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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.

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

Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

4.8
★★★★★

Finder score

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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.
Minimum deposit requiredN/A - See terms
Purchase APRN/A n/a
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score300
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 an active Chime® Checking Account.
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.

Step Black Card

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

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Minimum deposit requiredN/A
Purchase APRN/A n/a
Annual feeSee terms
Minimum credit scoreNew / limited credit

Secured Self Visa® Credit Card

4
★★★★★

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Minimum deposit requiredStarting at $100
Purchase APR29.24% variable
Annual fee$25
The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.

Credit Builder Accounts & Certificates of Deposit made/held by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.

Active Credit Builder Account in good standing, 3 on-time payments, $100 or more in savings progress, and satisfy income requirements. Requirements are subject to change.

$25/mo, 24 mos, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, 15.69% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, 15.51% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, 15.82% APR. See self.inc/pricing.

Cleo Credit Builder card

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Minimum deposit requiredStarting at $1
Annual fee$179.88
Minimum credit score300

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

4
★★★★★

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Minimum deposit requiredStarting at $200
Purchase APR25.14% variable
Annual fee$35
Minimum credit score300

Discover it® Secured

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Minimum deposit requiredStarting at $200
Purchase APR27.49% variable
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score300

nRewards® Secured Credit Card

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Minimum deposit requiredStarting at $200
Purchase APR18% variable
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score300

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® Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit CardUp 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 Credit Builder 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 Credit Builder 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 Credit Builder 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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Written by

Editor, Banking

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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