Rebuild Bad Credit with a Credit Card

There are many reasons a person might need to rebuild credit. Unemployment, bankruptcy, illness, divorce or other circumstances can lead to problems with paying off the debt, which impacts your credit history. Or maybe you just have a short credit history. Having a low credit history - typically 620 or less - doesn't mean you can't get approved for a credit card. It just means you have to apply for the right one. There are many credit cards to apply when you are trying to improve credit history. And from all the variety you need the card which helps rebuild credit.

BUILD OR REBUILD YOUR CREDIT

4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
  • Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
  • You don’t need good credit to apply.
  • Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.

Best Cards for People Rebuilding Credit

This offer is not available in New York and Wisconsin.

4
Card Overall Rating
See website for Details*
  • Get the security and convenience of a full-feature, unsecured MasterCard® Credit Card – accepted at millions of merchant and ATM locations worldwide and online.
  • Build up your credit history with a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus every month.
  • Perfect credit not required for approval; we may approve you when others won’t.
  • Designed to help overcome credit issues; you may be approved even if you’ve been declined elsewhere.
  • You may be eligible for a Credit Line Increase after 12 months.
  • Easy and secure online application – It takes just moments to apply.
  • Checking account required.
  • If approved, just pay the one-time Program Fee to gain access to your new account and credit line (subject to available credit).
  • Receive your card more quickly with optional Expedited Processing (additional fee applies).
  • Get a result in as little as 60 seconds upon completion of the online application.
  • Online Customer Center available 24 x 7.
  • Issued by Synovus Bank, Member: FDIC

This offer is not available in New York and Wisconsin.

Regular APR
35.99%
Annual Fee
$75.00 for first year. After that, $48.00 annually.
Program Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your First Latitude Secured credit card account.
  • Building credit starts immediately when you open your account - just pay your bill on time to establish your credit.*
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
  • First Latitude is accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted, online and worldwide!
  • Pay 6-months-on-time and apply to get a second credit card in your wallet!
  • *Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Regular APR
23.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$25 for the first year, after that $35 annually
Program Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
  • You don’t need good credit to apply.
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are made for people with less-than-perfect credit.
  • Everyone deserves a chance to build** credit: apply today!
  • Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
Limited / No Credit
  • Get the savings plan that helps build credit today!
  • Start with a Credit Builder Account that reports monthly payments to all 3 major credit bureaus.
  • Sample product: A $545.00 Credit builder account, paid 12 times over one year would have a monthly payment of $48.00, and an Annual Percentage Rate of 15.65%. Please refer to www.self.inc/pricing for the most recent pricing options.
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
4
Card Overall Rating
  • No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved.
  • OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
  • Get considered for a credit line increase after 6 months, with no additional deposit required
  • You could be eligible for the OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after as few as 6 months
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly, unlike a prepaid or debit card
  • View your FICO® Score through your OpenSky account, an easy way to stay on top of your credit
  • Nearly half of OpenSky cardholders who make on-time payments improve their FICO score 30+ points in the first 3 months
  • Your refundable* deposit, as low as $200, becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
  • Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
  • Offer flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
  • *View the cardholder agreement
Regular APR
21.89% (variable)
Annual Fee
$35
Program Fee
See Terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

This offer is not available in Delaware and Indiana.

5
Loan Overall Rating
  • No credit check
  • 0% APR and No hidden fees
  • Open your account in minutes
  • Bank-level security keeps your data safe
  • A $750 revolving line of credit to use for Kikoff purchases
  • Build payment history that gets reported to Equifax and Experian

This offer is not available in Delaware and Indiana.

Checking Account Required
No
Maximum Loan Amount
$750
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • You don’t need good credit to apply.
  • We help people with bad credit, every day.
  • Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
  • You can build** or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
  • Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

This offer is not available in AL, IN, KY, NV, VT, WA, WI.

5
Loan Overall Rating
  • No credit check
  • No admin or membership fees
  • Your deposit is FDIC insured
  • Each payment will be reported to all 3 credit bureaus and added to your savings
  • Your Credit Builder Account reports monthly payments to all 3 major credit bureaus. Set up auto-pay so you can build credit while you’re asleep

This offer is not available in AL, IN, KY, NV, VT, WA, WI.

Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
$2,000
Minimum Loan Amount
$500
Employment Required
No
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • Build credit & Earn rewards.
  • Payment performance is reported monthly to Experian® and Equifax®.
  • Track your credit score every month.
  • Learn with courses and pick up useful skills.
  • Earn 1% back on loan offers. Up to $1,225.
  • 0% APR / $0 fees. Instant approval. No credit check.
Checking Account Required
No
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
4
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments!
  • No minimum credit history or credit score required.
  • Past credit issues shouldn’t prevent you from getting a credit card with great benefits & rewards!
  • Accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted, online and worldwide!
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
  • Manage your statements, transactions & rewards on-the-go with the First Progress Card Mobile App!
Regular APR
14.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$49
Program Fee
N/A
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Everyone deserves a chance to build** credit: apply today!
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • We'll provide you a manageable credit limit and manageable payments meant to help you stick to your budget.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

The Merrick Bank offers are not available in Wisconsin.

4
Card Overall Rating
See website for Details
  • Put down $200, which becomes your credit line. Then, if you qualify, double your credit line to $400 without making another deposit.
  • Double your $200 credit line by making at least your minimum payment on time each month for the first 7 months your account is open
  • Secured Credit Cards are great for people looking to build or rebuild credit and are available to people with all kinds of credit backgrounds.
  • Unlike a debit card or a pre-paid card, it helps build your credit history. We report your payment history to all three major credit-reporting agencies.
  • Get your FICO® Credit Score for free each month.
  • Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen. Access your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get help staying on track with available Auto Pay and account alerts.
  • Card issued by Merrick Bank, Member FDIC.

The Merrick Bank offers are not available in Wisconsin.

Regular APR
21.95% Variable
Annual Fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

The Merrick Bank offers are not available in Wisconsin.

3
Card Overall Rating
See website for Details*
  • Choose your own credit line based on how much money you want to put down as a security deposit.
  • Initial deposits can be from $200 to $3,000. You can increase your credit line at any time by adding additional money to your security deposit, up to $3,000.
  • After 9 months, we review your account for a credit line increase. No additional deposit required!
  • Secured Credit Cards are great for people looking to build or rebuild credit and are available to people with all kinds of credit backgrounds.
  • Unlike a debit card or a pre-paid card, it helps build your credit history. We report your payment history to all three major credit-reporting agencies.
  • Get your FICO® Credit Score for free each month.
  • Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen. Access your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get help staying on track with available Auto Pay and account alerts.
  • Card issued by Merrick Bank, Member FDIC.

The Merrick Bank offers are not available in Wisconsin.

Regular APR
21.95% Variable
Annual Fee
$36 for first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Bad / Limited / No Credit
  • There’s no checking account required.
  • When you need assistance, our award-winning, U.S.-based Customer Service representatives are there to help.
  • After six months of responsible secured card use you may be eligible§ to apply for an unsecured PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard®.
  • §PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® available upon invitation after you’ve been with us for six months and have kept your account in good standing (on-time payments and staying within credit limit).
  • If approved, make your first six monthly minimum payments on time and we may send you an offer to apply for an unsecured credit card. Some restrictions apply.§§
  • §§If you apply for the second account, which is unsecured, you will be approved if you can demonstrate the ability to pay your bills, meet our minimum income requirements, do not reside in New York or Wisconsin and are not covered under the Military Lending Act.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
The Self Visa® Credit Card
Compare now (16) »
4
Card Overall Rating
Limited / No Credit
  • Your next tool for building credit!
  • The Self Visa® Credit Card reports to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
  • Accounts in good standing may have opportunities to increase the credit limit over time.
  • Your Credit Builder Account savings progress secures your Self credit card and sets your limit.
  • Your card can be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted in the U.S.
  • No credit check or a hard pull.
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$25
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Limited / No Credit
  • Grow Credit is committed to helping the over 100 million Americans who have no or bad credit
  • 0% interest and completely free with no security deposit required for qualifying customers*
  • Grow Credit allows customers to build credit by paying for their subscription services or cell phone bills; with time, customers build a strong repayment history and establish a better financial future
  • Grow Credit is committed to helping people who have been underserved or ignored by financial institutions
  • By using Grow Credit, customers are empowered to build a strong future for themselves and their families
  • Customers link their Grow MasterCard monthly subscriptions to the card and the amount is automatically deducted from their bank accounts every month and then reported to all three credit bureaus
  • *Here is information about our underwriting criteria, which is determined by recent banking activity rather than credit scores.
Card Type
Debit
Activation Fee
See terms
Maintenance Fee
See terms
Overdraft Available
No
3
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
  • No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
  • Quick and Complete Online Application; No credit inquiry required!
  • Includes Free Real-Time Access to Your Credit Score and Ongoing Credit Monitoring powered by Experian
  • Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card; Try our new Mobile App for Android users!
  • Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted!
  • Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
  • Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
  • Just Pay Off Your Balance and Receive Your Deposit Back at Any Time
  • 24/7 Online Access to Your Account
  • Nationwide program; available in all 50 US states *See Card Terms.
  • Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy still in your credit bureau file will not cause you to be declined.
  • ¡Hablamos Español! Nuestros representantes de servicio al cliente hablan Español con fluidez para su conveniencia.
  • Make 6-months of on-time payments & you’ll be invited to apply for an unsecured First Digital Mastercard!
Regular APR
24.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$29
Program Fee
N/A
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Application
Compare now (16) »
4
Card Overall Rating
See website for Details*
  • Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
  • All credit types welcome to apply!
  • Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
  • Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
  • Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
  • See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
  • Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
  • Free online account access 24/7
  • Checking Account Required
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
See website for Details*
Program Fee
See Terms*
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

Know your credit repair opportunities

People often apply for wrong credit cards in their attempts to repair their credit. As a result their applications are denied and their credit history continue rushing down. So how to rebuild credit when your credit history is low? Here we give you several ways, which one to choose is up to you:

Catalog cards (also known as shopping cards):

These cards are linked to a specific retailer and can be used to buy goods from their online or mail-order catalogs. You will be able to buy almost anything you need, from kitchen utensils, beauty supplies and clothing to outdoor gear and sports equipment. With the convenience to buy products at your favorite retailers you also get the opportunity to fix credit history.

Secured cards:

If you prefer a major credit card that is accepted at most locations, a secured card may be a better choice for you. The catch is, you will have to put down a deposit up front, to act as collateral. The amount you put down will usually be equal to the line of credit you are granted. Cards for bad credit:

There are some unsecured credit cards designed especially for people with bad credit. They often have high APRs, and may carry more fees than credit cards for good credit, but if they are used responsibly they can help you repair your credit.

Prepaid cards:

You might think that a prepaid card, which anyone can be approved for with no credit check, is a good idea for you if your credit is bad. While they are a good option when you need the convenience of using card, there is one problem - they do not report to the consumer reporting agencies. So although prepaid cards can be great, they will not help you rebuild your credit.

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This tool finds credit offers that suit your situation best. However, only lenders and issuers decide whether you'll be approved or not for an offer.

Not Sure Which Card to Choose?

Ask Our Experts or Read Credit Card FAQs
A credit card is the easiest way to improve your credit history. But it’s better not to apply for a credit card right away the bankruptcy is discharged. It is wise to wait at least six month. If you can’t wait, make sure all your reports...
You may find different credit card offers aimed at people with bad credit. It is important to understand your financial situation and preferences to recommend the best card for bad credit. First of all, you should consider fees and interest rates....
Prepaid cards do not help your credit because the activity on the card is not reported to the credit bureaus. But secured cards are a good option if you want to improve your credit history. The issuers of secured credit cards report the credit...
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