What "easiest to obtain" actually means
The easiest credit cards to obtain are those that accept people with no credit history, recent damage to their credit report, or credit scores below 600. These cards come from two main categories: secured cards, which require a cash deposit, and unsecured cards designed for rebuilders, which don't require a deposit but have higher interest rates and lower credit limits.
The actual ease of getting approved depends on what's on your credit report right now. If you have no credit history at all, a secured card is usually your only realistic path. If you have a low score because of past missed payments or collections, some unsecured rebuilder cards will still take you. If you've recently filed for bankruptcy, you'll need to wait a few months before most lenders will consider you.
No card is truly "straightforward" in the sense that approval is may provide or when ready. But these categories have the lowest barriers to entry and the highest approval rates for people in difficult situations.
Key Takeaways
- Secured credit cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, making approval nearly automatic if you have the deposit money.
- Unsecured rebuilder cards don't require a deposit but charge higher interest rates (25% to 36% APR) and have lower limits, and approval depends on your credit score and recent payment history.
- Your credit score, recent late payments, and whether you have any credit history at all determine which category of card you can actually obtain.
- The card you obtain now is a tool to build credit for better offers later, not a permanent choice — most people move to standard cards within 12 to 24 months.
Secured cards: the most predictable path
A secured credit card works like this: you deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer, and that deposit amount becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other card, paying a monthly bill. The deposit stays in the account untouched — the card company holds it as collateral in case you stop paying.
Secured cards are the easiest to obtain because the lender's risk is nearly zero. They have your money already. Most people with a deposit and a valid ID will be approved, even with a credit score of 300 or no credit history at all. The catch is that you need the deposit money upfront, and you won't have access to it while the card is active.
Common secured card issuers include Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and US Bank Secured Visa. Each has different deposit minimums (usually $200 to $2,500) and different annual fees. Some charge no annual fee; others charge $25 to $35 per year. The interest rate on a secured card is typically 18% to 24% APR, which is high but lower than unsecured rebuilder cards.
After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, most secured card issuers will convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit. This is the main reason to use a secured card — it's a bridge to better terms.
Unsecured rebuilder cards: no deposit required
An unsecured rebuilder card doesn't require a deposit, but the lender is taking on real risk, so approval is stricter. You'll need a credit score of at least 500 to 600 (depending on the issuer), and recent late payments or collections will usually disqualify you. If your last missed payment was more than a year ago and you've paid on time since, you have a better chance.
These cards charge higher interest rates than secured cards — typically 25% to 36% APR — because the lender has no collateral. Your credit limit is usually low, often $300 to $750 to start. Some cards in this category include Capital One Platinum Mastercard, Discover It Secured (which is actually unsecured despite the name), and Chime Credit Builder Visa.
The advantage over a secured card is that you don't need to tie up deposit money. The disadvantage is that you need some credit history or a decent score to be approved. If you have no credit history at all, a secured card is a better starting point.
When you have no credit history
If you've never had a credit card, loan, or utility bill in your name, you have no credit score — not a low score, but no score at all. Most lenders won't approve you for an unsecured card because they have nothing to evaluate.
Your best path is a secured card. You'll be approved as long as you have the deposit money and a valid ID. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you'll have built enough credit history to move to an unsecured card or a standard card with better terms.
An alternative is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. If a family member or partner adds you to their card, their payment history shows up on your credit report. After a few months, you may have enough history to obtain an unsecured card on your own. This works only if the primary cardholder pays on time — their late payments will hurt your score too.
When you have recent late payments or collections
If you missed payments in the last 6 to 12 months or have an account in collections, unsecured rebuilder cards are unlikely to approve you. A secured card is your more realistic option because approval doesn't depend on your payment history.
The timeline matters. Most lenders look at how recent your last missed payment was. A late payment from 2 years ago is less damaging than one from 2 months ago. If your last late payment was within the last 6 months, wait if you can — every month that passes improves your odds for an unsecured card. If you need a card now, a secured card doesn't care about your history.
If you have an account in collections, pay it off or settle it before you explore for any card. Paying a collection account doesn't remove it from your report, but it stops the account from being reported as "unpaid," which improves your chances with some lenders.
How to compare cards in each category
Within secured cards, compare these details: the deposit minimum (can you afford it?), the annual fee (some charge none, others charge $25 to $35), and the interest rate (usually 18% to 24%). A card with no annual fee and a lower interest rate is better, but if the only card you can obtain has a $35 annual fee, that's still a reasonable cost for building credit.
Check whether the issuer reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). If they report to only one, your credit history builds more slowly. Most major issuers report to all three.
For unsecured rebuilder cards, the interest rate matters more because you're not putting down a deposit. A card charging 25% APR is better than one charging 36% APR. Also check the credit limit — a $750 limit is more useful than a $300 limit for building credit, because it gives you more room to keep your balance low relative to your limit.
Don't explore to multiple cards at once. Each process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which lowers your score slightly. Space applications out by at least a month.
What happens after you obtain the card
Once you have a card, your goal is to build credit, not to carry a balance. Use the card for small purchases you'd make anyway — gas, groceries, a subscription — and pay the full balance every month. This shows lenders that you can borrow and repay reliably.
Keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit. If your limit is $500, try to keep your balance under $150. This ratio, called your utilization rate, affects your credit score. Paying in full every month is ideal, but if you can't, at least pay more than the minimum.
After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you'll be ready to move to a better card — one with lower interest rates, no annual fee, or rewards. At that point, you can close the rebuilder card or keep it open with a zero balance to maintain your credit history length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with a bankruptcy on my record?
Most lenders won't approve you for at least 6 to 12 months after your bankruptcy is discharged. After that waiting period, a secured card is your best option. Some unsecured rebuilder cards will consider you after 18 to 24 months if you've had no late payments since the bankruptcy.
What's the difference between a secured card and a prepaid card?
A prepaid card is not a credit card — it doesn't build credit because the issuer doesn't report to credit bureaus. A secured credit card does report to all three bureaus, so your on-time payments build your credit score. If your goal is to build credit, use a secured credit card, not a prepaid card.
Will I get my deposit back if I close the card early?
Yes. When you close a secured card, the issuer returns your deposit within 5 to 10 business days. However, closing the card can hurt your credit score because it shortens your credit history. If possible, keep the card open with a zero balance after you move to a better card.
How long does it take to build enough credit to get a regular card?
Most people move from a rebuilder card to a standard card within 12 to 24 months of on-time payments. The exact timeline depends on your starting score and the issuer's requirements. After 6 months, you can start checking whether you're approved for better offers.
Do I have to use the card every month to build credit?
You need at least one transaction per month to keep the account active and reporting to credit bureaus. A single small purchase paid in full is enough. If you don't use the card for several months, the issuer may close it, which hurts your credit history.