Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
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In personal finance circles, credit cards can have a bad rap for encouraging negative spending habits and causing cardholders to accrue unnecessary debt that could otherwise be avoided. Although credit cards are a double-edged sword for some, they also help you build credit, which can be crucial to bulking up your credit history and getting a solid credit score.
As you’re building credit (perhaps even repairing it after some stupid purchases in your early 20s), you may be interested in opening a new credit line. However, you might have the preconceived notion that the best credit cards with the best cashback rewards, introductory APR, and other perks are only for those with a perfect credit profile. While it’s true that there is some great credit card offers out there for folks with solid creditworthiness, it’s possible to qualify for good cards with average credit — or even bad credit.
Whether you’re looking for cash back, balance transfers, intro APR, lower interest rates, or a higher credit line, you can qualify for cards with a fair credit score. The only question then becomes which card to choose! From rewards programs to no annual fees, it seems like there’s a credit card for every possible iteration of your wants and needs. Here’s a helpful overview of some of the best credit cards to consider opening if you have fair credit.
Jump To
Overview of the best credit cards for fair credit
Credit Card | Best for |
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Credit builders who want some perks |
Discover it Cash Back | Cashback junkies who need to make a balance transfer |
Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card | Students interested in responsible credit building |
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa | Fans of cashback looking to build their credit |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Consumers on the high end of fair credit |
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Best credit cards for fair credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Annual Fee
$39
Special Offer
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back
Special Offer Terms
on every purchase, every day
Rewards Rate
1.5 % Cash Back on every purchase, every day. 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Terms
Why We Like It
- Earn unlimited cash back on every purchase.
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn.
- Cash back doesn't expire.
- You can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
Discover it Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back Card
Card Name
Discover it® Cash Back Card
APR
18.24% - 27.24%
Recommended Credit Score
670 to 850
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer Terms
0% intro APR for 15 months from date of account opening.
Intro Offer
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and 3% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until November 10, 2023.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically. Unlimited Cashback Match.
Why We Like It
- No annual fee.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com,4 grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Petal 2
Card Name
Petal 2
APR
18.24% – 32.24%
Recommended Credit Score
None
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
You can earn up to 1.5 percent cash back on eligible purchases (with 12 on-time payments).
Why We Like It
- No credit history need; build your credit
- No annual fees
- No late payment or returned payment fees
Card Details
Credit limit of $300 to $10,000
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa
Card Name
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa
APR
29.74%
Annual Fee
$0 to $95
Rewards Rate
1% Cash Back Rewards on Eligible Purchases. Get up to 10% More Cash Back Rewards from some of the nation’s top retailers!
Why We Like It
- Get rewarded for responsible credit use! Credit One reviews your account regularly for credit line increase opportunities to ensure you get all the credit you deserve.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Card Name
Chase Freedom Flex℠
APR
19.24% - 27.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
Terms
Why We Like It
- No minimum to redeem for cash back.
- No annual fee.
- Free access to your credit score and real-time alerts through Chase Credit Journey.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Summary table of the best credit cards for fair credit
Credit Card | Annual Fee | Cashback Rewards | Regular APR |
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | $39 | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash backon every purchase, every day | 29.99% |
Discover it Cash Back Credit Card | $0 | 5% on everyday purchases at different places each quarter; 1% cash back on all other purchases; unlimited Cashback Match | 17.24% to 28.24%(variable rate) |
Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card | $0 | 1% to 1.5% | 18.24% – 32.24% (variable rate) |
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa | $75 | 1% cash back rewards on eligible purchases | 28.99% (variable rate) |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | $0 | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | 19.24% - 27.99% |
FAQs
What constitutes fair credit?
A credit score between 580 and 669 constitutes a fair credit score.
Will opening a new credit card improve my credit score?
Not necessarily, but it depends! The number of accounts you have open impacts your credit score, so if you’re using your cards responsibly and paying them off in full monthly, it could help boost your score over time.
Will I definitely be approved for a credit card on this list?
Again, it depends on a variety of factors. Your approval odds are good if you have fair credit and are applying for any of the cards on this list; however, there are many factors that can affect your eligibility for any credit card offer.
Why should (or shouldn’t) you apply for a credit card with fair credit?
Before applying for any of the above credit cards, it’s a good idea to find out what kind of credit score you have. You can get your credit report from each major credit bureau online by heading to annualcreditreport.com. This will allow you to see what each credit bureau (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) says about your creditworthiness based on your credit utilization, payment history, and available credit compared to your credit limit.
When you pull your credit score from the reporting agencies (or check out your FICO score on a website like Credit Karma), you’ll need to see what score range your credit falls in. While card members may get a different number or ranking from bureau to bureau, generally speaking, the following are the credit ranges and their corresponding ranks:
- Poor Credit (300-579)
- Fair Credit (580-669)
- Good Credit (670-739)
- Very Good Credit (740-800)
- Excellent Credit (800+)
Once you know whether you have poor credit, fair credit, or a good credit score, you’ll better understand which of the above cards makes the most sense. If you have poor credit (or limited credit), getting a secured credit card—which may require a security deposit to open—might be your best bet as you build things up. However, if you already have fair credit or better, getting an unsecured credit card from the list above may make sense, assuming you can confidently make the monthly payments in full.
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The bottom line
As you can see from the above credit cards, just because card members may only have fair credit doesn’t mean they’re constantly making major sacrifices. From CapitalOne and Discover to Chase and American Express, there are plenty of options to consider if you’re looking for credit cards with no cash advance fee or balance transfer fee in the first year after you open the card. Even a cashback card with a competitive rewards rate is possible with fair credit, and your options are even better if you’re on the higher end of fair credit.
As is the case with any personal finance decision—the best course of action, once you’ve gathered information about the different financial products you’re comparing—is to make a list of wants and needs, as well as the pros and cons of each of your options. Doing so will allow you to more fully weigh whether or not variable APR or foreign transaction fees are a deal breaker in your decision. Remember that personal finance should be personalized to your situation, and you’re sure to make the right decision. Who knows? You might even boost your credit score enough to get the credit line increases you’re hoping for in six months!
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JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Writer
Brent Ervin-Eickhoff is a Chicago-based writer, stage director, and filmmaker with a background in digital marketing and content creation. In addition to Joy Wallet, Brent has written for Complex, Volkswagen, HowlRound, Picture this Post, and Third Coast Review, among others. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation at Court Theatre at the University of Chicago. Brent graduated from Ball State University with Academic Honors in Writing.
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