Best unsecured credit cards for bad credit of April 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:06 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024
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Fixing your credit score may seem like an overwhelming task, but understanding your options can help. Consider an unsecured credit card for bad credit, which is specifically designed to help you build credit for the first time or repair your credit after a period of financial hardship.
The best unsecured credit cards for bad credit have minimal fees, potential for credit line increases, pre-qualification options and credit reporting to the three major credit bureaus – which can help improve your credit over time with good payment behavior.
We analyzed a broad swath of credit cards in this category from various issuers to curate a list of the very best. Here are our selections.
Best unsecured credit cards for bad credit
- Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit *: Best unsecured card for bad credit.
- Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card *: Best unsecured card for bad credit with no foreign transaction fees.
- Destiny Mastercard® *: Best unsecured card for bad credit with a pre-qualification option.
- Prosper® Card *: Best unsecured card for bad credit with high initial credit limit potential.
- Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card *: Best unsecured card for bad credit for cash back.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20+ cards analyzed.
- 5+ data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
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Best unsecured card for bad credit
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit
*The information for the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best unsecured card for bad credit with no foreign transaction fees
Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
*The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best unsecured card for bad credit with a pre-qualification option
Destiny Mastercard®
*The information for the Destiny Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best unsecured card for bad credit with high initial credit limit potential
Prosper® Card
*The information for the Prosper® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best unsecured card for bad credit for cash back
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
*The information for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit
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The information for the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit * The information for the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a solid choice. The card’s main perks are cash back on eligible purchases and potential credit line increases when you use your card responsibly. You also get free credit monitoring to track your credit score progress.
- Annual fee: $75 for the first year, then $99 annually (billed at $8.25 per month).
- Rewards: 1% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases as well as mobile phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV services.
- Does it report to all three credit bureaus: Yes.
- Does it automatically consider credit line increases: Yes.
The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (issued by WebBank) is worth considering if you want to improve your credit score while earning cash back at select merchants. Unlike some other cards on this list, the Petal 1 Rise doesn’t have foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good choice for traveling abroad.
- Annual fee: $59.
- Rewards: 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
- Does it report to all three credit bureaus: Yes.
- Does it automatically consider credit line increases: Yes.
The information for the Destiny Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Destiny Mastercard® * The information for the Destiny Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can help people with challenging credit histories build credit without a security deposit. You can see if you prequalify for the Destiny Mastercard with no impact on your credit score. It’s one of the only unsecured credit cards on the market that is accessible for those with prior bankruptcies that are still on their credit reports.
However, it has high fees compared to some other cards in its category. Also, you won’t know exactly what your annual fee is until you get approved, as annual fees are based on your creditworthiness.
- Annual fee: $75 the first year, $99 thereafter for the Plat-201 version of the card, and $59 for the first year, and $59 thereafter for the Plat-209.
- Rewards: None.
- Does it report to all three credit bureaus: Yes.
- Does it automatically consider credit line increases: No.
The information for the Prosper® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
We like the Prosper® Card * The information for the Prosper® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. for its lower annual fee and higher initial credit limit potential, compared to some other cards on this list. With the Prosper credit card, you’ll receive an initial credit line of $500 to $3,000. If approved, you get instant access to 50% of your credit limit, so you can start using the card right away, before your physical card arrives in the mail.
- Annual fee: $39 (waived for the first year if signed up for AutoPay before the first statement).
- Rewards: None.
- Does it report to all three credit bureaus: Yes.
- Does it automatically consider credit line increases: Yes.
The information for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can help you boost your credit score and earn rewards at the same time. The card also has a pre-qualification tool to see if you’ll qualify for the card without impacting your credit score.
- Annual fee: $0 to $59.
- Rewards: 1% or 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases.
- Does it report to all three credit bureaus: Yes.
- Does it automatically consider credit line increases: Yes.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered included:
- If pre-qualification was offered.
- If the card was marketed or available to those repairing their credit.
- Any annual fees.
- Any rewards.
- If the card reports to all three credit bureaus.
- If the issuer will automatically consider the cardholder for a higher credit line with good payment behavior.
- Any other attributes that would make a card a good choice for someone with bad credit.
Should you get an unsecured credit card for bad credit?
An unsecured card can be more palatable for some, as you won’t need to fork over a security deposit like you would with a secured card. But not all unsecured cards are created equally and some may charge fees — making it a more expensive option overall than a secured card.
Before getting an unsecured credit card, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the five credit score factors: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix and new credit applications. You can think of these factors as guidelines for using credit responsibly.
Guide to the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit
The best unsecured credit credit cards for bad credit share one main attribute: A chance to rebuild your credit without requiring an upfront security deposit. Choosing a credit card when you have bad credit can be tricky as many of the options available charge annual fees, account opening fees or other expensive add-ons that can make simply owning the card an expensive proposition. We’ve reviewed all the options to round up the best picks for you. Here’s what you need to know about unsecured credit credit cards for bad credit.
What is an unsecured credit card?
An unsecured credit card is another name for a traditional credit card. Unsecured credit cards don’t require you to pay a security deposit. Instead, the card issuer gives you a credit limit based on your credit score, income and other criteria.
How does an unsecured credit card work?
An unsecured credit card provides you with a credit limit you can use to make purchases or consolidate debt. When you buy something using a credit card, you’re responsible for repaying the original amount borrowed plus interest.
How does a credit card work? We’ll explain what you need to know.
Unsecured vs. secured credit cards
Credit cards typically fall under one of two categories: unsecured and secured. Both unsecured and secured credit cards can help you build credit when used responsibly.
The main difference between them is that secured cards, as the name suggests, require a security deposit — while unsecured cards do not. Since unsecured credit cards aren’t backed by collateral, they generally have stricter eligibility requirements than secured credit cards.
How to select the best unsecured credit card for bad credit
Selecting the best unsecured credit card for bad credit involves the following steps:
- Know your credit standing: The first step to finding the right unsecured credit card for you is to check your credit score. Once you know your score, it should be easier to identify cards with the best approval odds for your score range so you don’t apply for a card out of your reach. Each new card application results in a “hard pull” on your credit which can further ding your score.
- Compare card options: When comparing different unsecured credit cards, it’s important to consider various factors, such as eligibility requirements, rates, fees and rewards, as these elements can vary from company to company and card to card.
- Complete the card application: Once you’ve decided on a card, you’ll need to fill out a credit card application, typically on the card issuer’s website. Be prepared to provide your name, address, income, Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Improving your credit with unsecured cards
Unsecured credit cards can help improve your credit in various ways, including:
- Credit reporting: Most credit card companies, especially those that focus on helping people build credit, offer monthly credit reporting to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). The information that gets reported may vary between companies but generally includes your payment history, account balances and hard inquiries.
- On-time payments: Payment history makes up the bulk of your credit score (35%). It’s crucial to pay all of your bills on time for the best chance of increasing your credit score.
- Managing your credit utilization: Another important component of a credit score is the credit utilization ratio. This is how much of your credit limit you’ve used. Generally, keeping your balance below 30% of your credit limit looks good to the credit bureaus and may boost your score.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
There’s not a specific unsecured credit card that’s easiest to get approved for. The best way to boost your approval odds is to check your credit score and apply for a card within your score range.
Unsecured credit cards can help build your credit when used responsibly. This generally means paying your credit card bills on time and keeping your balances low (or paying them off monthly).
Getting an unsecured credit card with a 500 credit score is possible, but it might be more challenging. If you can’t get approved for an unsecured credit card, consider choosing a card from our list of the best secured cards for bad credit instead.
*The information for the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit, Destiny Mastercard®, Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card, Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card and Prosper® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
