Unsecured Credit Cards for Fair Credit
An unsecured credit card for fair credit is a standard credit card that doesn't require a security deposit. It is a step up from cards designed for poor or bad credit but may not offer the most competitive interest rates or rewards. To understand the full range of options available to you now, read our hub article on A Complete Guide to Credit Cards for Fair Credit. See Card Offers Below.
Key features of unsecured cards for fair credit
Arro Card
- No hard inquiry to apply.
- Apply in 5 minutes or less.
- Get up to $300 with the unsecured Arro Card. Grow your credit line up to $2,500.
- Earn 1% cash back on gas & groceries, including Walmart and Target
- Instantly increase your credit limit as you master your personal finances in the Arro app.
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus.
- The Arro Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*Subject to terms and conditions
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.
- Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
- No security deposit, just purchasing power.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Destiny® Mastercard® with $1,000 Credit Limit
- Get a guaranteed $1,000 credit limit if approved!
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Join over a million consumers who use the Destiny Mastercard to help build their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Destiny® Mastercard® - Up to 3% Cashback Rewards
- A rewards card for people with less-than-perfect credit!
- Fuel your savings! Get 3% Cashback Rewards on your first $5,000 in gas, grocery, restaurant, & mobile phone service purchases!
- A guaranteed $700 credit limit to help you build access to credit, if approved.
- With Cashback Rewards, you get to live like an A-lister.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Join over a million consumers who use the Destiny Mastercard to help build their access to credit.
- No security deposit required—get started today!
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Milestone® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit
- Guaranteed $1,000 credit limit if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
- Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Milestone® Mastercard® 1.5% Cashback Rewards
- Turn everyday purchases into 1.5% Cashback Rewards!
- A guaranteed $700 credit limit to help get your financial goals on track, if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! No Impact to your credit score if you cannot be approved. See terms.
- No upfront security deposit required so you can keep more money in your pocket.
- Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- A rewards card for people with less than perfect credit!
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
- $0 Annual Fee. Clear terms and transparent pricing.
- See if you qualify instantly without harming your credit score.
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as few as 7 months.
- Free, online credit score access for cardholders.
- No interest on purchases when you pay in full and on time each month.
- No security deposit required – get started today!
- Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
- Access your account anytime, anywhere with our mobile app.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*Subject to terms and conditions
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards 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. - CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Fortiva® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
- 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. - CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See Card Terms and Conditions
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See Card Terms and Conditions
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
- Now with higher credit limits
- Increase your access to available credit
- Higher limit than before, still no security deposit required!
- Greater access to credit than before
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Milestone® Mastercard®
- Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
- Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Avant Card
- Fast and easy application process
- We may periodically review your account for Credit Line Increases
- May help strengthen your credit history with responsible use
- No Hidden Fees^
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fees
- Conveniently pay your card through our online portal, 24/7
- Zero Fraud Liability for Unauthorized Charges
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank
- Disclosure: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- Cash Advance Fee - The greater of $10 or 3% of the amount of the cash advance
- Late Fee up to $39
- Returned Payment Fee : Up to $25
- ^See the Provider’s terms for more information
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See application for additional details
Avant Cash Back Rewards Card
- 2% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase†, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
- No Limit On The Monthly Rewards You Can Earn
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee - The greater of $10 or 3% of the amount of the cash advance
- Fast and Easy Application Process
- Zero Fraud Liability for Unauthorized Charges
- Conveniently Pay Your Card Through Our Online Portal, 24/7
- Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score
- Minimum Finance Charge - If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- Help Strengthen Your Credit History With Responsible Use
- We May Periodically Review Your Account For Credit Line Increases
- Returned Payment Fee : Up to $25
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank
- ^See the Provider’s terms for more information
- † See the Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See application for additional details
Avant Cash Back Rewards Card
- 1% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase†, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
- No Limit On The Monthly Rewards You Can Earn
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee - The greater of $10 or 3% of the amount of the cash advance
- Fast and Easy Application Process
- Zero Fraud Liability for Unauthorized Charges
- Conveniently Pay Your Card Through Our Online Portal, 24/7
- Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score
- Minimum Finance Charge - If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- May Help Strengthen Your Credit History With Responsible Use
- We May Periodically Review Your Account For Credit Line Increases
- Returned Payment Fee : Up to $25
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank
- ^See the Provider’s terms for more information
- † See the Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See application for additional details
Avant Cash Back Rewards Card
- 1% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase†, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
- No Limit On The Monthly Rewards You Can Earn
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee - The greater of $10 or 3% of the amount of the cash advance
- Fast and Easy Application Process
- Zero Fraud Liability for Unauthorized Charges
- Conveniently Pay Your Card Through Our Online Portal, 24/7
- Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score
- Minimum Finance Charge - If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- Help Strengthen Your Credit History With Responsible Use
- We May Periodically Review Your Account For Credit Line Increases
- Returned Payment Fee : Up to $25
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank
- ^See the Provider’s terms for more information
- † See the Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See application for additional details
Destiny Mastercard®
- A guaranteed $700 credit limit to help get your financial goals on track, if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- An unsecured card great for everyday purchases
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
How to use a card for fair credit responsibly
Credit cards for fair credit with bad credit?
"Fair credit with bad credit" can be a bit of a confusing phrase, but it generally refers to a situation where a person's credit score is on the cusp of or in the "fair" range, but they still have some negative marks on their credit report that would put them in the "bad credit" category in a lender's eyes. FICO scores typically define "fair" credit as a score between 580 and 669.When you're in this credit range, you're at a crossroads. You might not qualify for the best rewards cards, but you have more options than someone with a very low credit score. Your goal is to find a card that helps you build your credit without being overly expensive.
Credit cards for fair credit with bad credit? No Deposit?
"No deposit" is a key feature of an unsecured credit card. It is the opposite of a secured credit card, which requires a refundable cash deposit.Unsecured Credit Card (No Deposit): This is what most people think of as a traditional credit card. The lender issues you a line of credit based on their assessment of your creditworthiness (your credit score, income, and debt). You don't have to put any of your own money down as collateral. This means the lender is taking on all the risk, which is why it can be harder to qualify for an unsecured card, especially with bad credit.
Why "No Deposit" is a Big Deal
Access to Credit: A no-deposit card means you don't have to tie up your own money to access a line of credit. This can be a huge benefit if you don't have the savings for a deposit or don't want to use it as collateral.Higher Credit Limits: While secured cards often have low credit limits tied to your deposit, unsecured cards can offer higher limits based on your credit profile. Even for people with bad credit, some unsecured cards may start with a higher limit than a secured card deposit.
Convenience: You can apply for an unsecured card online, get approved, and start using it (sometimes even instantly with a digital card) without the extra step of mailing a check or transferring funds for a deposit.
The Downside of No-Deposit Cards for Bad Credit
While a no-deposit card is a great goal, there's a trade-off, especially for people with poor credit history. Because the lender is taking on more risk, unsecured cards for bad credit often come with:Higher Fees: They may have an annual fee, a monthly maintenance fee, or both. These fees can quickly eat into your credit limit and make the card expensive to hold.
Higher APR: The interest rates are typically very high, making it costly to carry a balance from month to month.
In summary, "no deposit" is a key feature that defines an unsecured credit card. For those with bad or fair credit, getting an unsecured card is a significant step toward financial freedom because it shows a lender's trust in your ability to repay debt without collateral.
Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference as you continue your financial journey!
Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score
FICO® Credit Scores
A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.
FICO® Score Ranges:
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.
Why is a Credit Score Important?
A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores
- Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.
- Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.
- Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.
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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