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 automatic payments††
Great for automatic payments††
Prosper® Card
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
23.24% - 34.74%* VariableAnnual fee
$0 intro with auto pay, then $59 after first year
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
23.24% - 34.74%* Variable
Annual fee
$0 intro with auto pay, then $59 after first year
- We welcome applicants with less-than-perfect credit
- $0 first year annual fee with AutoPay
Great for building a credit history††
Great for building a credit history††
AvantCard
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
35.99%*Annual fee
$39
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
35.99%*
Annual fee
$39
- Fast and easy application process
- We may periodically review your account for credit line increases
Great for a low annual fee with cash back††
Great for a low annual fee with cash back††
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
33.99%* VariableAnnual fee
$19
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
33.99%* Variable
Annual fee
$19
- There's no impact to your credit score if you're declined
- Enjoy Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on all Purchases
Great for a loan alternative with rewards††
Great for a loan alternative with rewards††
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
14.99% - 29.99%Annual fee
$0
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
14.99% - 29.99%
Annual fee
$0
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
- No annual fee
Great for automatic credit limit increases††
Great for automatic credit limit increases††
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
29.49%* VariableAnnual fee
$39
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
29.49%* Variable
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
Great for automatic credit limit increases††
Great for automatic credit limit increases††
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
29.49%* VariableAnnual fee
$75 for the first year, $99 thereafter (billed at $8.25 per month)
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
29.49%* Variable
Annual fee
$75 for the first year, $99 thereafter (billed at $8.25 per month)
- 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
Great for no annual fee††
Great for no annual fee††
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
29.74% (Variable)Annual fee
$0
Intro purchase APR
N/A
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
Great for predictable payments††
Great for predictable payments††
Upgrade Card Visa®
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
14.99% - 29.99%Annual fee
$0
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
14.99% - 29.99%
Annual fee
$0
- No annual fee
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the predictability of a personal loan
Great for access to unsecured credit††
Great for access to unsecured credit††
Milestone® Mastercard®
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
35.90%Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
35.90%
Annual fee
$75 the first year; $99 thereafter
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. If your application is not approved, a hard inquiry will not appear on your credit report, which means your credit score will not be impacted.
- 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
Great for access to unsecured credit††
Great for access to unsecured credit††
Cerulean® Platinum Mastercard®
Intro purchase APR
N/ARegular purchase APR
35.90% FixedAnnual fee
$125
Intro purchase APR
N/A
Regular purchase APR
35.90% Fixed
Annual fee
$125
- $750 Initial Credit Limit
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Cerulean Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
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†† The opinions you read here come from our editorial team. Intuit 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.