
Sign up & start saving!
Get our weekly newsletter for the latest in money news, credit card offers + more ways to save
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Updated
Capital One is one of the rare credit card providers that offer several credit cards for fair and poor credit, even for students and businesses. For example, if you are trying to build or rebuild credit, you could try the Capital One® Secured Mastercard®. If you have a business and fair credit, however, the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business might be right for you. Whatever you choose, rest easy knowing most of these cards don’t have an annual fee, and some even offer unlimited cash back on purchases.
However, no matter which card you choose, don’t expect to get a high credit limit.
When looking at the Capital One credit card selection for fair and poor credit, ask yourself:
Credit cards for fair and poor credit can be extremely beneficial if you’re trying to build credit without paying an annual fee. But there are some downsides and limitations to consider as well. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect:
Capital One credit cards for fair or poor credit can be a solid starting point for getting your finances in order. This is especially true if you’ve had financial difficulties in the past — like defaults on your payments or bankruptcies — or if you’re a student getting a first credit card.
If you’re uncertain whether your credit is in a place that can qualify for these cards, you might consider a few quick steps to improve your odds. This includes:
These steps can offer a quick bump to your credit score and might push you over the line for a Capital One card for average credit.
If you can’t get approval for any of these cards, you may want to shop for credit cards similar to those offered by Capital One. In this case, you’ll want to carefully look at the following factors when comparing your options:
If you have poor or fair credit, consider applying for a Capital One credit card. Your options are much more varied compared to those offered by other issuers and include a secured credit card, a student card, a business card, a cashback card and no-annual-fee cards.
But if you don’t find any of these cards appealing, compare other secured credit cards or unsecured credit cards for building credit until you find the right card for your needs.
Here are our picks for the top airline cards on the market.
A lender who primarily offers loans to underserved small business owners.
Good if you want information on state regulations — but not transparent about other details.
Shopify merchants may be able to get funding without a credit check.
You only have until the end of March to get your next application in.
If you don’t need your money right now, consider investing in an HSA, blue chip stocks and more.
Here are our picks for the best store cards of the year.
Our picks for the best no-annual-fee cards.
Traditional IRA or Roth IRA? Find which is best for you.
Dashers can get instant access to earnings, plus 2% cash back at gas stations with this prepaid card.