Writer: Mike Randall
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
While “guaranteed approval” may sound like the fix for your credit card troubles, the reality is that every card comes with a few basic requirements before an issuer will approve you. What sets these so-called guaranteed approval cards apart is that the bar to qualify is usually quite low.
Most issuers want to see that you have an active checking account and income that meets a minimum threshold. They’ll also look closely at how serious your credit challenges are right now.
Generally, if your credit score is between 300 (the lowest FICO score) and 600, it’s considered bad credit. But don’t worry—some credit card issuers are open to considering applicants with poor credit for an unsecured card. We’re here to assist you in exploring credit cards that could be helpful if you’re working with less-than-perfect credit, rebuilding your score, or just beginning to establish your credit history.
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Secured Cards With Approval Upon Deposit
Most guaranteed approval credit cards are secured credit cards. A secured credit card requires you to put down a security deposit, usually the amount of credit that will be extended to you — less processing fees, if any. This deposit is fully refundable if you keep your account in good standing.
One of the biggest advantages of secured credit cards is that you can often qualify even with imperfect credit. Card issuers report your account activity to the three major credit bureaus. If you make on-time payments and keep your balance manageable, your credit score may start to climb.
Here are several secured credit cards to start your search:
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card may require a deposit amount less than the line of credit you’re offered, depending on your credit history. The card charges no annual fee and reports to all the major credit bureaus, making it an excellent choice for those with bad credit.
The opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires no credit history, and there is no credit check for approval. That makes the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card ideal for someone with really poor credit. Your card activity is reported to all three credit reporting agencies to help you build credit. This secured Visa credit card has even popped up in a few business credit card reviews we’ve seen for business owners with bad credit.
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get at least a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- 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
- 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
- Top rated mobile app
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is open to applicants with poor or limited credit, requiring just a $200 minimum security deposit. Plus, it offers the opportunity to earn back your deposit as a statement credit after you demonstrate responsible card use over a period.
+See More Secured Cards for Bad Credit
Unsecured Cards With Easy Approval
An unsecured credit card doesn’t need a security deposit and offers a genuine line of credit from the card issuer. However, these cards generally come with high fees and interest rates if you have bad credit. But here’s the catch: if they’re used responsibly, they can be a stepping stone to rebuilding your credit and eventually securing a card with better terms.
Here are some of our top-rated unsecured cards with minimal approval requirements for you to consider:
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® offers a generous starting credit limit for those who qualify. By reporting your payment activities to all major credit bureaus, it can help you rebuild your credit over time—especially when you pay your bill on time and maintain a low balance.
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is a bad-credit friendly option for those who’ve experienced credit struggles in the past. You can prequalify for the card without hurting your credit and see if you’re a good candidate for the card. This card will report to the bureaus, so you can improve your credit score over time with responsible use.
The FIT™ Platinum Mastercard® offers a fast and easy application process, and all credit types are encouraged to apply. The card requires no security deposit and is very welcoming to those with poor credit. The card can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted, subject to available credit.
+See More Unsecured Cards for Bad Credit
Prepaid Cards With Guaranteed Approval
If you’re one of those individuals who likes the convenience of using a card but doesn’t like the idea of dealing with credit or the potential for interest fees, a prepaid Visa or Mastercard may be right for you. Prepaid cards don’t require a credit check to qualify, but your card account won’t be reported to the credit bureaus — which means prepaid cards can’t help you with building credit.
A prepaid card can be used in place of a credit card for most transactions, including making purchases both in-store and online. Unlike a credit card, however, prepaid cards aren’t attached to credit lines; instead, the card uses preloaded funds to pay for purchases, just like a debit card attached to a bank account.
Prepaid cards can be reloaded as needed, sometimes for a very modest fee or even for free. Here are a few of our top prepaid recommendations:
While you won’t receive credit bureau reporting with the Brink’s Armored™ Account, you can still make purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Other than verifying your identity, there are no credit checks or income requirements to get approved for this card, which makes it about as guaranteed approval as you can get.
Additional Disclosure: The information related to PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is an ideal choice for anyone who has a PayPal account. You can easily transfer money between your account and your prepaid Mastercard (among other reload options), so you can make purchases in stores or at online shops that don’t use PayPal but do accept Mastercard.
This card is currently not available.
The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card has no activation fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no credit check required to get a card. Prepaid cards do generally come with a host of other fees, including a monthly or per-transaction fee, so be sure to read the cardholder agreement before deciding to order one.
Prepaid cards give you an easy way to use plastic without the risk of taking on debt or going through a credit check. The trade-off is that they don’t report to the credit bureaus, so they won’t impact your credit report or score. In other words, they’re convenient, but they won’t help you build credit.
In other words, prepaid cards can be a good option for consumers who want to make convenient, cash-free purchases, but it isn’t a good option for people looking to improve their credit history or credit scores.
Alternatives to Guaranteed Credit Cards
If you need cash fast instead of a card for purchases, a bad credit loan may be worth considering. You can prequalify through a lending network, and the good news is that doing so won’t hurt your credit score.
The prequalification step will attempt to match you with a direct lender. You’ll be presented with the loan’s rates and terms so you can decide whether you wish to move forward with an application. Upon approval, the loan funds will be deposited into your bank account within one business day.
Our top-rated lending network is MoneyMutual, which can match you with a bad credit loan offer of up to $5,000 — far more than the initial credit limit you’d receive on a credit card.
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- Not available in NY or CT
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- All credit types accepted
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Personal loans from $500 to $35,000
- All credit types are considered and welcome
- Simple, no credit impact form
- Helping consumers since 2001
- 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot rating with 2,000+ reviews!
You might want to explore cash advance apps, which provide short-term, interest-free loans based on what you earn. To qualify, you’ll need to have a job and a bank account.
You may also be able to get a closed-loop store credit card from your favorite retailer. Most stores offer their own credit card, and they usually offer two options — one that operates on the Visa, Mastercard, or Amex payment network and can be used everywhere, and another that can only be used at that store. The option that can only be used at the store is generally reserved for applicants with bad credit.
While a store card won’t cover purchases outside the store, it can still boost your credit. That’s because the account will show up on your credit report.
Finally, credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans that are easy to qualify for and come with fair interest rates and terms. You’ll need to be a credit union member, though. You can use this tool from the National Credit Union Administration to locate one near you.
What Are Instant Approval Credit Cards?
Instant approval credit cards refer to any credit card that gives you a quick approval decision after submitting the application. Most major credit cards offer a near-instant approval decision, whether that decision is approved or denied.
An instant approval credit card is not a guaranteed approval credit card. Aside from one secured card — the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card and prepaid cards — no credit card offers guaranteed approval for everyone.
No Unsecured Card Can Offer Guaranteed Approval
Before a credit card company can give you a line of credit, you’ll usually need to meet a few basic requirements, unless you go with a secured card. Some secured cards don’t require a credit check, but you will still need to put down a cash deposit as collateral. The encouraging part is that you can get that deposit back after showing responsible card use over time.
You’ll probably get an instant approval decision when you submit your application. If you’re approved, expect your card in the mail within seven to 10 business days. If not, you’ll receive an Adverse Action Notice that explains why your application was denied.
You can use these insights as a practical roadmap for improving your credit score over time. Keep at it, and you may soon qualify for cash back credit cards or even premium travel cards. That’s a pretty exciting upgrade to work toward.
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.
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