Writer: Eric Bank
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Danielle Spurlin
Key Takeaways
-
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®: Best for easy approval with bad credit.
-
Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best for easy approval with fair credit. See rates & fees
Our review of the easiest approval cards for fair and bad credit should interest any consumer with a less-than-good credit score (i.e., below 670 on the FICO credit score range of 300 to 850). While lower scores certainly make it harder to get the top credit cards, the ones reviewed here should be within reach for most applicants.
When comparing these cards against each other, pay attention to their APRs, fees, rewards, and benefits. An imperfect credit history shouldn’t automatically disqualify you from at least a few perks.
-
Navigate This Article:
Easiest Approval Cards For Bad Credit (Below 580 FICO)
If your credit score is below 580, many credit cards might be out of reach. However, these four examples for bad credit are exceptions that you can still consider, one of which is a secured option that requires a deposit.
The others are unsecured, but beware the fees these issuers impose on applicants with bad credit. Whichever you choose, using a credit card responsibly will help you when building credit — or rebuilding it.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
Although it charges an annual fee, the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® provides $0 fraud liability and the ability to prequalify with no impact to your credit score. The card’s grace period is at least 25 days.
The monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first year, which is a nice perk. However, the card does charge fees for foreign transactions, additional cards, cash advances, and any late or returned payments.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® comes with the basic benefits common to all Mastercards, including 0% fraud liability.
The card’s mobile app lets you monitor balances, make payments, and more. For an extra fee, you can buy a credit protection plan that pays off your balance if you die and protects you if you lose your job, enter the hospital, or become disabled.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One’s mobile app
- Top rated mobile app
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card saddles you with a disappointingly high APR, which is double that of some other secured cards. On the positive side, this card provides you ATM location services, emergency replacement of stolen or lost cards, and automatic payment scheduling.
The card charges no foreign transaction fees and supports balance transfer transactions (fee applies). As with other Capital One cards, you can access virtual card numbers and account alerts using Capital One Eno®.
- Fast and easy application process
- We may periodically review your account for credit line increases
- Conveniently Pay Your Card Through Our Online Portal, 24/7
- Disclosure: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank
- Eligibility for a card is not guaranteed. Your eligibility for a card depends on the information you provide in your application
- ^See the Provider’s terms for more information
A poor credit score won’t stop you from swiftly prequalifying for the Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card. We love its low-interest rate and the absence of a penalty APR for late payments.
However, the card has no grace period, meaning you’ll pay interest on eligible purchases starting from the transaction date (unless you also pay the balance on that date). You can make payments via the card’s mobile app, website, or the customer service phone line (an outrageous fee applies for expedited phone payments).
Easiest Approval Cards For Fair Credit (580-669 FICO)
Fair credit occupies the credit score range of 580 to 669 on the FICO scale. Compare this to the average credit score for American cardholders of 714 in 2026, and you’ll understand why cards targeted to consumers with fair credit reflect a moderate concern among credit card issuers that cardholders will default on their payments.
The result is a class of credit cards that charge above-average interest rates and provide modest perks.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One’s mobile app
- 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
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee – and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Top rated mobile app
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card does not offer rewards or introductory benefits. Instead, you get a card that offers basic features without frills, moderately high APRs, and a low minimum credit limit.
One nice perk is access to virtual card numbers (through Eno®, the Capital One assistant) that make it almost impossible for crooks to steal your card’s real account number. You can also use CreditWise from Capital One to monitor your credit score.
- 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, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 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
- Top rated mobile app
Consumers with fair credit who are fans of cash back rewards have made the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card a popular choice among this issuer’s offerings. It provides several attractive conveniences, including automatic payments, management of recurring monthly payment scheduling, contactless payment, and around-the-clock customer service.
The card allows you to add authorized users for free, and you can track their spending online. Other perks include instant card lock/unlock (via the Capital One Mobile App), ATM location services, emergency replacement of lost or stolen cards, and no fees for foreign transactions.
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
- Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
- No security deposit
- Free Access to your Credit Score†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
The Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is a good choice for anyone looking to build up their credit score with responsible use, while also earning cash back on select purchases.
You may even qualify for an initial credit limit of up to $1,000, but beware the annual fee. Once your score improves above 650, you may qualify for a better card with no annual fee and similar or better rewards.
What Is the Difference Between Fair and Bad Credit?
On the FICO scale, fair credit is a score of 580 to 669, while bad credit is a score below 580. Your score can vary depending on which credit bureau supplied the information used to calculate it.
The distinction matters when you apply for a card. Fair credit may give you access to more unsecured cards, sometimes with modest rewards. With bad credit, your choices may be narrower, and unsecured cards can carry higher fees and APRs. A secured credit card may be another option if you can provide a refundable deposit.
Neither range guarantees approval nor tells you exactly what a card will cost. Compare the annual fee, other account fees, APR, and credit limit before you apply. You can also review your credit reports for errors at AnnualCreditReport.com.
What Is the Easiest Credit Card to Get With Fair Credit?
Without a doubt, the easiest credit card to acquire, whatever your credit score, is a secured credit card. This card requires you to post collateral to a security account controlled by the card issuer.
The amount of your cash deposit usually equals your credit limit, although some cards allow you to establish a small initial credit line with a smaller deposit. Because the security account protects the credit card companies from losses should you miss a payment, a low APR should be possible, though hardly certain, and the credit card company may forego any hard pulls of your credit reports before approving your card.
All four credit cards reviewed for fair credit are unsecured, meaning your application relies on your creditworthiness rather than collateral. Among them, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is regarded as the simplest to acquire, based on general review consensus.
However, there is no real way to rigorously judge which one is truly the easiest to get, and we expect they all are in the same ballpark.
Nonetheless, we ranked the Capital One Platinum Credit Card highest, in part, due to its $0 annual fee. Moreover, we applaud Capital One’s Eno® and CreditWise® services that help you monitor and protect your credit.
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard® offers a pledge to double your credit limit if you make at least your minimum payment on time each month for the first seven months. Otherwise, it offers few benefits and no rewards.
All four of the reviewed cards for fair credit share some similar features:
- Prequalification: All encourage you to prequalify for the card by filling out and submitting a short form. Prequalification does not guarantee final acceptance, but it also does not hurt your credit score since it doesn’t involve a hard credit inquiry.
- Credit Bureau Reporting: All report your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus, thereby giving you the opportunity through on-time payments to improve your credit score.
- Fraud protection: Each card provides $0 fraud liability protection at no extra cost if your card is ever lost or stolen.
- Credit monitoring: All four cards provide you access to your credit score, although the exact scoring system varies.
- Grace period: Each card gives you an interest-free grace period of at least 24 days from the statement end date to pay your bill. The grace period does not apply if you were carrying a balance at the start of the billing period.
The factors that distinguish these cards from each other include their APRs, fees, credit limits, rewards, and benefits.
Which Credit Cards Give Instant Approval?
All of our reviewed cards offer an instant decision when you try to prequalify, assuming an instant approval credit card means getting approved within a few minutes. The most reliable type of instant approval credit is secured. It’s an easily attainable, guaranteed approval credit card and provides the fastest approval. However, the approval is contingent upon receiving your security deposit.
Prequalification can proceed quickly because the issuer does, at most, a soft credit inquiry. If you do successfully prequalify for a card, you can then complete the full application form and, for unsecured cards, submit to a hard pull of your credit. Final approval may occur instantly, but if your credit is particularly bad, the process may stretch out as the issuer seeks additional information.
Another way to get instant approval is through a prepaid card. Unfortunately, a prepaid card is really a debit card, not a credit card.
What Is the Easiest Unsecured Credit Card to Get Approved For?
The easiest approvals come from the two unsecured cards for consumers with poor credit, the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® and the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®, which welcome all credit types to apply.
These two cards are almost twins, both by Continental Finance.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
If you don’t have any credit history, the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® might be your best bet, as it’s specifically aimed at applicants like you.
Easy approval comes at a cost. You’ll be saddled with an annual fee plus fees for additional cards, foreign transactions, and late or returned payments. The worst fee — monthly maintenance — is, thankfully, waived for the first year.
We continue to recommend secured cards for consumers with bad credit who are looking for a guaranteed approval credit card. The best secured cards are a cinch to obtain and have low APRs and fees.
How Do I Build Credit With a Credit Card?
Anyone can run into financial trouble now and then. You can use a credit card to rebuild the good credit you lost after a setback, or to start building your credit profile if you’re new to credit. But it’s not enough simply to own a card. You must use it wisely.
FICO Factors
- Payment history
- Amounts owed
- Credit history length
- New credit
- Credit mix
Here are some tips on the five factors that contribute to your credit score.
- Pay your bills on time. Payment history carries more weight than any other FICO score factor. Consider using a calendar or automatic payments to make sure you don’t miss a due date.
- Keep your credit card balances low. Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you use versus the amount available. If yours is high, take steps to pay down your balances and keep an eye on new purchases.
- Give your credit history time to grow. The age of your accounts also matters, so think before closing an old card, especially if it has no annual fee.
- Limit new applications. Applying for several cards in a short period can hurt your score. Prequalifying generally involves a soft inquiry, which doesn’t affect it.
Your mix of credit accounts plays a smaller role, but don’t take out a loan just to boost your score — it’s seldom worth it.
Carefully Consider Options For the Easiest Approval Cards For Fair & Bad Credit
Our review of the easiest approval cards for fair & bad credit highlights several secured and unsecured options that are relatively easy to get and offer decent value. Before you sign up for a card, make sure you fully understand all the costs and details in the terms and conditions. It can be frustrating to qualify for a credit card only to encounter surprises like high fees, low credit limits, or no grace period. Choose wisely!
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
About the Author
