Is it easy to get approved for a card with fair credit?

Although getting approved is easier with a higher credit score, consumers who have fair credit can and do receive approval for many types of credit cards, including secured credit cards. One of the easiest cards to get approved for with fair credit is the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. Although it has an annual fee, its ongoing APR is slightly lower than many other cards for fair credit and there’s no credit check required.

What is the minimum credit score you need for a credit card for fair credit?

Credit cards for fair credit may require a minimum credit score of 580, about 135 points below the 2024 national average.

How do I get a high credit limit on a credit card for fair credit?

A combination of your credit score, credit history, your income and your debt will determine your credit limit. You can’t really guess what your credit limit will be before applying, but if you know you need a card with a specific credit limit, a secured credit card that allows you to set your credit limit through the security deposit you put down may be an option.

Best Credit Cards for Fair/Average Credit of September 2025

* The information about the (card name) has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Compare Bankrate's best cards for fair credit

Card name	Best for	Annual fee	Bankrate review score
Capital One Platinum Credit Card	No annual fee	$0	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Student Cash Back	Students	$0	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Milestone® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit	High credit limit	See Terms	2.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Milestone Mastercard's secure site
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	Flat-rate cash back	$39	4.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards	Travel	$95	3.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Credit One Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®	Long-term financing	$0	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Upgrade's secure site See Rates & Fees
Avant Credit Card	No penalty APR	$59	2.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Avant's secure site
opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	No credit check	$35	3.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on opensky's secure site

What is fair or average credit?

A fair or average credit score is a FICO Score between 580 and 669. While this score is better than no credit or a bad credit score, lenders may still consider you a risky borrower.

Having a fair credit score can make it harder to qualify for the best cards with high rewards rates or luxury perks. But using one of the cards above responsibly can be a great way to start working toward excellent credit.

Why your credit score matters

When you’re a subprime borrower, it costs more to borrow money. Lenders typically offer you loans and credit cards with higher interest rates to help offset the risk. Your credit score doesn’t just impact how much interest you pay on loans. It can play a much bigger role in your financial life:

Ask the Experts

How do I use a credit card for fair credit like a pro?

Vanessa Franco, ChFC®

Financial planner, Francis

“When applying for a credit card with a fair credit score, using it like a pro starts before you even get the card. Choosing one to match your lifestyle makes it more rewarding and easier to stay consistent with usage. Research for a card that rewards your everyday spending habits:

Buy groceries often? A card with cash back or points on supermarket purchases is a smart pick.
Love concerts or dining out? Choose a card that rewards entertainment or restaurant spending.
Travel frequently? There are cards that offer travel benefits or points for gas, flights, and hotels.

To build credit and avoid interest, pay off your full balance each month. Set up auto-pay or reminders so you never miss a due date — one overdue payment may affect your credit score. Also, try to maintain your credit utilization low. A good rule of thumb is to keep utilization at or below 30 percent of your credit limit. For example, with a $1,000 credit limit, keep your balance below $300 to show lenders you can manage credit responsibly.

Lastly, monitor your credit. Most credit cards offer free access to your credit score. Tracking your progress may help you spot potential issues early. Using your card like a pro is all about intentional spending, on-time payments, and choosing the card that best aligns with your lifestyle.”

Brian Chucri, CFP®

Financial planner and vice president, Chucri Financial

“Learning to use your credit card wisely is a valuable skill. It’s important to keep in mind that the limit the credit card company approves you for is not the amount you should spend. Just because you can spend it, doesn't mean you should.

Avoid treating your credit card as a source of extra money. A good rule of thumb is to only charge on it what you can afford to pay off in full when the payment is due. This will help you avoid paying interest charges and help you build your credit score.

If credit cards are new to you, or you are rebuilding your credit, consider starting with a secured credit card. These require a refundable deposit which will usually become the amount of your credit limit. Secured cards can be a good starting point to eventually qualify for an unsecured credit card in the future. Unsecured credit cards are the kind most people think of when they picture a credit card.

Remember: Set a personal spending limit, and don't spend what you don't have. Discipline with credit cards can be a great way to build your credit score.”

How to get the best one

As you're browsing card options, you might wonder which card features to look for. But it depends on how you'll use the card. Here are six steps to choosing the best fair credit card for you.

Check the credit score requirements

Take a look at the recommended credit scores for the cards you're eyeing so you don't risk an unnecessary hard inquiry on your credit. It helps to monitor your credit for free so you know where you stand before applying. You can also use a prequalification tool like Bankrate's CardMatch™ to know your approval odds for the card.
Calculate rewards potential

Some of the fair credit cards above offer 1 to 10 percent cash back or points, either for a flat rate or bonus category rates. You never want to chase credit card rewards while carrying a balance, as interest charges will outweigh any rewards value. But if you're using the card responsibly for everyday purchases, it doesn't hurt to reap points or cash back while you spend.
Look for credit-building tools

If your main goal is to build credit, check out cards with features that help build credit or increase your financial literacy. Some cards offer free access to your credit score and credit monitoring. Others come with advice to help you make the best financial decisions.
Choose between secured or unsecured options

Depending on your credit score, an unsecured card can be harder to qualify for. Secured credit cards have looser credit requirements and require a security deposit, which usually determines your credit limit. If you're able to put down a deposit, a secured card can help you build credit with less risk. You can often upgrade to an unsecured card after a few months to a year of positive payment history.
Consider the APR and fees

Ideally, you'd pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. But if you tend to carry a balance, prioritize finding a low-interest credit card. This is usually a card with an APR under the current average interest rate. You'll also want to watch out for annual fees, foreign transaction fees, balance transfer fees and late fees. If your card does charge fees, you'll want to be prepared when it's time to pay.
Apply for the card

Once you've picked your best card, it's time to apply. You'll likely answer questions about your personal identification information, income and housing expenses. Once you've submitted your application, it might be reviewed automatically, so you can be approved or denied right away. Or the application might be pending while a real person reviews it. But issuers are required to let you know within 30 days.

Card approval rates for fair credit

According to our proprietary data, among people with fair credit who apply for a card through Bankrate, about 1 in 4 (24.51 percent) are approved. It's also worth noting that Bankrate receives nearly double the applications from fair credit users compared to excellent credit users.

People with fair credit scores are still on the search for credit — it might just take more applications and research to find the right card. Still, there are cards out there for anyone trying to improve their credit use.

How to use a credit card to improve your fair credit

Having fair credit isn't a bad place to be, because you may be able to qualify for an unsecured card and some rewards options. But working toward a good or excellent credit score over time can open doors to better credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and more.

Here's how to use a credit card responsibly to build your credit score.

Pay your credit card bill on time and avoid debt

Missing a credit card payment can hurt your score and stay on your credit report for up to seven years. The later a payment, the worse it is for your credit score.

Plus, not paying your balance in full can lead to credit card debt, which can be costly if you have a high APR. Paying the balance on your card in full each month is a key way to work toward a higher score.
Maintain a low credit utilization ratio

Your credit utilization ratio measures how much of your available credit you're using, and it's worth around 30 percent of your FICO score. Experts recommend keeping it below 30 percent. So if your card's credit limit is $5,000, try to only spend around $1,500 before paying off the balance.
Don't open a new account too soon

Opening too many new accounts at once can hurt your score because it can look suspicious or like you're in financial trouble. In fact, some issuers have rules that prevent applicants from opening up too many cards in a certain amount of time, such as Chase's 5/24 rule. Once you’ve applied and an issuer approves you for a credit card for fair credit, use it responsibly for a while to demonstrate your ability to handle new credit. Overall, be patient and wait between credit card applications to benefit your score.
Keep the credit account open

A credit card that you’ve had for a long time adds to your length of credit history, a significant contributor to your credit score. If you outgrow your credit card for fair credit, don’t close it right away. If it doesn’t have maintenance fees, keep the account open and active to help maintain your score.
Check your credit report

Incorrect information on your credit report — even something as simple as a misspelling of your name — could negatively affect your credit score. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report once a week through AnnualCreditReport.com, so check regularly for any discrepancies and dispute errors.

Frequently asked questions about credit cards for fair credit

Although getting approved is easier with a higher credit score, consumers who have fair credit can and do receive approval for many types of credit cards, including secured credit cards.

One of the easiest cards to get approved for with fair credit is the opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. Although it has an annual fee, its ongoing APR is slightly lower than many other cards for fair credit and there’s no credit check required.
Credit cards for fair credit may require a minimum credit score of 580, about 135 points below the 2024 national average.
A combination of your credit score, credit history, your income and your debt will determine your credit limit. You can’t really guess what your credit limit will be before applying, but if you know you need a card with a specific credit limit, a secured credit card that allows you to set your credit limit through the security deposit you put down may be an option.

**The information about the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card and Gold Visa® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

How we choose the best cards for fair or average credit

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Build credit, minimize fees

Cards available with a fair credit score run the gamut, from basic no-annual-fee secured cards to unsecured cards with modest fees and rewards rates to cards with sky-high fees and APRs. Our rating methodology for these cards focuses on two key factors: How easy a card makes it to build credit and the costs you’ll face along the way.

Here’s how overall scoring breaks down for credit-building cards.

Cost 45.00%
Ease of building credit 25.00%
APR 10.00%
Perks 10.00%
Customer experience 10.00%

A credit-building card’s cost has a large influence on its overall score and our decision to include it in our best cards list. This is because cards in this category tend to be much pricier than traditional credit cards designed for people with a good or better credit score.

We compare a card’s total cost, including any annual fees, account activation fees, monthly fees and more against the total cost of other cards in the credit-building category and assign each card a score based on its affordability. We also factor rewards-earning potential into our assessment of a credit-building card’s total cost, subtracting expected earnings from the sum of its fees.

To get a sense of a credit-building card’s rewards-earning potential, we estimate its average annual rewards rate and average annual earnings based on the most popular spending categories (as covered in the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer spending report).

However, we use a slightly lower spending assumption ($300 per month or $3,600 per year) to estimate average earnings, assuming credit-builders will start out with a lower credit limit, will want to keep credit utilization low and will focus primarily on small purchases they can easily pay off.

While low-cost credit-building cards will always be at a major advantage in our scoring system and will likely earn a higher spot on our best cards list, no-annual-fee credit-building cards can be hard to come by, especially if you’re looking for an unsecured card. With this in mind, we may include unsecured cards with high fees in our list if they offer other benefits for credit-builders, like a high starting credit limit or useful perks.

A card’s APR is also a major factor in its credit-building score. Each card’s average APR is compared against the average APR of other cards in the category, and the cards with lower-than-average APRs receive a higher rating.

Given the many costs students face — from textbooks to laptops — the presence of an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers also plays a role in a student card’s score and its inclusion on our list.

Though high APRs are hard to avoid when you’re just starting out or working on your score, credit-builders and students should strive for as low an APR as possible since they’re likely to either be new to managing cards or trying to establish better financial habits and avoid falling into debt.
Along with a credit-building card’s cost, we consider how easy the card makes it to build credit. To assess this, we evaluate its credit limit potential and minimum deposit requirement.

Unsecured cards with a high starting credit limit and secured cards that let you put down a large deposit and get a matching high credit limit will score the highest according to our “Ease of building credit” rubric and are more likely to appear on our list.

This is because a high credit limit can make it much easier to keep your credit utilization low, a primary credit-building factor that makes up 30 percent of your FICO credit score.

Secured cards have a slight advantage in this category since the maximum credit limit on a secured card tends to be much higher than the typical starting credit limit on an unsecured card that’s available with a bad or fair credit score. However, unsecured credit-building cards have the upper hand in another key aspect of building credit: accessibility.

Cards that carry no or a low deposit requirement can also receive a high score according to our “Ease of building credit” rubric since these cards offer a lower barrier to entry than secured cards that require you to put up hundreds of dollars in an upfront deposit.

Indeed, some users may prefer to pay a non-refundable $50 annual fee while they work on their credit score than tie up hundreds in a refundable security deposit.
We evaluate a student or credit-building card’s benefits based on how useful they are for someone looking to build a positive credit history or save money on everyday spending.

We consider the inclusion of a rewards program, student-centric perks, access to your credit score or a credit monitoring service of prime importance, along with the ability to prequalify for the card with only a soft credit pull and a clear path to increase your credit limit or graduate to an unsecured or full-fledged rewards card.

Cards that include these benefits are likely to score higher according to our credit-building card and student card scoring rubrics and are more likely to earn a place in our list.

Learn more: How we rate our cards

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Best credit cards for fair/average credit in September

+ Show Summary

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Milestone® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®

Avant Credit Card

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Compare Bankrate's best cards for fair credit

What is fair or average credit?

Why your credit score matters

How do I use a credit card for fair credit like a pro?

How to get the best one

Check the credit score requirements

Calculate rewards potential

Look for credit-building tools

Choose between secured or unsecured options

Consider the APR and fees

Apply for the card

Card approval rates for fair credit

How to use a credit card to improve your fair credit

Pay your credit card bill on time and avoid debt

Maintain a low credit utilization ratio

Don't open a new account too soon

Keep the credit account open

Check your credit report

Frequently asked questions about credit cards for fair credit

Is it easy to get approved for a card with fair credit?

What is the minimum credit score you need for a credit card for fair credit?

How do I get a high credit limit on a credit card for fair credit?

How we choose the best cards for fair or average credit

Methodology

Build credit, minimize fees

Relatively low cost and APR

Solid credit-building features

Relevant perks