Best credit cards for fair credit from our partners

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Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Apply

on First Progress's secure website

Apply

on First Progress's secure website

APR
9.99%
Intro APR: None
Fee
$49
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Poor - Exceptional

No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards are Accepted!
Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
Get Approved Fast - Just Click Below to Start the Process!
See additional details for Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Platinum Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Platinum Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Apply

on First Progress's secure website

Apply

on First Progress's secure website

APR
13.99%
Intro APR: None
Fee
$39
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Poor - Exceptional

No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards are Accepted!
Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
Get Approved Fast - Just Click Below to Start the Process!
See additional details for Platinum Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Merrick Bank Secured Visa® Card
Merrick Bank Secured Visa® Card
Apply

on Merrick Bank's secure website

Apply

on Merrick Bank's secure website

APR
18.20%
Intro APR: None
Fee
$36
Rewards
N/A

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Poor - Exceptional

Unsecured credit line increases - after the first year, your account will be regularly reviewed for credit line increases with no additional security deposit required.
Monthly FICO® Score for free - get your updated FICO® Score each month when it is provided to us from the credit bureau
Build your credit - performance is reported to all three major credit bureaus, unlike a prepaid card.
Flexible credit line - the amount of your deposit determines your initial credit line - up to $3,000 and increase your credit line anytime with additional deposits.
Easy funding options - several convenient options to easily submit your security deposits.
Worldwide acceptance - use it anywhere Visa is accepted.
See additional details for Merrick Bank Secured Visa® Card
Platinum Elite MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Platinum Elite MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Apply

on First Progress's secure website

Apply

on First Progress's secure website

APR
19.99%
Intro APR: None
Fee
$29
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Poor - Exceptional

No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards are Accepted!
Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
Get Approved Fast - Just Click Below to Start the Process!
See additional details for Platinum Elite MasterCard Secured Credit Card
Discover it® for Students
Discover it® for Students
Apply

on Discover's secure website

Apply

on Discover's secure website

APR
13.74% - 22.74% Variable
Intro APR: 0% for 6 months on purchases
Fee
$0
Rewards
1% Cash Back
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

10.99% for 6 months

Credit Range

Fair

Get a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
Earn 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter like Amazon.com, restaurants, ground transportation and more, up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate.
Good Grades Rewards: $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
Get 100% U.S. based customer service & your FICO® Credit Score for free on monthly statements, on mobile and online.
Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 13.74% - 22.74%.
Click "APPLY NOW" to see rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
See additional details for Discover it® for Students
Discover it® chrome for Students
Discover it® chrome for Students
Apply

on Discover's secure website

Apply

on Discover's secure website

APR
13.74% - 22.74% Variable
Intro APR: 0% for 6 months on purchases
Fee
$0
Rewards
1% Cash Back
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

10.99% for 6 months

Credit Range

Fair

Get a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases every quarter -- no sign-ups needed. 1% cash back on all your other purchases.
Good Grades Rewards: $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
Get 100% U.S. based customer service & your FICO® Credit Score for free on monthly statements, on mobile and online.
Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 13.74% - 22.74%.
Click "APPLY NOW" to see rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
See additional details for Discover it® chrome for Students
Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee
Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee
Apply

on Discover's secure website

Apply

on Discover's secure website

APR
23.74% Variable
Intro APR: None
Fee
$0
Rewards
1% Cash Back
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

10.99% for 6 months

Credit Range

Poor - Fair

No Annual Fee, cash back on every purchase, and helps you build your credit with responsible use.
A security deposit of $200 or more will establish your credit line (up to the amount we can approve). Automatic monthly reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an account with no security deposit.
Reports to the three major credit bureaus. Plus, get your FICO® Credit Score for free on monthly statements, on mobile and online.
Earn 2% cash back at restaurants & gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, 1% cash back on all your other purchases.
Get a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
Tools to assist you; email alerts, text reminders and 24/7 customer service.
Click "APPLY NOW" to see rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
See additional details for Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Building Credit
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Building Credit
Apply

on Credit One Bank's secure website

Apply

on Credit One Bank's secure website

APR
18.65% - 24.65% Variable
Intro APR: None
Fee
$75 First year. $99 thereafter, billed monthly at $8.25
Rewards
1% Cash Back
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Fair - Good

Automatically earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases including gas, groceries, and services such as mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV. Terms apply.
This is a fully functional, unsecured credit card—not a debit card, prepaid card, or secured credit card with deposit requirements.
Choose your monthly payment due date for added convenience. Terms apply.
Track your progress with free monthly online access to your credit score
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability
Stay in-the-know with customizable account alerts via email and text
See additional details for Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Building Credit
Official NASCAR® Credit Card from Credit One Bank®
Official NASCAR® Credit Card from Credit One Bank®
Apply

on Credit One Bank's secure website

Apply

on Credit One Bank's secure website

APR
18.65% - 24.65% Variable
Intro APR: None
Fee
$75 First year. $99 thereafter, billed monthly at $8.25
Rewards
1% Cash Back
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Fair - Good

Receive 1% cash back on eligible purchases and double cash back at the NASCAR.com Superstore. Terms apply.
With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
Email and text alerts remind you when your payment is due
Enjoy the flexibility to choose your payment due date. Terms apply.
Monitor your credit with free online access to your credit score
Get access to exclusive offers and discounts from NASCAR partners with the Official Credit Card of NASCAR
See additional details for Official NASCAR® Credit Card from Credit One Bank®
VISA Card
VISA Card
Apply

on First Access's secure website

Apply

on First Access's secure website

APR
29.99%
Intro APR: None
Fee
$75 for 1st Year, after that $48 Annually
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Fair

Get the security and convenience of a full-feature, unsecured VISA® Credit Card - accepted at millions of merchant and ATM locations nationwide and online
Perfect credit not required for approval; we may approve you when others will not
Easy and secure online application
Checking account required
If approved, pay a one-time Processing Fee and you can access the $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
Get a result in as little as 60 seconds upon completion of the online application
See additional details for VISA Card
Total VISA Unsecured Credit Card
Total VISA Unsecured Credit Card
Apply

on Mid America Bank and Trust Company's secure website

Apply

on Mid America Bank and Trust Company's secure website

APR
See terms*
Intro APR: None
Fee
See terms*
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Poor - Fair

Checking Account Required
Fast and easy application process; response provided in seconds.
A genuine VISA card accepted by merchants nationwide across the USA and online.
Manageable monthly payments.
If approved, simply pay a Processing Fee to open your account and access your available credit.
Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus.
See additional details for Total VISA Unsecured Credit Card
Reflex Mastercard®
Reflex Mastercard®
Apply

on Celtic Bank's secure website

Apply

on Celtic Bank's secure website

APR
30.74% Variable
Intro APR: None
Fee
$125 for 1st Year, after that $96 Annually
Rewards
N/A
Rates and Fees

Balance Transfer

None

Credit Range

Fair - Good

All credit types welcome to apply!
Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus.
Initial Credit Limit of $500.00! (subject to available credit)
Fast and easy application process; results are provided online.
Use your card at locations everywhere that Mastercard® is accepted
Free online account access 24/7
See additional details for Reflex Mastercard®

Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party companies ("our partners") from which Experian Consumer Services receives compensation, however the compensation does not impact how or where the products appear on this site. The offers on the site do not represent all available financial services, companies, or products.

Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any offer.

For complete information, see the terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's website. Once you click apply for this card, you will be directed to the issuer's website where you may review the terms and conditions of the card before applying. We show a summary to help you choose a product, not the full legal terms – and before applying you should understand the full terms of the product as stated by the issuer itself. While Experian Consumer Services uses reasonable efforts to present the most accurate information, all offer information is presented without warranty.

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Credit cards for fair credit

What is considered fair credit?

A fair credit rating based on a FICO Score includes scores ranging from 580 to 669. Generally, applicants in this FICO Score range are considered to be subprime borrowers. Applicants within this FICO Score range may be offered higher interest rates or less ideal terms.

How to work on fair credit

When you check your FICO Score, it includes the positive and negative factors that are impacting your credit, such as too few accounts paid on time, short account histories, and other negative items. The score factors are ordered with the most severe at the top of the list. Once you have identified the things impacting your personal credit, you can work towards your goals for better credit.

Applying for and using credit cards

When applying for credit cards, it is important to understand what the actual cost to you will be when using the credit card. The things to take into consideration are not only the typical fees, such as an annual fee, and the APR, but additional service fees. You can find more information by reviewing a credit card’s terms and conditions. Credit cards are a very useful tool, and when used wisely, may help build your credit and increase your purchasing power.

Things to look for when you have fair credit
  • Spending limits: Looking for a credit card with a smaller credit limit may be easier to qualify for, and could even limit the amount of possible misuse, such as excessive spending that could lead to burdening debt. By making small charges and paying off the balance every month, you can show your credit usage is responsible and reliable to would-be creditors down the road.
  • Fees and APR: Paying attention to how much you are paying in interest and any fees will help you understand your total costs. And, knowing how much you are spending to use a credit card will help you maximize any rewards you may receive. If you had spent $500 on a cash back credit card with 1% rewards that had an average APR, and only paid the minimum payment of $15 when the bill was due, then the interest you pay for that month could be $8. In this example, the $5 cash back for spending the $500 would be wiped out and you would actually owe more because of the interest paid.
  • Shopping for cards: Learn what is available for you based on your FICO Score and credit profile. Once you know what your options are, choose the best one that fits you and apply. Applying for multiple credit cards in a short period of time could hurt your credit, since each application can cause a hard inquiry on your credit report. It can also indicate a potential risk of a significant amount of new and sudden debt. And, with having multiple credit cards opened, there could be an ongoing risk of charging more than what you can repay. Applying for and using credit cards wisely can go a long way in helping you meet the credit goals you have.

1 Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn More.