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A bad credit score, or any score below 579 on the FICO scale, can put a wrinkle in nearly any financial plan, including if you want to get a credit card. Most credit card issuers require good or excellent credit (670 to 850) to qualify for their best offers. However, if you have at least fair credit, or a FICO score between 580 to 669, you’ll likely have more unsecured credit card offers available to you.
Still, a handful of unsecured credit cards for bad credit are available, though they tend to have annual fees, fewer perks and lower credit limits compared to cards for fair or better credit. Here are some of the better picks available.
Comparing the best unsecured cards for bad credit
| Credit card | Best for: | Annual fee | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit | Cash back | $75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually ($8.25 per month) | 2.3 |
| Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card | Potentially no annual fee | $0 - $59 | 3.4 |
| Indigo® Mastercard® | Traveling abroad | $0-$99 | 2.2 |
Top unsecured credit cards for bad credit
Best for cash back
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Best for potentially no annual fee
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
Rating: 3.4 stars out of 5
3.4
Best for traveling abroad
Indigo® Mastercard®
Rating: 2.2 stars out of 5
2.2
How to choose an unsecured credit card for bad credit
Though unsecured credit cards for bad credit have fewer features and options than standard credit cards, you’ll still want to choose carefully. Here’s what to consider when looking for the right card for you.
Look for automatic upgrade opportunities
Some cards offer automatic reviews for a credit line increase.
Unsecured cards for bad credit are likely to start you out with a low credit limit. However, some give you the chance to qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months, which could boost your credit score in addition to expanding your purchasing power.
Some banks consider more than just credit score
These cards may prove easier to get if you have bad credit.
Some cards for bad credit look at other factors like your banking history for approval. This can be useful if your credit score is really low or if you have no credit score at all.
Make sure the card reports to all major credit bureaus
You want all three bureaus up-to-date on your credit to improve your score.
Cards you consider should report balances and payments to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This reporting is what will help you to build credit over time so you want it to be accurate and updated no matter which bureau an issuer or creditor checks.
Review the card’s fees carefully
Cards for bad credit can hide expensive, unexpected fees.
Unfortunately, annual fees are common with unsecured credit cards for bad credit. If possible, you should look for a card that charges a low annual fee or no annual fee at all.
In addition to looking for cards that don’t charge high annual fees, watch out for hidden charges, such as application fees or monthly account fees. If you travel internationally, you should also consider a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Learn more: What to look for in a credit card for bad credit
How to repair your credit with a credit card
Repairing your credit with a credit card can take some time, but the following tips can help you get the best results in the shortest time.
- Always pay your bill on time. The most important factor that makes up your FICO score is your payment history, so you should strive to pay all your bills early or on time each month. Late payments can have negative effects on your credit and take a long time to recover from.
- Keep your credit card balance at a minimum. Your credit utilization ratio is another large contributor to your credit score. For the best results, keep your balance below 30 percent of your available credit: So if you have a $300 credit limit, keep your balance less than $90.
- Ask for a higher credit limit as soon as you can. Getting a higher credit limit can lower your utilization ratio. If you are eligible for a credit line increase at any time, you should take one — but don’t increase your spending just because you have a higher limit.
When a secured credit card might make more sense
If you have bad credit and can’t get approved for an unsecured credit card, a secured credit card might be your best option. Secured credit cards require a security deposit upfront, which serves as your credit limit. Putting down a cash deposit may not seem ideal, but secured credit cards may give you the chance to build credit when other cards won’t.
Plus, the best secured credit cards offer rewards, no annual fee, and paths to upgrade to an unsecured credit card once your score has improved. And remember that your security deposit isn’t lost: When you close or upgrade a secured credit card account in good standing, you’ll get your security deposit back.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Yes, you can get an unsecured credit card with a 500 credit score. Some of the top unsecured cards that someone with a 500 credit score can get include the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card and the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
It depends on the card. If a card has high interest rates, tons of fees, and no real credit-building benefits, it may not be best for people with bad credit. If you have bad credit and want to get a card that rewards you for shopping, consider the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The bottom line
The best unsecured credit cards for bad credit let you build credit for a low or no fee, which should be your main focus when you have bad credit. Just make sure to look at some of the top credit cards for bad credit and fair credit before you choose a card.
