At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.
Some of the best credit cards for people with fair credit offer rewards on purchases and don't have an annual fee. However, there's no single best card for everyone. It depends on which cards you're able to qualify for, where you usually shop and how you plan on using the card.
3 Partner Offers
| Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit | |
|---|---|
 Credit One Bank® Secured Card | 1% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases as well as mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services; terms apply $200 refundable security deposit |
 Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | 1% cash back on payments $200 refundable security deposit |
 Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on every eligible purchase 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
While there are many secured cards geared toward fair credit, they don't often offer rewards and have no annual fee. That's where the Credit One Bank® Secured Card shines.
You can earn 1% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases as well as mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms apply. This card is one option that has no annual fee and requires a minimum $200 security deposit.
Make sure you pay every bill in full since there's a high 29.24% Variable APR.
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
on Credit One Bank's website
Terms Apply
Recommended FICO® Score*
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
APR
29.24% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms apply.
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Looking to rebuild credit? We report to the major credit bureaus monthly
- Earn interest on your required security deposit account (minimum deposit $200)
- Never miss an account update with customizable text and email alerts
- Manage your account on-the-go with the Credit One Bank mobile app
- Show off your personality by selecting from a variety of card designs, a fee may apply
Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
The Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card from First Progress offers a different type of rewards program. You earn 1% cash back on payments, which is a good incentive to make on-time payments every month.
There is a $39 annual fee, but the APR is on the lower side at 18.74% Variable. That said, you should still avoid carrying a balance to avoid interest charges and so you earn 1% cash back on your payments.
Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
on First Progress's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
APR
18.74% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards with First Progress! Make Payments, Earn Rewards.
Annual Fee
$39
Card Details
- Make Payment and Earn 1% Cash Back with First Progress Select!
- Have $200? Break Down Credit Barriers with the First Progress Secured Card Today!
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required!
- Secure your credit line with your refundable security deposit – choose from $200- $2,000 - with the ability to increase up to $5,000 over time!
- Choose the First Progress Select Card for a lower annual fee!
- Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards are Accepted!
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.1
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Get a Fresh Start! A Discharged Bankruptcy in Your Credit File Will Not Cause You to Be Declined.
- Apply to Add a First Digital Mastercard to your wallet after 6-months of on-time payments!
- 1 Account holders who pay their bill on time every month and keep their balance low relative to their credit line, may build or rebuild their credit.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a card that offers a simple cash back program. You earn 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases and an elevated 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Credit cards for fair credit typically have lower credit limits, but with this card you can qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. There are no foreign transaction fees, so it's also a good card for using abroad. Just be sure to pay off your balance each month since the card's APR is on the high side.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases
Annual Fee
$39
Card Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
How to Decide Which Card Is Right for You
If you have fair credit, you'll be able to qualify for a variety of credit cards. Consider the perks that different cards offer and how they align with your lifestyle. It can also be helpful to learn about credit card basics before choosing a card.
For example, a card that offers a great rewards rate might not be a good pick if you regularly overspend, carry a balance and pay a high interest rate. However, if you pay your bill in full each month, then a rewards card could be a good option even if it has a high interest rate.
How to Improve Your Fair Credit Score
What qualifies as a fair credit score depends on the type of credit score. However, similar actions can help improve your FICO® Scores☉ and VantageScore® s.
- Pay down credit card debt. Paying down revolving account balances can lower your credit utilization ratio, an important scoring factor.
- Make on-time payments. Paying your bills on time can help you build a positive credit history, which can improve your credit scores over time.
- Dispute credit report inaccuracies. Check your credit reports for inaccurate negative information that could be hurting your scores. You can file disputes to get it corrected or removed if it is indeed incorrect information.
Some actions, such as lowering your credit utilization rate, can quickly lead to credit score changes. However, improving credit scores often takes time, and diligence and patience can be important.
How to Use Your Credit Cards Responsibly
Responsibly using your credit card can also help you improve your credit score while limiting how much you'll pay in fees and interest. In general, try to:
- Make monthly payments on time. Making at least the minimum monthly payment each month can help you avoid late payment fees. You can often avoid interest on purchases if you pay your bill in full each month.
- Watch out for fees. Read over your card's terms and conditions to learn about the fees. For example, if you use your card for a cash advance, you may need to pay a fee, and interest could start accruing right away.
- Don't use a large portion of your balance. Regardless of whether you pay your bill in full, try to limit spending on your card and maintain a low credit utilization rate.
As a rule of thumb, some people use their credit card as if it's a debit card. They check their budget, and only spend what they can afford to pay off in full each month. This approach can help you avoid taking on high-rate credit card debt, which is one of the main dangers of using a credit card.
What to Do if You Are Denied for a Card
You may have several options if you applied and didn't get approved for a credit card.
First try calling the credit card company and asking why your application wasn't approved. In some cases, you may be able to resolve the issue. For example, if the company couldn't access your frozen credit report to review your credit, you may be able to temporarily thaw your report and then get approved.
Alternatively, you may want to focus on improving your credit or try for a different credit card right away. Applying and getting denied can hurt your credit scores. However, each card has its own requirements, and you might get approved for a different card.
Find Your Next Credit Card
In addition to looking for lists of the best cards, you can use online tools to help narrow down which credit card will be best for your specific needs. Within Experian's CreditMatch™ credit card marketplace, you can filter cards based on your preferences and credit profile. You can then choose up to four cards and get a side-by-side comparison to make the best pick for your needs to get a credit card with fair credit.