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If you have bad credit, getting another credit card may be the last thing you are thinking about. However, when used responsibly, credit cards can actually be a helpful tool for rebuilding your credit.
A low-limit or secured card can work in your favor when rebuilding your credit, as long as you keep your balances low and make your monthly payments on time.
Rebuilding credit with a credit card
The key to rebuilding your credit with a credit card is to treat it as a tool, not as extra spending money. Keeping your balance low compared to your credit limit shows you can manage your credit without stretching yourself too thin. On-time payments reported to the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax — can help you build a more positive payment history.
Over time, using your credit card wisely can help attain a good credit score and qualify you for better cards with higher credit limits and lower interest rates.
Best credit cards for rebuilding credit compared
| Credit card | Great for… | Annual fee | Minimum security deposit |
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Discover it® Secured Credit Card(Rates and fees)
|
Cashback match | $0 | $200 |
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secured Self Visa® Credit Card
|
Low security deposit | $25 (waived first year) | $100 |
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Chime Card™1 <p class="">Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. <br></p>
|
No interest | $0 | None |
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Quicksilver Secured from Capital One
|
Cashback rewards | $0 | $200 |
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OneMain Financial BrightWay® credit card
|
Unsecured card | $89 | None |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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- No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on the dark web. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- $0 annual fee
- No credit score required to apply
- Requires at least $200 security deposit
Discover offers a secured credit card that can help you rebuild your credit and earn cashback rewards on your purchases. With the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, you can earn 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) and 1% on all other purchases. Like other Discover credit cards, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year..
To open a Discover It Secured Credit Card, you'll need to make a security deposit of at least $200. The money you deposit is your credit limit. However, after seven months, you may be eligible to have your security deposit refunded and your account upgraded to an unsecured card if Discover determines that you qualify after reviewing your account.
- Security deposit is refundable
- Can upgrade to an unsecured card
- Earns cashback rewards on every purchase
- Credit is limited to your deposit
- High APR
- High late payment and returned payment fees
Apply now | Learn more in our Discover It Secured Credit Card review
secured Self Visa® Credit Card
- $25 (waived first year) annual fee
- Requires at least $100 security deposit
- Doesn't require a hard credit inquiry for approval
Many of the best secured credit cards require a security deposit of at least $200. If you don't have that amount, you may want to consider a Secured Self Visa Credit Card. This secured card requires only a $100 security deposit to open your account. However, remember that if you only put $100 on the card, that is all you'll be able to charge.
The Secured Self Visa Credit Card may also be attractive to you if you don't want a hard inquiry on your credit report since it's not required to get approved for this card. The card does come with some drawbacks. The annual fee is $25 (waived first year), and the card also levies fees you won't have with other cards, such as an instant debit fee, late fees, and returned payment fees.
- No annual fee in the first year
- Low security deposit
- No hard credit inquiry required
- Doesn't offer spending rewards
- High APR
- Charges some fees that other cards don't
Apply now | Learn more in our Secured Self Visa Credit Card review
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secured Self Visa® Credit Card
Current Offer
May become eligible for a secured card by opening a Credit Builder account and having $100 or more in savings progress
Annual Fee
$25 (waived first year)
Chime Card™
- No annual fee or interest
- Offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on rotating categories with Chime+ status
- Automatically comes with Chime Checking and Chime Secured Deposit Account (SDA)
The fintech company Chime has phased out its Chime Credit Builder Secured Card and replaced it with the Chime Card™.5 <p>The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.</p>
Like Credit Builder, the Chime Card is a secured credit card that can help you rebuild your credit. However, the new card has better access to Chime's banking products and offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on rotating categories with Chime+ status.
To get a Chime Card, you must first open a Chime banking account. That should be simple enough since it's one of the easiest bank accounts to open online and doesn't require a credit check.
There is no minimum security deposit required for the Chime Card, but remember it is a secured card, so your credit limit is based on the balance in your Chime account. The Chime Card excels over a debit card because it reports your payment history to the credit bureaus, enabling you to rebuild your credit as you spend.
And, unlike other secured credit cards, the Chime Card doesn't charge interest on your outstanding balance.
- No annual fees, interest, or required security deposit6 <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.</p>
- Card purchases are eligible for Chime's SpotMe overdraft protection7 <p>SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/">SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions</a>.</p>
- Earn cash back on purchases with direct deposit8 <p>With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.</p>
- Must have direct deposit to earn cash back
- You must have a Chime account
Apply now | Learn more in our Chime review
Quicksilver Secured from Capital One
- Requires a minimum $200 deposit (refundable)
- Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee
While other secured credit cards may offer cashback rewards on your spending, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card has the most straightforward program. It doesn't require a direct deposit or limit rewards to specific spending categories.
With this card, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, and you can use those rewards to cover your purchases, receive a statement credit, or buy gift cards.
The Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, but it does charge late fees of up to Up to $40 per occurrence. You must deposit at least $200 as a security deposit for the card.
After about six months, Capital One automatically reviews your account and, if you are a responsible card user, you may be eligible for a higher credit line (without an additional deposit) or an upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
- Offers cashback rewards for spending
- The security deposit is refundable
- High APR
- Charges late fees
- Requires a fair credit score (650-699)
Learn more in our Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards review.
OneMain Financial BrightWay® credit card
- Unsecured card with up to $2,000 credit limit
- Offers rewards for paying your bill on time
- Offers 1% cash back
If you don't like the idea of putting down a security deposit for a secured credit card, you may want to consider the OneMain Financial BrightWay unsecured credit card. This card offers a credit limit up to $2,000 with no required security deposit.
However, it is currently not available to everyone. You can only apply for a BrightWay card if you have received a personal invitation.
If you have been invited to apply for the BrightWay card, you have a choice between two different versions of the card. The standard BrightWay card is for people who are still working to improve their credit standing. It's easier to get approved for, but it also has a hefty annual fee of $89.
If you have more established credit, you may qualify for the BrightWay+ card. This card has most of the same features as the standard card, but there is no annual fee.
Both cards offer 1% cash back, but they also have a high APR of 35.99% on purchases and balance transfers. With an APR this high, you should make sure to pay off the card's balance every month. After the first six months of having the card, you could be eligible to receive either a credit limit increase or an APR decrease.
- No security deposit required
- Earns cash back
- If eligible, you can receive a credit limit increase or an APR decrease
- Available by invitation only
- APR is very high
- High annual fee
How to choose a credit card for rebuilding your credit
When choosing a credit card to help rebuild your credit, focus on features that make the process easier without a ton of fees.
Secured cards, which usually require a refundable deposit, are often easier to qualify for. Beginner-friendly unsecured cards like the OneMain Financial BrightWay cards don't require deposits, but they can also come with higher fees and interest rates.
It pays to compare fees and interest rates before you apply for a credit card. You don't want to be nickel-and-dimed with annual fees or high APRs when you are trying to rebuild your credit.
Other things to consider include:
- The minimum security deposit required (on secured cards)
- Whether the card offers automatic reviews for credit limit increases
- Whether the card enables you to upgrade to a better card
Also, think about how the card fits your spending habits. Cashback rewards are nice but not super important when your goal is to build credit. However, those rewards can come in handy if you use them to cover purchases you've already made.
Methodology
To identify the best credit cards for rebuilding credit, we evaluated cards based on fees, accessibility, security deposit requirements, rewards, and overall ease of use for consumers working to improve their credit. We focused specifically on cards that report to all three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax — since consistent reporting is essential to rebuilding credit.
FAQs
What credit card has a $2,000 limit for bad credit?
The OneMain Financial BrightWay card offers a credit limit of up to $2,000 for those with bad credit. However, this card is limited to invited customers only. Some secured credit cards may also offer a $2,000 limit, provided that you make a matching security deposit.
Can you get a 700 credit score in 30 days fast?
Raising your credit score to 700 in just 30 days isn't an easy task — in fact, it won't be feasible for most people. But, you may be able to boost your score by paying down your credit card balances, making on-time payments, and disputing any errors on your credit report.
How long does it take to build credit from 500 to 700?
Improving your credit score from 500 to 700 usually takes several months, depending on your debt levels, payment habits, and whether you use your credit wisely.
Bottom line
Rebuilding your credit takes patience, consistency, and the right tools. The right credit card can make this process easier.
Whether you choose a secured card with a refundable deposit, a no-interest option tied to your banking account, or an invitation-only unsecured card, the best choice is one that fits your budget and helps you build smart credit habits.
Over time, these steps can help strengthen your credit and open the door to better financial opportunities. Check out our list of best credit cards for bad credit for more options.
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Current Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.