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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Showing 8 results
Best for no annual fee
Bankrate score
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Helpful credit-building perks, including automatic reviews for a possible credit increase and CreditWise access, make up for the lack of rewards.
Best for students
Bankrate score
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Discover
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: This card has one of the best set of rewards and perks of any student card on the market, for no annual fee.
Best for high credit limit
Bankrate score
2.5
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(300 - 670)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Milestone Mastercard
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Milestone Mastercard credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
See terms*
Regular APR
See terms*
Why you'll like this: It has a fairly high credit limit without requiring a security deposit, which is generous for a credit-building card.
Best for flat-rate cash back
Bankrate score
4.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply, Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$39
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: You can earn solid flat-rate rewards while avoiding juggling rotating or elevated categories.
Best for travel
Bankrate score
3.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Credit One Bank
's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.
N/A
Rewards Rate
10X points on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner. 5X points on eligible travel including flights, dining, and gas purchases. 1X points on all other purchases.
1X - 10X
Annual fee
$95
APR
29.99%* Variable
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the few travel cards available for fair credit and includes an exceptional rewards rate on eligible travel purchases.
Best for long-term financing
Bankrate score
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Upgrade
's secure site
Intro offer
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
$200
Rewards Rate
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
14.99% - 29.99% APR
Why you'll like this: This card’s unique repayment structure makes it easy to understand if you’re new to credit cards.
Best for no penalty APR
Bankrate score
2.7
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Avant
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Avant credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$59
Regular APR
35.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: This card is light on fees and other detriments that can make it difficult to build credit, including no penalty APR.
Best for no credit check
Bankrate score
3.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital Bank
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Capital Bank credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$35
Regular APR
25.64% (variable)
Why you'll like this: This card is one of the more accessible cards on the market with a forgiving, low ongoing APR compared to other cards for fair credit.
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* The information about the (card name) has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Compare Bankrate's best cards for fair credit
| Card name | Best for | Annual fee | Bankrate review score |
|---|---|---|---|
 | No annual fee | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
 | Students | 5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Discover's secure site | |
 | High credit limit | 2.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Milestone Mastercard's secure site | |
 | Flat-rate cash back | 4.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
 | Travel | 3.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Credit One Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply | |
 | Long-term financing | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Upgrade's secure site | |
 | No penalty APR | 2.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Avant's secure site | |
 | No credit check | 3.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital Bank's secure site |
*You’ll receive a Mastercard Guide-to-Benefits with the program terms and conditions with your card. Fraud protection is provided by Mastercard Zero Liability Protection.
What is fair or average credit?
When you have fair or average credit, your FICO® Score sits somewhere between 580 and 669. This score is far better than someone with bad credit or anyone who has limited or no credit,but lenders may still consider you a subprime borrower.That means your credit report suggests you're at a higher risk of defaulting on a credit card compared to someone with good or excellent credit. When you’re a subprime borrower, it costs more to borrow money. Lenders typically offer you loans and credit cards with higher interest rates to help offset the risk.
Why your credit score matters
Your credit score doesn’t just impact how much interest you pay on loans. It plays a much bigger role:
- Renting an apartment: When you rent an apartment or condo, your landlord may run a credit check to determine how likely you are to be a good tenant. The same factors that impact your credit score the most (your repayment history and the amount of debt you carry) could affect your application.
- Buying a home: With a lower credit score, you may not qualify for a conventional mortgage. This factor can make it harder to buy the home you want, as many sellers prefer conventional loans over government-backed loans.
- Insurance costs:In most states, insurance companies use your credit history to help determine how much you pay for insurance. A good credit score could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when buying auto or homeowners insurance.
- Utilities and phone plans: Utility companies and phone carriers also run credit checks to determine how well you manage your finances. A lower score could mean having to put down a deposit for service or phone plans.
- Credit limits: Not all credit cards for fair credit have high limits. Depending on your credit score, you could end up with a credit limit as low as $200 to $300, making it difficult to build credit, especially if you use too much of your available credit.
Fair Credit Cards Pros & Cons
Pros
A chance to work on your credit: Fair credit cards often come with features that can help you track (and potentially boost) your credit score, like higher credit limits and free access to your score.
Access to unsecured cards: Several unsecured cards are available with fair credit, and even if you start with a secured card, you may be eligible to upgrade to an unsecured card with better perks and benefits after demonstrating responsible card usage.
Lower fees: Plenty of cards for fair credit either charge no annual fee or carry a relatively low fee. That’s saying a lot considering how pricey cards can be if you have bad credit, especially unsecured cards.
Cons
High APR: Though someone with fair credit is seen as a lower lending risk than someone with bad credit, credit cards for fair credit still tend to carry high interest rates. And the lower your score is, the more likely it is that you’ll be assigned a high interest rate.
Limited perks: Most of these cards carry only a handful of noteworthy perks, offering only basic card protections and credit score monitoring.
Low (or no) rewards: Most cards available with fair credit lack a rewards program or only offer a basic 1 percent flat rate.
Tips on choosing the best credit card when you have fair credit
To find the best credit card for fair credit, consider several factors, including your spending habits, goals and approval odds. To help you shop for your next card, here are the steps for choosing a credit card.
Do you need a secured card?
A secured card can be a handy financial tool if you’re starting your credit journey but aren’t ready for an unsecured card (or would rather avoid the annual fees typically required on unsecured credit-building cards). Since secured cards usually use your deposit as the basis for your credit limit, they give you more control as you work on keeping credit utilization low (a key credit scoring factor).
That said, if you’re confident in your ability to use a credit card, an unsecured credit card could be a better choice. Unsecured cards don’t require an upfront deposit, which may be preferable if you’d rather not tie up money for months as you build credit. And while your starting credit limit might be lower than it would be with a secured card, many unsecured credit cards offer a chance at a higher credit line after a few months of positive payment history.
What people say about credit cards for fair credit
When looking for a credit card with fair credit, it’s best to get advice from others who have already gone through the process and can recommend specific strategies or even specific cards.
Redditors from the r/CRedit community recommended that those who have credit scores in the 600 range look at cards from Discover and Capital One, specifically the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Many users cited these cards’ rewards as a key draw.
Other users suggested anyone in the military or who has a family member that served in the military consider cards from Navy Federal Credit Union.
No matter what card you decide on, many of the users suggest trying to prequalify for the card through the issuer first to get a sense of your odds of approval without adding a hard pull to your credit report.
“Prequalify through Capital One or Discover without a hard pull and go from there. Secured is a great option to build a relationship with a company.”
— Reddit User
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
Expert advice for people with fair credit
Having fair credit offers many advantages, like the chance to qualify for an unsecured card and more rewarding options. While you should work to maintain fair credit, the good habits you create can lead to a higher score over time.
Pay your bills on time and avoid debt
Missing a credit card paymentcan hurt your score and might stay on your credit report for up to seven years. The later a payment, the worse it is for your credit score.
Plus, not paying your balance in full can lead tocredit card debt, especially if you have a high APR. Paying the balance on your card in full each month is a key way to work toward a higher score.
Check your credit report
Incorrect information on your credit report — even something as simple as a misspelling of your name — could keep your credit score lower than it should be. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months, so check your report for any discrepancies and find out how todispute errors. Your report is also a great way to keep track of your progress as you build credit.
Wait before opening new accounts
Opening too many new accounts at once can hurt your score because it can look suspicious or like you're in financial trouble. In fact, some issuers have rules that prevent applicants from opening up too many cards in a certain amount of time, such as Chase's 5/24 rule. Once you’ve applied and an issuer approves you for a credit card for fair credit, use it responsibly for a while to demonstrate your ability to handle new credit. Overall, be patient andwait between credit card applicationsto benefit your score.
Consider keeping older credit accounts open
A credit card that you’ve had for a long time adds to your length of credit history, a significant contributor to your credit score. If you outgrow your credit card for fair credit, don’t close it right away. If it doesn’t have maintenance fees,keep the account open and active to keep your score high.
Our data: How having good credit can increase your chances of approval
While having good credit doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the credit card you apply for, a better score helps, according to Bankrate's proprietary data.
We looked at our data and analyzed the approval rates of Bankrate users who applied for a credit card on our website in 2023. What we found was that Bankrate users with good credit were more than twice as likely to get approved for a credit card than users with fair credit — around 20 percent versus 44 percent.
And that likelihood increased even more for Bankrate users with excellent credit. About 75 percent of users with excellent credit in 2023 who applied for a card through Bankrate got approval.
This data shows the importance of working toward and maintaining good credit. While fair credit may not stop you from getting the card you have your eye on, having better credit may increase your chances.
More information on credit cards for fair credit
Credit cards you can get with a 600 credit score
Best travel credit cards for people with bad or fair credit
How to build credit fast
Why is good credit so important?
How we assess the best cards for fair or average credit
50+
Cards rated
500+
Data points
250+
Fees tracked
40+
Perks evaluated
When evaluating the best cards for fair credit, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while keeping costs low.
We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for people with a fair credit score and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Here are some of the key factors that we considered:
Build credit, minimize fees
Cards available with a fair credit score run the gamut, from basic no-annual-fee secured cards to unsecured cards with modest fees and rewards rates to cards with sky-high fees and APRs. Our rating methodology for these cards focuses on two key factors: How easy a card makes it to build credit and the costs you’ll face along the way.
Here’s how overall scoring breaks down for credit-building cards.
Cost45.00%
Ease of building credit25.00%
APR10.00%
Perks10.00%
Customer experience10.00%
Learn more:How we rate our cards
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards for fair credit
Reena Thomas, Ph.D.Arrow RightEditor II, Credit Cards
Courtney MihocikArrow RightSenior Editor, Credit Cards
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
