A basic card for people who have below-average credit and/or don't care about rewards.
$0/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- No ongoing rewards.
- No early spend bonus.
- High APR.
Rewards & Perks
- This credit card has no notable rewards.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and BTs: 25.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $0
A secured card offering 1% cash back on all purchases, with a $69 annual fee, for people with bad credit scores or no credit history.
$0/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Celtic Bank
Celtic Bank
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus, so it can help you build up your credit history.
Cons
- $69 annual fee.
- It's a secured card (as opposed to a traditional "credit card"), which means you'll need to supply the initial funds that it will draw from.
- Requires an initial refundable deposit of $300, which becomes your initial credit limit.
- Requires a checking account.
Rewards & Perks
- 1% cash back on all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- APR on purchases: 19.99%.
- Annual fee: $69.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $0
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Initial refundable deposit of $300 becomes your credit limit
- 1% Cash Back rewards on every purchase
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 Score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard is accepted
- Mastercard Zero Liability Protection (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Checking Account Required
A secured card designed for people with bad credit, which has a $29 annual fee and no rewards.
$-29/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Synovus Bank
Synovus Bank
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- If you apply for this card, it won't be recorded in your credit bureau file (unlike applying for a regular, i.e., "unsecured" credit card, which would result in your credit score dropping a few points or so for a certain number of months).
Cons
- Like most cards for people with bad credit, this card offers no rewards.
- Because it's a secured card, it requires a (refundable) deposit, which will then be the funds that get used when you buy things with your card.
Rewards & Perks
- This card has no rewards.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $29.
- APR: 21.49% (variable).
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $-145
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
- Quick and Complete Online Application; No credit inquiry required!
- Includes Free Real-Time Access to Your Credit Score and Ongoing Credit Monitoring powered by Experian
- Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card; Try our new Mobile App for Android users!
- Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted!
- Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
- Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
- Just Pay Off Your Balance and Receive Your Deposit Back at Any Time
- 24/7 Online Access to Your Account
- Nationwide program; available in all 50 US states *See Card Terms.
- Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy still in your credit bureau file will not cause you to be declined.
A credit card designed for people with bad credit, which has a $0-99 annual fee (varies based on the person) and has no rewards.
$-94/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Celtic Bank
Celtic Bank
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- If you have bad credit, this card can help you start building up your credit (assuming you make your payments on time).
Cons
- Like most cards for people with bad credit, this card offers no rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- This card has no rewards.
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: Between $0-99.
- APR for purchases: 24.9%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 1%.
Total savings over 5 years: $-471
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Pre-qualify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Fraud protection for stolen or lost cards
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.