Pre-Qualify for Credit Cards With Fair Credit

If you have fair credit and want to see which credit cards you may qualify for before submitting a full application, prequalification can give you an opportunity to review potential offers without the same impact as a hard credit inquiry.

There isn't one credit card that is right for everyone with fair credit. Some cards emphasize cash back, while others are designed more specifically for people who are rebuilding their credit. Fees, credit limits, rewards, and other terms can also vary considerably.

Below are five credit card options worth considering if you have fair credit and want to look at prequalification before deciding whether to apply.

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5 Credit Cards to Consider With Fair Credit

The cards below are included because they offer a way to check potential eligibility or prequalify before completing a full credit card application. Availability, eligibility, and the terms you receive can vary based on your individual credit profile and the information provided.

1. Avant Cash Back Rewards Card

The Avant Cash Back Rewards Card is one option for consumers with fair credit who are interested in a card that combines cash back with a relatively straightforward fee structure. The card offers 2% unlimited cash back on eligible purchases and has a listed annual fee of $0.

The listed credit limit range is $500 to $3,000, although the actual credit limit offered depends on the applicant's qualifications. Avant also provides an eligibility process that allows applicants to determine whether they may qualify before proceeding with a full application.

For someone with fair credit who wants to consider a card with cash-back rewards rather than a traditional credit-building card with no rewards, Avant is an option worth examining.

➤ See the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card review

2. Avant Credit Card

The regular Avant Credit Card is another option for consumers who may have fair credit and want to check their eligibility before applying. Unlike the cash-back version, this card does not focus on rewards.

The listed credit limit range is $500 to $3,000, and the annual fee is listed as $0. Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank.

This option may make more sense for someone who is primarily interested in obtaining a credit card and doesn't need a rewards program. As with any credit card, eligibility and the terms offered depend on the applicant's information and credit profile.

➤ See the Avant Credit Card review

3. Destiny Mastercard

The Destiny Mastercard is designed for consumers with less-than-perfect credit and is listed for applicants with fair credit. It is an unsecured credit card, so a security deposit is not required.

Destiny also provides a prequalification process, allowing consumers to check potential eligibility before deciding whether to submit a full application.

The card is particularly relevant to people whose primary goal is obtaining an unsecured credit card while working on their credit history. Its fees and other account terms should be reviewed carefully before accepting an offer.

➤ Read our Destiny Mastercard review

4. Milestone Mastercard with Cashback Rewards

The Milestone Mastercard with Cashback Rewards is another option listed for consumers with fair credit. It offers 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases and a $700 credit limit if approved.

The card does not require a security deposit, and its application process allows consumers to determine whether they may qualify without affecting their credit score if they are not approved, subject to the terms of the offer.

For someone with fair credit who wants a card that combines credit-building potential with cash-back rewards, this is a different type of option from a basic credit card without rewards.

➤ Milestone Mastercard with Cashback Rewards review

5. Indigo Mastercard with a $1,000 Credit Limit

The Indigo Mastercard with a $1,000 credit limit is another option specifically listed for consumers with fair credit. If approved, the advertised credit limit is $1,000, and no security deposit is required.

The Indigo program also offers a prequalification process that allows consumers to check potential eligibility before proceeding with a full application.

This card may be of particular interest to someone with fair credit who wants to consider an unsecured card with a higher advertised credit limit than some of the other credit-building options available in this category.

➤ See the Indigo Mastercard with a $1,000 credit limit review

What Does Prequalification Mean for Fair Credit?

Prequalification is generally a preliminary eligibility check. Instead of immediately submitting a full credit card application, you provide information that allows the card issuer or card provider to determine whether you may qualify for an available offer.

A prequalification check typically uses a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score. If you decide to move forward with an application, the issuer may then perform a hard inquiry as part of the final credit decision.

Prequalification is not the same thing as guaranteed approval. The final application can still be subject to additional eligibility requirements, verification, and the issuer's underwriting process.

Which Pre-Qualified Credit Card Is Right for Fair Credit?

The right choice depends on what you are looking for in a credit card. Someone primarily interested in cash back may want to compare the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card or the Milestone Mastercard with Cashback Rewards. Someone focused more on obtaining an unsecured card while rebuilding credit may want to consider Destiny or Indigo.

The important thing is to compare the actual terms of the offer you receive rather than choosing a card based solely on its advertised credit limit or rewards.

Because prequalification generally allows you to check potential eligibility before a hard inquiry, it can be a useful starting point for consumers with fair credit who want to compare their available options.

Fair Credit Does Not Limit You to One Type of Card

Having fair credit doesn't necessarily mean you have to choose between a secured card and a high-fee credit card. There are different types of cards available, and the offers you may receive depend on your individual credit profile.

The five cards discussed here give consumers with fair credit several different options to investigate, including cards with cash-back rewards and cards specifically marketed toward consumers who are working to establish or rebuild their credit.

If you're looking at credit cards because your credit falls in the fair range, you can also explore our broader guide to credit cards for fair credit for additional information and options.