Easiest Credit Cards to Get in August 2024
Holly Johnson
Contributor
Holly Johnson is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s personal finance team with a focus on credit cards and rewards, financial products and travel. Johnson has spent more than a decade covering financial and travel news and resides in Indiana with her husband and two children.
Claire Dickey
Senior Editor
Claire is a senior editor at Newsweek focused on credit cards, loans and banking. Her top priority is providing unbiased, in-depth personal finance content to ensure readers are well-equipped with knowledge when making financial decisions.
Prior to Newsweek, Claire spent five years at Bankrate as a lead credit cards editor. You can find her jogging through Austin, TX, or playing tourist in her free time.
Updated August 1, 2024 at 3:44 pm
The easiest credit cards to get approved for when have a low score or are fresh to credit are secured cards. With a secured credit card, you’re required to put a deposit up front. Use your card responsibly and stay on top of your payments, and you might graduate to an unsecured card and get your security deposit back.
You can also take a look at student credit cards if you’re in college. They usually feature no or low annual fees, no credit score requirements and may also come with valuable perks and cash-back rewards.
Last, you might also be able to get approved for an unsecured credit card. While you typically are recommended to have strong credit to get approved for the cards with the best perks, there are ones available to those with less-than-perfect credit. They don’t require a security deposit as collateral. Also, some have higher fees and fewer perks than their secured card counterparts.
In this guide to the easiest credit cards to get approved for, we’ve featured choices that could be a good fit if you’re building your credit. Here are some of the best credit cards with easy approvals in 2024 based on criteria such as fees, minimum credit scores, rewards and cardholder benefits.
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Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.
- Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
- Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Building Credit: Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
- Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Easiest Credit Cards to Get Approved for in 2024
Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover matches all the cash back rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and adds it to your rewards account within two billing periods.
Why we chose it: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card can approve you even if you don’t have a credit score yet, and you get the chance to earn rewards and build credit after putting down a security deposit of at least $200. There’s no annual fee, and Discover says that after seven months your account is automatically reviewed for eligibility to get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured Discover card. Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Earn 1% to 2% cash back on spending
- No credit score required
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- Bonus rewards spending caps
Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: While the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card may require some credit history to be approved, this secured credit card lets you build credit for the future and earn rewards at the same time with a minimum security deposit of $200.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
On CreditCards.com's secure site
Why we chose it: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t offer any rewards for spending, but it does have a minimum security deposit that will either be $49, $99 or $200 for an initial $200 credit limit. This potential for a low deposit amount can be helpful for consumers who need to start building credit with a limited cash flow. Read our Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card review.
Pros
- Minimum security deposit of $49, $99 or $200
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No rewards on spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: The OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check or hard inquiry to get approved. According to its website, there’s an 89% approval rate. This means you could be eligible to put down a security deposit and start building credit regardless of your credit history. Read our OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card review.
Pros
- No credit check required
- 89% average approval rate
- Build credit history across all three major credit bureaus
Cons
- $35 annual fee
- High variable interest rates
Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.
Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Rise is an unsecured credit card that earns rewards and helps build credit. However, Chase says cardholders who already have a Chase bank checking account with at least $250 on deposit are more likely to qualify.
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back rewards on everything you buy
- $25 statement credit for enrolling in automatic payments within first three months
- Potential for a credit limit increase after six months
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- May need Chase banking relationship to qualify
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: Issued by WebBank, the Petal 1 Rise is an unsecured credit card for people with no credit history, limited credit or poor credit. This card lets you get preapproved online without any impact on your credit, and you can earn 2% to 10% cash back with select merchants.
Pros
- No security deposit required
- Considers alternative data for approvals (like banking history)
- Get up to a $5,000 credit limit
Cons
- $59 annual fee
- No rewards for regular spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for Building Credit: Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card may be slightly more difficult to qualify for than the Petal 1 Rise, but it’s still geared toward people with limited credit or imperfect credit. This card doesn’t charge an annual fee, and cardholders can qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Similar to the Petal Rise, you can earn 2% to 10% cash back with select merchants, but there’s no ongoing rewards structure.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Get up to a $5,000 credit limit
- Considers alternative data for approvals
Cons
- No rewards for regular spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
On CreditCards.com's secure site
Why we chose it: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is another unsecured credit card to consider if you have fair credit, or a FICO Score from 580 to 669. This card doesn’t offer rewards, but it does build credit and give you the chance to earn a higher credit limit in as little as six months with responsible use. Read our Capital One Platinum Credit Card review.
Pros
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Pathway to a higher credit limit in as little as six months
- As an unsecured card, no security deposit is required
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- No rewards for spending
Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Why we chose it: The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit is a good match for those who need to rebuild their credit after mistakes made in the past—and it even offers cash back rewards on eligible purchases.
Pros
- Earns 1% cash back on eligible purchases
- Pathway to a higher credit limit
- As an unsecured card, no security deposit is required
Cons
- $75 annual fee the first year, then $99 ($8.25 per month)
- High variable interest rates
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover matches all the cash back rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and adds it to your rewards account within two billing periods.
Why we chose it: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is the easiest credit card to get for students since you don’t even need a credit score to apply. This card also earns rewards for spending, and it helps young people build credit for the future with on-time payments and responsible use. Read our Discover it® Student Cash Back review.
Pros
- Earns 1% to 5% cash back rewards, plus a Cashback Match™ welcome bonus
- Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- No penalty APR
Cons
- High variable interest rates (after introductory offers end)
- Spending caps on bonus rewards categories
- Category activation required to earn highest rates
Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
After making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Why we chose it: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is another easy card to get for college students, and it doesn’t charge an annual fee. Cardholders can even earn 1.5% cash back on purchases made with their card, and an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers applies.
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back on purchases
- Features a first-year welcome bonus
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- High variable interest rates after intro offer
- Charges foreign transaction fees
A Closer Look at the Easiest Credit Cards to Get
Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: When it comes to finding the easiest credit card to get that’s also rewarding, it’s hard to beat the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. This secured credit card doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, yet you can earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 spent at restaurants and gas stations each quarter (then 1% back) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, with Discover’s Cashback Match™ program, your first-year rewards earnings will be matched after year one.
Who should have this in their wallet: Because the Discover it® Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a credit score to apply, this card is ideal for consumers with no credit, limited credit or damaged credit due to mistakes made in the past. Users who choose the Discover it® Secured Credit Card get the chance to earn rewards and build credit for the future, and they can even get their security deposit back in as little as six months.
Other cards to consider: If your search for the easiest credit card to get is focused on secured credit cards, other options also earn rewards and help build credit. A solid alternative to consider is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card since it earns a flat rewards rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases and features relatively easy approval requirements.
Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured is a stand-out secured credit card due to its lack of an annual fee and the fact you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. A free FICO Score is offered every month, and you can use this card to help establish, build or strengthen your credit for the future.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card if you want a secured credit card that earns rewards, and you’re willing to put down a security deposit of at least $200. This card is a great choice for consumers who prefer to earn flat-rate cash back for spending.
Other cards to consider: If you travel internationally often from time to time and don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees, consider the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. It also earns rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also requires the same minimum security deposit of $200.
Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card can be an attractive option for cash-strapped consumers since it has a minimum security deposit that starts at $49 if you qualify but could also be $99 or $200. Even with a lower deposit amount, cardholders get a starting credit limit of $200 and can use their card to build credit for the future. Capital One also offers automatic credit line reviews that could lead to getting a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is for people who need to start building credit but don’t necessarily care about earning rewards. Individuals who want to put down the lowest security deposit possible should also check out this card.
Other cards to consider: If you’re willing to put down $200 or more for a secured credit card, you can qualify for one that builds credit and doles out rewards for spending. Examples include the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card, to name a few.
Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: While the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee, this card doesn’t use a hard inquiry to check your credit. The card issuer also says it has an 89% average approval rate, which means it can be one of the easiest credit cards to get by far.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card if you have problems with your credit and want the chance to rebuild. You can start building credit with a minimum security deposit of just $200 and earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases at over 40,000 retailers.
Other cards to consider: Other credit cards can help you build credit after mistakes made in the past if you’re willing to go through a credit check to get approved. For starters, you’ll want to check out the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card.
Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card
Why we love this card: While Chase says the Chase Freedom Rise is easier to qualify for if you have a Chase bank checking account with at least $250 on deposit, this card can be well worth the trouble. Individuals won’t pay an annual fee, and they get to earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cardholders can even get a $25 cash bonus for enrolling their card in automatic payments, and it’s possible to qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Chase Freedom Rise is for anyone who wants to build credit and earn rewards without having to put down collateral for a secured credit card. This card is also geared toward existing Chase customers or consumers who are willing to open a Chase checking account.
Other cards to consider: There are other unsecured credit cards to consider depending on your credit score, including the Petal 1 Rise, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit.
Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal 1 Rise Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Petal 1 Rise is an unsecured credit card that can help credit newcomers build credit for the future if they’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee. This card doesn’t offer rewards on regular spending, but cardholders can earn 2% to 10% cash back on purchases with select merchants. Initial credit limits range from $300 to $5,000, and those with the Petal 1 Rise can also qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months with the Petal Leap Program. Also note that Petal credit cards consider alternative banking data for approvals, so linking a savings account and showing responsible banking activity can help you get approved.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Petal 1 Rise is best for people who want to build credit with an unsecured credit card and don’t want to prioritize earning rewards on regular purchases. This card also comes with its own mobile app that makes it a solid choice for tech-savvy consumers who want to manage their credit, purchases and payments on the go.
Other cards to consider: There are plenty of other unsecured credit cards that build credit without a security deposit, including some with no annual fee. Alternatives to consider include the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa and the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
Best for Building Credit: Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card is another card option in the Petal family that’s unsecured with no requirement for collateral. This card doesn’t have an annual fee or charge foreign transaction fees, and it offers a path to a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Cardholders can also earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants and qualify for an initial credit limit of up to $5,000. Better yet, this card issuer considers data outside of credit scores for approvals, including your banking history.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa is for people who want to build credit without putting down a security deposit or paying an annual fee. This card is also for people who want to manage their purchases and payments using a mobile app.
Other cards to consider: If you want to build credit but also earn rewards for spending, there are some alternatives to consider that let you do both. Secured and unsecured cards that are easy to get but offer rewards include the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card and the Chase Freedom Rise.
Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is for people with fair to good credit who want to potentially improve their credit for the future and learn positive credit habits along the way. Capital One says they conduct automatic credit line reviews that can lead to a higher credit limit in as little as six months. This card is also offered with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is best for consumers who want to build credit without dealing with the temptation to overspend to earn rewards. This card is also for people with fair credit who prefer to build credit with an unsecured credit card.
Other cards to consider: Other credit cards for fair credit can also be some of the easiest credit cards to get, and some offer rewards. For example, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit offers rewards on eligible purchases while building credit for the future.
Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit
Why we love this card: While the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit charges an annual fee, this card can be easy to qualify for when you need help rebuilding credit after some mishaps in the past. This card also offers 1% cash back rewards in certain categories, including eligible gas and grocery store purchases, your mobile phone bill and internet, cable and satellite TV services.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit if you have an existing credit history but need help repairing your credit score. While an annual fee applies each year, spending in the rewards categories on this card could help you earn enough cash back to cover it.
Other cards to consider: There are other credit cards if you have a better fair credit score that don’t charge an annual fee, although some don’t offer rewards. Compare this card to the Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa.
Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Why we love this card: We love the Discover it® Student Cash Back because it doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, nor does it require applicants to have a credit score to be approved. This means it’s possible to get this card with no credit history at all. In the meantime, cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in activated, rotating bonus categories each quarter (then 1% back) and 1% back on other purchases. Discover will also match all rewards earned in your first year.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider this card if you’re a college student who needs a credit card to build credit for the future. Not only will the Discover it® Student Cash Back let you earn rewards for every dollar you spend, but you can also build credit with on-time payments on your card.
Other cards to consider: There are all kinds of other student credit cards to consider that earn rewards and don’t charge an annual fee. For example, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and is geared toward college students with limited credit history.
Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Why we love this card: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is an excellent beginner card for college students since it offers rewards with no annual fee. Cardholders also get an intro APR offer that applies to purchases and balance transfers, which can help them save money as they pay down large purchases or consolidate and pay down other high-interest debts. This card even offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus for new cardholders who can spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students if you have some existing credit history but want to build credit for the future while earning rewards. This card’s intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers also makes it useful for people who want to save on interest for a limited time.
Other cards to consider: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is also worth checking out if you want a credit card for students that’s easy to get. Further, the Discover it® Student Cash Back doesn’t require a credit score for approval, so it could be easier to qualify if you have no credit at all.
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Credit Card?
The credit score you need for a credit card depends on the type of card you plan to apply for. For example, you may qualify for one of the easiest credit cards to get with bad credit, but some cards in our guide don’t require a credit score at all.
The chart below shows what each credit score range means and how likely you are to qualify for different types of credit cards.
FICO Credit Score Range | Credit Rating | What This Means | Credit Cards to Consider |
No credit score | No credit | You don’t have any (or enough) reporting on your credit reports yet | Secured credit cards that don’t require a credit score Credit cards with no credit check required |
Less than 580 | Poor credit | Based on your credit history, credit card issuers may see you as a risk | Secured credit cards |
580 to 669 | Fair credit | You may get approved for certain types of cards | Unsecured credit cards for fair credit |
670 to 739 | Good credit | Most card issuers and lenders will consider applicants with a credit score in this range | Rewards credit cards and travel credit cards |
740 to 799 | Very good credit | More card issuers may approve applicants with a credit score in this range for their best products | Best rewards and travel credit cards |
800+ | Exceptional credit | Credit card issuers may approve applicants with a credit score in this range for their best products | Best rewards and travel credit cards |
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Steps you can take to boost your credit score are pretty much the same regardless of where your credit stands right now. However, the importance of each move can vary based on the type of credit card you’re using and other details about your card.
Once you narrow down the easiest credit card to get and are approved, these tips can help you build credit and your score as fast as possible.
Never Miss a Payment
Payment history is the biggest determinant of FICO Scores, so this is one area where you can’t mess up. Make sure you pay all your bills before the due date every single month, even if that means setting up all your bills for automatic payments.
Be Mindful of Your Debt
How much debt you owe is another factor that impacts credit scores, and most experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio below 10% of your available credit (30% at a maximum) for the best results.
This means that, if you have a credit limit of $1,000, you should never owe more than $100 on your card (or $300 at the absolute most).
Make Weekly Credit Card Payments
If the credit card you’re using to build credit has a low credit limit, you’ll need to be especially mindful when it comes to keeping your credit utilization low. If you only have a $200 credit limit, for example, owing $100 means you can show a credit utilization ratio of 50%.
To keep your utilization as low as possible, we suggest paying off purchases as you make them or making weekly payments on your card.
Use Credit-Building Tools
A range of credit-building tools can help you get new information reported to the credit bureaus based on payments you’re already making. One example is Experian Boost, which helps you get credit for subscription services you have, utility bills and even rent.
Another option is the Chime®, which lets you deposit money into a linked checking account and use an associated secured card to start building credit safely. This free way to build credit is available with no credit check required to apply.
Check Your Credit Reports
Your credit reports list the information that’s used by the credit bureaus to assign your credit score, so you want to make sure this data is accurate. Fortunately, you can check your credit reports weekly for free with the website AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find errors on your reports that could be dragging your score down, you can take steps to formally dispute these errors with the credit bureaus.
Let Old Accounts Linger
Since the average length of your credit history makes up 15% of FICO Scores, keeping old accounts open can help your credit. This is even true if you’re not using them, so make sure to stash other credit cards you have for safekeeping instead of closing them out.
Stop Applying for New Credit
New credit makes up another 10% of FICO Scores, and credit card issuers don’t like to see too much. In fact, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) says that research shows opening too many new credit cards in a short amount of time represents more risk.
To help yourself as much as possible in this category, you should stop applying for new cards and use the ones you have while you focus on improving your score.
Requirements for Credit Card Approval
The exact requirements to be approved for a credit card can vary by card and issuer. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll usually need to have.
Security Deposit (Optional)
If your credit history (or lack thereof) means the easiest credit card to get is a secured credit card, you’ll need to put down a cash deposit to get approved. This deposit can be as low as $49 in some cases, but most security deposits start at $200.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about losing this money. The security deposit you put down for a secured credit card is fully refundable when you close or upgrade your account after using it responsibly (provided you don’t have an outstanding balance).
Credit History (Optional)
While some secured credit cards don’t require a credit score or even a credit check, for that matter, most require some sort of credit history to be approved. If you’re worried you won’t get approved for a credit card based on your lack of credit history, look for cards that let you get prequalified so you can have an idea of your approval odds before you apply.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Most U.S. credit cards require you to have a 9-digit Social Security number (SSN) to apply. However, some cards let you apply with an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) instead.
Regular Income
You’ll also need to provide income information to get approved for a credit card, and the rules can be different based on your age. For example, credit card applicants under the age of 21 can only list income on a credit application that they earn or expect to earn. However, applicants ages 21 and older can list household income on their application. This can include income applicants regularly get from others to pay their bills.
Personal Details
You’ll need to share a range of personal details when you apply for a secured credit card or an unsecured option. Plan on sharing information like your home address, phone number, email address, employment situation, monthly housing payment and more.
5 Tips for Easy Credit Card Approval
1. Check Your Credit Score
Knowing where you stand with your credit score can help you narrow down the cards you’ll most likely get approved for. A few places where you’ll be able to check your credit score for free include card issuers, credit monitoring services and some popular money management apps.
2. Only Apply for Cards You Need
Applying for multiple credit cards at once signals to lenders that you might be financially stretched – and it could be a greater risk to approve you of a card. Instead, only apply for credit cards when necessary.
3. Apply for Pre-Qualification
If a credit card gives you the option to get pre-qualifed, you can see where you stand based on the initial criteria and if you should take the next step. The beauty of it? Card issuers do a soft pull of your credit, which means it has zero impact on your score. The process is usually done online, and you provide basic personal and financial information. It is not a guarantee of approval.
4. Create a Healthy Credit Mix
Your credit mix makes up 10% of your credit score, so having a healthy mix of both installment credit – think personal loans, car loans – and revolving credit (i.e., credit cards) can help drive up your score. A diversity of credit types and accounts signals to lenders that you are financially on top of things, and can handle different types of credit.
5. Team Up With a Co-Signer
If your credit score looms in the fair or average ranges, or you’re new to building credit, applying for a co-signer with a strong score and a long credit history can boost your chances of getting approved for a card.
Before you and your potential co-signer agree to applying for a card together, you’ll want to be informed of the financial responsibilities that come with being joint card holders. For example, should one cardholder be unable to keep up with payments, the other is on the hook for making those payments.
Information has not been provided by Capital One and is not an indication of preapproval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Card When You Have No Credit?
The best credit cards when you have no credit profile are secured cards, student credit cards and those that have no credit score requirement. There are pros and cons to each card, so stack up your options side-by-side to figure out which is the best one for you.
What Is the Best Credit Card for Bad Credit?
The best credit cards for bad credit are those that have low or no minimum credit score requirements. Secured credit cards might also be a good option. If you have bad credit, aim to pay off your balance in full each month. You’ll want to make it a priority to make on-time payments.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Credit Score?
You usually need anywhere from three to six months of credit activity reported to the credit bureaus to establish a credit score.
Newsweek writer Jackie Lam contributed to this post.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
More From the Vault: Beginner’s Guide To Credit Cards
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Holly Johnson
Contributor
Holly Johnson is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s personal finance team with a focus on credit cards and rewards, financial products and travel. Johnson has spent more than a decade covering financial and travel news and resides in Indiana with her husband and two children.