Most credit cards require a score of 580 to 700, but the exact number depends on the card type
There is no single credit score that works for all cards. Banks set their own minimums, and those minimums vary widely based on what kind of card they are offering. A rewards card from a major bank might want a score of 670 or higher. A secured card — one backed by a cash deposit you put down — might accept scores as low as 300. The card issuer checks your score during the approval process, and that check is what determines whether you get approved, not some universal threshold.
Your score is one piece of the decision, not the whole thing. Issuers also look at your income, how much debt you already carry, whether you have missed payments recently, and how long your credit history is. A score of 650 with steady income and no recent missed payments can beat a score of 700 with recent late payments and high existing debt.
Key Takeaways
- Secured credit cards typically accept scores between 300 and 600, making them the most accessible option if your score is low.
- Standard cards from major banks usually require scores between 620 and 670, though some accept lower scores depending on other factors.
- Premium rewards cards and travel cards often require scores of 700 or higher, plus higher income and lower existing debt.
- Your credit score is checked during the approval process, and a hard inquiry appears on your report whether you are approved or denied.
- Building credit history matters as much as your current score — a thin file with a decent score can be harder to approve than a longer history with a lower score.
Secured cards: the entry point when your score is under 600
A secured credit card requires you to put down a cash deposit, usually between $200 and $2,500. That deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, and the deposit sits in a bank account as collateral — the issuer can take it if you do not pay your bill. Because the bank's risk is lower, they approve people with scores that standard issuers will not touch.
Most secured card issuers accept scores between 300 and 600, though some have no stated minimum. The real barrier is usually not your score but whether you have the cash deposit available. After you make on-time payments for 6 to 18 months, the issuer typically converts your account to a standard card and returns your deposit. This is how most people rebuild credit after a major problem like a bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Secured cards do charge annual fees — usually $25 to $95 — and interest rates are higher than standard cards, often 18% to 24%. But the fee and rate are the price of access when your score is too low for anything else. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so every on-time payment raises your score.
Standard cards: the middle ground for scores between 620 and 680
Most people with scores in this range can find a card from a major issuer. Banks like Capital One, Discover, and Chase offer cards specifically designed for people rebuilding credit or new to credit. These cards typically have annual fees between $0 and $39, interest rates between 18% and 26%, and credit limits between $300 and $2,500 depending on your income and existing debt.
The approval process for these cards is faster than secured cards — usually a decision within minutes or a few hours. You do not need a deposit. The trade-off is that the interest rate is higher and the credit limit is lower than what someone with a 750 score would get. Some of these cards offer a path to higher limits after six months of on-time payments.
At this score range, your recent payment history matters more than your score number itself. If you have missed a payment in the last 12 months, approval becomes much less likely. If your last missed payment was more than two years ago, your chances improve significantly.
Premium cards: what you need for rewards and travel benefits
Cards with cash-back rewards, travel points, or other premium benefits typically require a score of 700 or higher. Some require 750 or higher. These cards also look closely at your income — most want to see at least $40,000 to $50,000 annually, though this varies by issuer and card. They also want to see that you are not already carrying high balances on other cards.
The reason for the higher bar is straightforward: these cards offer benefits that cost the issuer money. A 2% cash-back card is only profitable for the issuer if the cardholder pays their bill in full and does not default. Someone with a 750 score and a clean recent history is statistically much less likely to default than someone with a 650 score.
If your score is below 700 but you want a rewards card, the path is to use a standard card or secured card for 12 to 24 months, make every payment on time, and bring down any high balances. Then reapply for the premium card. Your score will have risen, and your credit history will be longer.
How the process check affects your credit score
When you explore for a credit card, the issuer pulls your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry or hard pull. It appears on your credit report and lowers your score by a few points — usually 5 to 10 points, though the impact varies. The inquiry stays on your report for two years, but the score impact fades after a few months.
This happens whether you are approved or denied. If you explore for five cards in one week, you will have five hard inquiries, and your score will drop more noticeably. Multiple inquiries in a short time also signal to issuers that you are desperate for credit, which can hurt your approval odds.
The exception is when you are shopping for a mortgage or auto loan. Credit scoring models treat multiple inquiries for the same type of loan within 14 to 45 days as a single inquiry, depending on the scoring model. This does not explore to credit cards — each process is counted separately.
What to do if your score is too low right now
If your score is below 580 and you have been denied for cards, a secured card is your most direct path. You can open one today if you have the deposit, and you will start building history when ready. The card will report to the credit bureaus, and on-time payments will raise your score over time.
While you are using the secured card, focus on two things: making every payment on time, and paying down any existing balances on other accounts. These two actions — payment history and credit utilization — make up 65% of your credit score. If you have a high balance on an existing card, paying it down will raise your score faster than anything else.
Avoid explore for multiple cards at once. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score temporarily. Space applications out by at least three months. After six months of on-time payments on a secured card, your score will likely have risen enough to may have access to for a standard card, and you can close the secured account and get your deposit back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with no credit history?
Yes. A secured card is designed for people with no history or very limited history. You will need the cash deposit, but the issuer does not require you to have an existing score. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you can convert to a standard card. Some issuers also offer student cards or cards for people new to credit with no deposit required, though these are less common.
Does explore for a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10. The impact fades after a few months, and the inquiry disappears from your report after two years. If you are denied, the inquiry still appears and still lowers your score, so avoid explore for multiple cards in a short time.
What if I was denied for a card?
The issuer is required to tell you why. You can also request a free copy of your credit report from annualcreditreport.com and look for errors or missed payments that might have caused the denial. If your score is the issue, wait three to six months, focus on on-time payments and paying down balances, then reapply. If you were denied because of no credit history, a secured card is your next step.
Do I need a high income to get approved for a credit card?
No. Secured cards and standard cards for people rebuilding credit do not require high income. Most want to see at least $15,000 to $20,000 annually. Premium cards with rewards typically want $40,000 or more. Income is one factor among many — a lower income with a high credit score can sometimes beat a higher income with a low score.
How long does it take to get approved after I explore?
Secured cards usually take one to three business days. Standard cards often give a decision within minutes or a few hours. Premium cards may take up to two weeks. You will receive a decision by mail or email. If you are approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.