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November 30, 2021
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This article was last updated November 30, 2021 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
| Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit of December 2021 | |
| Best overall credit card for fair credit | Capital One Platinum Credit Card |
| Best rewards credit card for fair credit | Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| Best secured card for fair credit | Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
| Best instant approval card for fair credit | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card |
| Best student card for fair credit | Discover it® Student Cash Back |
| Best business card for fair credit | Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business |
A fair credit score is one that falls between 580 and 669, and is one step above a poor or bad credit score. If you have fair credit, however, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a credit card with high fees and few perks. Plus, with responsible borrowing and repayment behavior, you can move your credit score from fair to good or excellent.
After reviewing the cards available on LendingTree and from top issuers, we compiled a list of the best credit cards for individuals with fair credit.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a strong contender for those looking to boost their credit profile with the help of a credit card.
Along with reporting your card usage to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), Capital One will automatically begin reviewing your account at six months to see if you qualify for a higher credit line. Plus, cardholders receive free and unlimited access to their credit score and tools to help monitor their credit through CreditWise from Capital One.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus or rewards for the purchases you make using the card. Keep in mind, though, that when building or establishing credit, it’s best to focus on practicing responsible credit card usage rather than racking up rewards. This means paying your bill on time and in full each month and keeping your balance well below your credit line.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card comes with a $0 annual fee. As for foreign transaction fees? There are none.
Just know, the card comes with a high purchase APR of 26.99% (variable) if you carry a balance on your card from month to month.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a $0 annual fee card designed for those with average/fair/limited credit who want a card that will furnish the credit bureaus with positive payment information.
While the card doesn’t earn rewards, after demonstrating responsible usage, you may be able to request a product change to a Capital One card that does — such as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a strong contender for those looking to boost their credit profile with the help of a credit card.
Along with reporting your card usage to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), Capital One will automatically begin reviewing your account at six months to see if you qualify for a higher credit line. Plus, cardholders receive free and unlimited access to their credit score and tools to help monitor their credit through CreditWise from Capital One.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus or rewards for the purchases you make using the card. Keep in mind, though, that when building or establishing credit, it’s best to focus on practicing responsible credit card usage rather than racking up rewards. This means paying your bill on time and in full each month and keeping your balance well below your credit line.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card comes with a $0 annual fee. As for foreign transaction fees? There are none.
Just know, the card comes with a high purchase APR of 26.99% (variable) if you carry a balance on your card from month to month.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a $0 annual fee card designed for those with average/fair/limited credit who want a card that will furnish the credit bureaus with positive payment information.
While the card doesn’t earn rewards, after demonstrating responsible usage, you may be able to request a product change to a Capital One card that does — such as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option for consumers with average/fair/limited credit scores who want to earn a flat cashback rewards rate, since it offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
Cash back can be redeemed for any amount, anytime. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and can be redeemed for statement credits, checks or gift cards, or used to directly cover a recent purchase.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Card charges a $39 annual fee, and comes with an APR of 26.99% (variable).
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is intended for individuals looking for a card that will help add positive payment history to their credit history and boost their credit score. The card is best for those who plan to spend at least $2,600 on the card in a year, since that’s how much cash back it will take to recoup the annual fee.
After demonstrating responsible card usage and building a relationship with Capital One, you may be able to request a product change to the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card, which earns cash back at the same flat rate as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card and charges a $0 annual fee.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option for consumers with average/fair/limited credit scores who want to earn a flat cashback rewards rate, since it offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
Cash back can be redeemed for any amount, anytime. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and can be redeemed for statement credits, checks or gift cards, or used to directly cover a recent purchase.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Card charges a $39 annual fee, and comes with an APR of 26.99% (variable).
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is intended for individuals looking for a card that will help add positive payment history to their credit history and boost their credit score. The card is best for those who plan to spend at least $2,600 on the card in a year, since that’s how much cash back it will take to recoup the annual fee.
After demonstrating responsible card usage and building a relationship with Capital One, you may be able to request a product change to the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card, which earns cash back at the same flat rate as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card and charges a $0 annual fee.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured card — meaning, it requires a security deposit (ranging from $200 to $2,500) that serves as your credit line.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card holders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Plus, the card offers the following sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee. But if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you’ll be subject to a 22.99% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is ideal for those looking to build or establish credit using a secured card. Secured cards are best for individuals whose credit scores prevent them from being approved for regular, unsecured cards.
After you’ve had the card for eight 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. If this happens, your card will transition to a Discover it® chrome.
Note that Discover will evaluate your behavior across your credit cards and loans from Discover, as well as those from other issuers or lenders. You can also get your deposit back if you choose to close your account and pay any remaining balance.
In addition to offering a $0 annual fee, the card doesn’t charge a fee the first time you pay late; after that, the late fee will be up to $40. But beware, it’s important to pay your bill on time when trying to establish a good credit history.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured card — meaning, it requires a security deposit (ranging from $200 to $2,500) that serves as your credit line.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card holders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Plus, the card offers the following sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee. But if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you’ll be subject to a 22.99% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is ideal for those looking to build or establish credit using a secured card. Secured cards are best for individuals whose credit scores prevent them from being approved for regular, unsecured cards.
After you’ve had the card for eight 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. If this happens, your card will transition to a Discover it® chrome.
Note that Discover will evaluate your behavior across your credit cards and loans from Discover, as well as those from other issuers or lenders. You can also get your deposit back if you choose to close your account and pay any remaining balance.
In addition to offering a $0 annual fee, the card doesn’t charge a fee the first time you pay late; after that, the late fee will be up to $40. But beware, it’s important to pay your bill on time when trying to establish a good credit history.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a secured card that doesn’t require a credit check to be approved. However, a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000 is mandatory, which will serve as your line of credit.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has an ongoing APR of 17.39% (variable) and charges a $35 annual fee. Note, in addition, that if you use the card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you’ll be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of each Transaction in U.S. dollars.
Because the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t pull your credit, there won’t be an impact to your credit score when you apply.
But while this card does not require a bank account for approval, you’ll have to provide some financial information, including your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
That said, unlike some secured cards, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t offer the option to transition to an unsecured card after demonstrating responsible card usage. Therefore, the only way to get your deposit back is to pay your balance in full and close the account once your credit improves to the point where you can qualify for an unsecured card.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a secured card that doesn’t require a credit check to be approved. However, a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000 is mandatory, which will serve as your line of credit.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has an ongoing APR of 17.39% (variable) and charges a $35 annual fee. Note, in addition, that if you use the card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you’ll be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of each Transaction in U.S. dollars.
Because the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t pull your credit, there won’t be an impact to your credit score when you apply.
But while this card does not require a bank account for approval, you’ll have to provide some financial information, including your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
That said, unlike some secured cards, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t offer the option to transition to an unsecured card after demonstrating responsible card usage. Therefore, the only way to get your deposit back is to pay your balance in full and close the account once your credit improves to the point where you can qualify for an unsecured card.
If you’re a college student with fair/limited credit who’s looking to build up your credit score, the Discover it® Student Cash Back can help do that — while also letting you earn generous cash back on your purchases.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
There’s also a sign-up bonus for new cardmembers: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
And if you need to finance a large purchase, like a laptop or school books, over a few months, there is an intro APR offer of 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases from the date of account opening. After that, the interest rate will range from a 12.99% - 21.99% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back has a $0 annual fee — which helps make it a good fit for college students on a budget.
Note, though, that if you don’t activate the quarterly 5% categories, you’ll earn just 1% back on every purchase — plus, there’s a $1,500 spending cap on each quarterly category. If you max out that cap each quarter, you’ll earn $75 in cash back before your rate drops to 1% after the first year.
Despite the effort required to activate a new category every quarter, the Discover it® Student Cash Back’s rewards program, along with its $0 annual fee, make it hard to beat. But if fussing over bonus categories is too much trouble, students should look to other student cards that are more straightforward, such as the Discover it® Student chrome.
If you’re a college student with fair/limited credit who’s looking to build up your credit score, the Discover it® Student Cash Back can help do that — while also letting you earn generous cash back on your purchases.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
There’s also a sign-up bonus for new cardmembers: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
And if you need to finance a large purchase, like a laptop or school books, over a few months, there is an intro APR offer of 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases from the date of account opening. After that, the interest rate will range from a 12.99% - 21.99% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back has a $0 annual fee — which helps make it a good fit for college students on a budget.
Note, though, that if you don’t activate the quarterly 5% categories, you’ll earn just 1% back on every purchase — plus, there’s a $1,500 spending cap on each quarterly category. If you max out that cap each quarter, you’ll earn $75 in cash back before your rate drops to 1% after the first year.
Despite the effort required to activate a new category every quarter, the Discover it® Student Cash Back’s rewards program, along with its $0 annual fee, make it hard to beat. But if fussing over bonus categories is too much trouble, students should look to other student cards that are more straightforward, such as the Discover it® Student chrome.
Most small business credit cards require good-to-excellent credit to qualify. However, the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is available to applicants with fair/limited credit.
Plus, it earns 1% cash back on every purchase, with an annual fee of $0.
Rewards won’t expire as long as the account is open, and there’s no cap on how much cash back you can earn. Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits, checks or gift cards, or as credit for previous purchases.
In addition, there’s no charge for extra cards to issue to your employees, and you’ll earn cash back on the purchases they make.
There’s also a high 26.99% (variable) APR.
Business owners with less-than-stellar credit can build credit history and earn cash back with the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business. It’s a flat-rate, $0-annual-fee card that’s worthy of consideration if you think you’ll struggle to qualify for other business credit cards.
While many business cards offer sign-up bonuses if you spend a certain amount within a set period of time from opening the account, this one does not.
There are numerous business cards with better cashback rates than 1%. However, keep in mind that such cards will require better than fair credit.
Most small business credit cards require good-to-excellent credit to qualify. However, the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is available to applicants with fair/limited credit.
Plus, it earns 1% cash back on every purchase, with an annual fee of $0.
Rewards won’t expire as long as the account is open, and there’s no cap on how much cash back you can earn. Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits, checks or gift cards, or as credit for previous purchases.
In addition, there’s no charge for extra cards to issue to your employees, and you’ll earn cash back on the purchases they make.
There’s also a high 26.99% (variable) APR.
Business owners with less-than-stellar credit can build credit history and earn cash back with the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business. It’s a flat-rate, $0-annual-fee card that’s worthy of consideration if you think you’ll struggle to qualify for other business credit cards.
While many business cards offer sign-up bonuses if you spend a certain amount within a set period of time from opening the account, this one does not.
There are numerous business cards with better cashback rates than 1%. However, keep in mind that such cards will require better than fair credit.
| Credit card | Best for | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Platinum Credit Card | Overall credit card for fair credit | Non-rewards Card | $0 |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Cash back card for fair credit | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day | $39 |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Secured card for fair credit | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | $0 |
| OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | Fair credit instant approval | None | $35 |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | Student credit card for fair credit | 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | $0 |
| Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business | Business credit card for fair credit | 1% Cash Back on every purchase | $0 |
To select the best card for each of these categories, our credit card experts compared credit cards that require fair credit for approval on LendingTree.com and on major issuer and credit union sites.
We chose our top picks based on a variety of factors, such as each card’s annual fee, the rewards program and the interest rate.
Other factors that come into play when making our selection may include the benefits offered by the card, as well as the opportunity to improve your credit score or increase your line of credit.
According to FICO, the most commonly used credit scoring model, a fair credit score ranges from 580 to 669. It’s competitor, VantageScore, considers a fair credit score to be 601 to 660. Experian states that roughly 17% of Americans have a fair FICO score, and 13% have a fair VantageScore.
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.
For example, FICO uses the following ranges:
VantageScore, on the other hand, utilizes the following ranges:
When determining which category you fall within, a credit card issuer may take additional factors into consideration. For example, Capital One considers fair credit applicants to be those who have defaulted on a loan in the past five years, or those who have limited credit history — meaning, they’ve owned a credit card or other credit for less than three years (including students, people new to the U.S. or authorized users on someone else’s credit card). While Discover states that the fair credit category generally includes consumers who may have been 30, 60 or 90 days late on a payment.
The lower your credit score, the less chance you have of being approved for a credit card or loan with favorable terms and a low interest rate.
Once you have a credit card, you can improve your credit score by following these best practices:
Yes, each card in this list is available to consumers with fair credit. Just know, you should avoid applying for multiple credit cards at the same time, since each application typically initiates a hard inquiry on your credit report — which can have a negative impact on your score.
Probably not. Typically, balance transfer credit cards require at least a good credit score (670 or higher) to qualify.
Cards that earn travel rewards and provide travel benefits are usually aimed at applicants with good or excellent credit. However, it is possible for applicants with fair credit to find cards that earn cash back or offer discounts on purchases.
You can check your credit score in a variety of ways without generating a hard inquiry, so it won’t be negatively affected. For example, you can request a free copy of your FICO Score every 30 days through Experian, or sign up for a free credit score through the LendingTree app.
Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the three major credit bureaus to provide individuals with free credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com — in particular, you’ll receive one any time that a company takes adverse action against you, such as rejecting you for a credit card or loan.
FICO considers a score of 670 to 739 to be a good credit score. According to Discover, the “good credit” category generally includes dependable borrowers who may have been slightly late on a payment in the past or who may not have a long credit history.
Capital One, on the other hand, states that a good credit candidate has not declared bankruptcy on a loan in the past five years. Additionally, the individual has a credit card or loan and have not been more than 30 day late on any payment in the last five years.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
