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Getting approved for a credit card isn’t always easy, especially if you have a low credit score or a limited credit history. Many of the best credit cards are targeted toward people with good or excellent credit, which gives those who are just starting relatively few options.
Still, some credit cards are significantly easier to get approved for — even if you’ve made some major credit mistakes in the past. If you’re looking for easy approval, there are a few types of cards you should check out. These include secured cards, unsecured cards, student cards and store cards.
However, the easiest credit card to get approved for may not be ideal as a long-term card. Although you will get the chance to build your credit history, you should re-evaluate your credit standing after a year or so to see if you qualify for top-tier rewards credit cards.
Comparing the easiest cards to get
Card Name
Annual fee
Minimum security deposit
FICO score required
Bankrate review score
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
None
$300
No credit history
3.8
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
$0
$200
No credit history
4.3
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
$0
$49
No credit history
4.1
Indigo® Mastercard®
$0-$99 depending on creditworthiness
N/A
300 to 670
2.2
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
$0
N/A
580 to 740
4.2
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
$0
N/A
580 to 740
4.6
Discover it® Student Chrome
$0
N/A
No credit history
4.1
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Top credit cards for easy approval
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is rare among secured cards because it offers a high rate of cash back in eligible choice categories. Although its boosted rewards categories are limited to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, this card poses a great opportunity to make the most of building credit because it has the exact same rewards program as its unsecured counterpart. Other perks include flexible rewards redemption options, credit education tools and free FICO credit score access.
If all goes well and you make your payments on time, you can eventually request an upgrade to the unsecured version of the card, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, which comes with the same rewards structure and more perks.
Pros
Earn customizable cash back in various bonus categories.
This issuer performs periodic account reviews to see if you’re eligible to have your security deposit returned.
Cons
It has a high security deposit compared to other secured cards.
There’s no welcome offer and upgrading this card to its unsecured version won’t qualify you for that card’s welcome offer.
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card allows you to earn the same flat cash back rate — an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases — as its unsecured counterpart, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. It’s a solid credit-building card for people who spend evenly across several rewards categories or don’t want to track spending caps and bonus categories. It also comes with flexible rewards redemption options, free FICO credit score access and credit education tools.
Pros
You can enjoy a flat cash back rate on all purchases with little hassle.
Like the Customized Cash Rewards card, you might be eligible to have your security deposit returned with periodic account reviews.
Cons
A high ongoing APR can eat into your rewards earnings if you carry a balance.
Since this card charges foreign transaction fees, it’s not ideal for international purchases.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is worth considering if your credit isn’t good enough for the unsecured version. Unlike other secured cards, the Capital One Platinum Secured only requires a minimum deposit of either $49, $99 or $200 to secure a credit line of $200, making it a far more accessible option for credit-builders with tight budgets.
Pros
This card has a low security deposit of $49 to secure a $200 credit limit ($99 or $200 will also secure a $200 credit line).
Automatic credit line reviews after six months can put you on a track toward better cards.
Cons
It doesn’t offer rewards for your spending, so it’ll be difficult to find value beyond its convenience as a low-cost option.
Its minimum security deposit will only yield a $200 credit limit, which can make building credit difficult if your monthly expenses exceed that limit.
The Indigo® Mastercard® is a great option to consider if you have bad credit as a result of past credit mistakes. This card’s application process is quick and easy, and it generally has a high approval rate. Plus, you’ll only be subject to a soft credit check, meaning your credit score will not be affected.
Keep in mind that you may have to pay an annual fee depending on your creditworthiness. Also, if you qualify for the $300 credit limit, you will only be able to use your card for small purchases (especially if you don’t want to hurt your credit utilization ratio).
Pros
Get prequalified online without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
With no security deposit required, there are no upfront costs.
Cons
Its potential annual fee makes it a poor choice for credit building, and you could even damage your credit when you close your card account after you’ve upgraded.
It doesn’t earn rewards to offset any ongoing costs the card might carry.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer any rewards but it allows you to build your credit score without an annual fee. You’ll likely start off with a low credit limit, but Capital One promises to review your account for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
The Capital One Platinum requires a fair to good credit score. You can also check if you’re prequalified online, so you can assess your ability to get this credit card before you fill out a full application.
Pros
Get prequalified online without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
If you qualify for a higher credit limit, you can improve your credit utilization ratio.
Cons
Its lack of a rewards program makes cards with low rewards rates more valuable in your wallet.
This card lacks intro offers and a sign-up bonus, which are commonly found with unsecured cards.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn a flat 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase, so there’s no need to keep up with bonus categories. With no annual fee, this card can help you improve your credit score at potentially no cost. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees, making this card a great option if you’re planning to study abroad.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is available to students with fair credit, which is often where credit newcomers start out. Students enrolled in a four-year or two-year higher education institution are eligible for this card.
Pros
You can take advantage of a modest sign-up bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months of account opening.
You’ll be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
Cons
Its flat rewards rate may not suit the spending habits of students who make frequent purchases in a handful of spending categories.
Other student cards waive your first late payment, so this card might be more costly if you miss a payment.
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a good choice for students who make frequent purchases at gas stations and restaurants because it offers boosted cash back rewards in those categories. Plus, Discover will match all of the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
This card also comes with an intro APR on purchases for six months, which can help you save on interest. And since there’s no annual fee, this card can help you build credit, save money and earn rewards at the same time.
Pros
Its $0 annual fee makes it an affordable option for cost-conscious students.
Discover’s sign-up bonus can be quite lucrative.
Cons
There’s a quarterly spending cap on the combined bonus categories, limiting your earnings potential, and other student cards have more lucrative rewards rates.
Low international acceptance rates for Discover cards might make it a poor choice for studying abroad.
Choosing a card for easy approval
Cards that are easy to be approved for range from secured to unsecured options and include student credit cards, rewards cards, store credit cards and more. Determine what type of card you prefer before applying, and whether or not you are comfortable with either an annual fee or a security deposit.
Secured credit cards require a security deposit, and this deposit will often serve as your credit limit. You might have the option to put down anywhere from $49 to $3,000. The benefit of choosing a secured card is that the credit score requirements are loose — they often require no credit history.
Unlike other credit cards for no credit or bad credit, secured cards don’t charge annual fees, but they also lack impressive rewards programs. Essentially, you’ll offer up a security deposit in exchange for better benefits and fewer fees than you’d get otherwise. And when your credit climbs into the “good” range, you can graduate to an unsecured card. At that point, if you decide to close your account (while in good standing), most issuers will refund your security deposit.
If you have bad credit and aren’t able to provide a security deposit, you’re not out of luck. There are credit cards designed for consumers with poor credit that don’t require security deposits. However, they often come with more fees, higher APRs and fewer rewards.
So, when would it make sense to choose an unsecured card? Remember, the amount you provide for your security deposit usually serves as your credit limit, too. If you’re hoping for a $1,000 credit limit, for example, but you don’t have that much money to put down for a security deposit, an unsecured card might make more sense for you.
A lot of people get their first credit card in college. But without much in your credit file, you might find it tough to find a good credit card that you qualify for. That’s where student credit cards come in. These cards are specifically designed for people at the start of their credit journey, so a lack of credit history isn’t a barrier. Plus, they often come with perks and rewards tailored to credit newcomers.
A big perk of retail credit cards is that their credit requirements are often low — many store cards require a fair credit score or better — making them easier to qualify for. If you’re a loyal shopper at a particular retailer, you should see if it offers its own store credit card. For example, if you love Athleta, Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, the Banana Republic Visa® Card* could be very rewarding.
However, note that some retail cards can only be used at one particular retailer, while others can be used anywhere. Also, if you decide to go this route, be sure you don’t feel incentivized to overspend on things you don’t need — store credit cards often have high interest rates.That said, there are hundreds of store credit cards available. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
Target RedCard™*
Lowe’s Advantage Card*
TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard®*
My Best Buy® Credit Card* or My Best Buy® Visa® Card*
Kohl’s Card*
Frequently asked questions
Secured cards are often a viable choice for those with bad credit as they require a deposit that acts as collateral and can help build credit history if used wisely. Be mindful of potential high fees and interest rates, and ensure timely payments to avoid damaging your credit score.
Secured credit cards and those designed for individuals with poor or limited credit are typically the easiest to get approved for. Cards such as the OpenSky® Secured Visa® and the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card are good examples. For unsecured cards, options like the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® may be available to those with less-than-ideal credit. Always consider fees, interest rates and whether the issuer reports to credit bureaus when selecting a card.
The Discover it® Cash Back card is often considered easy to get pre-approved for, thanks to its simple online pre-approval process that doesn’t affect your credit score. Keep in mind, pre-approval doesn’t ensure final approval, as a full application will involve additional review.
The bottom line
Building credit can be a challenge, especially for those with low credit scores or limited credit history. Fortunately, there are credit card options that are easier to get approved for, such as secured, unsecured, student and store cards. These cards may not offer the same long-term benefits as top-tier rewards cards, but they provide an opportunity to build credit and eventually qualify for more competitive options. The key is to use these cards responsibly and consistently monitor your credit score. With patience and diligence, you can improve your credit and upgrade to better credit card options.
*All information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Banana Republic Visa® Card, Target RedCard™, Lowe’s Advantage Card, TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard®, My Best Buy® Credit Card, My Best Buy® Visa® Card and Kohl’s Card has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
