Written by: Ashley Fricker
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
People who are rebuilding bad credit tend to be limited in the number of cards they can obtain. That’s why choosing a card that will be accepted everywhere you shop can be important.
Nearly universally known, Mastercard is the second-largest credit card network, processing over 67 billion yearly transactions and accepted in more than 200 countries around the world.
Given its reach, it’s safe to say a Mastercard credit card in your wallet will give you the ability to make purchases just about anywhere. Now the question comes down to, which Mastercard to choose? If you have had some financial missteps in the past, your options will be a bit more limited but there are still a number of choices when it comes to finding Mastercard cards for bad credit.
Best Unsecured Mastercard Credit Cards for Bad Credit
An unsecured credit card is one that typically doesn’t require a deposit to open. Because unsecured credit lines are extended without any form of collateral, they represent the largest risk to the credit card issuer.
The high risk associated with unsecured financing means it’s harder to get with bad credit, making subprime options your best bet in many cases.
Rates and fees for unsecured subprime cards will often be higher than those for other card types, so compare your options carefully before applying.
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 29.99% APR (Variable) | Yes | 8.5/10 |
- Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
- Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- $0 liability for unauthorized use
- Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | See terms | Yes | 9.0/10 |
Each individual issuer will have its own specific rates, terms, and fees, as well as variations in credit limits and score requirements. If one issuer doesn’t meet your needs, another may have the right card.
Best Secured Mastercard Credit Cards for Bad Credit
So long as you can provide the required deposit, secured credit cards are often one of the easiest credit products to obtain. The collateral provided for a secured credit card means less credit risk to the issuer, and many secured cards have low — or no — credit score requirements.
In most cases, the size of your deposit will determine your credit line, allowing you to potentially obtain a much higher limit than possible with an unsecured subprime card. With responsible use, some secured cards can even be upgraded to an unsecured credit card automatically.
Best Secured Cards with No Credit Score Requirements
To obtain a First Progress Mastercard, you’ll need to deposit at least $200, but you can provide up to $2,000 for a higher credit limit. There are no specific credit history or score requirements to qualify.
- Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
- Quick and Complete Online Application; No credit inquiry required!
- Includes Free Real-Time Access to Your Credit Score and Ongoing Credit Monitoring powered by Experian
- Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card; Try our new Mobile App for Android users!
- Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted!
- Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
- Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
- Just Pay Off Your Balance and Receive Your Deposit Back at Any Time
- 24/7 Online Access to Your Account
- Nationwide program; available in all 50 US states *See Card Terms.
- Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy still in your credit bureau file will not cause you to be declined.
- ¡Hablamos Español! Nuestros representantes de servicio al cliente hablan Español con fluidez para su conveniencia.
- Make 6-months of on-time payments & you’ll be invited to apply for an unsecured First Digital Mastercard!
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 24.99% (V) | Yes | 7.5/10 |
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments!
- No minimum credit history or credit score required.
- Past credit issues shouldn’t prevent you from getting a credit card with great benefits & rewards!
- Accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted, online and worldwide!
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- Manage your statements, transactions & rewards on-the-go with the First Progress Card Mobile App!
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | 14.99% (V) | Yes | 7.5/10 |
Secured cards from First Progress give you the option to choose between a lower APR and higher annual fee, or a lower fee and higher APR. Those prone to carrying a balance may get more value out of a lower APR, though you should avoid carrying a balance in either case.
Best Secured Cards that Can Be Upgraded
By nature, secured credit cards aren’t really cards that you intend to keep for very long. In most cases, they’re simply a tool to build your credit enough to qualify for a better-quality unsecured card.
With some secured cards, this would mean canceling the card when your credit improves. With the cards below, you can skip that step by automatically graduating from a secured card to an unsecured one.
The issuers of these cards will review your credit progress and payment history every few months. When the issuer feels that you’re ready to responsibly handle unsecured credit, your secured card will be automatically upgraded to an unsecured card and your deposit returned.
5. SunTrust Secured Credit Card with Cash Rewards
While the SunTrust Secured Credit Card with Cash Rewards has a modest annual fee, it offers purchase rewards, a competitive APR for purchases and balance transfers, and no penalty APR for late payments.
- Earn 2% cash back on up to $6,000 in combined gas and grocery purchases each year
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Pay a $32 annual fee
You’ll need at least a $300 deposit to open a SunTrust Secured Credit Card but may be able to deposit up to $5,000, depending on your credit profile. Your initial deposit amount will determine your credit limit.
6. Capital One Secured Mastercard
The Capital One Secured Mastercard doesn’t offer rewards or fancy promotions, but it also doesn’t charge an annual fee or balance transfer fee, and it won’t charge a penalty APR if you miss a payment.
- Get an initial $200 credit line after making a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200, determined based on your creditworthiness
- 24.99% APR (variable)
- Pay no annual fee
Depending on your credit profile, the Capital One Secured Mastercard may actually be semi-secured, offering a larger credit line than your deposit. The minimum credit line will be $200, with a minimum required deposit of $49, $99, or $200 based on your creditworthiness.
Find a Network that Works for You
Many people have had the unfortunate experience of finally making it to the head of the checkout line, only to be told that merchant does not accept the credit card they wish to use.
When rebuilding poor credit, it’s unlikely you can qualify for a wide variety of credit cards, meaning your everyday card needs to be versatile.
With a widely accepted Mastercard in your wallet, you limit the odds of hearing the dreadful words that you’ll need another payment method.
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.
