Updated: July 1, 2024
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When you're building your credit history, it makes sense to apply for credit cards designed to help grow your credit score. While the average FICO score is 711, people with fair credit are just below that, with scores ranging from 580 to 669.
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While you may not qualify for the best credit card offers, there are many attractive credit cards for fair credit that have no annual fees, earn rewards, offer 0% APR promotions and more. Responsible use of your credit cards and other debts over time will improve your credit score so you can be approved for the best interest rates, benefits and terms on any loan or card.
Several of the top credit cards for fair credit we’ve selected do not charge any annual fees, such as the Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Card, the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card. Some of the cards we’ve listed here let you earn cash back or rewards. Other aspects that require your attention when choosing a card include welcome offers, APRs and added perks.
The links in the table below will take you to one of our partner's sites where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.
Card Name | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Recommended Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | $0 | None | Fair–Excellent | |
2. | $0 | None | Limited–Fair | |
3. | $35 | None | None–Fair | |
4. | GO REWARDS® Credit Card | $0 | 1–3 points | Fair–Excellent |
5. | GO REWARDS® Credit Card | $0 | 1–3 points | Fair–Excellent |
6. | $0 | 1–3 points | Fair–Excellent | |
7. | $0 | 1%–6% Cash Back | None–Good | |
8. | $0 | 1.5%–1.75% Cash Back | Fair–Excellent | |
9. | Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards World Mastercard® | $0 | 1.50% – 1.75% Cash Back | Fair–Excellent |
10. | $0 | None | Fair-Good |
Our experts at MoneyGeek studied all of the credit card offers for fair credit to find those that they consider the best. For each credit card, we'll share the pros and cons of the card and its offer so you can pick the one that best fits your goals.
The best credit cards for fair credit are ones that you may qualify for with a FICO score of 580 to 689. Using these cards responsibly helps you improve your credit score, so you can then look for cards with better perks. The best cards from this segment include options that let you earn rewards/cash back and ones that do away with annual fees. Some of these cards come with no foreign transaction fees as well.
On Partner's Website
On Partner's Website
MoneyGeek experts collect 57 data points from issuer websites, our partners and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to ensure you get access to the most accurate information possible. We then rely on our unique ranking methodology to arrive at and regularly update our list of the top 10 credit cards for fair credit. In doing so, we weigh parameters according to their level of importance. Some examples include:
When choosing among the best credit cards for consumers with fair credit scores, it helps to compare them side by side so that you can select the one that fits your lifestyle. Pay special attention to these features when comparing cards:
Does the card charge an annual fee? What fees are there for going over your credit limit, having a late payment or if your payment is returned?
Is there an APR promotion on purchases, balance transfers or both when your account is first opened? What is the interest rate on purchases if you carry a balance, and how long is the grace period before interest is charged? What rate is charged for balance transfers and cash advances?
What rewards does it earn, and are there bonus categories that earn more? How easy is it to redeem your earnings, and do they expire?
Does the card offer a bonus for new cardholders? If so, how much do you have to spend over what period of time to earn it?
Are there special benefits that you would use?
After you've answered these questions about the credit cards that you're considering, you can more easily compare the cards to determine which one works best for the way you use your cards.
When comparing credit cards with fair credit, be sure to look for any additional fees like annual fees, late fees, etc. Having a card without these additional payments is a great way to keep cash in your pocket.
To improve your credit score quickly, it helps to know where you stand and what actions to take for the greatest impact. Understanding what moves your credit score immediately versus over the long term allows you to prioritize where to start first.
Depending on your financial situation or goals, a secured credit card may be another option to consider since you can only spend as much as your security deposit. This is helpful if you need a card for cash flow purposes but don’t want to spend above your credit limit or means. Learn more about secured credit cards and view our recommendations for the best secured cards.
A fair credit score is one step above the lowest FICO score ratings. According to Experian, approximately 17% of credit scores fall into the range of 580 to 669. The ranges of credit scores for each grade are as follows:
Credit Score | Score Range |
|---|---|
Exceptional | 800 to 850 |
Very Good | 740 to 799 |
Good | 670 to 739 |
Fair | 580 to 669 |
Very Poor | 300 to 579 |
It’s possible that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, these numbers have risen since many Americans have suffered from job losses, reduced hours at work and family illnesses. These events beyond our control resulted in higher debt loads, missed or late payments, defaults, foreclosures and other negative impacts on credit scores. If your credit score has been affected, all is not lost. Credit scores improve over time with positive credit behaviors.
Credit scores change regularly as new data is reported to the credit bureaus from banks and other agencies. Depending on how much the details of each account change every month, the impact could be small or large. When trying to improve your credit score, you have to play both the short and the long game because each factor affects your credit score differently.
There are five factors that impact your credit score. Some have an immediate impact, while others take time to see improvement.
It takes months to establish a track record of on-time payments that shows creditors that you can handle credit responsibly. However, missing one payment and being 30 days or more late can erase all of that positive history. Setting up an automatic payment of the minimum amount due can eliminate the risk of missing a payment.
This factor takes time to build as well. Keeping your oldest accounts open is a good way to increase the average age of your accounts. Having a long history shows lenders that you can maintain a positive credit history with a creditor.
By keeping the balances on your credit cards low, you show lenders that you can be trusted not to max out your credit. The lower your credit utilization is (balances versus credit limit), the better your score will be. A rule of thumb is to keep balances below 30% of your credit limit, but below 10% is best.
Every time you apply for a new loan or credit card, a hard inquiry is added to your credit report. This reduces your score a few points for 6 to 12 months, then falls off your report entirely after two years. Keep your applications to a minimum to avoid this impact.
Lenders want to see that borrowers can handle various types of debt, such as loans and credit cards. Loans show that you can handle repeat payments each month, while credit cards show that you can resist maxing out your available credit.
Of course, besides these five factors, you should avoid having a tax lien, judgment, foreclosure or another major negative item post to your credit report.
When you have better credit, many doors of opportunity open up for you. In today's society, not only are credit applications affected by your credit score, but rental applications, insurance rates and job applications may also be impacted. Some utility companies and cell phone providers may even require a security deposit if you don't have a high enough credit score.
As your credit improves, you'll receive better terms, interest rates and benefits on applications for loans and credit cards. Many people take pride in their credit scores and use them to measure their progress towards financial success.
People who have fair credit have an opportunity to improve their credit score to Good or Very Good quickly by being smart with how they use credit. If you want to improve your credit score, avoid these behaviors:
Many lenders watch your credit score and how you handle your other accounts. If your credit score falls and you aren't managing your other accounts responsibly, a bank can reduce your credit limit, increase your interest rate or even close your account.
Whether you apply for a new credit card or use one of your existing cards, responsible usage can improve your credit score. A few simple steps are all you need to take to boost your credit score over time.
If you aren't ready to apply for a new credit card to build your credit, don't give up because there are other options available:
After you've developed a longer credit history and improved your score, you can always apply again for potential approval.
After reading about credit cards for fair credit and how to build your credit history, you may have additional questions. Learning how to manage your credit history is something that takes time. Getting one question answered often leads to more questions on the topic.
No, when you check to see if you are prequalified for a credit card, the inquiry does not affect your credit score. When you click to apply and provide your information, that is when a hard inquiry will post to your credit report.
No, fair credit is defined by FICO as a score of 580 to 669, while good credit is 670 to 739.
Yes, many store cards have lower credit requirements than credit cards that can be used anywhere. Store cards can only be used at that retailer. However, they may entitle you to discounts and other benefits when you shop.
Fair credit in the range of FICO 580 to 669 can get you approved for many credit cards that can build your credit. Some of these cards also earn valuable rewards like cash back on all of your purchases.
While most business credit cards require good credit (FICO 670 to 739), banks do offer credit cards for fair credit for both consumers and business owners.
The best credit cards for fair credit vary based on your goals. Our MoneyGeek experts like the unlimited cash back available from the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Yes, credit scores can change each time data is reported to the credit bureaus. Lowering your utilization ratio by reducing your credit card balances can improve your score quickly.
Yes, there are many credit card options for customers of all ranges of credit scores. Having a 600 FICO score means that you qualify for credit cards for fair credit.
Most loans and credit cards report your account details to the credit bureaus to build your credit history. Experian Boost allows your payments to Netflix, Disney+, AT&T, Verizon and others to grow your credit.
No, FICO and VantageScore define their credit ranges differently. FICO defines fair credit at 580 to 669, while VantageScore's range is 601 to 660.
Now that you know what the best credit cards for fair credit have to offer, look for one based on your individual preferences and factors such as annual fees and rewards. Once you settle on the right card for you, using your card responsibly will help improve your creditworthiness.
About Lee Huffman
Lee Huffman is a credit card and personal finance expert at MoneyGeek. He has spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager, with 12 years of experience writing about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance and other personal finance topics. His writings are published on The Points Guy, Investopedia and NerdWallet.
Huffman earned his business management degree from Pepperdine University and his master's degree in eBusiness from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less and live better through the power of travel rewards.
