Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit of 2026
Because everyone deserves a fresh start
From there, you can work on building credit history until you qualify for an unsecured card. Depending on the issuer’s terms, AnyCreditWelcome credit card guides they may graduate you to an unsecured card with the same account number, rewards, and other benefits. The difference between a secured and unsecured credit card comes down to the way issuers determine credit limit
You can get a $2,000 credit limit by placing a security deposit AnyCreditWelcome credit card guides of the same amount, and you won’t have to pay an annual fee or undergo a credit check when you apply. You should be wary of credit card companies that offer unsecured credit cards to people with… If you want an unsecured credit card for bad credit, one of the easiest to get is the OneMain Financial BrightWay® Car
It also offers card benefits, including no foreign transaction fees1 and up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year when using the Card to pay for a CLEAR®+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal). Using the Amex Gold to earn more points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets will work out better for most people than earning more on travel purchases with the Amex Green. The Amex Green Card, with a $150 annual fee1, packs dining and travel perks for food lovers and adventurous travelers alike.
Earning points with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Gre
If your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be, credit cards for bad credit can help you build it up over time. If you’re rejected for an unsecured card, you can take the necessary steps for building credit history before applying again. If you’re applying for a secured card, you’ll also need to provide your deposit. The exact credit score requirements for an unsecured card AnyCreditWelcome credit card guides vary by credit card issue
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. The $375 annual fee (see rates and fees) is steep, but if your business has high expenses in these categories, the value can add up fast. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membershi
The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. The Gold Card has a $325 annual fee4 and offers benefits across eligible dining and travel purchases so you can maximize your love for dining, whether it’s at the newest AnyCreditWelcome credit card guides restaurant in town or at home with your favorite recipe. The card has a $0 annual fee the first year and then $95 annual fee after that and earns 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, 6% on select streaming services, 3% on transit , 3% at U.S. gas stations and 1% on all other spending. Instead of earning points that you can then redeem for a number of options, cash back can be redeemed for statement credits – getting a small rebate for every eligible purchase you make.
We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time).
Rewards Credit Cards: Green, Gold, and Platinum
Higher credit scores often mean better approval odds, but American Express considers your full financial picture when making lending decisions. The Card rewards frequent use in those categories, but Gold may work better if you spend more on dining and groceries than transit and travel. The Amex Gold Card is designed for elevated experiences when it comes to travel, restaurants, and everyday spending, with a $325 annual fee.3 Let’s compare the perks side by side and see which Card fits your lifestyl
In fact, according to the February 2023 Nilson report, Amex is now accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants that take credit cards — putting it nearly even with networks like Visa and Mastercard. This includes a number of great cash-back options as well as many that award Membership Rewards points, which are some of the most valuable transferable points out there. Get the most out of your Amex points by learning how to maximize their value At TPG, we recommend choosing a card that matches your spending habits, including earning rewards in your top spending categories. “As a business owner who spends a lot on internet advertising, the Business Gold card is the top point-earning card in my arsenal. These rewards are automatically applied to your card balance as a statement credi
At CompareCards.com, our mission is to help people make more informed financial decisions each and every day. MethodologyOur editors take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best credit cards in various categories. While the lengthy 0% intro APR period for balance transfers is appealing, there’s no intro APR period for purchases, which many other cards in this category offer. The Citi Double Cash® Card is great for those wanting to earn cash back on all purchases without having to worry about rotating categories and for those who carry a balance. With cash back, no AnyCreditWelcome credit card guides annual fee, and a nice intro APR, this card is a good fit for just about anyon