When you have bad credit, your options are limited. It’s tough to apply for any kind of credit, and every rejection can make your credit score fall even more. And it’s nearly impossible to qualify for a credit card, which can lead to other potential financial problems.
If your credit score isn’t in great shape, you have options. You just need to know they’re out there – and you need to know which credit cards are best for bad credit.
The following credit cards are all designed for people with bad credit, making them an excellent choice for anyone who needs a better solution.
Discover it Secured Credit Card
The Discover it Secured credit card is an excellent card for anyone with bad credit. By making an initial deposit, you can set your own credit limit. You’ll then get to use the Discover it card just like any other credit card – and it even comes with cash back rewards. That’s a rare perk for unsecured cards.
This credit card reports to all three major credit bureaus so your hard work reflects directly on your credit score. And even more importantly, you can work on both your credit score and your creditworthiness with the Discover it Secured credit card. After 8 months of successful, on-time payments you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured account.
Why This Card is Great for Bad Credit
- $0 annual fee
- 10.99 percent APR on all balance transfers for the first 6 months
- Minimum opening deposit of $200
- Earn 2 percent cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 percent cash back on all other purchases
- Build a credit history over time with secured line of credit
- Get a free FICO credit score and Credit Scorecard
Capital One Secured Mastercard
The Capital One Secured Mastercard is a credit card that offers a great credit-building opportunity. Unlike prepaid cards, which feature many limitations, this secured credit card offers an initial credit line of $200. With on-time payments and responsible card use, you can potentially qualify for even better offers.
If you want a credit card with flexibility and options, the Capital One Secured Mastercard is a fantastic choice. You can get your line of credit started with a deposit of $49, $99, or $200. It’s a credit card that allows anyone with bad – or limited – credit to qualify, and pre-qualification may be an option.
Why This Card is Great for Bad Credit
- $0 annual fee
- Choose your minimum opening deposit, making a deposit of as little as $49
- No foreign transaction fee
- Regular reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
- $200 line of credit
- Access to qualify for higher credit line after 5 on-time monthly payments
- 24/7 online account access
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit
The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa is an excellent credit card for rebuilding your credit. Whether you’re starting from 0 or need to repair your credit score, this credit card will allow you to prove your creditworthiness over time with responsible card use. You’ll even enjoy access to your Experian credit score so you can watch it grow – for free.
And while very few credit cards for those with bad credit offer the perks of traditional credit cards, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa does exactly that. You’ll earn cash back rewards on your purchases, which can turned into statement credit to help you pay down your monthly bill.
Why This Card is Great for Bad Credit
- Variable APR starting as low as 20.24 percent
- Annual fee ranging from $0 to $99
- No monthly fee
- Get 1 percent cash back rewards on all eligible purchases
- Can qualify with limited or bad credit
- Can pre-qualify without affecting your credit score
- $0 fraud liability
- Account is automatically reviewed for potential credit line increases
Milestone Mastercard
If you’d like to start rebuilding your credit, the Milestone Mastercard offers a great opportunity to do so. You can qualify for this card without needing a down payment to open a line of credit. And, over time, your regular credit reporting can help you see a noticeable score improvement.
The Milestone Mastercard also reduces its negative impact on your credit score by offering prequalification. You can see if you’ll be approved before you even apply – avoiding a hard inquiry and a potentially damaging rejection. Both bad and less-than-perfect credit scores are accepted.
Why This Card is Great for Bad Credit
- Annual fee ranging from $35 to $99
- No monthly fee
- Available for bad and minimal credit
- Can pre-qualify so credit isn’t impacted
- Fraud protection for stolen cards
- Credit reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
Surge Mastercard Credit Card
No matter what kind of shape your credit is in, the Surge Mastercard is a credit card that can work for you. This card accepts all credit types – and while you can’t pre-qualify, those with bad and new credit can get approval.
This unsecured credit card offers an initial opening credit line of $500. That’s more than most credit cards for bad would allow, and you don’t have to put a cent down. You’ll enjoy a reasonable annual fee for the first year you’re a cardholder, and you can also get relief from the monthly fee.
Why This Card is Great for Bad Credit
- $125 annual fee for the first year, decreases to $96 after that
- $10 monthly fee waived for the first year
- All credit types and scores welcome to apply
- Reports monthly to all 3 major credit bureaus
- Free online account access 24/7
- Initial credit limit of $500
- Can open this card with only a checking account
Find the Right Credit Card for Your Credit Today
Your credit score may have a lot of influence over your finances, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from opening a new credit card. Today, more and more credit card companies are offering solutions and options for those with bad credit.
And the right credit card can actually help you work on your credit score. With credit cards like those mentioned here, you can begin to improve your credit score by making on-time payments, expanding your available credit line, and enjoying a few rewards along the way.
If you’d like to add a credit card to your wallet, you can easily find options for those with bad credit by searching online. Look for credit cards with pre-qualification or easy approval, as well as cards that offer solutions specifically for bad credit. You can also compare interest rates, annual fees, and other costs to ensure you’re making the best choice.