Best cards for bad credit or no credit - Find Me a Card

Best cards for bad credit or no credit

(Last updated: September 2021)

If you have bad credit or no credit history, all hope is not lost. Even though some of the higher-end credit cards are off the table, there are still some decent options worth considering. In this article, we'll discuss some of our favorites.

Note: The details of each offer mentioned in this article were current as of the time this article was written, but might have changed by the time you're reading this. (For example, signup bonuses tend to change every few months or so.) Therefore, make sure to double-check the card offer details on the respective credit card issuer's website before you decide to apply for any particular card.

What are the best cards for people with bad credit?

If you have bad credit, you can still get a credit card, but you should be wary of all the scams and bad deals that are out there. You will not qualify for most rewards cards and you probably won't qualify for a card with an APR lower than 15%. Therefore, you'll need to choose between cards with high fees and low interest rates vs. cards with low fees and high interest rates.

When deciding which card is right for you, make sure to read all the fine print, so that you can determine the true cost of each card, facotring in its APR and any recurring fees.

Don't accept an APR higher than 30%. In fact, the CARD Act of 2009 mandates that the total fees you pay in the first year cannot exceed 25% of your credit limit.

Your best option will most likely be a secured credit card while you rebuild your credit score.

Our favorite cards for people with bad credit

Card	Summary	Type of card	Signup bonus	Ongoing rewards	Annual fee	APR
Bank of America Cash Rewards Secured	A great choice for people who have a poor credit rating, which has no annual fee and comes with 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.	Secured card	None	3% cash back on a category of your choice 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs 1% on everything else	$0	23.99%
Discover it Secured Card	A secured card (requiring a deposit of at least $200) with decent cash back rewards (2% on restaurants and gas; doubled in the first year) and no annual fee.	Secured card	Double cash back (for the first year)	2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% cash back on all other purchases.	$0	22.99%
Surge Secured Mastercard	A secured card offering 1% cash back on all purchases, with a $69 annual fee, for people with bad credit scores or no credit history.	Secured card	None	1% cash back on all purchases.	$69	19.99%
Aspiration Spend & Save Debit Card	This socially-conscious debit card offers up to 3-5% cash back on purchases, with a $150 welcome bonus (after spending $1K w/in 60 days) and no annual fee, making it a good choice for people with a bad credit score.	Debit card	$150 (after spending $1K w/in 60 days)	Up to 3-5% cash back on "Conscience Coalition" purchases. (The "Conscience Coalition" includes companies like TOMS, Warby Parker, and Blue Apron.)	$0	N/A
Bank of America BankAmericard Secured Card	A very plain card with no rewards.	Secured card	None	This credit card has no notable rewards.	$0	22.99%
Capital One Secured Mastercard	A very basic card with no annual fee (but also no rewards) for people with bad or limited credit.	Secured card	None	This credit card has no notable rewards.	$0	25.99%

What are the best cards for people with no credit history?

Most major credit card companies have cards designed for the first-time credit card customer. Generally, the cards listed in the section above for people with bad credit would also be our favorite cards for people with no credit history.

In addition, retail store cards might be a good way to build up a credit history. As with other offers, be careful to read the fine print to avoid surprises such as high interest rates after the introductory period and annual fees.