Can I get a credit card with bad credit?

Yes, even if you have low credit scores, you may have options for getting a credit card. Secured cards, student cards and other cards for building credit could be good places to start. 

Learn more about types of credit cards for people with bad credit. And find out how to compare your options and improve your chances of getting a card.

What you’ll learn:

• It’s possible to get approved for a credit card even if you have bad credit scores.

• If you’re having trouble getting approved for a traditional credit card, you could consider a secured card.

• The Capital One Platinum Secured credit card can be an option for people who are establishing or building credit.

• To improve your chances of approval, you could work on developing responsible financial habits before you apply.

Credit cards are often grouped into two categories: secured and unsecured. Both categories could include different types of credit cards, such as cash back cards, travel cards and student cards. And within either category, there are potential credit card options for people with bad credit:

• Secured cards require a refundable security deposit, which the credit card issuer holds as collateral. 

• Unsecured cards don’t require a deposit to open the account.

In general, having bad credit typically indicates a history of missed payments and trouble repaying debt. This is reflected in credit reports, which are used to calculate credit scores. Poor credit history can suggest to lenders that a borrower is higher risk. And that can make it harder to get approved for some loans and credit cards.

Ultimately, each lender makes its own decision. But credit-scoring company FICO® can give you an idea of how applications are judged, saying credit scores below 580 are considered poor and “well below the average score of U.S. consumers.”

There are key differences between no credit and bad credit. No credit typically means you lack a credit history, while bad credit usually means you have low credit scores.

If you’re comparing credit cards for people with bad credit, there are a few factors you might consider:

Comparing rates can be a good place to start when shopping for a card. The interest rate on a credit card is typically the same as the card’s annual percentage rate.

It could also help to note annual fees and other potential charges. Cash advance fees, late fees, balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees are a few examples.

Applicants with bad credit may be offered lower credit limits than people with higher credit scores. But some issuers may consider automatic credit limit increases after a certain amount of time. And some secured card issuers allow cardholders to increase their credit limit if they pay more than the minimum security deposit.

If you’re using your card responsibly and making on-time payments every month, credit reporting may be one potential benefit of using a credit card rather than a prepaid or debit card.

Upgrading your credit card could let you keep the account open and unlock additional benefits without having to apply for a new credit card.

Having bad credit may not make getting a credit card impossible. To improve your chances, you could consider credit cards designed for people who want to build credit.

While you’re working toward credit card approval, you could:

Knowing where your credit stands could help you avoid applying for cards you’re unlikely to be approved for. CreditWise from Capital One can help. It’s free, even if you’re not a Capital One cardholder. And using CreditWise won’t hurt your credit scores. 

You can use CreditWise to track changes to your credit report and credit score. You can also use the CreditWise Simulator to understand the potential impact of your financial decisions, like applying for a credit card, before you make them. 

You can also get free copies of your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

If a card issuer says you’re pre-approved for a credit card, it usually means you’ve met some general criteria required to become a cardholder. 

Seeing whether you’re pre-approved can help you focus on cards you’re more likely to be approved for. That can mean avoiding unnecessary hard inquiries to your credit reports. Pre-approval from Capital One involves a soft credit inquiry, so it won’t affect your credit scores. 

But keep in mind that if you apply for a credit card, it will typically trigger a hard inquiry. And this could temporarily affect your credit scores.

Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about getting a credit card with bad credit:

If you have low credit scores, you might find that your credit card options are limited. But finding a card that works for you and getting approved are still possible. 

With responsible use, a credit card can help you build your credit and improve your credit scores over time. And that could open the door for better cards in the future.

Looking for your next credit card?

• Check out credit cards for building credit.

• Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit scores.

• Earn cash back on every purchase, every day, with a cash back credit card.

• Monitor your credit score with CreditWise. It’s free and won’t hurt your credit.