What credit cards actually work when your score is below 620
If your credit score is below 620, most standard credit cards will reject you. Banks see low scores as higher risk, so they either decline the process or offer cards with steep annual fees, high interest rates, or both. The cards that do accept low scores fall into three categories: secured cards (you deposit cash as collateral), unsecured cards for poor credit (no deposit, but expensive), and store cards (easier to get, but only work at one retailer).
Secured cards are usually the strongest choice because they let you build credit while keeping costs reasonable. You put down a cash deposit—typically $200 to $2,500—and that becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other, pay the bill on time, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the bank often converts it to a regular card and returns your deposit. The catch is the annual fee, which ranges from $0 to $95 depending on the card.
Unsecured cards for poor credit skip the deposit but charge much higher interest rates—often 24% to 36% APR—and annual fees of $39 to $99. They make sense only if you cannot save a deposit or need a card when ready. Store cards are easiest to get but lock you into one retailer and typically charge 20% to 30% APR.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit but offer the clearest path to rebuilding credit and often convert to regular cards after consistent on-time payments.
- Annual fees on low-score cards range from $0 to $99, so comparing the total cost matters more than the interest rate alone.
- Using 10% to 30% of your credit limit and paying the full balance each month builds credit faster than carrying a balance.
- Your credit score will not improve overnight; expect 6 to 12 months of on-time payments before you see meaningful movement.
Secured cards: deposit-based cards that rebuild credit
A secured card works like this: you deposit money into a savings account held by the bank, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your limit is $500. You then use the card to make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it like a regular credit card. The bank reports your payments to the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—so on-time payments build your score.
The deposit stays in the bank's account the entire time you hold the card. You cannot touch it unless you close the account or the bank converts the card to unsecured (which usually happens after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments). At that point, the bank returns your deposit to you, and you keep the card with a higher limit.
Secured cards charge annual fees ranging from $0 to $95. Some also charge monthly maintenance fees of $5 to $10, which adds up fast. Before opening one, calculate the total annual cost: annual fee plus any monthly fees. A card with a $0 annual fee but a $10 monthly fee costs $120 per year, while a card with a $95 annual fee and no monthly fees costs $95. The difference matters when you are rebuilding.
Unsecured cards for poor credit: no deposit, higher cost
Unsecured cards for poor credit do not require a deposit, so you do not need to save $200 to $2,500 upfront. Instead, the bank takes on more risk and charges you for it through higher interest rates and annual fees. APR typically ranges from 24% to 36%, and annual fees run $39 to $99.
These cards make sense in two situations: you cannot save a deposit right now, or you need a card when ready and cannot wait to open a secured account. Otherwise, a secured card is almost always the better choice because the interest rate is lower and the path to conversion is clearer.
If you do use an unsecured card, the same rule applies as with secured cards: pay the full balance each month if you can. Carrying a balance at 30% APR costs you money and does not build credit faster than paying in full.
Store cards: easiest to get, hardest to use elsewhere
Store cards—issued by retailers like Target, Amazon, or Walmart—are often the easiest cards to get approved for when your score is low. The approval process is faster, and the credit limit is usually lower ($300 to $1,000), which feels less risky to the retailer.
The downside is that store cards only work at that one retailer (or sometimes a small group of affiliated stores). If you want to build credit for use everywhere—getting a car loan, renting an apartment, or opening a regular credit card—a store card alone will not help as much. You can use it as a second card alongside a secured card, but it should not be your only card.
Store cards also charge high interest rates, typically 20% to 30% APR, and some charge annual fees. Read the terms carefully before opening one.
How to use any low-score card to actually rebuild credit
Opening a card is the first step; using it correctly is what rebuilds your score. The most important rule is pay on time, every month. A single late payment can drop your score 100 points or more. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or set a phone reminder for the due date.
The second rule is keep your balance low. Credit bureaus track your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your limit you are using. If your limit is $500 and you carry a $400 balance, your utilization is 80%, which hurts your score. Aim for 10% to 30% utilization. If your limit is $500, keep your balance under $150. This does not mean you cannot spend more; it means pay down the balance before the statement closes.
The third rule is do not close the card once your score improves. Closing it reduces your available credit and can lower your score. Keep it open and use it occasionally, even after you move to a better card.
Timeline: how long rebuilding actually takes
Credit scores do not move quickly. Most people with low scores see meaningful improvement—50 to 100 points—after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. After 18 to 24 months, you may may have access to for unsecured cards with better terms or a secured card conversion.
The exact timeline depends on what caused your low score. If you have recent late payments or collections, rebuilding takes longer than if your score is low because you have no credit history. A bankruptcy or foreclosure can take 7 years to stop affecting your score, though its impact weakens over time.
Do not expect to jump from 550 to 700 in three months. That does not happen. But consistent on-time payments, low utilization, and time will move your score in the right direction.
Comparing cards: what to actually look at
When comparing low-score cards, ignore the advertised APR and focus on total cost. A card with 24% APR and a $0 annual fee is cheaper than a card with 20% APR and a $95 annual fee if you plan to pay your balance in full each month (because you will not pay interest either way, but you will pay the annual fee).
Look for these features: no monthly maintenance fees, a path to conversion to an unsecured card (for secured cards), and a deposit range that matches what you can afford. Some banks offer deposit ranges of $200 to $2,500; others require a minimum of $500. If you can only save $200, a card with a $500 minimum will not work for you.
Check whether the bank reports to all three bureaus. Some smaller banks report to only one or two, which slows your credit rebuilding. The major issuers—Capital One, Discover, Chime, and others—report to all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will opening a low-score card hurt my credit even more?
Opening a new card triggers a hard inquiry, which drops your score 5 to 10 points temporarily. But this is worth it because the card itself will raise your score over time through on-time payments and lower utilization. The temporary dip reverses within a few months.
Can I use a secured card at any store, or just certain ones?
A secured card works anywhere that accepts Visa or Mastercard (whichever network the card uses). It is not limited to one retailer. The "secured" part refers to the deposit backing the card, not where you can use it.
What happens if I cannot pay my bill on a secured card?
If you miss a payment, the bank reports it to the credit bureaus, which damages your score. If you miss multiple payments, the bank may close the account and keep your deposit to cover the debt. This is why secured cards are only worth opening if you can afford to use them responsibly.
Should I carry a balance to build credit faster?
No. Carrying a balance does not build credit faster; it just costs you money in interest. On-time payments and low utilization build credit. You get both by paying the full balance each month.
How do I know when my secured card will convert to unsecured?
The bank's terms tell you the conversion timeline—usually 6 to 18 months. After that period, if you have made all payments on time, the bank will either convert automatically or send you an offer to convert. Some banks convert without asking; others require you to request it.