High-Limit Credit Cards After Bankruptcy in 2026
Discover how secured cards provide a financial lifeline after bankruptcy by offering high credit limits with a refundable deposit.
Writer: Eric Bank
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we often earn referral fees from partners. For more info, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
No matter what situation led to your bankruptcy, there’s no doubt it complicates your access to high-limit credit cards. That’s why we identified post-bankruptcy credit cards with spending limits of at least $700.
While $700 may not seem like much of a credit line, even this modest amount can help you pay for groceries, gas, and other necessities. Several cards may offer you a four-digit credit limit despite your recent Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Keep reading to find the card that best meets your requirements.
Post-Bankruptcy Unsecured Cards with $700+ Credit Limits
It’s rare for an unsecured card to approve applicants who have recently declared bankruptcy. However, the cards listed below are willing to accept you as a cardmember, despite any financial hurdles you’ve faced in the past.
| | Our Rating |
- 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 Surge 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.
- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | 35.90% Fixed |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 5 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 8.5/10 |
| Our Expert Review | 4.8/5.0 (see review) |
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® may offer an initial credit limit of up to $1,000. Continental Finance Company (which has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau) services this card.
The card offers all the features of a standard Mastercard, including zero liability protection. It can also help you rebuild your credit by reporting your on-time payments to all three major credit bureaus.
| | Our Rating |
- Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Don’t Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
- Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability – Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | See terms |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 8 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 9.0/10 |
The Milestone® Mastercard® explicitly welcomes post-bankruptcy applicants and offers a credit limit of $700 if approved. Concora Credit services the card, and the Bank of Missouri issues it.
It provides Mastercard ID Theft Protection. Your new card typically arrives within 14 business days of approval.
Post-Bankruptcy Secured Cards with $700+ Credit Limits
Secured cards offer easy acceptance regardless of credit history because a refundable security deposit establishes your credit limit. These cards all allow you to set your limit with a matching deposit.
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- Earn Up To 10% Cash Back on everyday shopping with your First Progress Card, plus another 1% back on payments!^^
- Apply with no impact to your credit!2
- The first step to rebuilding your credit starts with just $200!¹
- Choose the First Progress Select Card for a lower annual fee!
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.¹
- 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.
- 2We may pull a soft inquiry of your credit. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score.
- ^^The 10% cash back rate is available only at a limited number of participating merchants. Offer percentages vary by merchant and are subject to change. See First Progress Rewards Program Terms & Conditions for details.
- *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | 17.49% (V) |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 9 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 7.5/10 |
The First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® is one of three related cards from Pinnacle Bank. None of the three require a minimum credit history or score. That’s why we rank it the best secured credit card for post-bankruptcy consumers.
Your previous credit issues, including bankruptcy, shouldn’t prevent you from getting any of these credit cards. Of the three, the First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® offers an intermediate APR and annual fee.
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- No minimum balance requirements*
- No credit check**
- 2% cash back on category of choice with direct deposit***
- The perks of credit building meet the best of banking****
- Chime Checking Account required to apply for the Chime Visa® Credit Card
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.
*Money added to Chime CardTM will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
**Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
***With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 2% cash back on category of choice on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.
****On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | N/A |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 5 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 9.5 |
The The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card doesn’t check your credit when you apply, and it is unique in accepting security deposits as high as $10,000. Your credit limit equals the amount you transfer from your linked Chime® Checking Account.
This secured card is for consumers who want to avoid interest rates and annual fees. On-time payments can positively impact your credit score, but overdue payments may harm your score.
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- Now offering Up To 10% Cash Back at select merchants with First Progress! Plus, 1% back when you make payments!^^
- A $200 refundable deposit is your first step toward better credit!
- Apply with no impact to your credit!2
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.¹
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- 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.
- 2We may pull a soft inquiry of your credit. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score.
- ^^The 10% cash back rate is available only at a limited number of participating merchants. Offer percentages vary by merchant and are subject to change. See First Progress Rewards Program Terms & Conditions for details.
- *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | 13.49% (V) |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 8 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 7.5/10 |
The First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® offers the highest annual fee and lowest interest rate of the issuer’s three cards. It’s the best choice for consumers who want to stretch their payments over multiple billing periods.
This card, like its counterparts, overlooks past bankruptcies (though it won’t approve applicants with pending bankruptcies awaiting discharge). Because it reports to all three major credit bureaus, making timely payments can help your credit score improve over time.
6. First Latitude Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
This offer is currently not available.
The First Latitude Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card from Pinnacle Bank accepts initial deposits as low as $100. But it allows deposits up to $2,000 to establish your credit line.
When you open a card account, the issuer requires your name, address, date of birth, and may also ask for your driver’s license for identification purposes.
| | Our Rating |
- Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
- Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
- Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
- Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
- Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
- Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
- More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
- Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
- See official site, terms, and details »
| Interest Rate | 23.89% (variable) |
| Reports Monthly | Yes |
| Application Length | 9 minutes |
| Reputation Score | 7.0/10 |
Applying for the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t include a credit check and guarantees an instant decision when you apply. This secured card from Capital Bank permits deposits of up to $3,000. Making timely payments may also prompt the issuer to increase your credit limit without an additional deposit or offer you an unsecured credit card.
The card charges a modest annual fee, and Capital Bank is one of the few issuers that doesn’t require a linked checking account to apply.
8. First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
This offer is currently not available.
The First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has the lowest annual fee and highest APR of the First Progress offerings. You’ll benefit most from this card if you pay off your entire balance monthly.
The card accepts initial deposits as high as $2,000. A discharged bankruptcy won’t prevent you from getting this card, although the issuer must verify your contact information, income, employment, and housing costs.
Which Types of Credit Cards Can I Get After Bankruptcy?
You can choose between secured and unsecured credit cards after you emerge from bankruptcy. We explore both types to help you decide which requirements you meet.
Secured Credit Cards
When you get a secured credit card, you put down a deposit that matches your credit limit. The deposits for the cards we’ve reviewed range from $100 to $10,000. This deposit serves as collateral, so if you deposit $700, that’s your credit limit as well.
Secured card issuers are typically willing to approve consumers with troubled credit histories because cash deposits protect against defaults. If you fail to pay the minimum amount due on time, the credit card issuer will take the money from your deposit and reduce your credit line.
Some may allow you to restore your credit line by submitting a payment. But, credit card issuers typically cancel cards when cardmembers repeatedly miss payment dates. If the issuer cancels your card, it will seize your deposit, pay off your balance (including interest and fees), and refund the remainder.
In most other respects, secured credit cards operate the same as unsecured versions. Secured cards may increase your credit line or refund your deposit if you consistently pay your bill on time.
Some secured cards offer cash back rewards on eligible purchases, but many do not. The typical cash back reward from a secured card has a flat rate of 1% to 2% on all eligible purchases.
Cash rewards usually remain valid as long as your account is active. Generally, you can redeem these rewards anytime and in any amount. Depending on your card, you might get your cash back through an electronic transfer, statement credit, check, or even a gift card.
Applying for a secured credit card is just like applying for any other credit card. The simplest method is to apply online, though some cards also accept applications by phone or mail. You’ll need to provide information about your identity, income, employment, housing costs, and debts in your application.
Most credit card issuers aim to approve or deny your application right away, although delays may occur if there’s difficulty verifying your information. It’s crucial to read the cardmember agreement to fully understand the approval criteria.
A secured card issuer will also require you to submit the security deposit before it sends your card. Failure to remit the deposit within a set period will force the issuer to cancel your application.
Some cards require a minimum deposit but let you increase it once you have the card. Others allow you to make an initial deposit up to the card’s maximum limit. Each issuer sets its own deposit rules.
Unsecured Credit Cards
Unlike secured cards, unsecured credit cards don’t require a cash deposit to collateralize a line of credit. If your financial history has saddled you with poor credit, your eligibility for unsecured cards will be limited.
Unsecured cards for consumers with poor credit charge high interest rates and impose additional fees. For example, many subprime unsecured cards charge fees for signup and monthly maintenance. Secured costs rarely charge these fees. You should expect subprime unsecured cards to charge an annual fee as high as $100.
The main difference between secured and unsecured credit is that a secured credit card requires the applicant to make a deposit. The minimum amount typically varies between $100 and $300 and is usually equal to the card’s credit limit.
Secured cards are best suited for those with poor, limited, or no credit. But unsecured credit cards provide better rewards and benefits for those who have good credit.
Because an unsecured card doesn’t have collateral, it’s harder to obtain compared to a secured card. After bankruptcy, opting for a secured card is likely to save you both time and money. After a suitable period, you (or the issuer) can transition to an unsecured card.
How Soon After Filing Bankruptcy Can I Get A Credit Card?
After filing for bankruptcy, a state court hears your case and renders a judgment. The process may take months, or years, depending on the bankruptcy chapter and the complexity of your debts.
For Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court may discharge your unsecured debt (such as unsecured credit card debt) in a few months. But in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must restructure your debt payments and agree to a repayment plan. It takes two to four years to finish the process, after which the court will discharge any remaining unsecured debt, including credit card debt.
You can begin rebuilding your credit after you receive a discharge. About half of bankruptcy filers apply for new credit and receive approval within one year of discharge. The right time to apply for credit is when you can assume the responsibility of credit card ownership. That’s when you should find the right credit card to help you build credit.
Which Banks Accept People With Prior Bankruptcies?
Banks that offer second-chance accounts accept depositors with prior bankruptcies and other credit mistakes. A low credit score shouldn’t prevent you from opening a second-chance checking, savings, or business bank account because these banks don’t check your credit or banking history.
Many online banks provide only essential services.
A second-chance account lets you rebuild checking history when used responsibly. You must follow the bank’s rules and avoid overdrafts and bounced checks.
The best second-chance accounts for consumers with imperfect credit include:
Second-chance banks may offer special products or incentives to new customers. These may include reduced or waived fees, cash back or points rewards, and high-interest savings accounts.
How Do I Select the Best Credit Card After Bankruptcy?
Finding the right credit card can help you build credit if you’ve recently gone through bankruptcy. Consider these factors when looking for the best credit card after bankruptcy.
Basic Eligibility
Look for cards that cater to consumers with poor credit. Many of these cards have flexible approval criteria.
Secured credit cards are easier to get because they require a deposit that collateralizes your credit line. Unsecured cards don’t need a deposit but typically have higher fees and interest rates.
Cost Factors
Many cards for post-bankruptcy consumers charge high annual fees. You must decide whether the benefits of the card outweigh the yearly charge.
Credit card interest rates will be high after a bankruptcy but vary significantly. You’ll save money by getting a card with a lower APR if you expect to carry a balance across multiple billing cycles. You’ll always have a 0% APR if you pay your entire bill each month.
Reporting to Credit Bureaus
Ensure the credit card company reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus. Comprehensive reporting of on-time payments is the most efficient way to rebuild credit.
Most cards report monthly but check the reporting frequency in the cardmember agreement. Remember that your balance at the end of the billing period updates your credit utilization ratio (i.e., the amount you owe compared to your total available credit).
Having a high balance on the reporting date can increase your credit utilization ratio (CUR) and negatively impact your credit score. To avoid this, try making a payment just before your billing cycle ends. Your monthly account statement will show the billing cycle start and end dates, along with your available credit.
Additional Considerations
While not a top priority when rebuilding credit, some post-bankruptcy cards provide cash back or other perks.
Virtually all credit cards provide a grace period that gives you extra time to repay your balance without incurring interest. The grace period, if present, must last at least 21 days and extend from the cycle end date to the payment due date. Verify your credit card’s grace period, as cards that omit it charge interest starting on the date of purchase.
Be aware of additional costs, including late fees, cash advance fees, and foreign transaction fees. All fees appear in the Schumer Box within the cardmember agreement.
Online account management tools are fantastic for keeping track of your spending, paying bills, and handling your account with ease. Make sure to choose a credit card company known for excellent customer service, especially if you’re just starting out with credit cards.
Some cards offer automatic credit limit increases after a period of on-time payments. The higher limit can boost your credit score by reducing your credit utilization ratio. Moreover, many secured cards automatically upgrade you to an unsecured card if you consistently pay your bill on time.
Always read an issuer’s terms and conditions to ensure you make an informed decision on a card that fits your situation.
How Can I Rebuild Credit After Bankruptcy?
While a bankruptcy remains on your credit report for seven or 10 years, you can immediately take steps to improve your credit. Follow these five tips to help raise your credit score after bankruptcy.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Your credit reports from the three major bureaus might have incorrect, outdated, or unverifiable information. Whether it’s fair or not, it’s up to you to make sure your credit report is accurate.
After you file for bankruptcy, check your credit report to verify that the credit bureau assigns bankruptcy status only to the correct accounts (typically, unsecured accounts). Contact the credit bureau immediately and ask it to correct any misinformation.
It’s also important to make sure the credit bureaus have removed the bankruptcy from your credit reports after the expiration date, which is usually seven or ten years after discharge.
Get a Credit Card
It’s important to reestablish a good credit history after you emerge from bankruptcy. One of the best ways to do this is to get a credit card and use it responsibly. The cards reviewed above accept post-bankruptcy applicants and offer reasonably high credit limits.
Secured cards require you to put down a deposit as collateral, making them easier to qualify for. They can be a great way to build your credit, helping you eventually move on to an unsecured card.
Pay Your Bills on Time
You must pay your bills on time to rebuild your credit. Timely payments establish a positive repayment history, eventually boosting your credit score and increasing your chances of qualifying for a traditional credit card.
Paying your other bills on time, such as your utilities or loans, is also essential. After 30 days, late or missed payments may appear on your credit report and drag down your score.
Work With Your Creditors
Don’t skip a payment on your secured credit card or any other bill if you are having trouble making ends meet in the wake of your bankruptcy,
If you can’t pay on time, contact your creditor to negotiate an arrangement that won’t hurt your credit. Some creditors are willing to create payment plans, extend due dates, or make other accommodations so they can still get paid.
Create a Realistic Budget
Creating a realistic budget is crucial. The key is to live within your means and not spend more than you earn monthly. You can contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency to help you organize your spending.
A budget should list all of your monthly income and expenses. It can help you identify how much income you have left after your monthly bills and expenses, including entertainment and shopping.
If you’re spending more than you’re earning, it’s a good idea to either cut back on your expenses or find ways to increase your income. Otherwise, you might find yourself draining your savings or relying too heavily on credit, which can lead to financial difficulties again.
Creating and sticking to a budget after bankruptcy makes it easier to pay your bills on time and improve your credit.
Check Out High Limit Credit Cards After Bankruptcy
Our review of post-bankruptcy credit cards shows that you can qualify for a card with a high credit limit. A secured card is your best bet, as you can control your credit limit through your security deposit. Start your financial recovery by using your credit cards wisely. Remember to avoid overspending and pay your bills on time — that’s the ticket to a better credit score.
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