Bad Credit CREDIT CARDS
There’s nothing more frustrating than learning that you have bad credit, as this can bring a number of financial challenges into your life. Rather than give up, it’s time to begin your search for credit cards for bad credit. There are secured and unsecured offers to choose from, both of which are available through a variety of credit card issuers. If you have bad credit and need to make a change for the better, search through our list of credit cards for bad credit.
FIT Mastercard®
Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
Intro Purchase APR See Terms*
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR See Terms*
Annual Fee See Terms*
Credit Recommended Good/Fair/Bad Credit
Card BrandMasterCard®
Highlights
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Initial Credit Limit of $400.00* (Subject to available credit)
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Checking Account Required
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | See Terms* |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | See Terms* |
| Annual Fee | See Terms* |
| Credit Recommended | Good/Fair/Bad Credit |
| Cash Advance APR | See Terms* |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Terms* |
| Cash Grace Period | See Terms* |
| Late Payment Fee | See Terms* |
| Return Check Fee | See Terms* |
| Foreign Trans Fee | See Terms* |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Terms* |
Merrick Bank Double Your Line™ Platinum Visa® Credit Card
See if you are Pre-Qualified in less than 60 seconds without harming your credit score.
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR 20.95% - 29.20% Variable
Annual Fee $0-$70
Credit Recommended See website for Details*
Card BrandVisa
Highlights
- See if you are Pre-Qualified in less than 60 seconds without harming your credit score.
- Credit Line Range $550 – $1,250, Doubling to $1,100 – $2,500.
- Double Your Line by making at least your minimum payment on time each month for the first 7 months your account is open. After you make your payments, the increase is automatic.
- Get your updated FICO® Score each month.
- $0 Fraud Liability protects you from unauthorized charges.
- Online and mobile Account Access.
- No Penalty Rates or Over Limit Fee
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | 20.95% - 29.20% Variable |
| Annual Fee | $0-$70 |
| Credit Recommended | See website for Details* |
| Cash Advance APR | 25.95% - 34.20% Variable |
| Cash Advance Fee | $0 |
| Cash Grace Period | See Terms* |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $39 |
| Return Check Fee | See Terms* |
| Foreign Trans Fee | See Terms* |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Terms* |
Surge Mastercard® Credit Card
See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
Intro Purchase APR N/A
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR See Terms*
Annual Fee See Terms*
Credit Recommended Good/Fair/Bad
Card BrandMasterCard®
Highlights
Give Your Credit a Surge
It is easy to complete our online application. The Surge Mastercard® is designed for people with less than perfect credit. If you make on-time minimum payments and maintain your balances under the credit limits, you may be able to build, rebuild, or reestablish your credit!
How it Works
The Surge credit card is designed for people with less than perfect credit who want to get back on track. After you complete our short and easy online application, your results will be ready in a matter of seconds! Don’t miss this chance to Surge!
Why Choose the Surge Card?
If you have poor credit and are trying to improve your credit score, using a credit card responsibly may help. The Surge Mastercard® will report your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus on a monthly basis. Maintaining a low balance and paying your bill on time every month are two of the best practices for positive credit.
Get Approved Today!
It is easy to complete our online application. The Surge Mastercard® is designed for people with less than perfect credit. If you make on-time minimum payments and maintain your balances under the credit limits, you may be able to build, rebuild, or reestablish your credit!
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- 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
- Use your card at locations everywhere that Mastercard® is accepted
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | See Terms* |
| Annual Fee | See Terms* |
| Credit Recommended | Good/Fair/Bad |
| Cash Advance APR | See Terms* |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Reflex Mastercard®
See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
Intro Purchase APR See Terms*
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR See Terms*
Annual Fee See Terms*
Credit Recommended Good/Fair/Bad Credit
Card BrandMasterCard®
Highlights
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | See Terms* |
| Annual Fee | See Terms* |
| Credit Recommended | Good/Fair/Bad Credit |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Net First Platinum
Instant Approval / $500 Credit Line!
Intro Purchase APR 0.00%
Intro Balance Transfer APR N/A
Regular Purchase APR 0.00%
Annual Fee See website for Details*
Credit Recommended Fair to Damaged
Card BrandOther
Highlights
- Instant Approval / $500 Credit Line!
- No Employment or Credit Check
- Reports to Major Bureau
- Bad Credit, No Credit – OK
- Always 0.0% APR
- Fast Online Applications
Have you been denied credit in the past? Net First Platinum is available to help people meet their financial needs. Our fast and easy application could be just what you need. A $500 credit line could be available to you faster than you ever thought possible.
The Net First Platinum card could be the perfect card for you.
*See Terms & Conditions for Details
Additional Info
Credit Line : $500 Limit
Regular APR : 0% APR
Monthly Fee : See website for Details*
Credit Recommended : Damaged credit to Fair credit
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | 0.00% |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | 0.00% |
| Annual Fee | See website for Details* |
| Credit Recommended | Fair to Damaged |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR See Terms*
Annual Fee See Terms*
Credit Recommended Good/Fair/Bad
Card BrandVisa
Highlights
The TOTAL Card is available to people with fair, poor, or limited credit! Complete the fast and easy online application and get a response in seconds.
Choose from 6 different FREE card designs!
- Checking Account Required
- Fast and easy application process; response provided in seconds
- A genuine Visa credit card accepted by merchants nationwide across the USA and online
- Manageable monthly payments
- If approved, simply pay a Program Fee to open your account and access your available credit
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | See Terms* |
| Annual Fee | See Terms* |
| Credit Recommended | Good/Fair/Bad |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR 19.49% -25.49% Variable
Annual Fee $0 - $99
Credit Recommended Poor/Bad Credit
Card BrandVisa
Highlights
Credit One Bank® is one of America’s leading credit card providers, serving over 5 million customers nationwide. Credit One is committed to providing customers with credit card products that offer more value through cash back rewards and free online monthly credit score tracking.
- Find out if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Eligible purchases earn 1% cash back rewards automatically, terms apply
- Get a credit line between $300 and $3,000 based on your credit history
- Accounts are automatically reviewed for credit line increase opportunities
- Choose your monthly payment due date for added convenience, terms apply
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Manage your account on-the-go with the Credit One Bank mobile app
- Looking to rebuild credit? We report to the major credit bureaus monthly
- View your Experian credit score online for free, terms apply
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | 19.49% -25.49% Variable |
| Annual Fee | $0 - $99 |
| Credit Recommended | Poor/Bad Credit |
| Cash Advance APR | 25.49% Variable |
| Cash Advance Fee | $5.00/8% or $10.00/3%, whichever is greater (see terms) |
| Cash Grace Period | 0 or 24 Days (see terms) |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $39 (terms apply) |
| Return Check Fee | Up to $39 (terms apply) |
| Foreign Trans Fee | 3% or $1.00, whichever is greater |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
First Digital Mastercard®
Get a result in as little as 60 seconds upon completion of the online application.
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR 35.99%
Annual Fee $75.00 for first year. After that, $48.00 annually.
Credit Recommended Bad/Poor/Limited
Card BrandMasterCard®
Highlights
- 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
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | 35.99% |
| Annual Fee | $75.00 for first year. After that, $48.00 annually. |
| Credit Recommended | Bad/Poor/Limited |
| Cash Advance APR | See website for Details* |
| Cash Advance Fee | Either $10, or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater. |
| Cash Grace Period | See website for Details* |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $39.00 |
| Return Check Fee | Up to $39.00 |
| Foreign Trans Fee | See website for Details* |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See website for Details* |
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR See Terms
Annual Fee See Terms
Credit Recommended Fair/Bad Credit
Card BrandVisa
Highlights
Get the security and convenience of a full-feature, unsecured VISA® Credit Card – accepted at millions of merchant and ATM locations nationwide and online.
- Reporting monthly to all three major credit reporting agencies
- Perfect credit not required for approval; we may approve you when others won’t
- Easy and secure online application
- If approved, pay a Program Fee and you can access the $300 credit limit (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
- Checking account required
- The First Access Visa Card is issued by The Bank of Missouri pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | See Terms |
| Annual Fee | See Terms |
| Credit Recommended | Fair/Bad Credit |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Milestone® Mastercard® – Unsecured For Less Than Perfect Credit
Less than perfect credit is okay
Intro Purchase APR n/a
Intro Balance Transfer APR n/a
Regular Purchase APR 24.9%
Annual Fee $35 - $99*
Credit Recommended Poor/Bad Credit
Card BrandMasterCard®
Highlights
- Easy pre-qualification process which does not affect your credit score
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- 24/7 access to your account information, even on mobile
- Protection from fraud, if your card happens to be lost or stolen
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
Specifications
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
|---|---|
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Regular APR | 24.9% |
| Annual Fee | $35 - $99* |
| Credit Recommended | Poor/Bad Credit |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Trans Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
Bad Credit
Most people who have bad credit are well aware of their situation. As frustrating as it may be, there’s a bright side: there’s plenty of room for improvement.
If you have bad credit and find yourself in need of a credit card, there are both unsecured and secured offers to consider. Best yet, responsible use of a credit card in the future will help boost your score.
Note: if you have bad credit, search through our comprehensive list of offers for consumers in your position.
How to Boost Your Bad Credit Score
Just because you have bad credit now doesn’t mean you’ll have bad credit for the rest of your life. There are a few simple steps you can take to boost your credit score in the months to come:
1. Make Note of Your Past Mistakes
Why do you have bad credit? Once you understand the mistakes you’ve made in the past, you can avoid going down the same path in the future. For example, if you defaulted on several loans in the past, create a budget that will help you prevent a similar situation in the future. You won’t know how to improve on your past mistakes until you identify them. This is job number one!
2. Review Your Credit Report for Errors
Don’t assume that the information on your credit report is accurate. It’s possible that there’s at least one error on your credit report that’s pulling down your score.
If you come across an error, contact the appropriate credit bureau to file a dispute. It’s often a time consuming process, but fixing the error can do wonders for your credit score.
3. Create a Budget
It’s critical to know how much money you earn each month, as well as how much you spend. This is where a detailed budget comes into play. At the very least, you need to earn enough money to cover your expenses. If you don’t, you’ll quickly slip behind on your obligations, which will harm your credit score.
Tip: you can create your budget with nothing more than a pen and paper. Of course, if you’re more technologically advanced, there are apps and software programs to assist you.
4. Don’t Stop Using Credit
It’s natural to stop using credit if you have bad credit. You assume that this will keep you out of trouble, and you may be right. However, you should still use credit when possible, as this actually helps boost your
score. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, but get into the habit of using your credit card and paying the balance in full each month. You can also raise your score by paying on installment loans.
5. Remain Patient
You want to put your bad credit in the past as soon as possible, but it’s likely to take several months or longer to make real progress. Don’t get frustrated if your score isn’t rising as quickly as you would like. If you stay the course, you’ll like where you end up.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let bad credit affect your finances for the rest of your life. When you follow the steps above, it won’t be long before your credit score begins to move in the right direction.
Advertiser Disclosure * Advertisements which display guaranteed credit lines or credit limits of $500.00 are exclusively for usage through online retail stores, online marketplace websites and/or online auctions. Credit limit offers displayed on advertisements are contingent on getting approved by the credit institution issuing the credit card or issuing the line of credit. When searching for the best credit card for you, there are several factors that you ought to consider. A few cards have APR rates that you need to review before you sign on with a bank or lender. Financing costs will influence your decision if you anticipate using the card for single purchases or if you intend to carry a monthly balance. If you don’t make your timely required payments by the due date, financing costs increase and you’ll have to pay the credit card organization those fees plus your current balance. Interest fees can shift from as low as 0% to as high as 35% for various periods. Please review the credit card applications for specifics into the terms and conditions. We strive to display current and up-to-date information. Nonetheless, all credit card offers are displayed without guarantee. To affirm terms and conditions, tap the "Apply Now" to learn more about the credit offer on a secure page provided by the card issuer(s). Please review full terms and conditions prior to applying for any credit card.
General Disclaimer Please review the credit card applications for specifics into the terms and conditions. We strive to display current and up-to-date information. Nonetheless, all credit card offers are displayed without guarantee. To affirm terms and conditions, tap the "Apply Now" to learn more about the credit offer on a secure page provided by the card issuer(s)
Editorial Note Our team of editors rate credit card offers unbiasedly in light of the components the credit card offers purchasers, expenses, financing costs, and how a credit card is related by category. The evaluations are the master supposition of our editors, and not affected by any compensation this site gets from the credit card issuer(s).