You are eligible for a credit card even with bad credit. However, it will not have exclusive perks and rewards but would be a basic card. One’s primary goal with a basic credit card is to rebuild their credit score to a medium or high level, after which they can be considered for a better option.
Credit cards to keep in mind
The best credit cards for people with bad credit are secured. With these cards, you need to pay a security deposit to protect the issuer in case of default. Here are five such options:
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
When you apply for this card, Capital Bank does not do a credit check. You will need to pay a refundable deposit starting at $200. The current APR is 17.39% variable. - Green Dot primor® Visa® Gold Secured Credit Card
Compared to other secured credit cards, this card levies a lower interest rate. This is helpful if you plan to carry the balance on your credit card. The deposit varies between $200 and $5000, which is equal to the credit limit. The applicable rate of interest is APR 9.99% variable. - Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card
This Armed Forces Bank card offers an adjustable credit limit. The initial deposit is $300, which may be increased by $50 increments up to $3000, which helps increase the credit limit. This flexibility of enhancing the credit limit is not offered by several other secured credit cards, making this one of the top credit cards for people with bad credit. - DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card
This option offers a lower interest rate when compared to some cards for people with a good score. Membership with the Digital Federal Credit Union is mandatory to apply for this card and is available for only $10. The required deposit is $500, and the ongoing APR is 13.75% variable. - Capital One® Secured MasterCard®
Like most other secured cards, this credit card for people with bad credit also requires a deposit. However, unlike other cards (that need a deposit to equal the credit limit), you may enjoy a limit of $200 with a deposit of $49 or $99. Additionally, when you pay the bills on time, the credit line is enhanced without further deposits within six months. However, the APR at 26.99% variable is higher compared to other secured cards for people with bad credit.
Before you apply for one of the aforementioned credit cards, it is recommended you save some money to make the initial deposit. Also, compare the credit card fees levied by different issuers and opt for a card with lower or zero annual fees. Just because the credit card is secured, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved, so choose cards where the possibility of approval is higher.