FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

Unsecured Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit | No Deposit Required

Unsecured credit cards for bad credit with no deposit are designed to help you rebuild your credit history, but they often come with significant costs and low credit limits. Issuers offer these cards because the high interest rates and fees offset the risk of lending to someone with a low credit score. For a complete guide to understanding unsecured credit cards for bad credit, read: Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit: Your Comprehensive Guide
See Card Offers Below.

How unsecured cards for bad credit work

  • No collateral: Unlike a secured card, an unsecured card does not require you to put down a cash deposit. The credit line is issued based on your creditworthiness and income.

  • Approval isn't guaranteed: While easier to get than standard cards, approval is not guaranteed. Card issuers still have criteria you must meet, such as having enough income to make payments.

  • Pre-qualification is available: Many issuers allow you to check if you pre-qualify for a card using a soft credit inquiry. This lets you see your odds of approval without affecting your credit score.

  • Credit limits are low: Expect a small initial credit limit, often starting around $300. This means it can be easy to have a high credit utilization ratio, which can negatively affect your score.

  • High fees and APR: These cards are typically very expensive. They carry high annual fees, and some also charge monthly or one-time processing fees. The annual percentage rate (APR) is also often much higher than with other cards.

  • Reports to credit bureaus: The main benefit of these cards is that they report your payment history to the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), allowing you to build a positive credit history.

  • Also See:
    All Bad Credit Credit Cards
    Credit Cards for Fair Credit
    Instant Response Credit Cards - Bad Credit
    Guaranteed Approval Cards
    Secured Credit Cards

    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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    FIT Platinum Mastercard®

    • $400 Initial Credit Limit
    • Less than perfect credit? We understand. The FIT 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

    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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    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

    Rates & Fees

    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

    • 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


    How to use an unsecured card for bad credit responsibly

    To make the most of an unsecured card and avoid high costs, follow these tips:

  • Pay your balance in full: Always pay your statement balance in full every month. Because of the card's high APR, carrying a balance is very expensive.

  • Make on-time payments: Consistency in paying on time is the single most important factor in building a good credit history.

  • Keep utilization low: Do not use more than 30% of your available credit. For example, if you have a $300 limit, try not to carry a balance over $90.





  • 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:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    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.

    Advertiser Disclosure:

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    About Our Offers:

    The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. 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.