Some unsecured credit cards offer a maximum credit limit of $1,000 for those with bad or fair credit. However, approval is not guaranteed, and you may receive a lower starting limit based on your credit history. Below is a list of the Best Credit Cards with the Possibility of a $1,000 Limit.
Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit
Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
Trusted by more than a million customers with reporting to all three major credit bureaus so you get credit for all of your hard work.
Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
No security deposit
Free Access to your Credit Score†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
Use Anywhere Mastercard is Accepted
$0 fraud liability**
Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion®†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
**Fraud liability subject to Mastercard rules.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
Getting an unsecured credit card with a $1,000 limit when you have bad credit can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Lenders who specialize in "subprime" or bad-credit cards often have programs designed to help people rebuild their credit, and some of these cards offer initial credit limits that can be a step toward a $1,000 limit.
Here's a breakdown of what to look for and what to know:
Key Features to Look For:
Prequalification: Many lenders, including those who offer cards for bad credit, allow you to prequalify without a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a "soft pull" that lets you see if you're likely to be approved and what your potential credit limit and fees would be, with no harm to your credit score.
Initial Credit Limit: It's rare for someone with bad credit to be approved for an unsecured card with a $1,000 starting limit. A more common starting limit for these types of cards is in the range of $300 to $500.
Credit Limit Increases: The key to getting to a $1,000 limit is often through a card that offers automatic credit limit increases. Many cards for bad credit will review your account after a certain period (e.g., 6 or 7 months) of on-time payments and responsible use. If you've managed the account well, they may increase your limit.
Fees: Be aware of the fees associated with these cards. Unsecured cards for bad credit often come with higher annual fees, and sometimes even monthly maintenance fees. While a $0 annual fee is ideal, it's not always a realistic expectation for this category.
Reporting to Credit Bureaus: Make sure the card reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This is crucial, as it's how you will build your credit history and improve your score over time.
What are the best credit cards with $1,000 limits and guaranteed approval for bad credit?
When you have bad credit, finding a credit card with "guaranteed approval" is generally not a realistic goal. Lenders are required to assess a borrower's ability to repay debt, so no credit card is truly guaranteed. A better approach is to look for cards that are specifically designed for people with bad credit and offer a high probability of approval, especially those with pre-qualification tools.
Furthermore, getting an unsecured card with a starting limit of $1,000 is also very difficult with bad credit. Most cards for this credit tier start with much lower limits, often in the $300 to $500 range. The path to a $1,000 limit is typically through responsible use over time.
Credit Cards to Consider (Unsecured):
While none of these cards offer "guaranteed" approval or a guaranteed $1,000 starting limit, they are designed for people with less-than-perfect credit and may offer a path to that limit.
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®: This card is known to approve applicants with bad credit and has been advertised with an initial credit limit "up to $1,000." This is a strong contender if you're trying to reach that limit quickly, but remember it's not guaranteed.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®: An unsecured card designed for bad credit. It features a pre-qualification option to check your approval odds with no impact on your credit score. The card offers a potential initial credit limit of up to $1,000 and the chance for an increase after six months of on-time payments. Be aware of its high annual and monthly fees.
Fortiva® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard: This card is another option that accepts less-than-perfect credit. It offers pre-qualification and a potential credit limit "up to $1,000." It also provides rewards on gas, groceries, and utilities, which is a nice feature for a card in this category.
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit: The Indigo card is designed for people with fair or bad credit. While the starting limit may be lower, it's a good tool for credit building and has a simple application process with pre-qualification.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard: An unsecured card for fair credit that offers pre-qualification, a potential starting limit up to $1,000, and the rare feature of cash-back rewards on gas, groceries, and utilities. However, it's known for having high fees and a high APR, so it's best to use it as a tool to rebuild credit and pay the balance in full each month to avoid costly interest.
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A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
Credit Score Facts
Credit Scores range from 300-850, the higher the better.
Most lenders base approval on your credit score.
Higher Scores mean lower payments and better deals.
Higher Scores mean Lower interest rates.
Scores are determined by 5 main categories:
Payment History
Amounts Owed
Length of Credit History
Type of Credit Used
New Credit
Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.
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About Our Offers:
The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.