A great no annual fee cash back card for groceries, gas, and online retail purchases (3% cash back), with a $200 welcome bonus.
$0/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 welcome bonus (after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months).
- 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and online retail purchases (for up to $6K spent per each of those categories) and 1% on everything else.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred card offers higher cash back rates in these same categories.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 welcome bonus (after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months).
- 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and online retail purchases (for up to $6K spent per each of those categories) and 1% on everything else.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (but 0% for the first 15 months).
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
Total savings over 5 years: $0
A very basic card with no annual fee (but also no rewards) for people with bad or limited credit.
$0/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Mastercard
Mastercard
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- People with bad or limited credit can get the card.
- No annual fee.
- No balance transfer fees.
- 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.
- Required Security Deposit: $49, $99, or $200 refundable deposit based on your creditworthiness
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 25.99%.
- No balance transfer fees.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $0
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.