10 Must Have Credit Cards for Fair Credit in 2024 When you have a fair or average credit score between 580 and 689, you fall under the moderate creditworthiness criteria. This also means you will not be able to get the best credit cards and financial products and will have very limited options.
But we know that one credit card does not suit everyone, so we did some digging and made a list of the best credit cards for fair credit.
Not just that, this blog will also help you learn the strategies to improve credit score with all the best fair credit cards features, pros and cons, and much more.
10 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit in 2024 It is tough to choose the best credit card for average credit that is right for you. So we would recommend that you pen down a few questions like:
Does this card help me build a credit score? Does it offer any welcome bonuses or rewards? Is the annual fee or APR, too high for me? Does the company report to major financial bureaus? Does it have a simple repayment procedure? Does the company make a hard credit check, and will it affect the score? By keeping all these questions in mind, you can pick the one that is best for you. Here is the list of best credit cards for fair credit:
Reflex cards are run by Continental Finance, and issued by Celtic Bank . You get MasterCard’s zero liability protection along with credit-building features.
Features :
Secured online payment methods via the Reflex credit card login webpage. Concierge services for travel, entertainment, and dining. Reports to three major bureaus each month. Earn cash back and reward points on every use of the card. Quick application process. Pros :Cons :No hard inquiry. High APR. Free monthly credit score. Annual fees. There is no security deposit. Low initial credit limit. Limit increases after 6 months.
Regular APR : 29.99%Credit Score Required : 300-629Annual Fees : $75-$125
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These cards are issued by Credit One Bank for people with bad or fair credit scores. Customers also get a high-yield savings account along with the Visa Network Platinum card.
Features:
5% cash back on the first purchase of $5000. Simple and quick application and activation process via the online webpage. 1% cashback on all purchases with discount deals and reward points. Fraud liability protection for unauthorized charges. Pros: Cons: Automatic increase in the credit line. Annual fees. 1% cash back on every purchase. Low credit limit. Reward points on gas, grocery purchases, mobile shopping, internet, and cable services. High APR.
Regular APR : 29.24%Credit Score Required : 300-639Annual Fees : $75 for the first year, $99 after
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These are the unsecured cards specially designed for people with bad FICO scores to boost their credit health and keep track of their finances.
Features :
Intuitive and user-friendly portal for application and Avant card login . No hidden charges, over-limit fees, or security deposit. Fraud liability protection at $0. Responsive customer support helpdesk. Improves CIBIL score automatically upon using it responsibly. Pros :Cons :Increases credit limit over time. Late fees up to $39. No deposit requirement. Does not offer rewards. No hard credit inquiry. No intro bonus. No foreign transaction fees. High yearly charges and APR.
Regular APR: 30.24% variableCredit Score Required : 300-639Annual Fees : $59
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Community Federal Savings Bank issues these cards to support people with average credit to live financially sound lives. Even people living outside the US can apply for it with a valid bank account and identity proof.
Features :
1% cashback on every transaction, along with special rewards. Easy application process and simple approval criteria. It does not charge APR, as the balance of one month cannot be carried over to another. It gives cell phone protection, zero liability protection, MasterCard global service, and ID theft protection. The daily limit is $5000, the monthly spending limit is $20,000, and the annual spending limit is $240,000. Pros :Cons : No annual fees. It is mandatory to link bank account. No APR. Low spending limit. No foreign transaction fees or maintenance charges. No sign-up bonus or welcome reward. Minimal documentation. Read more about the features in our Tomo credit card review.
Regular APR : NoCredit Score Required : No credit history neededAnnual Fees : $0
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Barclays Bank issues JetBlue credit cards, which are one of the best credit cards for average credit scores. These MasterCard network cards can also be used for foreign transactions at no cost.
Features :
You can earn 3X points on every $1 spent on eligible purchases, 2X points for spending in restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points on other purchases. 50% discount on all the in-flight foods and drinks operated by JetBlue. Chip technology accelerates the process and supports the tap pay system. Simple application, activation, and card login procedure. Pros :Cons : 3X points on transactions with the card. No yearly bonus. No blackout days and your points won’t expire. No intro APR on purchases. 10,000 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. High annual fees. Savings on in-flight purchases. May disapprove the application request based on past credit history. 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles.
Regular APR : 21.24%-29.99% variable Credit Score Required : 600-670Annual Fees : $99
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These cards help individuals lead a sustainable life with their great features, offers, and deals. It is a MasterCard network card that can be used everywhere. It is regarded as one of the best credit card for fair credit.
Features :
Customize rate of interest to manage personal finances. You get cashback on every transaction and purchase. Customers can track daily, weekly, and monthly expenses and set a spending limit. The company provides a personal Aspire card login dashboard to manage the activities. Fifty-five interest-free days are available to customers who pay bills on time. Pros :Cons :No security deposit is required. High APR. Get cashback on purchases. Multiple charges and high annual fee. Free credit score check. Low credit limits. Fraud liability protection.
Regular APR : 29.99%-36%Credit Score Required : 300-600Annual Fees : $49-$175 first year, $0-$49 after
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Destiny MasterCard is one of the credit cards for fair credit that allows building and repairing creditworthiness. These are issued by First Electronic Bank and allow customers to save tons of money.
Features :
Easy to qualify and manage card via Destiny Card login portal. The minimum credit limit is $700. 1.5% cashback on every transaction. Simple application process. Pros :Cons :Instant approval. Very high APR, which can rack up interest in case of delay. Allows linking digital wallets for making transactions. Low credit limit. Customers can choose from three different card designs. Multiple charges on the card. Reports to three major credit bureaus.
Regular APR : 35.9%Credit Score Required : 629 and lower Annual Fees : $55- $175
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Milestone MasterCard is the credit card for average credit that comes with many credit-building tools. Due to its hefty charges, it must be your last resort. However, these are the only cards that even accept customers with no creditworthiness.
Features :
You can earn cash back with every purchase. Reward points can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, and vouchers. Schedule payments ahead of time and set up autopay for recurring deposits. Stress-free Milestone card activation procedure. Build a great credit score with regular payments. Pros: Cons :No security deposits are necessary. Very high APR. Build or rebuild creditworthiness smoothly. High annual fees for the first year. MasterCard zero liability protection and cell phone protection. No welcome bonuses or reward points. No expiry of reward points.
Regular APR : 35.90%Credit Score Required: 300-639Annual Fees : $175 first year, $49 thereafter
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Surge Platinum MasterCard is issued by Celtic Bank for those who want to boost their creditworthiness and manage their financial health, all without typing up hefty security deposits. It has great credit-building features that help to maintain a low credit utilization ratio.
Features :
Seamless activation and access via Surge credit card login portal. Reports to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax every month. Personal dashboard to track card expenses and bill payments. Free credit checks and monthly statements. Line of credit doubles every six months if payments are made on time. Pros: Cons: Offers zero liability protection. High annual and monthly maintenance fees. Credit limit up to $10,000. Does not offer any reward points or welcome bonuses. No security deposit is required. Variable APR, which can be higher than the competitors. Can qualify for a limit increase every six months. Access to Vantage 3.0 credit score.
Regular APR : 29.99%Credit Score Required : 639 and below Annual Fees : starts from $75
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These cards are issued by Utah-based Celtic Bank and do not require a credit check to qualify. You can increase your limit and boost your FICO score by paying the bills on time and regularly for six months.
Features :
Supports online payments with MoneyGram and other banking portals. Extended warranty coverage protects against unauthorized charges. Earn rewards on qualifying purchases. 1% cashback on eligible restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and mobile services. Minimal documentation for application and quick Indigo card activation process. Pros :Cons: Improves FICO scores with flexible repayment plans. High APR can be costly. Credit limit up to $2,000. Not much information about the credit utilization ratio. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check. Limited perks and rewards. MasterCard ID theft protection. High maintenance charges. Low 1% foreign transaction fees.
Regular APR : 29.995Credit Score Required : 629 and below Annual Fees : $0-$99
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note : The interest rates, charges, and features may change after this article is published, so make sure to check the official card website for up-to-date details
So these are the best credit cards for fair credit that you can choose to maintain your finances. If you pay your bills on time, all the cards on this list can help you build and repair your credit.
What You Must Know Before Applying for Credit Cards? There are certain important things about credit cards that you need to be aware of before applying. Let’s discuss it here.
Applying for a credit card can affect your credit score if you fail to pay your monthly bills on time. Cardholders must keep their credit utilization ratio low and use the card responsibly. People with fair or average CIBIL scores generally get small credit limits. So, one must know if their needs will be fulfilled within the limit and if they’ll be able to handle the credit responsibly. You can set up autopay to boost your CIBIL score. With regular successful transactions, you can build a good credit history, which in turn will raise your score. Please keep the preceding points in mind before making any decision to choose a credit card with fair credit.
How to Choose the Right Credit Card for Fair Credit? With limited options available and restricted features, it can be quite a task to find the best fair credit cards for you. However, you can keep the below-listed points in mind to choose the best amongst all.
Don’t go for cards that charge excessive fees without offering many features. You can choose the cards that offer competitive APR and nominal or no annual fees. You must choose the cards with a rewards program. But make sure that these rewards have a good redemption rate and are truly beneficial for you. Look for cards that do not charge very high late fees and do not have hidden charges. You can also look for cards with welcome bonuses and cashback , as it might help you save some extra dollars. So, you must consider these points while searching for the best credit card for fair credit. That being said, pay your credit bills in full every month to avoid difficult circumstances. We hope this article will help you make correct decisions. Also, be mindful of your credit utilization ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions Ans: You must check all the features, pros and cons, and APR. Most importantly, you must see if it helps to build credit score in the long run.
Ans: No, you can not qualify for every card if you have a fair score because of moderate creditworthiness.
Ans: While 750 is considered to be a good score for best cards, you can still get credit cards for fair credit.
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