Which Credit Cards Are Easiest to Get Approved For
Cards that approve people with limited or damaged credit history
The easiest credit cards to get are secured cards and cards designed for people rebuilding credit. Both exist specifically because traditional cards reject people with no credit score, a low score, or recent missed payments. A secured card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. A rebuilding card has no deposit but charges higher interest rates and annual fees — the trade-off for accepting riskier applicants.
Approval odds are highest with secured cards because the bank holds your money as collateral. You cannot lose more than you deposited. Capital One Secured Mastercard, Discover Secured Card, and US Bank Secured Visa are common examples. These cards report to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your score over time. After 6 to 18 months of good payment history, many issuers will convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
If you want to avoid a deposit, rebuilding cards like the Capital One Platinum or Discover It Secured alternative (which also uses a deposit) are next-easiest. Some people also get approved for store cards — Target, Amazon, or department store cards — which tend to have looser approval standards than bank-issued cards, though they only work at that retailer.
Key Takeaways
- Secured cards require a cash deposit but have the highest approval odds because the bank's risk is zero.
- Rebuilding cards charge higher fees and interest but do not require a deposit, making them easier than traditional cards but harder to get than secured cards.
- Store cards (Target, Amazon, department stores) often approve people who would be rejected for bank cards, though you can only use them at that business.
- Your credit score, recent payment history, and income all affect approval, but secured cards bypass most of these checks by using your own money as security.
How secured cards actually work
You deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer. That deposit amount becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You then use the card like any other — swipe it, pay the bill each month, build payment history. The bank keeps your deposit untouched unless you stop paying your bill.
The deposit is not a fee. You own that money. If you close the account or upgrade to an unsecured card, you get it back. However, the card itself usually charges an annual fee ($0 to $95 depending on the issuer), and the interest rate is typically higher than unsecured cards — often 18% to 24% APR. If you carry a balance, you pay interest on top of the annual fee, so these cards work best when you pay off your statement balance in full each month.
Approval happens within days because the bank already has your deposit. There is no underwriting delay. You fund the account, receive the card, and start using it almost immediately.
Rebuilding cards and their trade-offs
Rebuilding cards (sometimes called "credit builder" cards) do not require a deposit but still charge annual fees and high interest rates. The Capital One Platinum Mastercard, for example, has no annual fee but charges 26.99% APR. The Discover It Secured card requires a deposit like a secured card but is marketed as a rebuilding option.
These cards approve people with credit scores below 600 or with recent negative marks like late payments or collections. The approval process is faster than traditional cards but slower than secured cards — usually a few business days instead of same-day. You will need to provide income information, and the issuer will check your credit report, but they are willing to overlook things that would disqualify you elsewhere.
The downside is cost. If you carry a balance, the combination of high interest and annual fees makes these cards expensive. They work best as a tool to rebuild credit over 12 to 24 months, not as a card you use long-term. Once your score improves, you can move to a card with lower rates.
Store cards and retail approval standards
Store cards — issued by Target, Amazon, Walmart, or department stores like Macy's — often approve people who get rejected by banks. These cards have lower approval thresholds because the issuer benefits from keeping you shopping at their store. A store card also limits your spending to that retailer, which reduces the bank's risk.
Approval is usually instant or within hours. You apply in-store or online, get a decision on the spot, and can use the card immediately. Interest rates are high (often 20% to 29% APR), and the card only works at that business, so it is not a replacement for a general-purpose card. However, if you need a card right now and have poor credit, a store card is a realistic option.
Store cards also report to credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your score. Many people use a store card as a stepping stone — get approved, make on-time payments for 6 to 12 months, then move to a secured or rebuilding card with broader use.
What approval actually depends on
Credit card approval looks at your credit score, payment history, income, and debt-to-income ratio. A low score or recent missed payments make traditional cards reject you outright. Secured cards bypass this because your deposit covers the risk. Rebuilding and store cards use looser standards but still check these factors.
Income matters more than you might think. Even with poor credit, issuers want to see that you earn enough to pay your bills. You do not need a high income — $20,000 to $25,000 annually is often sufficient — but you do need to show some. If you are unemployed or have no income, secured cards are your only realistic option because the deposit replaces the income check.
Recent negative marks hurt more than old ones. A missed payment from six months ago is worse than one from three years ago. A bankruptcy from last year will block most cards, but a bankruptcy from five years ago might not. Secured cards do not care about your history because they hold your money. Rebuilding cards care but are more forgiving than traditional cards.
Comparing your options side by side
| Card Type | Deposit Required | Annual Fee | Approval Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured card | Yes ($200–$2,500) | $0–$95 | Same day to 1 day | Fastest approval; rebuilding credit from scratch |
| Rebuilding card | No | $0–$95 | 2–5 business days | No deposit available; willing to pay annual fee |
| Store card | No | Usually $0 | Instant to same day | Immediate need; frequent shopper at that retailer |
| Traditional card | No | Usually $0 | 3–7 business days | Good credit score (670+); established payment history |
Next steps after approval
Once you have a card, your goal is to build a track record of on-time payments. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or better yet, the full statement balance. Every on-time payment reports to the credit bureaus and raises your score over time. After 6 to 12 months, you will likely see your score improve enough to move to a better card.
Do not close the secured card once you upgrade. Keep it open with a small recurring charge (like a streaming service) that you pay off monthly. The longer your account stays open and active, the more it helps your credit history. Closing it removes that positive history from your record.
Watch your credit utilization — the percentage of your limit you are using. If your limit is $500 and you carry a $400 balance, your utilization is 80%, which hurts your score. Aim to keep utilization below 30%. With a secured card, this means keeping your balance under $150 if your limit is $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a regular credit card if I have no credit history?
Not easily. Traditional cards require a credit score, which you do not have without a payment history. A secured card is your best option because it does not require a score — only a deposit. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments with a secured card, you will have a score and can move to a traditional card.
What happens to my deposit if I miss a payment?
The bank does not automatically take your deposit. Instead, the missed payment reports to credit bureaus and damages your score. If you continue missing payments, the bank may eventually close your account and apply your deposit to the unpaid balance. The deposit is your safety net, not a punishment fund.
Is a store card a good way to rebuild credit?
Yes, if you use it responsibly. Store cards report to credit bureaus just like bank cards, so on-time payments help your score. However, the high interest rate makes them expensive if you carry a balance. Use a store card only if you shop there regularly and can pay off the balance monthly.
How long does it take to move from a secured card to a regular card?
Most issuers review your account after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. Some convert automatically; others require you to request an upgrade. Once upgraded, your deposit is returned within 7 to 10 business days. You can also move to a different card issuer if they offer better terms.
Do I need to have income to get a secured card?
Most issuers ask for income information, but a secured card is more forgiving than other cards because your deposit replaces the income verification. If you have no income, some issuers will still approve you based on the deposit alone. Call the issuer before applying if you are concerned about income requirements.