Written by: Lauren Keys
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Maybe you’ve had some detours on your journey to good credit — life happens — but if you’re ready to turn things around, it’s important to know how to apply for a credit card with bad credit.
The first step is to check your own credit score so you know where you stand.
This is considered a soft inquiry — and soft inquiries do not affect your credit score.
Taking this first step will help ensure you don’t waste your time applying for a credit card you won’t get approved for if your score is below average; not to mention that application can cost you a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can bring your credit score down even more.
Once you know your score and determine what you’re likely to be approved for, you can apply for a credit card with bad credit by selecting and applying for one online in as little as 10 minutes. Approval time for an online credit card application can be instantaneous or take as much as two weeks.
The Best Credit Cards to Apply for if You Have a Low Score
There’s more to choosing a credit card than finding the best option among bad credit credit cards. Every person has a different situation, so there’s no one best card. You’ll want to determine what credit card suits you.
A score of less than 630 typically means you’ll have a harder time finding a lender, limiting your choices to cards that may have high interest rates or even an annual fee.
Regardless of interest rates and other fees, almost all credit cards are considered unsecured loans, meaning the loan isn’t tied to anything the creditor can seize upon non-payment, such as property or your own funds in the case of a secured credit card.
Let’s take a look at some top offerings for unsecured cards for people with bad credit.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- 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.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- 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.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- 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.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 29.99% or 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
On the other hand, a secured credit card basically acts as a pre-paid card in that you must deposit funds with the creditor up front in order to use a credit limit equal to what you deposited. These cards can be easier to obtain with really low credit scores, and for some people, may be the best option.
Here are top offerings for secured cards for people with bad credit.
- 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
- Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
- Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- ¹ 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.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 19.24% (V) | Yes | 7.5/10 |
- No credit check to apply
- Adjustable credit limit based on what you transfer from your Chime Checking Account to the secured 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 Stride Bank, N.A., Member 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 fees may apply. See here for details.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | N/A | Yes | 9.5 |
- 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
- Choose your own fully-refundable credit line - $100 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
- Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- 1Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
- *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 24.49% (V) | Yes | 8.0/10 |
These are our top recommendations of the cards available when figuring out how to choose a credit card with bad credit. While bad credit is not ideal, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a credit card, and when used responsibly, bad credit credit cards can even help you rebuild your credit.
Apply for a Credit Card Online – And Be Patient for Approval
Once you’ve identified the credit card you want to apply for, it takes about 10 minutes to apply for credit cards by filling out an application online. You will need some personal information including your social security number and a physical address, but make sure you’re on the secure web page for the credit card issuer before entering sensitive information.
Approval can be instantaneous, or it may take up to two weeks — a longer review process is typical when applying for a credit card with bad credit. If your application is denied, it is best to wait at least six months before submitting another hard credit inquiry.
Once you’re approved, a new card takes about two weeks to arrive at the address you provided in your application and will arrive with instructions for activation and typically includes how to set up an account online for easy transaction tracking and bill payment.
If you can afford to do so, consider creating an automatic bill payment drafting from a bank account so you never miss a payment, as on-time payments are the most heavily weighted factor in determining your credit score.
Final Thoughts
Whatever your situation, don’t be discouraged. Building — and sometimes rebuilding — credit is truly a journey with unexpected twists and turns. As consumers, we must remain diligent on our journey and we have a few missteps along the way, it’s usually not too late to turn things around.
All of the cards mentioned can help rebuild your credit as long as you spend responsibly and plan for timely monthly payments.
In as little as six months’ time, your credit score can begin to improve, which can bump you up into the realm of better cards with lower interest rates and fewer fees.
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