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Best Credit Cards To Rebuild Credit in 2024

Updated on:

Why use LendingTree? We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed money decisions. The content on this page has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer. We do maintain partnerships with some issuers, and our site may be compensated through those partnerships. Read our .

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is our top pick, because it has generous cash back rewards, no annual fee and no hidden fees. This card is also relatively easy to get approved for — even if you don’t have a credit score.

If you need to build credit from scratch or want the chance to fix credit mistakes you’ve made in the past, seek out credit cards to rebuild credit.
The best credit-building cards have minimal or no fees, easy approval requirements for people with low credit scores and damaged credit histories, and report positive payment activity to the major credit bureaus.
You can also use secured cards to rebuild credit. They require a refundable cash deposit as collateral and offer credit opportunities for people who could not otherwise get approved.

7 Best Credit Cards for Rebuilding Credit

(Winner) Best secured credit card to build credit: Discover it^® Secured Credit Card
Best credit card for no credit check: Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card
Best credit card to rebuild credit after bankruptcy: OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card
Best credit card to rebuild credit with no deposit: Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card
Best store credit card to rebuild credit: Amazon Secured Card
Best credit card for rebuilding credit with fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Find your perfect card in 30 seconds. Check your approval odds so you can shop smarter.

Best secured credit card to build credit

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Discover it<sup>®</sup> Secured Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Learn More

Minimum security deposit: $200

No annual fee or hidden fees
Earns cash back on every purchase
Reports to the three credit bureaus
Credit line reviews after seven months

Requires a minimum deposit of at least $200
Low starting credit limits
High variable APR if you carry a balance

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is the best credit card for credit-building, due to its generous rewards and lack of fees. The fact that you can apply without a credit score means almost anyone can get approved.

This card also lets you check for preapproval online without any impact to your credit score, which allows you to gauge your approval odds before you apply. The cash back on all purchases plus Discover’s dollar-for-dollar Cash Back Match in the first year sets it apart from other secured cards.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: $90.64**

**See our value methodology for more details.

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.
Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
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.
Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
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.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best credit card for no credit check

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Apply Now

on The Bancorp Bank's secure site

Minimum security deposit: $200

No annual fee and no interest
Can set up automatic payments from your secured account
Credit utilization is not reported

Must set up a Chime checking account with direct deposit
Will have to replenish secured account since it’s used to make payments
You cannot revolve a balance

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card is a unique option in that it’s a failsafe way to build credit. It uses your secured deposit to pay your monthly bill, which prevents missed payments or running up a high balance.

There is no interest because you have to pay the bill in full each month, and then replenish your security deposit to reestablish your credit line.

You won’t earn any rewards, but the card has no fees and allows anyone regardless of credit score or lack of credit to sign up. A Chime checking account with direct deposit is required, however.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: $0.00**

**See our value methodology for more details.

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.

Best credit card to rebuild credit after bankruptcy

OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

2.3

OpenSky<sup>®</sup> Secured Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

2.3

Apply Now

on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site

Minimum security deposit: $200

No credit check required
89% average approval rate
Reports to the three credit bureaus

Annual fee ($35) required
High APR if you carry a balance

The OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card may be best for you if you just went through a bankruptcy or have other negative information on your credit reports. There’s no credit check to apply, which means you have an excellent chance at being approved and getting the opportunity to repair your credit through responsible use.

The OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card also offers the possibility to graduate to an unsecured card within six months after demonstrating responsible behavior.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: -$35.00**

**See our value methodology for more details.

New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases
No credit check to apply. Zero credit risk to apply!
Looking to build or rebuild your credit? 2 out of 3 OpenSky cardholders increase their credit score by an average of 41 points in just 3 months
Get free monthly access to your FICO score in our mobile application
Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
Fund your card with a low $200 refundable security deposit to get a $200 credit line
Apply in less than 5 minutes with our mobile first application
Choose the due date that fits your schedule with flexible payment dates
Fund your security deposit over 60 days with the option to make partial payments
Over 1.4 Million Cardholders Have Used OpenSky Secured Credit Card To Improve Their Credit
*See Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information

Best credit card to rebuild credit with no deposit

Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.7

Petal<sup>®</sup> 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.7

Learn More

Minimum security deposit: None

No fees
Cash back rewards
Possibility for credit line increase in six months
Preapproval with no credit check

Rewards start low
The top end of the APR range is high
You have to link your bank account to your Petal account

The Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card has absolutely no fees – no annual, no late and no foreign transaction fees – and allows cardholders to earn rewards. You’ll have to prove yourself with on-time payments to increase your cash back rate in increments, however: first, earn 1%, then 1.25% after six months, and 1.5% after 12 months.

Credit-challenged applicants will like this card since you can prequalify without a hard credit check, and there’s no security deposit required.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: $54.00**

**See our value methodology for more details.

No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
Variable APRs range from 27.99% - 31.49%
Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
$300 - $10,000 credit limits
No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
No deposits required
Card issued by WebBank

*The information related to the Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best store credit card to rebuild credit

Amazon Secured Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.3

LendingTree's Review

4.3

Learn More

Minimum security deposit: $100

Pathway to an unsecured store card available
Reports to the three credit bureaus
No annual fee or hidden fees
Low APR

No rewards unless you have a Prime membership
Can only be used for Amazon.com purchases

The Amazon Secured Card lets you build credit while buying items you need through the popular online retailer. This card comes in a Prime and non-Prime version; only Amazon Prime members earn rewards. Fortunately, there’s a $0 annual fee, and you can convert the card to an unsecured Amazon Prime Store Card with on-time payments and responsible use for at least 12 months.

Avid Amazon shoppers – especially Prime members – can benefit from building credit with their favorite online retailer (and earn 2% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases), rather than opening a random store card.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: $25.80**

**See our value methodology for more details.

No annual fee
Minimum $100 security deposit up to $1,000
Join Prime to get 2% back on Amazon.com

*The information related to the Amazon Secured Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best credit card for rebuilding credit with fair credit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Minimum security deposit: None

Earns unlimited cash back on all purchases
Available for limited / fair credit
Higher credit limit in as little as six months

$39 annual fee
High APR if you carry a balance

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared toward people with limited/fair credit. It’s unsecured, and it offers a flat 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Plus, it’s possible to qualify for a higher credit limit after six months of on-time payments and responsible use.

The downside is that there is a $39 annual fee, but it could be worth it if you don’t think you can qualify for a no-fee card, and you don’t want to go the secured card route, which requires a cash deposit. Plus, the rewards you earn can help you offset the fee. For instance, if you spend $250 per month with the card, that equates to $45 in cash back rewards for the year.

LendingTree yearly savings estimate: $15.00**

**See our value methodology for more details.

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. It's that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
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

Compare the best credit cards to rebuild credit

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Welcome Offer	Rewards Rate	Regular APR
Discover it^® Secured Credit Card* Learn More	4.2 Secured	Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.	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	27.49% Variable APR	Learn More
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card Apply Now on The Bancorp Bank's secure site	4.1 no credit check	N/A	Non-rewards card	N/A	Apply Now on The Bancorp Bank's secure site
OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card Apply Now on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site	2.3 rebuild credit after bankruptcy	N/A	Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases	25.14% (variable)	Apply Now on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site
Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card* Learn More	4.7 rebuild credit with no deposit	N/A	Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away, and 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants	27.99% - 31.49%	Learn More
Amazon Secured Card* Learn More	4.3 Store card	N/A	2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership	10.00% non-variable	Learn More
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	4.4 Fair credit	N/A	1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)	29.99% (Variable)	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees

*The information for the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card and Amazon Secured Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

Methodology: How we chose our best credit cards to rebuild credit

To bring you the list of credit cards for rebuilding 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.

Annual savings (50% of rating): 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.
Credit-building features (50% of rating): 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 rebuilding 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.

Should you get a credit card to rebuild credit?

If you need to build credit, opening a credit card is a solid option. The best strategy is to apply for one of the best credit cards to rebuild credit. Then, use it to make small purchases, and consistently pay your bill on time.

You can keep costs low by choosing a card with no (or low) fees, and avoiding interest charges. Some cards even offer rewards. Credit cards for building credit do tend to have high APRs, though, so aim to pay your bill in full each month.

With responsible card use, your credit score will gradually climb. But paying your bill late can actually make your credit score worse than when you started.

Achieving good credit takes a little time, but it is attainable. In fact, a Lending Tree study on credit scores found that the average FICO Score was 715 in the third quarter of 2023, while the average VantageScore was 702 in March 2024 — both in the good range.

You might want to rebuild your credit score if you have a	Credit score
Bad credit score	Below 580
Fair credit score	580 - 669

Pros and cons of credit cards to rebuild credit

Help build credit through everyday spending
May come with no annual fee
Some cards offer rewards for spending
Can be easy to get approved for
Some let you get preapproved without a hard inquiry

High interest rates can apply
Potential to rack up long-term debt
Low credit limits to start
Some cards require a security deposit
Some cards charge an annual fee

Other ways to rebuild your credit score

Credit cards aren’t the only way to rebuild your credit or improve your credit score

Get a credit builder loan: Sort of the reverse of a personal loan, this loan program requires making monthly payments to a lender. At the end of the loan term, you’ll get the loan balance that you paid into. You will likely have to pay fees and interest, but some lenders return a portion of those costs when the loan term is over.
Improve your credit utilization: If you currently have debt, paying down those balances will reduce your credit utilization, which is the percentage of available credit you are using. Credit scoring models weigh utilization heavily, and the lower yours is, the better. Aim to get your utilization under 30% (for example,. under $300 if you have a $1,000 credit limit), and as close to zero as possible.
Become an authorized user: If you’re not ready or able to get credit in your own name, you can piggyback off someone else’s good credit by becoming an authorized user on their account. The primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for the account, so if you run up a bill, their credit is on the hook.

If you’re working on rebuilding your credit score, consider enrolling in LendingTree Spring. This tool gives you in-depth insights into what you can do to boost your score.

How to get a credit card to rebuild credit

Check your credit score

You’ll want to check your credit score early on to see where you stand, and definitely before you apply. If you have fair credit or better, you’ll have a better chance at qualifying for an unsecured credit card.
Compare cards based on features and fees

Look at cards based on their annual fees, interest rates, rewards and cardholder perks. Ultimately, you’ll want a card with minimal fees. If that’s your top priority, you might want to look into the Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card. If your top priority is ongoing benefits, such as the potential to earn rewards on all your purchases, you might want to look into the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. If you need a secured card, consider one like the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, which gives you the potential to graduate to an unsecured card.
List your household income when you apply

This should include the income of other people you share your home with, including a partner or spouse. Higher incomes indicate to credit issuers that you have the ability to pay your bill, and therefore, give you a better chance of approval.
Consider secured credit cards

If you have a very low credit score, a secured credit card that requires a cash deposit can be an option for you. Your deposit will serve as your credit line, and over time with consistent on-time payments, you may be able to get your deposit back and transition to an unsecured card.
See if you’re preapproved

Many credit repair credit cards let you get preapproved without a hard inquiry on your credit reports. This step helps you gauge your approval odds before you fill out a full application. Our list of the best preapproved credit card offers can help you find options.

How to rebuild credit with a credit card

Always pay your bill on time. Because your payment history is the most important factor that makes up your credit scores, you should avoid late payments at all costs. On-time credit card payments, on the other hand, shows creditors you’re responsible and can boost your score over time.
Keep your credit utilization below 30% at all times. How much debt you owe is another factor that determines credit scores, and most experts suggest keeping your debt below 30% of your available credit for the best results. If you have a credit limit of $200, for example, this means only using $60 of your credit limit at any given time.
Monitor your purchases and stay on top of spending. Ideally, you should only charge purchases you can pay off right away. You can also make payments on your card multiple times per month if you need to.
Track your credit score progress along the way. Monitor your credit score and its movements over time. This step can be especially easy if you pick a card from this list that offers a free credit score as a cardholder perk.

Frequently asked questions

The fastest way to rebuild credit is by making on-time payments on your accounts and keeping your debt levels low. Because you do both of those things with a credit card, and still keep your card open after you’ve paid your bill, cards are often the best way to get back on track.

You only need one credit card to begin rebuilding credit, but gradually adding in other cards and lending products – and managing them responsibly – can help to demonstrate your creditworthiness.

You can begin rebuilding credit over the span of a few months with a credit card, but only if you make on-time payments and avoid maxing out your credit limits. Some cards in our ranking let you upgrade to an unsecured credit card in as little as six or seven months.

There is no right amount of credit cards to have, but in general, most people have a few cards so they can take advantage of various card benefits and perks. What’s most important is that no matter how many cards you have, you use them responsibly, don’t overspend, and pay each bill on time.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

The information related to the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card, Amazon Secured Card and Amazon Prime Store Card has been 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.

Dawn Papandrea

Dawn Papandrea is a writer specializing in personal finance topics including credit cards, family finances and consumer issues. Her work has appeared on a number of financial websites including LendingTree, MagnifyMoney, CreditCards.com, BankRate.com, U.S. News & World Report, as well as publications including Family Circle. Dawn has a masters degree in journalism from New York University. Follow her on Twitter: @dawnpapandrea.

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Best Credit Cards To Rebuild Credit in 2024