with a credit counselor or your local banker. You can also check out our guide to good credit scores to learn more.

Consider Your Credit History

If you already know you’ve had some major financial missteps—a bankruptcy, a loan default, a rocky history with credit card use—a credit card marketed to consumers with bad credit will likely be your most realistic option. The most generous and rewarding credit cards are mainly accessible to customers with solid, developed credit histories since those customers are viewed as less risky.

Your credit score is the report card of your credit history. How you’ve behaved in the past indicates your “creditworthiness”, or likelihood of repaying your debts. If you’re unsure where your credit profile stands, you can get a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com.

Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Card

Consumers develop credit issues for a wide variety of reasons—many of which are circ*mstantial—job loss, emergencies or health crises. Sometimes, it’s nothing more than bad luck. But until your credit improves, you have two options for the types of credit cards for bad credit: Secured cards and unsecured cards designed for those with poor credit. The differences are outlined here:

Secured Credit CardsUnsecured Credit Cards

Requires security deposit

Yes

No

Requires annual fee

Sometimes

Frequently

Reports to credit bureaus

Yes*

Yes*

Can help rebuild credit

Yes**

Yes**

* This is generally the case, but check with the specific card issuer
** Card usage alone is not guaranteed to improve your credit, but making on-time payments and demonstrating responsible credit behavior is likely to improve your score.

Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024

No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.

Learn More

How To Choose Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Getting a credit card may actually be one of your best opportunities to start improving your credit profile. Here’s what to look for in cards designed for consumers with bad credit.

  • Reporting on-time payment behavior. You should choose a card that reports to at least one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion—though reporting to all three is ideal. With this reporting, consistent payments will show up on your credit report and can help improve your credit standing over time, especially if you keep your balance low.
  • Light on fees. Most cards for bad credit come with multiple fees like an annual fee, account maintenance fee, program fee or application fee. You may even see fees for requesting a higher credit limit. Fees are often immediately applied to your card, reducing your usable credit limit and potentially charging interest immediately. Aim for a card that seeks to minimize the out-of-pocket costs of simply owning the card.
  • Ability to upgrade. Some secured cards will allow you to graduate to an unsecured card after several months of consistent on-time payments. Doing so means you won’t have to open another new account once your credit has improved. It also negates the negative effects that opening a new credit line or closing an older account can have on your credit score. Keeping the card, the credit history and getting your deposit back is a win-win-win.

Pro Tip

Whichever card you choose, use it as a building block toward a stronger credit profile so you can qualify for better cards down the road. If you don’t think you can stay on top of your bills, changing one recurring payment, like your phone bill, and setting up autopay will do the same to build your credit as multiple charges per month.

What Credit Card Can I Get With Bad Credit?

All the cards on this list may be available to people with bad credit. More often than not, secured credit cards can be the best option for someone with bad credit. With a secured credit card, a refundable deposit or collateral is paid upfront and often acts as the cardholder’s credit limit. This mitigates some of the risk to the card issuer—which means you may be more likely to be approved. However, a secured credit card does require readily available funds, and this may not always be possible for someone with financial issues.

How To Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit

Knowing where you stand on the credit spectrum is only the beginning. It’s equally important to have a clear sense of your goals when acquiring a credit card and understand what’s realistically attainable before you decide to get a credit card with bad credit.

How To Get a Secured Credit Card With Bad Credit

A secured credit card is typically easier to get for those with bad credit than an unsecured credit card with decent terms. Each secured card is different and comes with its own minimum and maximum credit limits, typically requiring a minimum opening deposit between $200 to $300. The credit limit depends on the card’s maximum limit and how big of a deposit you’re willing or able to part with.

Secured cards are offered by many major issuing banks and some smaller ones. If you know what bank or other lender you’re interested in using, secured cards are easily pursued through the issuer’s website. We recommend comparing several different options online and checking out other trusted resources for recommendations or general advice, such as our guide to the best secured credit cards.

How To Get an Unsecured Credit Card With Bad Credit

In general, unsecured credit cards are harder to get approved for without good credit, but that’s where cards specifically designed for subprime borrowers come into play. Aside from credit cards that rely on a co-signer, the process for obtaining this type of unsecured credit card is similar to that of your average card, though applicants will have fewer options overall. If approved, the cardholder can then enjoy a relatively normal credit card product, so long as they are willing to put up with the drawbacks and risks that these cards tend to carry, such as high APRs and fees.

Again, the best place to start for most applicants is online, including the materials provided on the bank or other issuer’s website. We recommend checking out our current guides to the best cards for rebuilding credit and the best second-chance cards with no security deposit.

Credit Cards After Bankruptcy

Starting over financially after bankruptcy can be tricky. You can’t apply for a card until your bankruptcy is discharged. But once this has happened, your best bet is to apply for a card as soon as the bankruptcy process is completed so you can start rebuilding your credit right away.

There are steps to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy, but depending on what type of bankruptcy you filed for, the bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for seven to 10 years. Still, bankruptcy doesn’t completely eliminate all credit card prospects.

There are a small handful of credit cards you can get even with bankruptcy on your credit report, including options that don’t have minimum credit score requirements, like the First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card. Make sure to read the terms and conditions of any card you’re considering to see if your financial needs match the card’s requirements and restrictions. These cards typically have extremely strict terms.

How To Get Approved for a Credit Card With Bad Credit

You can improve your odds of being approved for a card with bad credit by:

  • Knowing your credit score and verifying the accuracy of your credit history in advance
  • Choosing cards that are attainable
  • Checking for preapproval or pre-qualification tools, if offered by the card issuer
  • Having cash available as a security deposit if you’re applying for a secured card
  • Waiting to apply until your finances are under control
  • Submitting accurate, up-to-date information on your application

Pro Tip

Applying for a card with a co-signer or being added as an authorized user may help you get access to credit cards you don’t qualify for independently. However, the card account owner is counting on you to only charge what you can pay off in full and on time. Have a plan in place for responsible use before asking someone, and keep in mind it’s a big risk for them.

How To Pre-Qualify for Credit Cards With Bad Credit

If an issuer offers pre-qualification for one or more of its credit cards, it’ll typically show that on its website. To see if you pre-qualify, you’ll be asked to enter a few details about yourself. You’ll usually need to provide your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number so the issuer can run what’s known as a soft check of your credit.

This type of credit check, unlike a hard pull of your credit, won’t have any impact on your score. Running a soft check doesn’t mean you’re officially approved for the card. You still need to apply, and you may be denied. But it does give you a sense of whether you are a close match for a card.

Overall, there’s no downside to having an issuer pre-qualify your application. In fact, you may end up finding out you have a shot at a card you didn’t think your current credit score merited. Pre-qualifying is not a guarantee of approval.

An important note: Be sure you have complete trust in any website or service asking for sensitive information for pre-qualification (or to determine any other type of eligibility). Be wary of initiating this process through links provided by online or email advertisem*nts and through unsolicited phone calls, as the entity on the other end may not actually represent who they claim to. You can always decline and follow up yourself through the credit card issuer’s official channels. Claims that “this is your only opportunity” to act on an offer should raise red flags.

How To Use a Credit Card To Build Credit

Building better credit is synonymous with improving your credit score. There’s no silver bullet, but there are concrete actions you can take to get on the right track. For starters, do your very best to pay your bills on time—your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO® Score. If you simply find it challenging to remember due dates, you can use autopay to eliminate the risk of missed bills.

Building credit also relies on keeping your credit utilization ratio low. This measurement compares your credit card balances—what you spend—to the maximum amounts your credit limits allow. Lenders can use this ratio to gauge risk—as an indicator of how well a borrower manages finances. A ratio of less than 30% is generally considered good, but below 10% is even better.

Applying for too many new lines of credit can also hurt your credit score, so managing this effectively is important to building credit. A hard credit check can drop your score by one to five points and, if approved, lower your average account age, which also can drop your credit score. If possible, try to avoid applying for too many lines of credit when working on improving your score.

Find The Best Credit Cards for Rebuilding Your Credit Score

Learn More

Bottom Line

Getting a credit card when you have bad credit is possible and can be a good stepping stone toward improving your credit history. But remember: Not all credit cards for those without good credit are created equal. These cards can have significantly different fees, reward structures or security deposit requirements. Choosing the right card will depend on a combination of your personal financial history and your financial goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit?

The easiest card for a subprime borrower to get is a secured credit card since the security deposit greatly reduces the risk for the card issuer. If you have the money on hand for a secured card deposit, this will likely be the easiest, safest-for-your-credit and most straightforward option.

If coming up with the money upfront is not possible, reconsider getting a card until you have saved the necessary security deposit. Alternatively, an unsecured card designed for subprime borrowers may be an option, depending on your financial profile.

How can I get an American Express card with bad credit?

Although Amex is known for its high-end, luxury cards with plentiful benefits, there are other ways to gain access to Amex cards despite poorer credit. Among these alternative routes is becoming an authorized user on a trusted family member or friend’s account.

How can I get a high-limit credit card with bad credit?

You may be able to find secured credit cards with higher-than-average maximum deposit amounts. Generally though, the maximum deposit possible for a credit limit is around $5,000. Unsecured cards geared toward subprime borrowers typically set credit limits low, as the issuer is looking to minimize risk since there is no collateral involved.

Can you do a balance transfer with bad credit?

If you have subprime credit, it can be challenging to qualify for a card with a 0% APR balance transfer offer or a lower interest rate. Typically, these types of cards are available to those with good or better credit. Balance transfers from another bank are a way for credit card issuers to take on new customers, but first, the lender will evaluate the perceived level of risk in extending credit. If your credit score deems you too risky to an issuer, your balance transfer won’t be approved.

If you’re looking to reduce the interest rate on your outstanding credit card balances and your credit doesn’t qualify you to transfer your balance to another card, consider a personal loan, which may have more favorable rates. You can also speak to a credit counselor who might be able to help you work through your options for improving credit and paying down your debt.

What should I look for in a credit card for bad credit?

If you have bad credit, getting a credit card can be an opportunity to improve your credit profile. In order to do this, you’ll want a credit card that reports on-time payments to the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

If possible, you’ll also want to avoid cards with high annual fees and other charges like account opening fees. Finally, it can be a benefit to choose a card that will allow you to graduate to an unsecured card after several months of good payment behavior, so you won’t have to open another account once your credit has improved.

What credit card companies will approve me with bad credit?

Many card issuers have products designed specifically for customers with bad credit. If you have a preferred credit card company, check its website to search for cards specifically intended for building credit. However, the cards on this list have already been evaluated as some of the best cards for bad credit.

Next Up In Credit Cards

  • Best Credit Cards 2024
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
  • Capital One Venture X Credit Card
  • Best Rewards Credit Cards
  • Can I Add My Child To My Credit Card?
  • How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circ*mstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Becky Pokora

Credit Card Rewards Expert

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

Barbara King

Credit Cards Writer

Always dreaming about the next destination, credit cards specialist Barbara King is an avid traveler who optimizes her adventures through the use of points and miles. Barbara has earned and redeemed millions of credit cards points which has enabled her to explore over 50 countries on six continents, enjoying both budget and luxury travel.

Was this article helpful?

Send feedback to the editorial team

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (43)

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (44)

Thank You for your feedback!

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (45)

Something went wrong. Please try again later.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match™ - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

None

N/A

N/A

The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.

Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Of April 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest card to get with bad credit? ›

Best credit cards for bad credit in 2024
  • Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. View Offer. ...
  • OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card. View Offer. ...
  • Self - Credit Builder Account Secured Visa(R) Credit Card. Learn More. ...
  • Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. Learn More. ...
  • Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.
May 8, 2024

How to get $3,000 credit card bad credit? ›

The only way to get a $3,000 limit with bad credit is to place a $3,000 security deposit on a secured credit card. Generally, a secured card's credit limit matches the amount of the refundable security placed by the cardholder. Not all secured credit cards allow deposits as high as $3,000.

What is the easiest unsecured credit card to get with a 500 credit score? ›

Some of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for are the Indigo® Mastercard®, Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card and Milestone® Mastercard®. While these cards are geared toward people with bad credit and have easy approval odds, they tend to charge high fees and interest, which can make building credit costly.

Is there a credit card that approves everyone? ›

First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard: The First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard requires no credit history or minimum credit score for approval. Your security deposit is refundable, and the card is accepted nationwide.

What credit card has a $2000 limit for bad credit? ›

First Latitude Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Choose your own fully-refundable credit line – $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit. No minimum credit score required for approval!

What is the second chance credit card? ›

However, it is possible to bounce back. Using a credit card responsibly can help you reestablish your credit. If you're unwilling or unable to pay the deposit to get a secured card, you have another option: A “second-chance” credit card with no security deposit required.

What is the best guaranteed approval unsecured credit card for bad credit? ›

Best unsecured credit cards compared
Card nameAnnual fees
Prosper® Card$39 (waived for the first year if you sign up for AutoPay before your first statement)
Destiny Mastercard®$59-$99
Tomo Credit Card$2.99 per month
Credit One Platinum Visa$75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually (billed as $8.25 monthly)
3 more rows

Which card is easiest to get approved for? ›

NerdWallet's Easiest Credit Cards to Get of May 2024
  • OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check and no bank account required.
  • Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check + flexibility and guardrails.
  • Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card: Best for Unsecured card for bad credit.
6 days ago

Which credit card has no credit check guaranteed approval? ›

One of the best credit cards for a 550 credit score is the OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee and there's no credit check when you apply, so approval is almost guaranteed.

What is the #1 credit card to have? ›

The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on all purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back.

What store cards can you get with a 550 credit score? ›

  • Amazon Prime Secured Card * Best for Rewards on Amazon Purchases. Fair/Poor/No Credit. $0. N/A.
  • Kohl's Card * Best for Rewards on Kohl's Purchases. Bad, Fair. $0. 35% off.
  • The Sephora Credit Card * Best for Rewards on Sephora Purchases. Bad/Fair. $0. 25% discount.
Apr 24, 2024

What credit card can I get with a poor credit rating? ›

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is the best option if you have limited/poor credit and are looking for a high credit limit. You can deposit anywhere from $300 to $5,000, making your maximum credit limit available $5,000.

What credit cards give you instant access to card number? ›

As you'll notice from the cards mentioned above, instant card numbers primarily come with Amex cards, co-branded cards and store cards. That leaves out many major card issuers, such as Discover and Chase, so you'll have to wait roughly 10 business days to receive those cards in the mail before being able to use them.

How do I get a credit card if no one will approve me? ›

Consider a secured credit card

A secured credit card requires that cardholders put down a deposit, which acts as collateral if they're ever unable to make payments. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one such option, requiring a security deposit of $200.

What is an instant approval credit card? ›

An instant approval credit card lets you know within just a few minutes whether or not your application is approved – just enter your personal information, verify your identity, and let the underwriting algorithms do their thing! If you have bad credit, you may need to apply for a secured credit card.

Can I get a credit card with a 500 credit score? ›

A credit score of 500 or less gives you plenty of room for growth when building your credit, and it won't exclude you from qualifying for a good credit card. Plenty of credit cards for a 500 credit score or lower offer credit-building tools to help you achieve a higher score; others even offer rewards.

Which bank gives easily credit cards? ›

Top Credit Cards in India
Credit CardCategory
RBL Bank BankBazaar SaveMax Co-branded Credit CardReward Points
FinBooster: YES BANK – BankBazaar Co-branded Credit CardReward Points
HSBC Platinum Credit CardTravel and Dining
IndusInd Platinum CardFee Waiver
6 more rows

What's the lowest credit score to get a credit card? ›

You need a credit score of 550 to 750 to be approved for most unsecured credit cards. The higher your credit score is, the better your chances of getting approved for one of the best credit cards with no security deposit will be.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6255

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.