The lower your utilization, the better; is a good benchmark. Credit Cards for Fair Credit | Mastercard What We Dont Like:If you dont have an active college email address, you may have a tough time qualifying. Take some time to decide whether you want to prioritize rewards, interest rates, fees or other aspects. Fair credit, also referred to as "average" credit, is a step up from bad credit but a notch below good credit. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Best for cash back: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Fair 600-699. Best Credit Cards for Fair/Average Credit of March 2023 - Bankrate WalletHub experts track 1,500+ offers to help you get the right credit card for average credit, By John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor Feb 27, 2023, Fact Checked: Alina Comoreanu, Sr. And if you already have a long-serving credit account, keep it open and active. The simple way to earn bitcoin: make purchases on your card, make payments, earn bitcoin. It earns 1.5% back in the form of Bitcoin when you pay your bill. The average person with fair credit is 47 years old and has an annual income of $54,000 per year. The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is the best credit card for fair credit, because, along with its lower credit requirements, it offers a $0 annual fee, access to Capital One benefits and the potential for credit line increases. $0 intro with auto pay, then $39 after first year. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Best For Credit Score Annual Fee Welcome Bonus Citi Premier Card Best Overall Card for Gas Excellent, Good $95 60,000 bonus points Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card Best. No single credit card has the best rewards and the best rates, which means you shouldnt try to use one for both everyday purchases and carrying a balance. Make at least the minimum payment, and do so on time each month. This card requires a security deposit, which will . Compare Credit Cards for Fair Credit in 2023 | Finder Canada When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Dont pay late: Make at least the minimum payment, and do so on time each month. There's an annual fee, although you can avoid it in the first year by signing up for autopay before your first statement is issued. 11 Unsecured Credit Cards For Fair Credit (2023) - CardRates.com Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. Another good unsecured card for fair credit is the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card. But you should be careful with deferred interest deals if you dont pay the full amount by the time the deferred interest period is over, youll owe your balance plus all the interest you would have accrued since you made the purchase. You can choose your own due date, which lets you schedule payment for the time of the month that best suits your cash flow. 10 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit with High Limits Theres no minimum spending or maximum rewards. That's a big reason why the term "fair credit" is often used to describe scores in the middle ground between bad and good. Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere. Alternatives to Consider:The Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card are both great options to consider. But if you've got fair credit and you need a card you can use to build credit without paying an annual fee, it's definitely worth a look. Our editors rate credit cards objectively based on the features the credit card offers consumers, the fees and interest rates, and how a credit card compares with other cards in its category. Our partners compensate us. Why We Like It:QuicksilverOne offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases nearly 50% more than the average cash rewards card provides. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Petal 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa Credit Card, Best for Cash back earned with select merchants, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264, Best for College students and young adults, Best for Prequalification + up to 1.5% cash back, Best for Help for 'less than perfect credit', Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa Credit Card. Best credit cards for fair credit Capital One QuickSilverOne Cash Rewards credit card Discover it Cash Back Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa Credit One Bank American Express Card Chase Freedom Flex Summary table of the best credit cards for fair credit FAQs It depends on personal preference as well as your credit standing and organizational skills. has a prequalification process that lets you see the offer you're eligible for without a "hard" credit check that can ding your scores. Best Credit Cards For Fair Credit Of March 2023 - Forbes Advisor The top features: Earn 1% . Secured credit cards (those requiring a refundable security deposit) are meant for people with bad credit or no credit. If you feel you have a case, you can contact the issuer and ask for reconsideration. Youll also usually keep the same account, often with the same card number, so theres no loss of credit history length. Plus, Discover says there's no FICO history requirement for this card. Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: What's the Difference? - Investopedia Its lighter on the fees than some unsecured credit cards for less-than-perfect credit and it offers rewards. You can be automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Credit Score Requirements: Poor 500-599. If you can find a card that pays rewards while also providing a steppingstone from average credit to good or excellent credit, its a win-win. One the VantageScore scale developed by the credit bureaus, the average score in 2022 was 698. On top of that, the cards annual fee is $0. . (For example, if you have a $500 credit limit and a $200 balance, then your credit utilization is 40%.) And after paying on time for 12 straight months, the rewards rate increases to 1.5% back across the board. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. You might be able to get a better card than you think. The average FICO credit score in the United States in 2022 was 716, according to the company that manages the FICO scoring model. Capital One Platinum Credit Card. offers those with average credit a chance to both earn rewards and, potentially, gain access to a higher credit line. Its lighter on the fees than some unsecured credit cards for less-than-perfect credit and it offers rewards. That's important to keep in mind as you work to build a positive credit history, especially if you carry a balance. The second-largest factor in your scores, credit utilization is the amount you owe as a percentage of your available credit. The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't offer rewards, as several other cards in the fair-credit category do, but for those looking to strengthen their credit, it's a simple, solid $0-annual-fee option with an incentive for responsible behavior. That's because this entry-level card doesn't charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. is a worthy contender for your wallet as you continue building credit. Avianca LifeMiles: Receive 20% more miles when you transfer your Citi ThankYou Points to Avianca LifeMiles. Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as few as 7 months. Best for earning cash back with fair credit Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply Now On Capital One's Website 2.3 Up to 5% Reward Rate Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back. Like Upgrade's other cards, it works like a combination of a credit card and a personal loan, allowing you to make purchases and then pay down your balance in equal monthly installments at a fixed interest rate. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Although there's no foreign transaction fee, Discover isnt as widely accepted abroad as other cards. If youre a few days late, youll likely owe a late fee. Why We Like It:It has a $0 annual fee and gives at least 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment. Monthly Transfer Bonuses - Forbes Advisor Earn unlimited 1.5% back in bitcoin rewards after you make payments on your purchases. Discover it Student chrome: Best feature: Rewards for students. Plus, the ongoing APR is on the high end at 29.74% Variable APR. WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit cards for fair credit. 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit (March 2023) - WalletHub Capital One Platinum Credit Card at Capital One's secure website FAIR CREDIT RATING 4.7 OVERALL RATING 4.0/5.0 No annual or hidden fees. But they may still offer rewards. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a solid ongoing rewards rate: You earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases. , making it a good option for someone with average credit. Its worth mentioning that when you have fair credit, getting a credit card with a low APR may not be the best option. Actual terms may vary. Issued by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC pursuant to a license by Mastercard International. Many major issuers offer free access to your scores, available once you sign in to your account, along with other budgeting and education tools. Cardholders also are eligible for a credit limit increase in as little as 6 months. What one issuer might see as a score on the low end of the fair credit range, another might consider bad credit. Why We Like It:It has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with 1 - 7 points per $1 on purchases. Do not sell or share my personal information, Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. Six months is a good rule of thumb. Perhaps most importantly, though, this card will consider applicants with limited-to-fair credit history. The following offers didnt quite make the cut for our editors best-card selections, but they can still save cardholders a lot of money. The issuer automatically reviews your account for potential credit line increases. Why We Like It:The Capital One Platinum Credit Cardhas a $0 annual fee. You may be hit with an annual fee, a lower credit limit or higher interest rates, but some . Credit Card Ratings - Experts Rate Top Cards & Help You Choose You increase your odds of approval when you apply for a card tailored for your score range. Annual Fee: $39 (waived for the first year if you sign up for AutoPay before your first statement). You can check out WalletHub to get custom credit improvement advice to help you along the way. Best Credit Cards for Fair/Average Credit of 2023 | CreditCards.com Length of credit history. Carrying a balance from month to month wont be cheap, either. Cards For Fair Credit With Instant Approval and No Annual Fee. For example, Discover will consider other factors, such as how your income compares to your debt, along with your employment status, whether you own or rent your home, how many loans and lines of credit you already have open, and more. The annual fee is $0. You can see and track your credit score for free through NerdWallet. Dont settle: With fair credit, you wont be eligible for the highest-end credit cards but good cards are still available at this level. If your credit is at least fair, you can find cards that charge no annual fee at all. Payment history is the single biggest factor in your credit score, so it's essential to pay your bill on time every month. . Compare All Credit Cards Explore Capital One credit card benefits 1 Account Management (6) Protection (6) Apps & Digital Services (3) Travel & Retail (5) Account Alerts Using these cards responsibly helps you improve your credit score, so you can then look for cards with better perks. Our pick for: Cash back with select merchants, Our pick for: Prequalification + up to 1.5% cash back, Our pick for: Help for 'less than perfect credit', Our pick for: College students and young adults. You can also redeem rewards as a statement credit. The issuer's prequalification process lets you see the offer you're eligible for before you actually apply. Although the name is a mouthful, this card is an excellent option for people with fair credit. With the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, youll have the potential to gain access to a higher credit line. The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for people with fair credit, or even limited credit. gives newcomers to credit a powerful incentive to develop responsible habits. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month, Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees, Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen, Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card, Pick the monthly due date that works best for you, Pay for Amazon.com purchases using your Capital One rewards, Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card number to yourself, Get notified via text, email, and phone if Capital One notices potential suspicious transactions on your account, Build your credit with responsible card use. Approval Odds are based on WalletHub data and are not provided or endorsed by the lender. In particular, we focused on cards with low annual fees and high rewards rates, including general-purpose credit cards as well as store credit cards. (The card also earns 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Keep in mind, also, that credit scores are not the only thing that credit card issuers and other lenders look at when evaluating a credit application. An average credit score wont be enough to qualify for some cards, and a rejection letter can hurt more than just your feelings. Therefore, you typically dont have to worry about a hard pull on your credit report. Ratings vary by category, and the same card may receive a certain number of stars in one category and a higher or lower number in another. Instead, it assesses your creditworthiness based on your income, expenses, savings and debts. As a result, the card offers a potentially generous credit limit that ranges between $300 and $5,000, depending on eligibility. If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $0.50. Capital One Platinum Credit Card FAIR CREDIT RATING Alternatives to Consider:The Capital One Platinum Credit Card, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa are all great options. If your credit is at least fair, you can find cards that charge no annual fee at all. Get pre-approved in seconds with no impact to your credit score. (If you go through with applying, then there's a hard check.) It typically means your credit scores fall in the range of 630-689 on a, Credit scores indicate your level of risk to potential lenders and are based on. No Credit Check. The issuer's prequalification process lets you see the offer you're eligible for which could be up to 1.5% cash back before you actually apply. First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured Credit Card. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. What to avoid with credit cards for fair credit. Credit Cards for Fair Credit | Capital One And the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. And on top of all that, it earns cash back, too. Some Discover offers listed here are not currently available on WalletHub and may be out of date. You can also borrow against your credit limit, much like a personal loan. These cards have annual fees as low as $0 and report monthly to the 3 major credit bureaus. Instead, get a rewards card for everyday expenses that you can pay in full within a billing period, a card offering 0% on purchases for big-ticket spending or a 0% balance transfer card for reducing the cost of existing debt. NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for fair or average credit based on overall value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as suitability for specific kinds of consumers. You can be automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. If you're looking to beef up your credit, it's a decent place to start. These cards can help you if you're just starting out with credit or are working to get back on track. It works like a combination of a credit card and a personal loan, allowing you to make purchases and then pay down your balance in equal monthly installments at a fixed interest rate. offers a solid ongoing rewards rate: You earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases. You earn cash back on every purchase, but when you pay your bill on time, the cash-back rate for that month gets a boost. The Petal 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa Credit Card doesnt offer this option. MORE: 11 things you should know before getting your first credit card. A single "hard pull" can cause a temporary dip in your scores, but if you're continually applying for the wrong cards and being rejected, the damage can be much worse. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Best Balance Transfer Cards For Fair Credit Of March 2023 Recent credit applications. Please keep in mind that while some offers may come from WalletHub advertising partners, sponsorship status played no role in card selection. If you're crypto-crazy, or just crypto-curious, the. And unlike some other cash-back cards, it doesn't allow you to boost your rewards earnings with bonus categories. That's pretty good for a student card. You might qualify for less or no cash back at all. Pay with your phone or device by using Apple Pay or Google Pay. or are working to get back on track. ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best unsecured cards for short credit histories || Best starter cards for no credit || Best rewards credit cards. The Best Travel Cards for Fair Credit - CNBC Depending on which offer you qualify for, you could get as much as 1.5% cash back on purchases. Our opinions are our own. $39. It only has a $39 annual fee and gives you at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The card still reports account info to the major credit bureaus each month, though, so its a pretty dependable tool for building credit. Even small business owners with limited credit history can get Capital One Spark Classic, so applicants with fair/average credit should have solid approval odds. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set. What We Dont Like:You need to wait several months until youre able to qualify for a truly competitive rewards rate. A 700+ credit score is needed to get most Discover credit cards, but theres no minimum credit score needed for a few Discover cards. Its free, activate with the mobile app. The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Credit Card is a balance transfer card where applicants with fair credit have a better chance of qualifying. To help you find the best deal, WalletHubs editors compared all of the credit cards for fair credit in our database of 1,500+ credit card offers. See if you're approved in seconds, Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this, Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app, Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you. What We Dont Like:There is a $39 annual fee, and paying the cards bill in full every month is essential, given its high APR. If you're crypto-crazy, or just crypto-curious, the $0-annual-fee Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa Credit Card might appeal to you.