Can You Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit in the US? Yes—Here's How
Can You Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit in the US? Yes—Here's How
You have bad credit. Your score is somewhere in the 400s or 500s. You've probably been turned down for credit cards before. So you're asking the obvious question: is anyone going to give me a credit card at all? The short answer is yes. Even with bad credit, you have credit card options. But you need to understand what's actually available to you and what to avoid. Let's walk through your real options.
The Direct Answer: Yes, You Can Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit
Even with a credit score below 500, you can get credit cards designed specifically for people rebuilding credit. You won't get approval from the same credit card companies that approve people with 750+ scores. But multiple companies specialize in serving people in your situation. The key is knowing which options exist and which ones are worth pursuing.
Your Two Main Options: Secured vs. Unsecured Cards
When shopping for credit cards with bad credit, you'll encounter two categories: secured and unsecured.
Secured Credit Cards
A secured card requires you to make a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. Deposits typically start at $100-$200 but can range up to $3,000. If you deposit $300, your credit limit is $300. You then use the card like a regular credit card and make payments. After six to 12 months of consistent on-time payments, you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
The advantage? Most secured card issuers don't perform traditional credit checks, making approval easy even with bad credit or no credit history. Cards like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card have no annual fee and offer 2% cash back on certain purchases.
Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Some card issuers offer unsecured cards for people with bad credit, though these typically have higher APRs and fees. Newer options like the Tilt Motion Visa Credit Card offer unsecured approval without a deposit, considering over 250 non-traditional signals of financial health beyond just credit score.
The advantage? No money tied up. The disadvantage? Higher interest rates and fees.
Visual Comparison: Which Type Is Right for You?
| Factor | Secured Cards | Unsecured Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Required | Yes ($100-$3,000) | No |
| Credit Check | Usually no | Yes |
| Approval Ease | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Annual Fee | Often $0 | Often $0-$35 |
| APR | Moderate (9.99%-23%) | High (20%-29%) |
| Rewards | Some cards offer cashback | Rare, often limited |
| Path to Upgrade | Yes, 6-12 months | N/A |
Top Options for Bad Credit in 2025
Best Overall Secured Option: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
$0 annual fee, $200 minimum deposit, earns 2% cash back on gas and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), plus 1% on everything else. After seven months, Discover automatically reviews your account for graduation to an unsecured card.
Most Flexible Secured Option: OpenSky Secured Visa
No credit check required, deposits from $100-$3,000, no annual fee for the Plus version, flexible payment due dates, and on average users improve credit scores by 47 points in 6 months.
Best No-Deposit Option: Self Visa® Credit Card
No credit check, deposits as low as $100, reports to all three credit bureaus, and free credit score access.
Best Unsecured Option: Tilt Motion Visa Credit Card
No deposit required, no annual fee, 1-10% cash back at select merchants, alternative underwriting, and transparent limit increase milestones.
Decision Tree: Which Card Type Should You Get?
DO YOU HAVE BAD CREDIT AND NEED A CREDIT CARD?
|
├─→ CAN YOU AFFORD TO DEPOSIT MONEY?
| ├─ YES → GET A SECURED CARD
| | ├─ Want rewards? → Discover it® Secured
| | ├─ Want flexibility? → OpenSky Plus
| | └─ Want no credit check? → Self Visa®
| |
| └─ NO → GET UNSECURED CARD
| ├─ No deposit available? → Tilt Motion Visa
| └─ Accept high rates? → Capital One Secured Alternative
|
└─→ DO YOU WANT TO BUILD CREDIT FASTEST?
└─ YES → GET SECURED CARD
(Reports to 3 bureaus, easier to qualify)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get a credit card with a 500 credit score? A: Yes. Secured cards are designed specifically for people with scores under 600 and often don't require traditional credit checks. You qualify if you meet basic requirements like having a valid ID and bank account.
Q: What's the difference between a secured card and a prepaid card? A: Critical difference. Secured cards report to credit bureaus and help build your credit score. Prepaid cards do not report to credit bureaus, so they don't help your credit at all. For rebuilding credit, you want a secured credit card, not a prepaid card.
Q: How long until my secured card becomes unsecured? A: Most cards review your account after 6-12 months of responsible use for graduation to an unsecured card. Some take longer. Check the specific card's terms.
Q: Will I get my deposit back? A: Yes, when you either graduate to an unsecured card or close the account in good standing. You get a full refund of your deposit.
Q: What APR should I expect? A: Secured cards range from 9.99% to 23% APR depending on the card and whether there's an annual fee. Unsecured cards for bad credit are typically 20-29% APR.
Q: Will applying hurt my credit score? A: The application triggers a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your score 5-10 points. But the long-term benefit of building credit outweighs this temporary dip.
Q: Should I carry a balance to help my credit? A: No. Paying your balance in full each month is best. You don't need to carry a balance. In fact, keeping utilization low (under 30%) helps your score more than carrying a balance.
What to Avoid: Red Flags
Don't apply for cards with high annual fees ($95+) unless the rewards clearly justify it. For bad credit, $0 annual fee is standard. Don't apply for multiple cards at once—each application hurts your score. Wait at least 3-6 months between applications. Avoid cards with setup fees, monthly maintenance fees, or other hidden charges. Avoid unsecured cards with APRs above 29%—those are predatory.
Your Action Plan
This Week:
- Check your credit score at AnnualCreditReport.com or a free app
- Decide: Can you afford to deposit $200-$500 for a secured card?
- If yes, apply for Discover it® Secured or OpenSky. If no, research Tilt Motion Visa
- Apply with realistic expectations (approval takes 1-2 weeks)
After Approval:
- Make small purchases ($50-$100/month)
- Pay the full balance every month
- Never miss a payment
- Check your credit score quarterly to track progress
Statutory Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or credit advice. Information provided is current as of 2025 and subject to change. Credit card terms, APRs, fees, and availability vary by issuer and applicant circumstances. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on individual creditworthiness and lender criteria. Your credit score will be affected by hard inquiries and new accounts. Before applying, review the cardholder agreement and terms carefully. For specific financial advice regarding your credit situation, consult with a qualified financial advisor. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs credit reporting; you can file disputes about inaccurate information at AnnualCreditReport.com. Information about card benefits, rewards, and features may change; verify current details directly with the issuer.
Bibliography & Sources
- CNBC Select. (2024). "Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit." Retrieved from CNBC.
- BadCredit.org. (2025). "Best Secured Credit Cards in 2025." Retrieved from BadCredit.org.
- LendingTree. (2025). "Best Secured Credit Cards." Retrieved from LendingTree.com.
- Tilt. (2025). "7 Best Second-Chance Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2025." Retrieved from Tilt.com.
- Mastercard. (2025). "Credit Cards for Rebuilding Credit." Retrieved from Mastercard.com.
- CardRates. (2025). "7 Best Secured Credit Cards for Bad Credit." Retrieved from CardRates.com.
- OpenSky. (2025). "Secured Visa Credit Cards." Retrieved from OpenSkyCC.com.
- Capital One. (2025). "Credit Cards for Bad Credit." Retrieved from CapitalOne.com.
- LendingTree. (2025). "Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Limited Credit Histories." Retrieved from LendingTree.com.
- Federal Trade Commission. (2025). "Free Credit Reports." Retrieved from AnnualCreditReport.com.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can absolutely get a credit card with bad credit. The easiest path is a secured card—you deposit money, use the card responsibly, and watch your credit improve. Within 6-12 months, you graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back. This is not a permanent situation. It's a temporary tool to rebuild your credit and prove you're trustworthy with credit.
Start this week. Pick a card, apply, and commit to on-time payments. Your bad credit won't last forever. You have a clear path forward.
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