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Guaranteed approval credit cards for bad credit

Guaranteed approval cards don’t actually exist, but there are plenty of options if you have poor credit.

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By

Bethany Hickey

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Updated

Fact checked

There is no such thing as a credit card with 100% guaranteed approval. The Credit Card Act of 2009 stipulates that credit card issuers must consider an applicant’s ability to make the required payments before opening a new account.(1)
While secured credit cards are often easier to get than regular ones, neither secured nor unsecured credit cards can guarantee approval.

But hold up — it’s still possible to get a credit card with bad credit or a limited credit history. Some credit cards skip the hard credit check or don’t require a specific credit score. Just remember there are other stipulations to meet before you can be approved, such as income or deposit requirements.

7 nearly-guaranteed approval credit cards

Step Black Card

8.6 Great

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A secured card backed by the free Step deposit account, the Step Black card offers cashback rewards and credit-building opportunities with no hard credit check. The card has a $4.99 monthly fee, but you can waive it with direct deposit of at least $500 per month. There's also no APR because your owed balance is automatically repaid by your Step deposit account. However, it's not good for emergencies because your credit is limited to what's in your Step deposit account.
Minimum deposit required N/A
Annual fee $0
Minimum credit score New / limited credit

secured Self Visa® Credit Card

8 Great

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The secured Self Visa® Credit Card requires a low minimum deposit of just $100 while most secured cards require at least $200. There are also no credit score requirements or hard credit checks. There is some effort to get this card, but the lack of credit score requirements might be worth it if you really need to build credit history. But know that there's a $25 annual fee after the first year.
Minimum deposit required Starting at $100
Purchase APR 27.74% variable
Annual fee $25 after the first year intro

Cleo Credit Builder card

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The Cleo Credit Builder Card doesn’t check your credit, has no interest charges, and you can deposit as little as $1. Your security deposit sets your spending limit, which you can increase anytime you want. You can autopay your balance with your Cleo Wallet, or use your security deposit. Cleo then reports your payment history to credit bureaus Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. There are no interest charges because your owed balance is repaid each billing cycle. But to get the Credit Builder Card, you must have the paid credit builder membership for $14.99 per month. But that membership also gets you access to cash advances, cashback rewards up to $5 per transaction, and an AI chatbot that can roast your spending habits.
Minimum deposit required Starting at $1
Annual fee $179.88
Minimum credit score 300

Chime Card™

9.6 Excellent

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Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
*Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View the Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
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A fintech company with banking services through its partners, Chime offers fee-free banking services and its Credit Builder card. The Credit Builder card has no hard credit check, annual fees or interest charges. To qualify, you must have a Chime checking account. You transfer money from your Chime checking account to the Credit Builder card to set your spending limit. On the downside, there's no cashback rewards program, and you can't upgrade to an unsecured card.
Minimum deposit required N/A - See terms
Purchase APR N/A n/a
Annual fee $0
Minimum credit score 300

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

8 Great

With no credit score requirement or hard credit check, the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is another great, secured card for those with poor credit. It requires a typical security deposit of at least $200 and offers up to 10% in cashback rewards. It also allows graduation to a higher credit limit and/or an unsecured card after six months of good history. There is an annual fee of $35 and a 24.14% variable purchase APR, and compared to other credit cards, those costs are low.
Minimum deposit required Starting at $200
Purchase APR 24.14% variable
Annual fee $35
Minimum credit score 300

Discover it® Secured

8.8 Great

The Discover it® Secured card is one of the best secured cards on the market. It doesn't have any credit score requirements and is built for beginners, making it one of the easiest credit cards to qualify for. It has no annual fee and offers up to 2% cashback rewards. With a good repayment history, you may graduate to a traditional, unsecured card after seven months. However, you need a minimum security deposit of at least $200.
Minimum deposit required Starting at $200
Purchase APR 27.24% variable
Annual fee $0
Minimum credit score 300

nRewards® Secured Credit Card

8.8 Great

Navy Federal Credit Union is a credit union for active, veterans, and retirees of the armed forces, as well as their family members. As a credit union, it requires you to become a member and you’ll need to open a savings account to get its secured card. The nRewards Secured credit card is designed for people with sparse credit histories or need to build credit history. It has a very low 18% variable APR, no annual fee, no balance transfer fees, no foreign transaction fees and no cash advance fees. The card requires a minimum $200 opening deposit, which you deposit in your membership savings account. If you’re approved, the amount you deposit is your initial credit limit. After three months, Navy Federal will examine your history and determine eligibility for a credit limit increase. After six months, you may be eligible to upgrade to the cashRewards unsecured card.
Minimum deposit required Starting at $200
Purchase APR 18% variable
Annual fee $0
Minimum credit score 300

How to compare credit cards for bad credit

With a lower credit score, you’ll likely be looking at secured credit cards or the few unsecured credit cards that accept limited credit histories. When you’re comparing options, keep these factors in mind:

  • Credit score requirements. credit card company can guarantee approval, but there are credit cards with no credit score requirements at all. The best credit cards usually have strict requirements and typically require credit scores above 670.
  • Interest charges. Credit cards are known for their high APRs. If you have an outstanding balance that rolls over into the next billing cycle, you’re charged interest on your owed balance. Credit cards for bad credit tend to have higher APRs than those for good credit, so aim for a card with a low APR or pay off your balance each month to avoid interest entirely.
  • Rewards. Cashback rewards are a persuasive feature of credit cards. Compare percentages, earning limits and redemption options.
  • Security deposit. With bad credit, you may lean toward a secured credit card for higher approval odds than a traditional card. Most secured cards require a minimum deposit of $200, but the deposits are almost always refundable after some time with a good payment history.
  • Other fees. While credit cards don’t usually have monthly maintenance fees like a checking account, many have annual fees, often around $100 to $500. They also are known for high late fees, often charging around $30 to $40 per late payment. Make sure a card’s APR, late fees and annual fees don’t negate the benefits.

What’s the difference between unsecured and secured credit cards?

The main difference between unsecured and secured credit cards is the security deposit requirement.
Secured credit cards are often designed for new borrowers and require a cash deposit, often at least $200. If you can’t repay the secured card’s balance, it’s paid with the deposit. In most cases, the security deposit is refundable if you maintain a positive payment history.

Most credit cards are unsecured. They aren’t backed with any security, but you probably won’t see credit card issuers calling their cards “unsecured” because that’s just how most credit cards function.

Are there guaranteed credit cards with high limits?

A credit card issuer can’t guarantee approval. If you have a high income and a good credit history, you may be eligible for a high credit limit. If you want a credit card with a $1,000 or $2,000 credit limit with bad credit, you’ll likely need a secured card and make a cash deposit of the limit you want.

Many credit cards also offer to increase your credit limit after you’ve maintained a positive payment history for a while, and you can also request a credit limit increase.

CardMaximum credit limit
Discover it® Secured$2,500
Chime Card™Up to $10,000 but based on amount in Chime secured account
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card$1,000
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card$3,000
Step Black CardBased on amount in Step deposit account
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card$3,000

What to watch out for with credit cards for bad credit

Know what you’re getting into with a credit card designed for bad credit:

  • Unlawful promises. Guaranteed approval credit cards aren’t real, so be wary of credit card companies that advertise their products as such.
  • Reporting action. Most credit card companies automatically report your account and payments to all three major credit bureaus, but be sure to double-check their reporting practices. Reporting your payments and credit is necessary to build credit history and improve your credit score.
  • High APRs. With bad credit, you may have to deal with higher APRs than someone with a pristine credit history. However, by making on-time payments and keeping your credit card balances low, you can raise your credit score, possibly making you eligible for better APRs in the future.

Near-guaranteed approval credit card alternatives

If credit cards aren’t an option for you, there are other ways to get your hands on borrowed money or improve your credit score.

  • Debit-credit cards. Similar to the Chime Card™, some credit cards work like debit cards, most with no APR or credit score requirements.
  • Become an authorized user. If someone you know has a credit card, like a spouse, parent or close relative, ask them to be added as an authorized user on their existing credit card.
  • Credit-building loans. These installment loans don’t offer any cash upfront, but credit-builder loans can offer a nest egg and build credit history with timely payments.

Bottom line

It’s a bummer, but no credit card company can claim you’ll be approved no matter what. To be approved for any credit card, you must prove you can afford the payments by meeting the card’s income requirements. If you’re worried about bad credit or you’ve never had a credit card, a secured credit card is a great starter card that usually has lower credit score requirements than traditional options.

Frequently asked questions

What credit card will approve you no matter what?

There are credit cards with no hard credit checks or credit score requirements, and top options include the Discover It Secured, Chime Card™ and the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card. None of these have a credit score requirement. But even though these cards are lenient with credit histories, you still need to show you can make the payments to be approved.

Can I get a credit card with a 500 credit score?

It’s possible to get a credit card with a 500 credit score, but you likely won’t get a traditional credit card. Most unsecured credit cards require good to excellent credit, but secured credit cards tend to have lower credit score requirements, making them easier to qualify for if you have a less-than-ideal credit history.

Instant approval vs. guaranteed approval credit cards: What’s the difference?

The main difference between instant approval and guaranteed approval is that guaranteed approval isn’t real, but instant approval is.

Instant approval is rather standard if you apply for a credit card online. If approved, you may be issued a virtual card immediately to use right away. Instant approval may also mean an instant decision on an online application instead of waiting a few business days to hear back from the credit card company.

What determines a credit card’s credit limit?

Your credit history and gross income largely determine an unsecured credit card’s limit, as well as what the credit card company decides the card’s maximum limit is.

A secured credit card’s limit is almost always based on your security deposit. For example, a $200 opening deposit would give you a credit limit of $200. Similarly, if you choose a card secured by a bank account, such as the Chime Card™, the amount in your linked bank account determines your credit limit.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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Banking editor
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Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

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Bethany has written 472 Finder guides across topics including:
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