Best credit cards for rebuilding your credit of April 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 4:50 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024
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Good credit opens doors — literally. For example, if you dream of buying a home one day, you’ll need good credit to get a mortgage loan and a favorable interest rate. Luckily, if your credit is poor or fair, there are credit cards to help you rebuild your credit score and start moving forward.
The best credit cards for rebuilding credit have low or no annual fees and offer preapproval without impacting your credit. We examined the options in depth to curate this list of the very best credit cards for rebuilding your credit in 2024.
Best credit cards for rebuilding credit scores
- Discover it® Student Chrome: Best for students.
- Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card *: Best credit card for rebuilding credit scores.
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card *: Best for fair credit.
- Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card *: Best for flat-rate rewards.
- Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card *: Best for those starting from scratch.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card * : Best for cash back.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card *: Best for lower opening deposit potential.
- Deserve Digital First Card™ *: Best for newcomers to the U.S.
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card *: Best for no credit check requirement.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20+ cards analyzed.
- 4+ data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
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Discover it® Student Chrome
Best for learning about credit
Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Best for students
Discover it® Student Chrome
Best credit card for rebuilding credit scores
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
*The information for the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for fair credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for flat-rate rewards
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
*The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for those starting from scratch
Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
*The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for cash back
U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card
*The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for lower opening deposit potential
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for newcomers to the U.S
Deserve Digital First Card™
*The information for the Deserve Digital First Card™ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for no credit check requirement
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
*The information for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best credit cards for rebuilding your credit score
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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! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
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Why this card made the list
The Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card does not require a credit check to apply and reports to all three major credit bureaus, making it a great option for those first getting their feet wet with building credit. But if you have any credit history at all, you may be able to get a starter card with more benefits.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is not quite the same thing as a credit card in that you cannot carry a balance on it. And, you must have a Chime® Checking Account with qualifying direct deposits of $200 or more to be eligible for this card. But for those seeking a low-cost way to build credit from scratch or start over, this card is a top-notch option.
Why this card made the list
The Discover it® Student Chrome is head-of-the-class when it comes to a credit card for students due to its lack of an annual fee, its intro APR period on purchases and its rewards in categories many students are likely to spend on. Just know you’ll need to show proof of enrollment when you apply.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Student Chrome allows you to build credit while earning rewards and gaining access to various features such as free FICO Score monitoring and identity theft protection. This is the only card on our list with a 0% intro APR on purchases and 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24% applies. There’s a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms) and a cash-back match at the end of your first year.
The information for the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
With no annual fee and no security deposit required, as well as a solid rewards program, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , issued by WebBank, is an excellent choice for starting your credit journey or improving your credit score.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 1% cash back right away and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Plus, earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: $0.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: See if you’re preapproved with no credit check, earn a credit line increase in as little as six months with qualifying on-time payments, track your credit score in the mobile app.
The information for the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The $39 annual fee may put some people off the QuicksilverOne, but this unsecured card’s small annual fee might be preferable to putting down a larger security deposit on a secured card.
- Annual fee: $39.
- Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The QuicksilverOne Card comes with standard Capital One benefits, such as free credit score monitoring with CreditWise and $0 fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen. Plus, cardholders can enjoy complimentary Uber One membership for up to six months (offer valid until November 2024). Just know this card is aimed at those with fair credit, so applicants with poor credit aren’t likely to get approved.
The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
Say goodbye to complicated rewards programs with the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . This card lets you establish and build credit while earning some rewards, too.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can help you rebuild or establish credit for the first time while earning unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Since it’s a secured card, it requires a deposit between $200 and $5,000.
The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , issued by WebBank, was designed for credit builders who may not otherwise qualify for a Petal credit card. In exchange for the modest annual fee, you’ll get a credit limit ranging from $500 to $3,500 depending on creditworthiness, and Petal will report your spending and payment activities to the three major consumer credit bureaus.
- Annual fee: $59.
- Rewards: 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a solid option for those looking to repair or establish credit. There is potential to grow with this card, as you may be able to receive a credit line increase after just six months of responsible use. But know the card does have a $59 annual fee and a higher APR range than some of the other cards on our list.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
If you’re looking to build credit and earn rewards at the same time, it’s hard to beat the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . This card has a robust rewards program, offering top-notch cash-back rates on purchases that fall within your selected bonus categories
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories of choice, 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% cash back on eligible purchases in choice of one everyday category (like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each foreign transaction.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The card has great earning potential for those who are willing to put in the work of tracking categories and opting in each quarter, but for those who are new to credit cards, the rewards structure might be too confusing. If you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to consider other options since this card has a 3% of each foreign transaction fee for international transactions.
The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The main benefit of this card over others in its class is its less-stringent approach to ponying up the funds for a security deposit. You can pay off the opening deposit over a period of 35 days and you may even get approved for a $49 or $99 opening deposit for a $200 credit limit.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fee: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a great option for those looking for a secured card with a low deposit amount. The minimum deposit will be $49, $99 or $200—if you’re approved, the issuer will let you know your required deposit—and are fully refundable in most cases. You can see if you’re preapproved with no impact to your credit score. Beware that the card has a relatively high APR compared to other cards on our list at 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
The information for the Deserve Digital First Card™ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Deserve Digital First Card™ * The information for the Deserve Digital First Card™ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. was tailor-made for those starting to build credit who are glued to their phones. The card comes with a robust app with visual tools to help make it easier to understand your spending habits, the potential cost to carry a balance and how your rewards work.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: up to 1.5% cash back.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: The Deserve Digital First Card™ * The information for the Deserve Digital First Card™ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a solid rewards card with no annual fee and a mobile-first approach that will please tech-savvy consumers. However, its tiered rewards structure can be complicated for credit newbies.
The information for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
When your credit isn’t great, it’s crucial to avoid any activity that might further affect your score negatively. Since the OpenSky Secured Visa doesn’t require a credit check to apply, you won’t have to worry about getting dinged by the hard credit inquiry that’s usually part of applying for a credit card.
- Annual fee: $35.
- Rewards: up to 10% cash back rewards on everyday purchases from participating retailers (cash back varies across retailers).
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each Transaction in U.S. dollars.
- Other benefits and drawbacks: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card * The information for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a top choice for cards with no credit check requirement. That means no matter how your credit profile looks, with this card, you’ll have a chance to rebuild your credit. (But know that as with any credit application, approval is not guaranteed). Since it’s a secured card, you must pay a deposit — an amount starting with a minimum of $200. Your deposit is refundable and FDIC-insured.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product, and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. In looking at the best first cards to build credit, we considered:
- Annual fees.
- Eligibility for approval based on credit history and financial circumstances.
- If a card reports to all three of the major consumer credit bureaus.
- If the card offers a chance to increase your credit line with good payment behavior.
- Any other benefits or perks that might come with a card designed for those seeking to rebuild their credit profile.
Should you get a credit card for rebuilding your credit score?
Credit cards are some of the best tools available for rebuilding or establishing credit. Most card issuers report to the three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) monthly, allowing you to demonstrate responsible credit use by making on-time payments and maintaining low credit card balances. If you use your credit card properly, you could see a boost to your credit score within a few months.
Some cards are easier to get with bad credit than others. For example, secured cards—which require you to submit a security deposit to the issuer—tend to have higher approval odds than unsecured cards. It’s also worth noting that credit cards that offer balance transfers or 0% intro APR periods may require higher credit scores than those that don’t.
If your credit is very poor, a secured credit card may be your only option. Secured credit cards are just like regular credit cards, except they require you to pay an upfront security deposit. This deposit reduces the risk of the card issuer extending a line of credit to you, because the issuer can confiscate the deposit if you don’t pay what you owe on the card. Read the fine print to determine whether the deposit is refundable and to avoid predatory terms like excessive fees and APRs.
Guide to credit cards for rebuilding your credit score
“Understanding all your options is so important to your financial wellness. This is particularly true for people with blemished credit history, who have the most to lose by choosing the first company to approve their application, ” says Jim Triggs, President & CEO of Money Management International, a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization.
How do you know if you have bad credit?
The best way to determine if you have bad credit is to check your credit score. You can check your credit score using a free credit score site or by requesting it from the three main credit scoring bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Be aware that you are entitled to a free credit report from each of these three agencies weekly via annualcreditreport.com, but your credit report does not contain your score. However, it does have a detailed picture of your open and closed lines of credit, and reviewing your reports allows you to spot any errors that may be affecting your score.
Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850 on the FICO scoring model. The higher your score, the more responsible you appear to lenders.
These are the credit score ranges according to FICO:
- 800 and above: Excellent
- 740-799: Very good
- 670-739: Good
- 580-669: Fair
- 300-579: Poor
With a score in the 300 to 500 range, you may have trouble getting approved for an unsecured credit card and you may need to start with a secured card.
Factors that could cause bad credit
There are many reasons one may have bad credit.
Late payments
According to FICO, your payment history composes 35% of your credit score. That means if you’re making your payments on time, you should see a boost to your score. On the other hand, missing payments can severely impact your score and remain on your report for up to seven years. However, the impact will diminish over time with responsible card use.
Using too much of your credit limit
The amount you owe on your cards, also known as the credit utilization rate, makes up 30% of your credit score. The more you use your credit limit, the harsher the impact on your score. For example, let’s say your credit card has a $500 limit. If you spend $500, that’s a 100% credit utilization rate, which negatively impacts your credit score. When rebuilding credit, it’s best to use as little of your available limit as possible.
Hard inquiries
You may see a slight ding on your credit score each time you apply for a new loan or credit card. Credit applications result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which is why you want to limit the amount of new credit you take out at once. It’s best to keep hard inquiries to a minimum, since multiple inquiries in a short span of time can indicate to a lender that you’re desperate for credit. New credit makes up 10% of your FICO Score.
Types of credit cards for users with bad credit
There are two major types of credit cards for those with bad credit.
- Secured credit cards: Secured credit cards function just like regular credit cards, except they require a security deposit. The amount of the deposit varies, and in many cases, the deposit amount sets your credit limit. For example, if you deposit $200, you’ll have a $200 credit limit. Note that you still have to pay off any spending you put on the card. The deposit does not constitute payment, but rather provides security for the issuer in case you don’t pay back what you put on the card. Some card will issuers automatically consider you for an unsecured card after six to 12 on-time monthly payments.
- Unsecured credit cards: Unsecured cards tend to have higher credit limits and better perks than secured cards but are harder to get approved for since they don’t require a security deposit. People in the “fair” credit score range have better approval odds for unsecured credit cards than those in the “poor” credit score range. If you come across an unsecured card willing to approve you despite a bad credit score, exercise caution—it may be a subprime credit card with a sky-high APR and expensive fees.
How to compare credit cards for bad credit
There are several factors to consider when comparing credit cards for bad credit.
- Fees: You want to avoid credit cards that charge excessive fees or lack transparency around their fees. No-fee credit cards are generally preferable to cards with fees. However, cards with fees are still worth considering if your goal is to build credit.
- APR: The interest rates on credit cards for rebuilding credit tend to be higher than the rates on regular credit cards to account for the added risk. Credit-builder cards generally have variable APRs between 17% and 30%. Your rate is based on your creditworthiness when you apply for a card.
- Preapproval: A preapproval option is helpful for those with bad credit, so you can check your likelihood of a successful application without impacting your credit. Preapproval applications don’t impact your credit since they aren’t considered hard inquiries. Just know that even if you receive preapproval, you’ll typically still have to undergo a hard inquiry if you decide to actually apply for the card.
- Rewards and intro offer: Though your main goal is building credit, rewards and intro offers are worth considering. For example, a credit-builder card with any type of cash back is a win-win. However, your priority should be using credit responsibly, not spending to get rewards. Intro offers, such as welcome bonuses and 0% intro APR, are less common with credit-builder cards, and the cards with these offers have more stringent approval requirements.
How to get a credit card for bad credit
If you want a credit card to help you rebuild your credit, the first step is to check your credit score to determine the exact number. A score in the 600s will provide more flexibility than a score in the 300s or 400s, but there are options no matter what your score is. Some cards don’t require a credit score at all. You can view your credit score for free through Experian or Equifax or purchase it through TransUnion. There are also online services that offer free credit scores, although they may request you sign up for their mailing list or have other requirements.
Steps to boosting your credit score with a credit card
Once you have a credit card, you must use it responsibly in order to see progress. The two keys to responsible credit use are making your monthly payments on time and keeping your credit utilization as low as possible. Many see a boost to their credit score by charging a small amount to their card and then paying it off right away. For example, if you have a credit card with a $300 limit, buy an item for $10 or $20, then pay it off immediately.
Know that you do not need to roll over a balance from month to month to build credit. As long as you’re making purchases on your card and making on-time payments, and your issuer reports your activity to the credit bureaus, you’ll build credit without ever needing to carry a balance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The first thing to do is check your credit to understand the credit range you fall in. There’s a difference between the types of cards someone with a 300 score vs. someone with a 600 score can get approved for. If you have an existing credit or debit card that offers free credit monitoring, use that to check your credit score. When applying for a secured credit card, make sure you have the money for the deposit.
While filling out the credit card application, you’ll need to provide details on the form such as your name, address,and Social Security number as well as income and other financial information.
A secured card is one of the best ways to build credit when used responsibly. Secured cards help you build credit because each time you pay your bill on time, it reflects positively on your credit report. When comparing secured credit cards, choose one that reports your payment activity to the three main credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
Like a regular credit card, it is possible to be denied a secured credit card, especially if you’re in the process of or have a recent bankruptcy filing. If you’re concerned about being denied, consider credit cards that don’t require credit checks or offer preapproval with no impact on your credit.
Secured credit cards are generally easier to get approved for than unsecured credit cards since secured cards require deposits, which protect the issuer if you default on what you owe.
It depends. If you apply for an unsecured credit card with bad credit, you will likely have a small credit limit, at least to start. The exact credit limit varies by the card issuer and depends on your credit history, income and other factors at the time of your application.
*The information for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card, Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Deserve Digital First Card™, OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card, Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card and U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
