The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards™
Saturday, July 11, 2026

Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit

John Ulzheimer

By: John Ulzheimer

John Ulzheimer

John Ulzheimer, Credit Expert

John Ulzheimer is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring, and identity theft. The author of four books on the subject, Ulzheimer has been featured thousands of times in media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, New York Times, CNBC, and countless others. With over 33 years of credit-related professional experience, including with Equifax, FICO, Experian, VantageScore, and Credit.com Ulzheimer is the only recognized credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry. He has been engaged as an expert witness in over 800 credit-related lawsuits and has been qualified to testify in both federal and state courts on the topic of consumer credit. In his hometown of Atlanta, Ulzheimer is a frequent guest lecturer at Emory University's School of Law.

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Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Below are our staff picks for 2026's best credit cards for applicants with a "fair credit" or average credit rating. Compare choices with 0% intro APR, cash back, and more.

Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we often earn referral fees from partners. For more information, see our ad disclosure and review policy.

All Results | 0% Intro APR | 0% Balance Transfer | Cash Back | Student
1

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
Capital One Platinum Credit Card Review

at Capital One®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • 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
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
See Rates & Fees »
2

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

at Capital One®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and you can use your cash back for any amount–get gift cards, cover purchases or redeem for cash. Plus, rewards don’t expire for the life of the account
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card usage
  • Enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases with your SavorOne Card and enjoy exclusive access and cardholder perks
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Capital One SavorOne cardholders can pay with their rewards via PayPal Pay with Rewards and at Amazon.com
  • Top rated mobile app
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $39
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
See Rates & Fees »
3

Discover it® Student Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit
See Rates & Fees »
4

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

at Capital One®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • 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
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $39
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
See Rates & Fees »
5

Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard Review

at Aspire'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • 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.
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 36% Fixed
Annual Fee $85-$175 first year, $229 thereafter
Credit Needed Poor, Fair, or No Credit
6

Secured Self Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.2/5.0
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • The secured Self Visa® Credit Card* requires no credit check or minimum score.
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish and build credit, with free access to your credit score.
  • Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit as low as $100.**
  • Deposits are returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances.
  • *The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
  • **Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria subject to change.
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR Variable APR of 27.49%
Annual Fee $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter
Credit Needed None, Limited, Poor, Fair
7

Milestone® Mastercard®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 3.8/5.0
Milestone® Mastercard® Review

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
  • Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
  • Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
  • Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
  • Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
  • Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
  • No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR See terms
Annual Fee See terms
Credit Needed Bad/Limited/Fair
See Rates & Fees »
+ Show More Cards

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CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.

Review Breakdown: Fair Credit Cards

Credit Cards Fair Average Credit

Ready to choose a credit card? Our experts have compiled the following summary table to give you a quick glance at all of the best credit cards for fair credit and average credit. If you see a card you like, simply click on the card name to visit the issuer's official site for online approval.

Here are 2026's best credit cards for fair credit:

Rank Card Name Feature Regular APR Expert Rating
1 Capital One Platinum Credit Card Higher credit line 28.99% (Variable) ★★★★★ 4.5 See our review See rates & fees
2 Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Higher credit line 28.99% (Variable) ★★★★★ 4.7 See our review See rates & fees
3 Discover it® Student Cash Back 1% cash back 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR ★★★★★ 4.5 See our review See rates & fees
4 Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Unlimited 1.5% cash back 28.99% (Variable) ★★★★★ 4.5 See our review See rates & fees
5 Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard Fair Credit 36% Fixed ★★★★★ 4.5 See our review
6 Secured Self Visa® Credit Card Fair Credit Variable APR of 27.49% ★★★★★ 4.2
7 Milestone® Mastercard® Fair Credit See terms ★★★★★ 3.8 See our review See rates & fees

Milestone® Mastercard® with Cashback Rewards

Jon McDonald
By: Jon McDonald
Credit Expert
Updated:
  • Guaranteed $1,000 credit limit if approved.
  • Fuel your savings: Earn 5% Cashback Rewards on your first $5,000 in gas purchases! See Terms.
  • Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
  • Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
  • Zero Fraud Liability – Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
  • Don’t Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
  • No security deposit required—get started today!

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

Jon McDonald Jon McDonald Credit Expert

John Ulzheimer is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring, and identity theft. The author of four books on the subject, Ulzheimer has been featured thousands of times in media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, New York Times, CNBC, and countless others.

With over 33 years of credit-related professional experience, including with Equifax, FICO, Experian, VantageScore, and Credit.com Ulzheimer is the only recognized credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry.

He has been engaged as an expert witness in over 800 credit-related lawsuits and has been qualified to testify in both federal and state courts on the topic of consumer credit. In his hometown of Atlanta, Ulzheimer is a frequent guest lecturer at Emory University's School of Law.

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Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which CardRates.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. See the credit card issuer's website for specific terms and conditions of each card.