Credit cards for fair/average scores
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CK Editors’ Tips††: If you have fair or average credit, you’ll probably have the chance to continue to build your credit while also benefitting from rewards and other useful card features. While you likely won’t yet qualify for the most lucrative rewards cards on the market, there are options out there.Read more
What to consider when choosing a credit card for fair credit
It can be difficult to find a credit card when you have fair credit because not all issuers advertise what kind of credit you need to qualify for a particular card. But some do, so watch out for any cards that note fair or average credit as a standard for approval. Otherwise, it may be helpful to find credit marketplaces and articles (like those on Credit Karma) that classify specific cards as right for this credit band — those sources are more likely to rely on accurate information than rumors.
It can be difficult to find a credit card when you have fair credit because not all issuers advertise what kind of credit you need to qualify for a particular card. But some do, so watch out for any cards that note fair or average credit as a standard for approval. Otherwise, it may be helpful to find credit marketplaces and articles (like those on Credit Karma) that classify specific cards as right for this credit band — those sources are more likely to rely on accurate information than rumors.
How we picked the best credit cards for fair credit
Finding a credit card for fair or average credit can feel like a guessing game, so we made our picks from cards that we could confirm were targeted at people with fair credit. Issuers don’t always make this information readily available, so we made our picks from cards that specifically advertise this feature or that allow themselves to be displayed as an option for people with fair credit on Credit Karma’s marketplace. Read more about our methodology for picking the best credit cards.
Jump to editors’ picksFinding a credit card for fair or average credit can feel like a guessing game, so we made our picks from cards that we could confirm were targeted at people with fair credit. Issuers don’t always make this information readily available, so we made our picks from cards that specifically advertise this feature or that allow themselves to be displayed as an option for people with fair credit on Credit Karma’s marketplace. Read more about our methodology for picking the best credit cards.
Great for building credit with no deposit††
Great for building credit with no deposit††
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Regular purchase APR
29.74% (Variable)Annual fee
$0
Regular purchase APR
29.74% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0
- 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
Milestone® Mastercard®
Regular purchase APR
24.90%Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
Regular purchase APR
24.90%
Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
- Bad credit history? Milestone Mastercard could be for you. With reporting to all three credit bureaus, you can get credit for all of your hard work
- No upfront security deposit required so you can keep more money in your pocket. Plus, gain access to a manageable credit limit with every card
Great for building your credit history††
Great for building your credit history††
AvantCard
Regular purchase APR
29.99%*VariableAnnual fee
$39
Regular purchase APR
29.99%* Variable
Annual fee
$39
- Fast and easy application process
- Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Rewards rate
1%Cash backAnnual fee
$75 for the first year, $99 thereafter
Rewards rate
1% Cash back
Annual fee
$75 for the first year, $99 thereafter
- See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply
Great for building credit with rewards††
Great for building credit with rewards††
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%Cash backAnnual fee
$39
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5% Cash back
Annual fee
$39
- 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
Great for people working on their credit††
Great for people working on their credit††
Indigo® Mastercard®
Regular purchase APR
24.90%Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
Regular purchase APR
24.90%
Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
- Less than perfect credit? Indigo Mastercard is a great choice! Indigo Card reports to all three major credit bureaus and gives you the chance to establish a consistent payment record!
- Unsecured credit card with no security deposit - keep your cash in your wallet! Plus, affordable monthly payments comes standard on every card
Great for access to credit††
Great for access to credit††
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
Regular purchase APR
21.70%*VariableAnnual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Regular purchase APR
21.70%* Variable
Annual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
- Choose your own credit line based on how much money you want to put down as a security deposit.
- Initial deposits can be from $200 to $3,000. You can increase your credit line at any time by adding additional money to your security deposit, up to $3,000.
Great for commuter students††
Great for commuter students††
Discover it® Student chrome
Rewards rate
1% - 2%Cash backAnnual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% - 2% Cash back
Annual fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Great for credit limit increases††
Great for credit limit increases††
Cerulean® Platinum Mastercard®
Regular purchase APR
29.99%*VariableAnnual fee
$125
Regular purchase APR
29.99%* Variable
Annual fee
$125
- Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time to double your initial credit line
- This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit with responsible use
Great for building credit with rewards††
Great for building credit with rewards††
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Rewards rate
1%Cash backAnnual fee
$39
Rewards rate
1% Cash back
Annual fee
$39
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
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†† The opinions you read here come from our editorial team. Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors' opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when it’s posted.