Fair credit is not the same across the board. Each of the major credit reporting agencies uses their own standard for poor, fair, good, and excellent credit. Experian, for example, considers fair credit any score from 580 to 669. Other reporting agencies consider a score from 630 to 689 fair credit. Unless your score falls into the 650 and up range, you might not know whether your score is poor or fair so you can apply for the best credit cards for fair credit.
What’s important is the lender. Each lender uses its own set of parameters to determine whether you qualify for a credit card with them. To raise your score to good or even excellent, you must use your credit responsibly by making payments on time, keeping your balance under 30 percent of your available credit or paying it off in full each month, and you must have credit. It’s time to find out which credit cards are right for you. These are the best credit cards for fair credit, and one could be right for you.
Product FAQ’s
What Is A Credit Card for Fair Credit?
What Does It Do?
How Does It Work?
Where Can You Get The Best Credit Cards For Fair Credit?
How Much Does A Fair Credit Card Cost?
How We Reviewed
The best credit cards for fair credit were reviewed with careful consideration based on specific factors. The cost, the ease with which you are approved, and the overall benefit the card offers to you as a consumer are all considerations made when determining which credit cards are the best credit cards for fair credit. The purpose of a card made for someone with fair credit is to help you build your credit score so you can have access to higher credit limits, lower interest rates, and a better financial future.
Overall Price Range Of This Product
The best credit cards for fair credit are more expensive than the worst credit cards for good or excellent credit. Rates are higher to protect credit card companies from loss if you stop making payments. Your fair credit score makes you a riskier borrower than someone with a great score who shows they use their credit wisely. The fees are higher, and you have access to fewer benefits such as travel rewards and cash back rewards. However, your fair credit score does not allow you to forgo these features. A fair credit card is expensive if you don't use it wisely, but it allows you to change your credit score and have access to more affordable credit.
What We Reviewed
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Features
One of the best credit cards for fair credit is the Capital One Platinum credit card. Capital One is a major card issuer with a good reputation in the finance industry. This card is typically recommended for you if your score falls between 630 and 689, and it's recommended because it does not charge you an annual fee. You have access to a higher credit line after making five on-time payments, and your due date is the date you choose that works best with your financial situation.
PROS
CONS
Price
The cost of the Capital One Platinum credit card is lower than other fair credit cards because there is no annual fee. If you pay off your balance in full each month, this credit card is free to own. If you carry a balance, you pay 24.99 percent APR on all revolving balances.
Where To Apply For This Card
You can apply for this card by visiting the Capital One website and locating the offer available.
Fraud Protection
Carrying a credit card can be dangerous if someone else obtains your financial information. Capital One offers you fraud protection if you lose or someone steals your card. You must call the card company to cancel the card and report it lost or missing. Once you do, you are not responsible for the cost of any purchases made after the fact.
Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
Features
The Discover it Cash Back credit card is one of the best credit cards for fair credit available. This card comes with the potential to earn cash back on every purchase. Categories rotate quarterly, which allows you the opportunity to earn as much as 5 percent cash back on purchases in special categories. All other purchases earn 1 percent cash back on every dollar spent. The other benefit of this card is there is no annual fee, which makes it one of the more affordable cards for fair credit.
PROS
CONS
Price
The Discover it Cash Back credit card is one of the more affordable fair credit cards on the market. There is no annual fee, and you will not pay interest on any purchase you pay in full. This allows you to potentially pay nothing for this card. The APR on this card can be as high as 24.74 percent based on your credit score.
Where To Apply For This Card
The Discover card is one you can apply for right on the Discover website. The good news is you can check to see if you pre-qualify for any Discover card, which means you’re not harming your credit at any point by performing a hard inquiry.
Fraud Protection
Discover offers fraud protection if your card is lost or stolen. Any charges made after the card is reported missing do not affect your card balance, your credit, or your financial life.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features
Cash back rewards are beneficial, and this card offers them to you. You’re able to earn 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase you make, the annual fee is low, and your cash back rewards are doubled at the end of your first year of card membership.
PROS
CONS
Price
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card is more expensive than some of the other fair credit cards. There is an annual fee of $39. If you add this to any outstanding balances you don’t pay off at the end of the month, this card can become expensive to carry.
Where To Apply For This Card
Capital One allows you to apply for this card on their site, and they also allow you to see if you pre-qualify. This protects your credit from taking a hit with a hard inquiry.
Fraud Protection
Capital One offers all cardholders a chance to pay nothing if your card is lost or stolen with fraud protection. Fraud protection prevents you from becoming liable for purchases made when your card is lost or stolen once it’s been reported as such.
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa With Cash Back Rewards
Features
This is a card perfect for you if you have fair credit and want to earn cash back. It charges an annual fee that reaches as high as $99 per year depending on your credit. You earn cash back at a rate of 1 percent for every dollar spent, and each reward automatically applies itself to your account throughout the year.
PROS
CONS
Price
The cost to own the Credit One Platinum Visa with cash back depends on your credit score. You will pay an annual fee, but the fee is dependent on the total score you provide. If you carry a balance, the card is more expensive due to the high-interest rate charged to your account each month.
Where To Apply For This Card
This card is available on the Credit One website. You can check to see if you pre-qualify, which means you don’t affect your credit score.
Fraud Protection
Your account is protected from fraud. You are never responsible for unauthorized charges to your account when your card is missing or stolen.
Credit One Bank Unsecured Visa For Rebuilding Credit
Features
This Credit One Bank card is designed to help you rebuild your credit. It’s one of the best credit cards for fair credit because you start with a low credit limit to prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with debt, and you learn to manage your credit appropriately. You’re eligible for regular credit line increases with good standing, and you do earn cash back.
PROS
CONS
Price
The total cost of this card is unknown. If you carry no balance from month to month and you do not accept any credit line increases, you could pay only the $99 annual fee. If you carry a balance, you could pay as much as 25.49 percent interest as well as any fees you take on with a credit line increase.
Where To Apply For This Card
You may pre-qualify for this card on the Credit One website without affecting your credit.
Fraud Protection
You are not liable for any unauthorized purchases made on this account. You need only notify Credit One if your card is lost or stolen to activate your zero liability.
Fingerhut Credit Account Issued By WebBank
Features
The Fingerhut Credit Account is one of the best credit cards for fair credit. You don't get a physical card, but you do have access to shop on the Fingerhut website for all your shopping needs. From gifts to household items, you can find anything on the site. You cannot use this account elsewhere, but frequent credit line increases are available.
PROS
CONS
Price
The price of this credit account varies. It depends on your available credit line, your outstanding balance, and the amount of your purchases. Each purchase you make has its own payment due each month, and payments are combined to create your monthly payment.
Where To Apply For This Card
To apply for this card, you must go to the Fingerhut website and submit an application.
Fraud Protection
Fraud protection is available if you report your account compromised, and there is a safety account if you lose your job and cannot make payments.
Credit One Bank Unsecured Platinum Visa
Features
This card allows you to earn 1 percent cash back on all purchases, and it's made for those who have fair credit. This card is one of the best credit cards for fair credit on the market because those who apply are almost always approved. You can see if you pre-qualify, too. This doesn't affect your credit.
PROS
CONS
Price
The overall cost of this card is anywhere from $0 to $99 per year for just the annual fee based on your creditworthiness. They charge outstanding balances 25.49 percent APR. Credit line increases come with a fee that might make this card more expensive.
Where To Apply For This Card
You can pre-qualify for this card using the appropriate page on the Credit One website.
Fraud Protection
Credit One allows you to forgo liability on any purchases made if someone steals your card, is missing, or you lose it somewhere.
Discover it Secured Credit Card
Features
Not all consumers with fair credit can get a credit card, and this is one you can get. It's one of the best credit cards for fair credit because it's a secured card. You must make a deposit, and that is your credit line. It's refundable provided you make your payments on time and in full.
PROS
CONS
Price
This card costs as much as you will put down for a deposit. There is no annual fee, but you will also pay interest on any outstanding balances.
Where To Apply For This Card
You can apply for this card on the Discover website. There is a prequalification process, so you don't affect your credit score.
Fraud Protection
Discover offers all cardholders 0 percent liability on all purchases if your card is missing or being used by someone else.
Credit One Bank NASCAR Visa Credit Card
Features
This specialty card offered by Credit One Bank offers a few more incentives than their other cards. It's one of the best credit cards for fair credit because you get cash back, and you might not pay an annual fee if your score is on the higher end of fair. You also pre-qualify to prevent any damage to your credit score.
PROS
CONS
Price
Depending on your credit score, you could pay as much as $99 per year to carry this card. Outstanding balances accumulate interest in the amount of 25.49 percent. Credit line increases sometimes cost up to $25.
Where To Apply For This Card
Pre-qualify on the Credit One website.
Fraud Protection
Credit One Bank offers all cardholders 0 percent liability for all fraudulent purchases.
First PREMIER Bank Mastercard Credit Card
Features
This card is one of the most expensive fair credit cards. It's one of the best credit cards for fair credit because it's easy to get an approval, but it comes at a cost to you. This card gives you a decision in less than 60 seconds, and it determines the credit line based on your credit score.
PROS
CONS
Price
This card costs $170 before you ever use it. Interest rates are high, and your credit limit is only $500.
Where To Apply For This Card
This card is available on the First Premier Bank website.
Fraud Protection
First Premier offers fraud protection and 0 percent liability on all fraudulent purchases.
The Verdict
The best card for you depends on your credit score and credit history. If you want the best card with the most affordable ownership, you want to apply for the Capital One or Discover Card. If your credit is on the low end of fair, the Credit One cards are the best. You do not get the best value for your money using the Fingerhut or the First Premier cards. Neither are the best credit cards for fair credit, and both will cost you more than they benefit you unless you mind paying upfront to use a card. If your credit is terrible, the secured card by Credit One can help you without costing you too much. You receive your deposit back if you make your payments on time, so it could be free to own after one year.
Fair credit is not the same across the board. Each of the major credit reporting agencies uses their own standard for poor, fair, good, and excellent credit. Experian, for example, considers fair credit any score from 580 to 669. Other reporting agencies consider a score from 630 to 689 fair credit. Unless your score falls into the 650 and up range, you might not know whether your score is poor or fair so you can apply for the best credit cards for fair credit.
What’s important is the lender. Each lender uses its own set of parameters to determine whether you qualify for a credit card with them. To raise your score to good or even excellent, you must use your credit responsibly by making payments on time, keeping your balance under 30 percent of your available credit or paying it off in full each month, and you must have credit. It’s time to find out which credit cards are right for you. These are the best credit cards for fair credit, and one could be right for you.
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