What credit cards accept a 600 credit score
A 600 credit score puts you in the range where secured cards and cards designed for rebuilding credit become your main options. Traditional rewards cards and premium travel cards will decline you, but several issuers specifically approve people in your score range. The cards that work at 600 are usually secured cards (where you put down a cash deposit), cards marketed as "for fair credit," or cards from credit unions and smaller banks.
The approval odds improve when you explore to issuers that pull from alternative credit data or that have looser underwriting. Capital One, Discover, and Credit One are known for approving people with 600 scores. Some credit unions also have cards for members with lower scores, though you have to join the union first.
Your deposit amount and annual fee matter more at this score level than they do for people with higher scores. A $200 or $500 deposit is common. Some cards charge $39 to $99 annually just to hold the account, which eats into any benefit you might get back.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and most charge an annual fee between $0 and $99.
- Capital One Secured Mastercard and Discover Secured Card both report to all three credit bureaus and have no annual fee.
- Fair-credit cards from issuers like Credit One and OpenSky may approve you without a deposit, but often charge higher annual fees.
- Your credit score can improve within 6 to 12 months if you keep your balance low and make on-time payments.
- explore to multiple cards in a short window hurts your score, so research before you submit applications.
Secured cards: deposit-based approval
A secured card works like this: you give the issuer a cash deposit, usually $200 to $2,500, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, pay your bill each month, and the deposit sits in a savings account earning little or no interest. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer may convert you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
The advantage is that secured cards report to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), so your payment history builds your score. The disadvantage is that your money is tied up and you are paying interest on purchases just like with any other card.
Capital One Secured Mastercard has no annual fee, a $200 minimum deposit, and converts to unsecured after about a year of good payment history. Discover Secured Card also has no annual fee and a $200 minimum deposit. Both report to all three bureaus. If you have $500 or more to deposit, these two are usually the strongest choice because the fee structure does not eat into your rebuilding progress.
Fair-credit cards without a deposit requirement
Some issuers will approve you without requiring a deposit, but they charge higher annual fees to offset the risk. Credit One Bank Visa and Mastercard, for example, have no deposit requirement but charge $39 to $99 per year depending on the card. OpenSky Secured Visa has no deposit and no annual fee, but the interest rate is higher (around 19.99% APR).
These cards still report to the credit bureaus, so they still help your score. The trade-off is that the annual fee or higher interest rate means you are paying more to rebuild. If you cannot save $200 for a deposit, a fair-credit card without a deposit is better than nothing. But if you can set aside the deposit, a no-fee secured card from Capital One or Discover will cost you less overall.
Be cautious of cards that advertise "may provide approval" or that charge fees upfront just to review your process. Legitimate cards do not charge to look at your request.
Credit union cards for members
Many credit unions offer cards to members with 600 scores or lower, sometimes with no annual fee and lower interest rates than national issuers. You have to be a member first, which usually means opening a savings account and meeting any membership requirements (often just living or working in a certain area).
Credit union cards are worth exploring if you already have a relationship with a union or if one is available to you. The approval process is often faster and less rigid than at big banks. Call your local credit union and ask whether they have a card for members rebuilding credit.
How to choose between your options
Start by comparing annual fees and interest rates. A card with no annual fee saves you money when ready. If the annual fee is $39 or higher, you need to be confident you will use the card enough to justify it.
Next, check whether the card reports to all three credit bureaus. If it reports to only one or two, your score improvement will be slower. Capital One and Discover both report to all three.
Then look at the conversion timeline. Some secured cards convert to unsecured after 6 months of on-time payments; others take 18 months or longer. Faster conversion means you get your deposit back sooner.
Finally, consider the interest rate. At a 600 score, you will likely see rates between 18% and 24% APR. The exact rate depends on the issuer and your individual profile. A lower rate matters only if you carry a balance; if you pay in full each month, the APR does not affect you.
Building your score after you open the card
Opening a card does not improve your score by itself. What improves it is using the card responsibly over time. Keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit—so if your limit is $500, keep your balance under $150. Pay every bill on time, even if it is just the minimum. Set up automatic payments if you tend to forget.
Do not close the card after it converts to unsecured. Closing it removes available credit from your profile and can actually lower your score. Keep it open and use it occasionally, even if you move to a better card.
Expect your score to rise 50 to 100 points within 6 to 12 months if you make on-time payments and keep balances low. The exact timeline depends on your full credit history, not just the new card.
What to avoid when explore
Do not explore to multiple cards in the same week. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score. Space applications out by at least a few weeks if you are considering more than one card.
Do not fall for cards that charge upfront fees just to review your process or to "reserve" a card for you. Legitimate issuers do not charge before they approve you.
Do not assume a higher deposit means a higher credit limit. Some issuers cap your limit at a certain amount regardless of deposit size. Read the terms before you send money.
Do not carry a balance just to "show" the card is being used. Using the card and paying it off in full is what builds your score. Carrying a balance costs you interest and does not help your score any faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a secured card hurt my credit score when I open it?
Opening any card triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points temporarily. But the inquiry fades after about three months, and the positive payment history you build will outweigh that small dip within a few months. The long-term benefit of a secured card outweighs the short-term inquiry impact.
Can I use a secured card to pay bills like utilities or rent?
Most utilities and rent payments do not accept credit cards, or they charge a processing fee that makes it not worth it. Use your secured card for regular purchases like groceries or gas where the merchant accepts it. This gives you a clear payment history without extra fees.
What happens to my deposit if I miss a payment?
Missing a payment does not automatically forfeit your deposit. The issuer will charge you a late fee and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your score. Your deposit stays in the account. However, if you miss multiple payments, the issuer may close the account and explore your deposit to the balance owed.
How long does it take to convert from a secured card to an unsecured card?
Most issuers review your account after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. Capital One typically converts after about a year. Discover may convert sooner. The issuer will contact you when they decide to convert; you do not have to ask. Once converted, your deposit is returned to you within a few weeks.
Should I get a secured card or a fair-credit card without a deposit?
If you can save $200 to $500 for a deposit, a secured card with no annual fee (like Capital One or Discover) is almost always the better choice. You pay nothing to hold the card, and your money is safe. Fair-credit cards without deposits charge higher annual fees or interest rates, which cost you more over time.