Credit cards for fair or average credit

If you have average or lower-than-average credit scores, applying for a credit card may seem intimidating. You might be wondering what types of cards you might be eligible for.

Wherever you’re starting, Capital One may have credit card options, including some that allow you to earn rewards. Learn more about credit cards designed for people with fair or average credit.

What you’ll learn:

• FICO® says credit scores ranging from 580 to 669 are considered fair and below average for Americans.

• If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may be eligible for cards that can help you build credit. 

• Credit card options for fair or average credit scores may include both unsecured credit cards and secured credit cards, some of which offer rewards.

• When choosing a credit card, it’s helpful to understand your credit scores, compare interest rates and annual fees, and consider all options available to you.

A credit score is considered “fair” when it falls between 580 and 669, according to credit-scoring company FICO. At the same time, it’s important to understand that “fair” and “average” aren’t the same thing when it comes to credit scores. Scores of 580-669 might be categorized as fair. But these scores are below average in early 2025, when the national average FICO credit score was 715. 

Keep in mind that credit card issuers have their own criteria for determining which cards you can qualify for. Even with fair or below-average credit scores, there may still be credit card options available to you.

Here’s a look at credit card options for people with fair credit scores.

​​To open a secured credit card account, a cardholder typically makes a one-time refundable security deposit. The deposit, which acts as collateral, can make it easier to get approved for a card.

Secured cards are a popular option for building credit from scratch. They can also be an option for rebuilding lower-than-average scores after negative factors have impacted a person’'s credit reports. 

Capital One’s secured credit card options for building or rebuilding credit include: 

• Platinum Secured card: This is a secured card with no annual fee and no hidden fees. View important rates and disclosures. And if you make the minimum required security deposit, you’ll get an initial credit line of at least $200. You can also raise your initial credit line by depositing more than the minimum.

• Quicksilver Secured card: Like other secured cards, the Quicksilver Secured Rewards card requires a refundable deposit. But its $200 minimum deposit comes with the ability to earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, all with no annual fee. View important rates and disclosures.

Unsecured cards are what people may imagine when they think of a traditional credit card. These cards don’t require the cardholder to make a deposit. Without a security deposit to act as collateral, unsecured cards can have stricter requirements for approval. 

People with fair credit scores might consider these options from Capital One: 

• Platinum Mastercard: The Platinum Mastercard can be another option for people with fair credit, giving them the credit they need with no annual fee. View important rates and disclosures. And as with the Platinum Secured card, they’ll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as few as six months.

• QuicksilverOne card: Cardholders can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Plus, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. And rewards can be redeemed in a variety of ways. Annual fee is $39. View important rates and disclosures.

• SavorOne card: To earn rewards on food and fun, SavorOne offers unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. Plus it offers 1% cash back on all other purchases. Annual fee is $39. View important rates and disclosures.

If you’re at a four-year university, a community college or another higher-education institution, you might be interested in one of these Capital One student credit cards:

• Quicksilver Student card: Like the Quicksilver cards you’ve already read about, this card offers the ability to earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. And there’s no annual fee. View important rates and disclosures.

• Savor Student card: If going out is your thing, this card might be for you. It offers unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining and entertainment. Staying in? Earn 3% on popular streaming services. All with no annual fee. View important rates and disclosures.

When you apply for a credit card, “fair” and "average” credit scores are loose definitions. That’s because lending decisions are ultimately up to individual credit card issuers. Plus, people can have more than one credit score.

But FICO provides some general idea about how lenders might view your scores. It says a fair credit score is between 580 and 669. If your score is higher, you may have a better chance of being approved for a card. That’s because a higher score typically signals to lenders that you’re an acceptable credit risk.

Capital One credit cards share certain features and benefits that can make using your card responsibly that much easier. Here are a few:

• $0 foreign transaction fees: You won’t pay a fee for purchases made outside the U.S. using your Capital One credit card. View important rates and disclosures.

• $0 liability for unauthorized charges: If your card is lost or stolen, you won’t be responsible for charges you didn’t authorize.

• 24/7 account monitoring: Eno, your Capital One assistant, can help keep an eye on your accounts 24/7 and can reach out if something unusual is spotted.

• Capital One Mobile app: Manage your accounts anywhere, anytime with the mobile app.

• Pick your own due date feature: Change your due date to help gain more control over your finances.

• Automatic payments: When it's time to pay your bill, AutoPay helps ensure your Capital One credit card payment is automatically made on your due date each month.

• Automatic credit line reviews: With some Capital One credit cards, you may be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.

When it comes to choosing a credit card, there are lots of factors to consider. Everybody’s financial situation and goals are different, so the best card for you isn’t determined by credit scores alone.

If your credit scores are fair or average, here are some tips that may help you choose a card:

1. Know your credit scores. Some cards are specifically designed for people with fair credit scores. To better understand your credit situation so you can find the right card, you can use free tools like CreditWise from Capital One to monitor your credit report. You can also get free copies of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

2. Consider interest rates and annual fees. As you compare card options, be sure to consider a card’s annual fee and the annual percentage rate (APR). One way to minimize or avoid interest charges? Pay off your statement balance every month. 

3. Don’t rule out secured credit cards. If you have fair credit scores, qualifying for unsecured credit cards may be challenging. In this case, secured cards can be an option. With automatic credit line reviews, you could be considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. And with responsible use of your card, you could position yourself to get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured card.

4. Explore additional card benefits. Check out the range of benefits offered by the cards you’re considering. Capital One cards, for example, can offer everything from security alerts to access to can't miss events across music, sports, theater, dining and more through Capital One Entertainment.

Whether your credit scores are fair or average, there may be a Capital One card that’s right for you. To find a good fit, you could start by comparing cards from Capital One. 

If you’re new to credit or searching for your next credit card, here are other ways Capital One can help: 

• See whether you’re pre-approved for credit cards without harming your credit scores. 

• If you’re looking to build your credit with responsible use, explore student cards and cards for people with fair credit.

• Earn up to 3% cash back with a cash back rewards card. 

• Monitor your credit report and score with CreditWise. It’s free for everyone, and using it won’t hurt your credit.