The Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card stands out for its overall lack of fees and its generous rewards. Also, its Leap program lets card holders qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card*
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Winner: Best credit card for fair credit
|
1% - 10% cash back
| N/A | 28.99% - 30.99% | |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
 Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best secured credit card for fair credit
|
1% - 2% cash back
| Match all cash back
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
| 27.24% Variable APR |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card*
|
Best fair credit card for no credit check
|
N/A | N/A | 28.24% Variable | |
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*
|
Best balance transfer card for fair credit
|
N/A | N/A | 10.99% to 18.00% (variable) | |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply Now
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best credit card with a high limit for fair credit
|
1.5% cash back
1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
| $200 cash bonus
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Preferred account and making 3 debit card transactions*
| 14.99% - 29.99% APR |
Apply Now
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Capital One Spark Classic for Business*
|
Best business credit card for fair credit
|
1% - 5% cash back
| N/A | 29.74% (Variable) | |
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
|
Best student credit card for fair credit
|
1% - 8% cash back
| $100 Cash Back
Earn $100 Cash Back when you spend $300 in the first three months
| 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) | |
Amazon Prime Store Card*
|
Best store credit card for fair credit
|
5% back at Amazon.com
Amazon Prime members can earn 5% back at Amazon.com
| $60 Amazon gift card
$60 Amazon Gift Card upon approval
| 29.99% |
To bring you the list of credit cards for fair credit, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
For credit-building cards in particular, we devote a large part of the score to features that help build credit — we want to help you locate cards that don’t cost a lot to own and get help you upgrade to better card offers.
We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it is a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and $300 in monthly spending (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
We give points for features that help build credit, including reports to all three credit bureaus, regular account reviews for card upgrades and free credit score access. We detract points for features that can be costly to cardholders trying to build credit, such as security deposits, penalty APRs and late payment fees.
Note, that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best credit card for building credit. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Use your bill payment history to qualify.
The Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card is the best credit card for fair credit for a few reasons, including its availability for consumers with imperfect credit scores. The issuer of this card, WebBank, uses alternate data like banking history to help applicants get approved. Consumers can also get preapproved for the card without a hard inquiry on their credit reports, to gauge their approval odds.
Other standout features of the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card include its lack of fees. This card doesn’t have an annual fee, late fees, foreign transaction fees or returned payment fees. Cardholders also earn cash back that increases over time until it reaches a maximum of 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
The card’s Leap program also lets cardholders qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: Match all cash back
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year..
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the most valuable secured credit cards around. It requires a security deposit ranging of at least $200 — which will serve as your credit line. However, unlike most secured cards, this card lets you earn cash back on every purchase. It also matches the cash back that you earn in the first year for new cardholders.
After you’ve had the card for seven months, Discover will begin conducting monthly account reviews to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded. This card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
View our list of the best secured credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.One of the most affordable of cards that let you qualify without a credit check.
The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card is one of the most affordable of cards that let you qualify without a credit check. It charges a $25 and doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees or other hidden fees.
On the downside, you’ll need to take out a credit-building loan with Self Lender and pay off $100 of the loan before you apply. Depending on the size of your loan, it could take a few months to qualify for the card. However, for credit-building purposes, opening an installment-type loan along with a credit card could be a good idea. It could improve your credit mix, which is a major factor in credit scoring.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro APR: 0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening, then 10.99% to 18.00% (variable) APR.
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card is a rare card with a balance transfer offer that’s open to applicants with fair / good / excellent credit. Customers get a 0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening, followed by 10.99% to 18.00% (variable) APR. This means you can use the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card to pay down high-interest debt for a year and score some substantial savings along the way.
It also comes with no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or balance transfer fees. This card doesn’t charge any cash advance fees, either.
View our list of the best balance transfer credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash bonus
Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Preferred account and making 3 debit card transactions*
If you’re looking for credit cards for fair credit with high limits, the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® should be at the top of your list. Not only does it offer a credit limit as high as $25,000, but you earn unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment on the card.
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® also comes with fixed monthly payments instead of allowing you to make minimum payments — which can be helpful if you’re trying to get control of your debt.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.One of the few business cards available for business owners with fair credit
There are very few business credit cards for fair credit, which is part of the reason the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is so popular. Not only is this card available to small business owners with imperfect credit scores, but it offers cash back on every purchase and doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Approved card holders also get free cards for employees, to earn rewards on all their business-related spending and bills.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn $100 Cash Back
Earn $100 Cash Back when you spend $300 in the first three months.
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding cards for students with fair credit. It comes with a $0 annual fee and earns generous bonus rewards on groceries, dining and popular streaming services. Cardmembers can also earn a small welcome offer, and the card reports to the credit bureaus to help students build their credit history over time.
This card also comes with foreign transaction fees of none, which makes it a smart choice for students planning to travel abroad.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Sign-up bonus: Earn $60 Amazon gift card
Earn $60 Amazon Gift Card upon approval
Store credit cards are often easier to get approved for than traditional cards and can serve as a great tool to help build credit. If you spend a considerable amount at Amazon.com or Whole Foods Marketplace, the Amazon Prime Store Card lets you earn a generous cash back rate on those purchases.
In fact, you can choose between earning 5% back or receiving special financing on purchases of $150 or more. Note, a Prime membership is required to earn rewards.
According to FICO, the most commonly used credit scoring model, a fair credit score ranges from 580 to 669. For its competitor VantageScore, a fair credit score is considered to be 601 to 660. Experian states that just over 28% of Americans have a poor to fair FICO score.
Credit scores, which generally range from 300 to 850, are calculated using information that’s been reported to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) from previous or existing credit accounts. The credit ratings of poor to exceptional vary depending on the credit-scoring model.
| Credit rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Poor credit | 300 to 579 |
| Fair credit | 580 to 669 |
| Good credit | 670 to 739 |
| Very good credit | 740 to 799 |
| Exceptional credit | 800 to 850 |
| Credit rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Very poor credit | 300 to 499 |
| Poor credit | 500 to 600 |
| Fair credit | 601 to 660 |
| Good credit | 661 to 780 |
| Excellent credit | 781 to 850 |
Credit cards for fair credit vary in terms of their approval requirements, rewards and fees. You should look for a card that matches your credit standing and offers the benefits you want the most.
LOOK FOR A CARD WITHOUT AN ANNUAL FEE
You can find at least a few good no-annual-fee credit cards for fair credit, so you should try to avoid cards with annual fees. An annual fee can cut significantly into a card’s value, regardless of its rewards. Plus, you’ll likely have to close your account once your credit score improves and you graduate to better cards, to avoid paying the fee. Preferably, you want to find a card that you keep open over a long time to boost your average age of accounts — a major factor in credit scoring.
WATCH OUT FOR OTHER HIDDEN FEES
The annual fee isn’t the only fee you should worry about. Keep an eye out for these additional fees:
FIND CARDS THAT OFFER REWARDS
Credit cards for fair credit typically don’t provide the same bonus rewards rates as popular rewards credit cards that require good to excellent credit. Still, many cards in this category offer cash back or other rewards on every purchase you make.
PRIORITIZE CARDS WITH A PATH TO UPGRADE TO A BETTER CARD
As your credit improves, so do your chances of qualifying for more rewarding credit cards with better perks. Some credit card issuers automatically perform credit line reviews and allow you to upgrade from a secured credit card to an unsecured card with responsible use.
Qualifying for a credit card with fair credit starts with knowing your credit score. Credit card issuers perform a hard credit inquiry when you apply for a credit card, which can cause your credit score to drop temporarily. Following these steps can limit the impact on your credit score and boost your approval odds:
Tip: If you’re still having trouble qualifying for a credit card designed for fair credit after following those steps, here are some things to consider before you apply for another card:
Some types of credit cards are easier to get with a fair credit score, including the following:
| Type | What they are | Example card |
|---|---|---|
| Secured credit cards | Credit cards that require a security deposit as low as $49 or higher than $200. These cards do report monthly payments and other information to the credit bureaus. | Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| Store credit cards | Closed-loop cards that can usually only be used in one type of store or a family of stores | Amazon Prime Store Card |
| Gas cards | Cards that are co-branded with gas stations. Some can only be used for fuel and gas station purchases. Others operate on major credit card networks like Mastercard and Visa. | Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® |
| Student credit cards | Unsecured credit cards geared to college students with limited credit histories | Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Quite a few banks offer credit cards for fair credit. Capital One and Discover offer the best selection of products in this niche. You can turn to either card issuer for secured cards or unsecured options for fair credit. Also note that all credit cards from both issuers come without any foreign transaction fees.
| Issuer | Cards for Fair Credit |
|---|---|
 | None |
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 | None |
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 | None |
While using a credit card responsibly, can help you boost your credit score, there are other ways to build credit:
Become an authorized user.
One of the fastest ways to boost your credit score is to become an authorized user on someone else’s card. Look for a friend or relative with good credit who’s willing to add you to their account. They don’t even have to hand you a card or let you make purchases on the account. Most issuers will report the full payment history for the account to your credit report at the end of the billing cycle regardless of whether you use the card.
Use a credit builder loan.
A credit builder loan is a type of loan that lets you make payments into a savings account in your own name. Those payments are saved on your behalf throughout the process, and the monthly payments made are reported to the credit bureaus to build credit. The greatest benefit of a credit builder loan is that you don’t run the risk of charging up a large balance that you can’t pay off. Also, it’s an installment-type loan, so you can boost your credit score by improving your credit mix if you already have credit cards.
Sign up for credit-building apps.
Credit building services like Experian Boost can boost your score by looking at your payment history on items like subscription services, utility bills, insurance premiums and even your rent. Experian Boost is free to use — you just need to connect your bank accounts to see results.
Yes — all the cards on this page are available to consumers with fair credit. Just know you should avoid applying for multiple credit cards at the same time since each application will place a hard inquiry on your credit reports.
Credit cards for people with fair credit are geared to consumers with FICO scores from 580 to 669. Having a credit score of 600 means you meet one of the basic requirements for these cards, but it doesn’t guarantee approval.
You can request a free copy of your FICO Score through Experian. You can also sign up for a free credit score through LendingTree.
Also, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the three major credit bureaus to provide individuals with a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com (currently available weekly).
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® made our list of good credit cards for fair credit, and it also stands out for its high limits since it’s possible to qualify for a credit limit up to $25,000. Just remember that eligibility for that high of a credit limit depends on a range of factors including your credit history and income.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card, Secured Self Visa® Credit Card, Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Amazon Prime Store Card, Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card and Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
