The easiest cards to get approved for are secured cards and cards from credit unions, not the rewards cards you see advertised
A secured credit card requires you to put down a cash deposit — usually $200 to $2,500 — that becomes your credit limit. The card issuer holds this money in a savings account while you use the card normally. Because the bank's risk is zero (they already have your money), approval is nearly automatic, even with no credit history or a damaged credit report. You are not borrowing against the deposit; you are borrowing against the credit limit the deposit creates.
The second-easiest route is a credit union card, if you belong to one. Credit unions typically approve members with credit scores below 600, while major banks usually start at 650 or higher. Credit unions also tend to look at your account history with them — steady deposits and low overdrafts — rather than only your credit score. If you have been a member for six months or longer, your odds improve further.
Store cards (from retailers like Target, Kohl's, or Amazon) fall between these two. They approve people with lower scores than bank cards do, but not as reliably as secured cards. The catch is that store cards usually have high interest rates and low credit limits, so they are most useful as a stepping stone rather than a long-term card.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit but approve almost everyone, making them the most reliable option if you have poor or no credit history.
- Credit union cards often approve members with credit scores below 600, especially if you have been a member for at least six months.
- Store cards are easier to get than bank rewards cards but come with higher interest rates and lower limits.
- After six to twelve months of on-time payments on any of these cards, you can often move to a standard card with better terms.
How secured cards work and why approval is nearly may provide
When you open a secured card, you deposit money into a linked savings account. That deposit amount becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. You then use the card like any other card — swipe it, pay the bill each month — and the deposit sits untouched in the bank's account.
The bank approves you because they have already collected the money you might fail to repay. If you stop paying your bill, they straightforward take the payment from your deposit. This is why secured cards approve people with credit scores of 300 or lower, or people with no credit history at all. The approval decision is not about your creditworthiness; it is about the bank's ability to recover money if you default.
Most secured cards charge an annual fee ($25 to $95 is typical) and a higher interest rate than unsecured cards. However, if you pay your full balance each month, the interest rate does not matter. After twelve to eighteen months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to a standard unsecured card and return your deposit. Some let you request this conversion earlier if your credit score has improved.
Major issuers offering secured cards include Capital One, Discover, and Bank of America. Credit unions often offer their own secured cards as well, sometimes with lower deposit minimums or no annual fee.
Credit union cards and membership requirements
Credit unions are member-owned financial institutions, and they often have looser approval standards than banks because they focus on serving their members rather than maximizing profit. Many credit unions will issue a card to a member with a credit score in the 500s or 580s, where a bank would decline.
To get a credit union card, you must first become a member. Membership requirements vary by credit union — some are open to anyone in a geographic area, others require you to work for a specific employer or belong to a specific organization, and still others have no restrictions at all. You can search for credit unions near you through the CO-OP Network or Alliant Credit Union's locator tool.
Once you are a member, credit unions typically look at your account history with them before deciding on a card. If you have had a checking or savings account with them for at least six months, maintained a positive balance, and avoided overdrafts, your odds of approval are high even with a lower credit score. Some credit unions will issue a card to a new member, but membership history strengthens your case.
Credit union cards often have lower annual fees and interest rates than secured cards, and some have no annual fee at all. However, the card's rewards and features vary widely by credit union, so compare a few before joining.
Store cards as a middle ground between secured and standard cards
Retail store cards (Target, Kohl's, Amazon, Best Buy) are easier to get than bank rewards cards but harder to get than secured cards. Most store card issuers approve people with credit scores in the 600 to 650 range, though some go lower. The approval process is usually faster than bank cards — sometimes when ready at checkout — because the issuer is betting you will spend money in their store to justify the risk.
The downside is significant: store cards typically charge 20% to 30% interest rates, far higher than bank cards. Credit limits are usually low ($300 to $1,000 for a first card). The cards offer rewards only at that specific store, so they are not useful for everyday spending elsewhere.
Store cards work best as a stepping stone. If you get one, use it for small purchases you would make anyway, pay the full balance each month to avoid interest, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, you will have built enough credit history to move to a better card. Do not carry a balance on a store card — the interest rate makes it expensive.
What credit score you need for each type of card
Credit score requirements vary by issuer, but these ranges are typical:
| Card Type | Typical Credit Score Range | Approval Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Secured card | 300–750 (no minimum) | Very high |
| Credit union card | 500–650 | High (if member) |
| Store card | 600–700 | Moderate to high |
| Bank rewards card | 670–750+ | Moderate |
These are not hard rules — some issuers are stricter, others more lenient. Your actual approval odds also depend on your income, employment history, and existing debt. A secured card is the only type that does not depend on your credit score at all.
Building credit after you get your first card
Getting approved is the first step; building credit is the second. Credit bureaus track four things: payment history (35% of your score), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), and credit mix (10%). A new card helps most with payment history and credit mix.
To build credit fastest, use your card for small purchases you would make anyway — groceries, gas, a coffee — and pay the full balance each month. This shows lenders you can borrow and repay reliably. Do not carry a balance to build credit; that is a myth. Carrying a balance costs you money in interest and actually hurts your score because it raises your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by your limit).
After six to twelve months of on-time payments, your credit score should improve by 50 to 100 points. At that point, you can explore for a second card or request a credit limit increase on your first card. A higher limit also lowers your utilization ratio, which boosts your score further. After eighteen to twenty-four months, you may be ready for a rewards card with better terms.
Common mistakes that hurt your approval odds
explore for multiple cards in a short time is the biggest mistake. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score. Multiple inquiries in a few weeks signal to lenders that you are desperate for credit, which raises their risk assessment. Space applications at least two to three months apart.
Lying on your process is another trap. Issuers verify income and employment, and false information can result in denial or, worse, fraud charges. If your income is low, a secured card is still your best option — it does not depend on income at all.
explore for a card you do not need is wasteful. Each process leaves a mark on your credit report for two years. If you already have a card and are building credit, wait six months before explore for a second one. A single card used responsibly builds credit just as well as multiple cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card with no credit history?
Yes. A secured card is your best option — it approves almost everyone regardless of credit history. You can also join a credit union and explore for their card after six months of membership. Some store cards also approve people with no credit history, though secured cards are more reliable.
Do I have to pay interest on a secured card?
Only if you carry a balance. Secured cards charge interest just like regular cards, but if you pay your full balance each month, you pay no interest. The annual fee (if there is one) is unavoidable, but many secured cards have no annual fee or charge only $25 to $35.
Will a secured card hurt my credit score?
No. The hard inquiry from explore will lower your score slightly for a few months, but using the card responsibly — paying on time and keeping your balance low — will raise your score over time. After twelve to eighteen months, most issuers convert your secured card to a regular card and return your deposit.
What is the difference between a secured card and a prepaid card?
A secured card is a credit card backed by your deposit — you borrow money and build credit history. A prepaid card is not a credit card; you load money onto it and spend only what you loaded. Prepaid cards do not build credit. If you want to build credit, use a secured credit card, not a prepaid card.
How long does it take to get approved for a secured card?
Most secured card issuers approve or deny you within one to three business days. Some approve when ready online. Once approved, your card arrives in the mail within five to ten business days. You can usually start using it online before the physical card arrives.