Best Instant-Approval Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2024
Written by: Brittney Mayer
Brittney Mayer
Brittney is a credit strategist and debt expert with years of experience applying her in-depth knowledge of the credit and personal finance industries to write comprehensive, user-friendly guides on the products and strategies readers can use to make smart financial decisions throughout the credit-building process.
Lillian brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience, having written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times. A former business writer and business desk editor, Lillian ensures all BadCredit.org content equips readers with financial literacy.
Ashley has managed content initiatives for BadCredit since 2015, having worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, as well as press and news outlets, to publish comprehensive content. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets, including CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance, and Reader's Digest.
Not so long ago, in the grand old days of dial-up, surfing the world wide web was less an activity you used to pass the time and more an exercise in extreme patience. As we waited for images to load, pixel by agonizing pixel, we all daydreamed of a better future, one where data speeds were high and cat videos ruled the digital world.
The edge-of-our-seat impatience of those days isn’t gone in the broadband era; if anything, it’s gotten worse. We want everything to be like our web pages: instant and on-demand. This applies to our viral videos, our television shows — and our finances.
But while a buffering video is simply inconvenient, that credit card application may just be the key to vital financing. This can be especially true when you have poor credit and are trying to rebuild. Luckily, the internet holds part of the answer; with online credit card applications, almost any card can be instant-approval, you just need to choose wisely. Keep reading to see our top choices for instant approval credit cards for people with bad credit.
Although one of the newer types of credit to appear on the scene, unsecured credit cards rose in popularity throughout the latter half of the 20th century, and today there are hundreds of millions in the US alone. Unlike charge cards, unsecured credit cards are revolving, meaning you can carry a balance (for which you’ll likely be charged interest fees).
Unsecured credit cards are called “unsecured” because they require no security deposit to open the account (in contrast to secured credit cards). This can make them particularly appealing to those with poor credit looking to rebuild. Our top-rated unsecured credit cards for poor credit accept a range of credit types and provide low credit limits that are easy to maintain.
Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
You can build or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
FICO scores are 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 PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
No security deposit
Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 score from TransUnion®† *See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program. ** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required. † Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
While unsecured credit cards don’t require a security deposit, those aimed at subprime (poor credit) consumers will likely come with high fees, including annual maintenance fees. You may also be required to pay a program or processing fee when you open the account, which will decrease your initial available balance.
Best “Secured” Cards for Bad Credit
Similar to unsecured credit cards, secured credit cards are also revolving credit lines, so cardholders may carry a balance from month to month. Unlike unsecured cards, however, secured credit cards require an upfront deposit to open the account. The deposit acts as security for the creditor, ensuring any debt will be repaid — one way or another.
Because creditors have this extra security, secured credit cards are typically the easiest type of credit to obtain, even with bad credit. With most secured credit cards, the size of your deposit will dictate the size of your credit line (up to the maximum amount). The secured cards on our list include options for credit lines of up to $5,000 for qualified applicants.
Adjustable credit limit based on what you transfer from your Chime Checking account to the secured deposit account
No interest* or annual fees
Chime Checking Account and qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more required to apply. See official application, terms, and details link below.
The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by The Bankcorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
*Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
While the fees you pay for an unsecured credit card are simply that — fees you don’t get back — the deposit you make for a secured credit card doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it sits in a protected savings account, and may even accrue a small bit of interest. When you cancel your secured credit card or upgrade it to an unsecured card, your deposit (plus any earned interest) will be returned to you.
Best “Bankruptcy OK” Cards for Bad Credit
For consumers who have become buried under an insurmountable pile of debt, the bankruptcy process can (sometimes literally) be lifesaving. Many types of unsecured debts can be eliminated through bankruptcy, removing the debt burden and allowing you to move forward and start again. Unfortunately, bankruptcy isn’t exactly the “clean slate” that many people hope for — at least not so far as your credit is concerned.
To many future creditors, particularly those in the prime market, bankruptcies are about as scary as being trapped in the woods with a horror movie villain, and they’ll be quick to tell you — and your bad credit — to take a hike to avoid the risk. The creditors on our list, however, are made of sterner stuff, and won’t be scared off by your bad credit or your bankruptcy.
As with any credit card designed for people with bad credit, those accepting applicants with recent bankruptcies will likely charge high fees, including program or processing fees and annual maintenance fees. You’ll also likely end up with an APR about as scary as that movie villain, so be sure to always pay your full balance before your bill’s due date to avoid the horror of high interest fees. Paying your bills on time is also one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy credit score.
Best “Prepaid” Cards for Bad Credit
If any card can be said to have “instant” approval, it has to be a prepaid card. Why? Well, prepaid cards aren’t technically credit cards at all, as they aren’t associated with an actual credit line of any type. Instead, you’ll pre-load your prepaid card with cash, spending only as much as you put on the card yourself.
And since there’s no credit line attached, there’s also no credit check required, meaning your credit will have no impact on your ability to qualify. At the same time, prepaid cards with a network logo — think Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover — will operate almost exactly like regular credit cards when it comes to making purchases, usable anywhere its network is accepted. Our top picks will even accept direct deposits, making payday simple.
Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications
The caveat to keep in mind when dealing with prepaid cards is that the lack of credit association can be a double-edged sword. While your credit won’t influence your ability to obtain the card, the card won’t have any influence on your credit, either. In other words, prepaid cards won’t report to the credit bureaus, so you can’t use prepaid cards to build your credit history or improve your score.
Choose the Right Card for Instant Approval
Whether it’s for a video of a kitten playing piano or for a decision on an application for new credit — waiting stinks. And while waiting to see the Great Meowzart’s newest symphony can make you impatient, waiting to see if you’ll get that all-important credit card can make you stressed out and anxious.
While increasing your bandwidth can do wonders for your streaming speeds, there’s little your internet provider can do to help with your credit card application. Your best option for avoiding the nail-biting wait is to apply online — and to choose your card carefully. The more qualified you are for the card, the more likely you are to be approved quickly online. And remember, if you’re approved this can be a great opportunity to begin turning your credit score around. Paying on time each month can be the first step to seeing that low credit score begin to increase.
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Brittney is a credit strategist and debt expert with years of experience applying her in-depth knowledge of the credit and personal finance industries to write comprehensive, user-friendly guides on the products and strategies readers can use to make smart financial decisions throughout the credit-building process.