9 Easiest Credit Cards to Get in August 2025
Our pick for easiest credit card to get
Apply Now
Our pick for easiest credit card to get
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top pick due to its $0 annual fee, robust rewards and the ability to upgrade to a traditional card.
Key takeaways
- It is possible to get a credit card with bad credit, fair credit or no credit at all.
- Secured credit cards can be the easiest credit cards to get approved for because your deposit acts as your credit line.
- Some card issuers look at income and bank statements instead of doing a credit check.
- Many easy-to-get cards offer a path to upgrade to an unsecured card — or one with better rewards or lower interest — with responsible use.
10 Easiest credit cards to get
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Overall winner
|
$0 | 27.24% Variable APR | Limited / Poor |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card*
|
Easiest unsecured
|
$0 | 28.99% - 33.99% Variable | N/A | |
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now
on The Bancorp Bank's secure site |
No credit check
|
$0 | N/A | Limited / Poor / Fair |
Apply Now
on The Bancorp Bank's secure site |
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card*
|
Business
|
$0 | 27.49% variable | See website for details* | |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply Now
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Fair credit
|
$0 | 14.99% - 29.99% APR | Fair |
Apply Now
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*
|
Fair credit (runner-up)
|
$0 | 10.99% to 18.00% (variable) | Fair / Good / Excellent | |
Best Egg Visa® Credit Card*
|
No credit
|
$0 | 18.99% - 29.99% | Fair / Good | |
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Students
|
$0 | 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | Limited / Fair |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Target Circle™ Card*
|
Store card
|
$0 | 28.95% | Good | |
Amazon Prime Store Card*
|
Online shopping
|
$0 | 29.99% | Fair |
Methodology: How we chose the easiest credit cards to get
In evaluating the easiest credit cards to get approved for, we selected cards meant for consumers who need to build or rebuild credit. To evaluate these credit cards, 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 provide help so you can upgrade to better card offers.
We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it’s a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor data and $300 in monthly spend (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 take away 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.
Easy credit cards to get with bad credit
Overall winner
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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
Cash back on all purchases
- See if you’re preapproved before you apply
- $0 annual fee
- Cash-back rewards with first-year match
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Security deposit of at least $200 required
- Lower credit limit initially
- High APR
- Late payment fee after first late payment
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is designed for people with bad or limited credit. It comes with a $0 annual fee, great cash back rewards and a welcome offer in the form of a dollar-for-dollar match of cash back earned in your first year. Plus, you can find out if you’re preapproved without harming your credit score. It’s consistently one of our top credit card choices for building credit.
Many of the best credit cards for bad credit are secured cards, which require a security deposit equal to the amount of your credit line (the total balance you can have on the card at one time). That way, if you don’t pay off what you charge, the card issuer can get their money back.
If you consistently make on-time payments, Discover may upgrade you to an unsecured card. They’ll also start conducting regular reviews of your account after seven months to see if you’re eligible to upgrade and get your deposit back.
- No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- 30 points or more—that’s how much you could increase your FICO® Credit Score on average after just six months of responsible use.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—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.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Easiest unsecured credit card to get
Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card*
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.Build credit with rewards and no security deposit required
- $0 annual fee
- Preapproval offered
- 2-10% cash back at select merchants
- Path to credit limit increase
- Extremely high APR
- Many purchases don’t earn rewards
The Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card is another top pick for easiest credit card to get with bad credit. While many credit cards for bad credit collect a refundable security deposit of $200 or more upfront, this card does not require you to put down any of your own money.
Another standout feature of this card is the Leap program, which lays out clear steps you can take to improve your credit health and ultimately a credit line increase. Unlike traditional credit builder cards, where you have to wait for the lender to do account reviews and award you a line increase or a card upgrade, the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card gives you a clear process to follow, putting more power in your hands.
- $0 Annual Fee
- $300 - $5,000 credit limits
- Earn a credit limit increase in as little as 6 months. Terms and conditions apply.
- No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
- 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
- Petal's mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, track your spending, and automate payments.
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- No deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank
Easiest credit card to get with no credit check
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
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
Deposit any amount to start your account with no credit check
- No credit check required
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- You choose your deposit**
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Requires a Chime account with direct deposit
- You have to pay your balance in full each month using your deposit
- Can’t upgrade to another card
- Non-rewards card
The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is one of the easiest credit cards to get approved for because it doesn’t require a credit check. Plus, it has other fantastic features for someone trying to build or rebuild their credit. You can deposit any amount into your Credit Builder account to fund your credit line, making it much more affordable than most secured credit cards. And since you have to pay off your account each month, you don’t have to worry about accumulating debt or interest.
That being said, you’ll need an account with Chime with a qualifying direct deposit of at least $200 to get started, and the amount of money in your Chime account will be your credit limit.
- No annual fees or interest,* no credit check to apply, and no minimum security deposit required3
- Help increase credit score by an average of 30 points1
- View and track your FICO® Score right in the Chime app. FICO Scores are used by 90% of top lenders
- Use everywhere VISA is accepted on everyday purchases, such as gas and groceries, and have these purchases count towards building credit via on-time payments
- Build credit history with your own money - your direct deposit sets how much you could spend, spend up to that amount, and have your monthly balance automatically paid with your direct deposit.
- Instant disable card in-app and real-time transaction alerts to prevent fraudulent activities, 24/7 support to assist you around the clock.
- Interest and fee-free˜ cash withdrawals at 60K+ ATMs at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more.
- Apply for a Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card once you sign up for a Chime Checking Account2. See www.chime.com to learn more.
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. The secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
- *No interest: Out of network ATM withdrawal fees may apply. See here for details.1 Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.2 To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.3 Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.ATM Disclosure: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
Easiest business credit card to get
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card*
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.Cash back rewards with potential to upgrade
- $0 annual fee
- Earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Potentially high credit limit
- Minimum $1,000 security deposit required
- High APR compared to other cards
- High balance transfer fee
The $0-annual-fee Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card lets you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no annual cap on how much you can earn (a plus for a business credit card). One drawback is that you must submit a minimum of $1,000 security deposit as your line of credit. It’s a higher amount than many personal secured credit cards require. Still, this more significant amount can be useful for keeping your credit utilization rate low, which is an essential factor in increasing your credit score.
Bank of America periodically reviews your account to determine if you qualify for an unsecured credit card. They also offer Balance Connect® overdraft protection, which connects your credit card account to your Bank of America business checking account to prevent declined purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no annual caps
- $0 annual fee
- Open an account with a $1,000 minimum deposit
- Cash flow management tools, including automatic payments, transfers and download into QuickBooks
Easy credit cards to get with fair credit
Easiest credit card to get with fair credit
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
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
Earns a flat rate of cash back on all purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Solid sign-up bonus
- Solid rate of cash back
- Potentially high credit limit
- No grace period for interest
- Lower APR requires autopay
- Less flexible than typical credit cards
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® is an unsecured credit card that functions differently than your average credit card. It’s our top pick for best credit card for fair credit and offers credit lines between $500 and $25,000. You can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment.
With the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®, your purchases are combined into an installment loan with fixed rates and terms at the end of each month. Then, you make your monthly payment for the duration of the loan. This allows you to save more money than if you only made the minimum monthly payment, and it means you know how much you’ll be paying each month. While this does add a different type of credit to your credit report (which can be beneficial), you should note that interest begins accruing from the date of purchase. That means even if you pay your statement balance in full, you will pay some interest.
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Preferred account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase
- No annual fee
- See if you qualify in seconds with no impact to your credit score
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the predictability of a personal loan
- Enjoy Visa Signature benefits, like Roadside Dispatch, Price Protection, Extended Warranty Protection, and more
- Shop smarter with Upgrade Shopping! Get exclusive savings at stores, restaurants, and more
- Contactless payments with Apple Pay® and Google Wallet™ Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Use your card anywhere Visa is accepted
- Relax knowing that you are protected in case of unauthorized transactions with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy
- *To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking Preferred account through Upgrade and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking Preferred account within 60 days of the date the Rewards Checking Preferred account is opened. If you have previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not open a Rewards Checking Preferred account as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking Preferred account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade Visa® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking Preferred account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after meeting the conditions. This one-time bonus is available through this Upgrade Card offer and may not be available for other Upgrade Card offers.
Easiest credit card to get with fair credit (runner-up)
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*
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.$0 balance transfer fees
- $0 annual fee
- No balance transfer fee
- Intro APR on balance transfers
- Low ongoing interest rate
- Credit union membership required
- No rewards program
- No intro on APR purchases
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card is a solid, low-cost choice for those who qualify to join Navy Federal Credit Union. To become a member, you or a qualifying family member must have ties to the U.S. military. In addition to a $0 annual fee, this card offers a $0 balance transfer fee, making it a great choice for those seeking a balance transfer credit card with no fee.
The card does not have a rewards program, making it less valuable than cards like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card over the long term. However, if you use the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card to do a balance transfer, rewards are less important as you focus on paying off your credit card debt.
- 0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening. Applies to balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening.
- After the intro period, a 10.99% to 18.00% (variable) APR applies
- No balance transfer fee
- No annual fee
Easy credit cards to get with no credit
Easiest credit card to get with no credit
Best Egg Visa® Credit Card*
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.A simple card to start your credit journey
- $0 annual fee
- Rewards program
- Intro APR for eligible applicants
- No sign-up bonus
- No balance transfers
- No promotional APR
The Best Egg Visa® Credit Card is our pick for easiest credit card to get with no credit because it’s a simple card with low fees that offers preapproval with no impact to your credit. It also stands out as one of the few cards among our picks that offers an intro APR on purchases, though that’s only available to eligible applicants.
The card now offers a rewards program, unlike some easy-to-get cards. The low base rewards rate of 1% cash back on all purchases gets a boost from a choose-your-own bonus of 1% on gas and groceries or 1.5% on payments. That makes this card more valuable than cards that offer cash back only at certain merchants or with special offers.
- No impact to your credit score if we’re unable to approve you
- Proactive credit line increases may occur after 6 months
- Secure Mobile Wallet and contactless tap-to-pay options
- $0 Visa® Fraud Liability
- $0 Annual Fee, no Foreign Transaction Fees, and no Overlimit Fees
- Free credit score access through Best Egg Financial Health
- Use your card your way with the frictionless, uber-clickable Mobile App
Students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
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
No credit score required to apply
- $0 annual fee
- Generous rewards rate
- Match of cash back earned in first year
- Intro APR for purchases
- You have to activate bonus categories
- Cap on bonus category earnings
- You earn only 1% back on other purchases
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers fantastic rewards for a card in this category. It’s open to students, and there’s no credit score required to apply. You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Also, new cardmembers will get an unlimited cash back match on rewards earned in the first year. That means you can get twice as much cash back on purchases like restaurants and gas stations in year one. That could go a long way toward funding your books for the next semester.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% - 26.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Easy store credit cards to get
Easiest store credit card to get
Target Circle™ Card*
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.Discount on all Target purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Get 5% off every day at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target
- Free two-day shipping
- Extended return period
- High APR
- Late payment fee
The Target Circle™ Card is our pick for the easiest store card to get. It has a $0 annual fee and many Target-centric perks store loyalists will love, including free shipping, a discount on Target purchases automatically applied at checkout, plus rewards elsewhere, including double cash back on dining and gas.
Store cards generally are much easier to qualify for than other credit cards, but they tend to have lower credit limits and higher APRs. The high interest rate makes this card a poor choice for anyone who needs to carry a balance. And it’s not a great option for those who shop at Target infrequently.
- 5% discount at Target and Target.com
- $0 annual fee
- 28.95% variable APR
Easiest credit card to get for online shopping
Amazon Prime Store Card*
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.High cash back rate at Amazon.com and Whole Foods
- $0 annual fee
- Prime cardholders can earn 5% back at Amazon.com
- 0% APR financing options
- Access to exclusive offers
- Only valid at Amazon and related retailers
- Very high APR
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- Late payment fee
If you’re an Amazon Prime member and spend money regularly at Amazon.com, the Amazon Prime Store Card may be a great fit for you. Amazon Prime members can earn 5% back at Amazon.com and at Whole Foods — a generous rewards rate, especially for a store card. And there’s no annual fee, unless you count the cost of the Prime membership you need in order to earn cash back on the card.
To justify the Prime membership cost based on your rewards earnings, LendingTree estimates* that you’d need to spend at least $2,780 per year (or $1,380 for the annual student membership) on purchases earning 5% cash back.
- $10 Amazon Gift Card upon approval.
- No annual fee
- 0% APR financing
How to get a credit card with no credit or bad credit
If your credit score is below 700, you still have options, including our top picks for the easiest credit card to get with bad credit. Here are our tips for getting a card with fair credit, bad credit or no credit:
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Find a card in your credit range
If you have a credit score below 580, we recommend credit cards for bad credit. Many of the best options in this range are secured credit cards. You’ll have to pay an upfront deposit, but the issuer will usually refund it if you make your monthly payments on time for six months to a year. If you’ve never had a credit card before, take a look at cards for people with limited or no credit history.
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Get preapproved
Try to get preapproved for a credit card to assess your odds before you apply. To do so, check your email for pre-screened credit card offers from issuers, use a credit card preapproval tool on a third-party site or check the issuer’s site to see if they offer preapproval.
Once you fill out the form, the card issuer will do a soft credit pull — which doesn’t affect your credit score. Note that preapproval doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the card, but it’s a smart move that allows you to weed out cards you’re not likely to get before you apply.
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Apply
The next step is to submit a credit card application, which will likely result in a hard pull, which can cause a dip in your credit. You’ll need to enter basic information, including your name, Social Security number, birth date, address, income and the monthly cost of your rent or mortgage payments.
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Build your credit and look out for a chance to upgrade
Once you get your card, it’s important to make your payments on time every month and pay the balance in full to build credit. Avoid paying only the monthly minimum, which can rack up high-interest debt, or using too much of the available credit on your card. Get free credit reports to check your progress. The good news: these actions can improve your credit, and raising your score saves money and may qualify you to upgrade to a better card, such as an unsecured card or one with lower interest or richer rewards.
How to get preapproved for a credit card
The preapproval process for a credit card is simple and quick. Bonus: Your credit score won’t take a hit because card issuers will do only a soft pull of your credit.
- Search for the card
Go to your favorite search engine (like Google) and type in the name of the card you’re interested in, plus the word “preapproval.” If you’re not sure which card to get, here are some of our favorite cards that offer preapproval. - Fill out the form on the card issuer’s site
This should take no more than a minute or two, since they typically ask for basic information such as your name, birth date, address, employment status, income and citizenship. - Wait for a decision
At this point, the card issuer will do a soft credit pull, which won’t affect your credit score, and tell you if you’re likely to get approved. If you then apply, the card issuer will perform a hard credit pull, which involves checking your credit report and typically causes a temporary dip in your credit score.
| Issuer | Preapproval offererd | Required information |
|---|---|---|
| American Express credit card preapproval | Yes | Name, address, last four digits of Social Security number and income |
| Bank of America credit card approval | Yes | Name, birthday, last four digits of Social Security number, address and type of credit card you’re interested in |
| Chase credit card preapproval | Yes | Name, birth date, address, last four digits of Social Security number and income (optional) |
| Citi credit card preapproval | Yes | Name, Social Security number and address |
| Discover credit card preapproval | Yes | Name, address, birth date, student status, monthly housing expense, income and type of card benefit you’re interested in |
| Navy Federal credit card preapproval | Yes (only available to Navy Federal members) | Active duty status, income, monthly housing cost |
| U.S. Bank credit card approval | Yes (only available to existing customers via mail offers) | Confirmation code that came with offer and ZIP code |
| Wells Fargo credit card preapproval | Yes | Wells Fargo customer status, name, address and last four digits of Social Security number |
Making the most of your credit card once approved
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Pay your balance in full each month
If your goal is to build your credit so that you can get an unsecured card or a card with better rewards or lower interest, it’s wise to pay your entire balance every month whenever possible. Paying your balance in full — not just making minimum payments — also will ensure that you’re not racking up high-interest debt.
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Keep your utilization ratio low
A good rule is to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% to avoid harming your score — so charging less than $150 at a time on a card with a $500 limit. Ideally, you want to keep it even lower, at 10% or less, but above zero.
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Keep an eye on your credit score
You should track your credit score to make sure your credit card usage is helping you build your credit. You can do this for free with LendingTree Spring.
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Improve your credit
To start, check your credit score and get your free annual credit report. Then learn about credit and take healthy financial steps such as paying your bills on time, keeping your balances low and avoiding debt. With effort, it is possible to increase your score 100 points in a year.
Easiest credit cards to get
Easy credit cards to get with bad credit
- Winner: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Easiest unsecured credit card to get: Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card
- Easiest credit card to get with no credit check: Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
- Easiest business credit card to get: Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
Easy credit cards to get with fair credit
- Easiest credit card to get with fair credit: Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
- Easiest credit card to get with fair credit (runner-up): Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card
Easy credit cards to get with no credit
- Easiest credit card to get with no credit: Best Egg Visa® Credit Card
- Easiest student credit card to get: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Easy store credit cards to get
- Easiest store credit card to get: Target Circle™ Card
- Easiest credit card to get for online shopping: Amazon Prime Store Card
Frequently asked questions
If you’re just starting out on your credit journey, we recommend looking into the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, our pick for the easiest credit card to get with no credit. It requires a minimum $200 security deposit, reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), charges a $0 annual fee, earns cash back and clearly states when your account is evaluated for a possible deposit refund.
Consumers with poor credit might want to check out the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, our choice for easiest credit card to get with bad credit. Unlike most credit cards for bad credit, this one doesn’t require a credit check when you apply. The card gives you control over the amount you deposit, reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and charges a $0 annual fee.
If you’ve got bad credit or no credit and are looking for an unsecured credit card (one that doesn’t require a security deposit), the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card is worth considering. One of our top credit cards for bad credit or no credit, it’s a no-frills credit card with a $0 annual fee, rewards on some purchases and a clear path you can follow to get a credit line increase.
Your credit score is calculated by looking at a variety of factors including payment history and how long you’ve had credit. There are different types of credit scores, but the scoring model lenders typically use when making credit decisions is the FICO Score. Your FICO® Score can range from 300 to 850, and scores from 300 to 579 are considered poor credit while scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair credit.
Your FICO Score, which is the credit scoring model lenders typically rely on, can range from 300 to 850. A credit score between 670 and 850 will fall into one of the following tiers — good, very good or excellent. Our credit score analysis found the average FICO score is 715, which is a good credit score.
Being preapproved for a credit card means you’re likely to get the card if you apply. Not all card issuers offer preapproval, but you can find those that do by searching for the card name and the word “preapproval” in a search engine. You’ll fill out a preapproval form with basic details like your name, address, birth date, employment status and income. After you submit the form, the card issuer will do a soft pull of your credit, which does not hurt your credit score. Getting peapproved is a wise way to protect your credit score if you’re worried about whether you’ll qualify for a card.
You’ll know if you’re approved for an instant approval credit card within a few minutes of applying. If you need a quick response, there are several instant approval credit cards to choose from. Some issuers even allow instant digital access to the card so you can use it right away, online or with a digital wallet, once you’re approved.
The approval process usually takes anywhere from a few seconds to several days, although it can take up to 30 days to hear back. If you’re not immediately approved, your application may be placed under review. You can check your credit card status to find out when the card issuer makes a decision.
***Out of network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.
The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime® Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
The information related to the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card, Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card, Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, Best Egg Visa® Credit Card, Target Circle™ Card and Amazon Prime Store Card 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.
