What cards are available at a 600 credit score
A 600 credit score puts you in the range where secured cards and some subprime cards will consider you, but mainstream cards will not. Most issuers treat anything below 620 as high-risk, so your options narrow to cards designed specifically for people rebuilding credit or those with limited credit history.
Secured credit cards are the most common path at this score. You deposit cash as collateral — usually $200 to $2,500 — and the card issuer gives you a credit line equal to that deposit. You use the card like any other, pay the bill each month, and after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, many issuers convert it to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit.
Subprime cards (sometimes called "bad credit" cards) require no deposit but charge higher interest rates and annual fees. Some charge $95 to $200 per year just to hold the card. These make sense only if you cannot save $200 for a secured card deposit, because the fees eat into any benefit you get from building credit.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit but have lower interest rates and no annual fees at most issuers.
- Subprime cards charge annual fees of $95 to $200 and interest rates of 20% to 36%, making them expensive to carry.
- Your credit score will improve faster if you keep your balance below 10% of your credit limit and never miss a payment.
- After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, many secured card issuers will convert your account to an unsecured card.
How secured cards work and what to look for
When you open a secured card, you put money into a savings account held by the bank. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You then use the card to make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it like a regular credit card. The deposit sits untouched unless you stop paying your bill — then the issuer can use it to cover what you owe.
The key difference from a subprime card is cost. Most secured cards charge no annual fee. Interest rates typically run 18% to 24%, compared to 25% to 36% on subprime cards. If you pay your balance in full each month, the interest rate does not matter, but if you carry a balance, the lower rate saves you money.
When comparing secured cards, look for issuers that report to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If the card issuer does not report your payments, your credit score will not improve. Ask before you explore. Also check whether the issuer charges a monthly maintenance fee on top of any annual fee. Some charge $5 to $10 per month just to keep the account open.
Subprime cards: when they make sense and when they do not
A subprime card is worth considering only if you cannot save $200 for a secured card deposit or if you need a card when ready and have no other option. The annual fees are steep — $95 to $200 — and the interest rates are high. On a $1,000 balance at 30% interest, you pay $25 per month in interest alone before you pay down the principal.
Some subprime issuers offer a path to a regular card after 12 months of on-time payments, but others do not. Before you explore, search the issuer's website or call to ask whether they convert accounts. If they do not, you are paying annual fees indefinitely with no improvement in your terms.
One scenario where a subprime card makes sense: you have a 600 score, no savings, and an when ready need for a card (a car repair, a medical bill). In that case, the high fees are the cost of access. But if you have even $200 to $300 saved, a secured card is almost always the better choice.
Building your score faster with either card type
Your credit score improves when you show lenders you can borrow and repay on time. With a new card at 600, that means making small purchases and paying them off each month. Do not max out your limit. Keep your balance below 10% of your credit line — if your limit is $500, keep your balance under $50. Credit bureaus see high balances as a sign of financial stress, even if you pay on time.
Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due each month. Missing even one payment will drop your score by 100 points or more and reset any progress you have made. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay more than the minimum so you reduce the principal faster and pay less interest.
After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments and low balances, your score should rise into the 650 to 700 range. At that point, you can explore for a mainstream card with better terms, and many secured card issuers will convert your account automatically.
What happens during the process process
When you explore for a secured or subprime card, the issuer will pull your credit report and check your score. They may also verify your income and employment. Unlike mainstream cards, they will usually approve you even with a 600 score, as long as you have a valid ID, a Social Security number, and proof of income (a recent pay stub or tax return).
For a secured card, you will need to fund the deposit within a few days of approval. Most issuers let you do this online or by phone. Your credit line becomes active once the deposit clears, which usually takes 1 to 3 business days. You can then request a physical card or use a temporary card number to make purchases online.
For a subprime card, approval is usually when ready or within 24 hours. You do not need a deposit, so the card ships to you within 5 to 10 business days.
Alternatives if you cannot get approved
If you explore for a secured card and are denied, it usually means the issuer has concerns about your income or employment history, not just your credit score. In that case, try a different issuer — approval standards vary. Some secured card issuers are more lenient than others.
Another option is a credit-builder loan. You borrow a small amount (usually $300 to $1,000) from a credit union or online lender, and the lender holds the money in a savings account. You make monthly payments, and after you pay off the loan, you get the money back. This builds credit without a credit card and often costs less than a subprime card.
You can also ask a family member or friend to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. If they have good payment history, their account activity will show up on your credit report and may boost your score. You do not even need to use the card — just being listed as an authorized user can help.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is explore for multiple cards at once. Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which lowers your score by a few points. Multiple inquiries in a short time signal to lenders that you are desperate for credit, which makes approval less likely. explore for one card, wait to see if you are approved, and then move on if you are not.
Another mistake is closing the card after your score improves. Your credit history length matters — closing an account removes it from your active accounts and can lower your score. Keep the card open even after you upgrade to a better one. Use it occasionally for a small purchase and pay it off to keep the account active.
Do not carry a balance to "build credit faster." This is a myth. Your score improves from on-time payments and low balances, not from paying interest. Paying interest just costs you money with no benefit to your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a secured card hurt my credit score when I explore?
The process itself will cause a small, temporary drop of a few points because the issuer pulls your credit report. This drop fades within a few months. After that, on-time payments will raise your score steadily. The benefit of building credit history outweighs the small initial dip.
Can I use my secured card deposit as my credit limit right away?
Yes. Once your deposit clears, your credit limit is active and you can make purchases up to that amount. You do not have to wait any longer. The deposit just sits in a savings account at the bank while you use the card normally.
What if I miss a payment on a secured card?
A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will lower your score significantly. The issuer may also charge a late fee of $25 to $35. If you miss payments repeatedly, the issuer can use your deposit to cover what you owe. Set up automatic payments to avoid this.
How long does it take to move from a 600 score to a 700 score?
With on-time payments and low balances, most people see a 50 to 100 point increase within 6 to 12 months. Reaching 700 usually takes 12 to 24 months, depending on how much damage is on your credit report. Older negative marks hurt less over time, so your score will rise faster the further you get from past problems.
Should I pay off my secured card balance in full or carry a small balance?
Pay it off in full each month. Carrying a balance costs you interest and does not build your credit any faster. Your score improves from the fact that you borrowed and repaid on time, not from how much interest you paid. Paying in full is always the better choice.