Writer: Eric Bank
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from our partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
Key Takeaways
-
"Guaranteed approval" might be commonly used in the industry, but it doesn't mean that card issuers approve everyone. It usually means that a card issuer provides quick approval decisions to bad credit applicants.
-
Credit cards designed for people who have bad credit often include additional fees, higher interest rates, and minimal (if any) benefits.
-
If you have bad credit, an unsecured credit card can help you improve your credit score if you make timely payments and keep your balance low.
Are there really guaranteed approval credit cards with no deposit, or is that just clickbait? Well, we can state that all of the unsecured credit cards in this review are easy to get, guaranteeing a quick decision when you submit a complete application.
While it’s true that no credit card can guarantee approval for everyone, these options are designed to improve your odds, especially if bad credit is your main challenge.
We’re also looking at store cards that might be even simpler to get, no matter your credit score. If your credit is in rough shape, don’t worry one of these cards might just be the kickstart you need. Just ensure you pay your bills on time and keep your balances relatively low.
Easy-to-Get Unsecured Credit Cards
The yin of these cards is that you can get them without having good credit or a security deposit. The yang is their high cost and meager benefits. Perhaps not a life-altering dilemma, but one that deserves some careful attention.
Open-loop means these cards can be used anywhere the payment network — i.e., Visa or Mastercard — is accepted. We consider the following to be the best unsecured credit cards for poor credit:
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% 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 Credit Score†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (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 | 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
The Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard welcomes applications from consumers with fair or poor credit. The Bank of Missouri offers this cash rewards credit card, which may give you a relatively high credit limit and lucrative cash back rewards.
This card also gives you access to free credit scores from Equifax, making it easier for you to keep track of your credit. By paying your entire balance each billing cycle, you can dodge its high APR.
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
**Fraud liability subject to Mastercard rules.
† 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
36% Fixed
Yes
8.0/10
The Fortiva® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard lets you prequalify for a credit limit of up to $1,000 based on your creditworthiness and income. It’s yet another card that offers cash back rewards on select purchases.
You can gradually build your credit with consistent, on-time payments, and you don’t need good credit to apply. Just be mindful of the high APR and annual fee.
- See if you’re pre-approved with no impact to your credit score.
- Qualify for rewards like a credit limit increase (subject to credit approval) or APR decrease in as little as six months.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases.
- Building your credit? We report to the major credit bureaus and good payment habits can pay off.
- Easily manage your account and make payments using BrightWay App.
- BrightWay cards are issued by WebBank.
- See the OneMain BrightWay® Card rates and fees.*
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 35.99%* | Yes | 9.5/10 |
The OneMain BrightWay® Card allows cardholders to earn cash back on purchases while building credit history through monthly reporting to the credit bureaus. You can fill out a quick application to see if you’re pre-approved without any impact on your credit score.
Once you receive the card and start using it, you might qualify for a higher credit limit or a lower APR after just six months, provided you make timely payments.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | 35.90% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is an unsecured card that is ideal for those looking to build credit. The issuer works with people of all credit stripes.
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® might start with a modest credit limit, but by making timely payments and using the card wisely, you can expect to see an increase in your credit health as Reflex reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus.
Easy-Approval Store Cards For Bad Credit
Store credit cards can be easier to obtain than other types of credit cards. This is because you can use them only with the issuing store — the meaning of closed-loop — and they usually have modest spending limits. Issuers undergo less default risk with these cards because they don’t let cardmembers access large amounts of debt, at least in the beginning.
5. Fingerhut Fetti®
Fingerhut offers a wide range of popular items, from bedding to tires. With its Fetti credit account, your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, helping you rebuild your credit with each on-time payment.
As with other credit accounts, Fingerhut charges interest on unpaid balances from previous months, but you can avoid it by paying your monthly bill in full. It also offers FreshStart, a one-time purchase program that claims to help borrowers raise their FICO Score by an average of 30 points.
6. Target Circle™ Card
The Target Circle™ Card gives you 5% off all eligible purchases made in-store or online. You can stack this discount with manufacturing and store coupons.
The card doesn’t charge an annual fee. It excludes certain purchases from the 5% discount, including prescriptions, over-the-counter pharmacy items, gift cards, select restaurant merchants, and Target Optical™ eye exams. You can save $50 on a future purchase when you’re approved for a new account.
7. Amazon Store Card
The Amazon Store Card favors cardholders who are also Prime members, as they’ll get 5% back on Amazon.com purchases. Amazon may offer some applicants with particularly bad credit the Amazon Secured Card instead.
Although the card has no annual fee, Prime charges apply. Amazon may offer special deferred interest financing on purchases above a set price. But if you don’t repay the balance by the end of the 0% interest period, you’ll be charged deferred interest for the entire purchase amount — rescinding any savings you thought you had.
Do Credit Cards Offer Guaranteed Approval?
No credit card approves 100% of applicants, although some have high acceptance rates. Card issuers won’t approve cards for consumers under 18 years old or who can’t satisfactorily verify their identity.
Several issuers have limits on the number of cards you can own. For example, you can’t have more than two Capital One credit cards.
If an issuer denies your credit card application, you should receive an Adverse Action Notice explaining why. You can use the information to address your credit deficiencies before reapplying.
In some cases, the issuer may base the rejection on incorrect information in your credit reports. If so, you should fix your reports, either on your own or with a credit repair company. You can apply for a credit card again once you correct each credit report.
Many credit cards offer a prequalification step that lets you know if you’re eligible to apply. This step doesn’t affect your credit score and doesn’t guarantee final approval. However, unless unexpected issues arise, your chances of approval should be quite good.
What Is the Easiest Card to Get Approved For?
Secured, student, and store cards are among the easiest to get. In fact, some secured card issuers even skip credit checks. These could be just what you need if your credit score is quite low. If a secured credit card isn’t an option, consider a prepaid debit card as a fantastic alternative. It doesn’t require a credit history or a bank account.
Here are more details on easy-to-get cards:
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards help consumers the card issuers perceive as “risky” due to their having no, limited, or bad credit. These cards require you to post cash collateral (usually) equal to your credit line. They are excellent tools for establishing or rebuilding credit when you consistently pay your bill on time.
The minimum credit line for a secured credit card is $200. Some cards offer higher credit limits in exchange for larger security deposits.
There are also partially secured credit cards, in which your deposit is less than your assigned credit limit. Receiving a partially secured line of credit is based on your credit history and is at the issuer’s sole discretion. One card, the Platinum Secured Credit Card from Capital One, offers qualified applicants a $200 credit limit on deposits as low as $49.
| Secured Credit Cards | Unsecured Credit Cards |
|---|---|
| Refundable deposit required to open an account | No deposit or collateral required to open an account |
| Low risk to the issuer | High risk to the issuer |
| Low-fee cards available to most credit types | Low-fee cards require at least fair credit |
| Credit limit is based on the size of the deposit | Credit limit is based on your credit profile and income |
Once the issuer gets your deposit, they’ll send your credit card, which you can use just like an unsecured card. Secured cards look exactly the same as their unsecured counterparts. So, whether you’re booking a hotel online or buying groceries, the merchant won’t know your card is secured.
Most secured cards grant credit line increases or refund security deposits after a set period (often six months) of responsible use. By using the card to help raise your credit score or establish your credit history, you should be able to get a better-quality unsecured card.
Student Credit Cards
Although not strictly for people with poor credit, student credit cards have more flexible credit score requirements, and most don’t require you to have any credit history. These cards are relatively easy to obtain if you attend college or trade school at least half-time. Most offer low fees and quality perks, such as purchase rewards and credits for good grades.
Store Cards
As previously discussed, getting a store card is usually straightforward, as most are closed-loop, meaning you can use them only at the issuing store and its affiliates. Department store cashiers often push the store’s credit cards at checkout, offering same-day discounts and other goodies. Some merchants offer open-loop credit cards. These function as unsecured credit cards that can be used anywhere, but are harder to get approved for.
Credit Union Credit Cards
Credit unions are generally more welcoming than banks because they’re member-run organizations that serve their own community. They often provide a variety of credit cards with different requirements, catering to all consumers. While credit union cards usually have lower APRs and costs, their rewards programs may not be as attractive as those from bigger banks.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards don’t offer credit, which makes them incredibly easy to acquire. You don’t need a credit history or a bank account to get one. They work like debit cards linked to checking accounts, but they draw from the funds you load onto them.
You can use these cards to make purchases, pay bills, withdraw cash from ATMs, and transfer money to others. Most prepaid cards impose monthly or pay-as-you-go fees, plus additional fees for certain transactions. Since they don’t provide credit, you can’t use prepaid debit cards to build credit.
What Guarantees Can Card Applicants Get?
While credit card issuers can’t offer guarantees for final approval, they do provide the following:
- Prequalification: Issuers guarantee a swift decision on whether you prequalify for their cards without impacting your credit score. As previously mentioned, successful preapproval is neither necessary nor sufficient to guarantee final acceptance. But it certainly can help avoid needlessly affecting your credit score when you don’t have any chance of final approval.
- Instant final decisions: Most issuers guarantee a swift final decision when you formally apply for a credit card, even if you don’t first undergo prequalification. They can do so because they perform an instant, hard credit inquiry to check your suitability. Usually, the only reasons for delay are conflicting data or an inability to verify your identity. You may have to provide additional information and documents to win final approval.
- Select secured cards: More than one secured credit card, including the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, guarantees no credit check when you apply. In other words, limited, no, or poor credit won’t prevent you from getting these cards. Other secured cards may perform credit checks without giving much weight to the results. Generally, secured cards show much more interest in your cash deposit than your credit score.
You can improve your approval odds for certain cards by recruiting a cosigner, although many card issuers don’t accept them. A cosigner is equally responsible for timely payments, reducing the issuer’s risk that primary cardowners will default on their debt.
Alternatively, you may consider asking a friend or relative to make you an authorized user of their credit card. You’ll receive your own card copy with spending privileges, although the owner may restrict your credit limit. Almost all credit cards accept authorized users.
What Credit Score Do I Need For Approval?
Some secured and student credit cards don’t need any credit scores. Unsecured cards do check credit, but we’ve heard of scores as low as 450 winning approval from issuers of store cards.
Before you apply for a credit card, it’s wise to check your credit scores to see what type of card might suit you best. Remember that you have multiple credit scores, which can differ due to variations in your credit reports and the scoring systems used.
For example, here are the scoring ranges for VantageScore and FICO, the most popular scoring model:
| FICO Score Categories | Score Range | VantageScore Categories | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional | 800-850 | Excellent | 781-850 |
| Very Good | 740-799 | Good | 661-780 |
| Good | 670-739 | Fair | 601-660 |
| Fair | 580-669 | Poor | 500-600 |
| Poor | Below 580 | Very Poor | 300-499 |
You can purchase your FICO scores directly from myFICO.com, but several other sources offer free credit scores (although not all of them are FICO scores).
You can also get free copies of each credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com as often as once per week. Getting a copy of your credit reports allows you to review the factors that determine your credit score. If you find mistakes, you can dispute them independently, but hiring a credit repair company may be more effective.
What Interest Rate and Credit Limit Should I Expect?
If you have bad credit, expect a minimum APR of 24.9% and a starting credit limit as low as $200. The picture improves as your credit score climbs.
You can guarantee a 0% interest rate by paying your balance in full by the monthly due date. But beware of the few credit cards that provide no grace periods — they charge interest starting on the transaction date.
This chart shares the average credit card interest rate by credit score as of February 2023:
| Category | Average APR |
|---|---|
| Secured Cards | 26.25% |
| Store Cards | 29.31% |
| Bad Credit | 27.00% |
| Fair Credit | 24.99% |
| Good Credit | 23.06% |
| Excellent Credit | 17.02% |
Secured and student credit cards for people with bad or no credit typically offer better APRs than subprime unsecured cards. They are also far less expensive because they don’t overwhelm you with the nuisance fees that come with unsecured subprime cards.
We know of a few unsecured cards that charge the maximum APR (36%) and have fees exceeding $150 per year. You will almost always do better with a secured credit card — remember, deposits are refundable, but fees aren’t.
How Do I Use an Unsecured Credit Card to Build Credit?
Having a credit card is a great way to start building your credit history. But to really boost your credit, it’s key to pay your bills on time and keep your account in good standing. This involves:
- Paying your bills on time: 35% of your FICO scores stem from your payment history. Consistently paying your bills on time will help your credit score, but payments more than 30 days late can hurt it. The damage will worsen if you default on your account, undergo collection, or enter bankruptcy.
- Paying down debt: Another 30% of your FICO score focuses on your debt levels. One important metric is the credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit card balances outstanding versus your credit card spending limits. FICO awards the highest scores to consumers with CURs of 1%, whereas VantageScore will settle for 30% or lower.
- Refraining from too many applications: Occasionally applying for a new credit card shouldn’t impact your score very much, but submitting many applications within a short period can do damage, as FICO may assume you are experiencing financial distress. It’s safest to wait six months between new credit card applications.
- Keeping old credit card accounts open: The age of your accounts influences your credit score. FICO rewards you for maintaining credit accounts over a long period. Keeping old credit cards open and occasionally using them will help your credit score by lengthening your average account age.
If you’ve begun building your credit with a loan but haven’t added a credit card yet, getting one can enhance both your credit mix and score. Plus, a store credit card might give your score an extra boost. However, the benefits of a varied credit mix are limited, so only open new accounts if you really need them.
You Don’t Need a Deposit to Get a Credit Card
We’ve debunked the myth of guaranteed approval credit cards with no deposit but highlighted several cards that are super easy to get. Even if you have poor credit, there’s a strong chance an issuer of unsecured credit cards is ready to assist you.
Although applying for a credit card has minimal impact on a bad score, it’s wise to focus on viable options. Most unsecured cards offer a prequalification step with a fast decision guaranteed. Consider these cards before formally applying to save time and effort on eligible choices.
Advertiser Disclosure
BadCredit.org is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free for users, we receive advertising compensation from the financial products listed on this page. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear on the page (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BadCredit.org does not include listings for all financial products.
Our Editorial Review Policy
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.
