Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in May 2022

We recommend the Oakstone Platinum Secured Mastercard for people who wish to build their creditworthiness because it reports cardholders’ payment histories to the nation’s top three credit bureaus. This card comes with a competitive APR on purchases and has no penalty rate. However, you need to pay an annual fee of $49. If you use this card outside of the U.S., you’ll need to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee.

You may choose to get a credit line of $200 to $5,000, provided you’re able to pay the corresponding amount as a security deposit.

You may apply for this card even if you have a discharged bankruptcy listed in your credit bureau file. In addition, it comes with no minimum credit score requirement.

Pros

• Security deposit and corresponding credit line may vary from $200 to $5,000
• Competitive APR on purchases
• Reports to top three credit bureaus
• No minimum credit score requirement
• Lets you apply even if you have a discharged bankruptcy

• Comes with a credit limit of $200 to $5,000, which you need to provide as a security deposit
• Apply with no credit history or if you have a discharged bankruptcy ruling in your credit report
• Low variable APR on purchases
• Annual fee of $49
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Reports payment history to Experian, TransUnion and Equifax

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

We like the Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards Secured Card because it comes with no annual fees and lets you earn rewards. You earn 1 reward point per dollar spent on purchases. You may redeem your points for cash or statement credit, or to purchase merchandise or gift cards. You reward points remain valid for four years.

Applying for this card requires that you deposit a minimum of $200 in your Navy Federal savings account. If Navy Federal approves your application, it holds the deposited amount in your account to serve as your card’s credit limit. You might qualify for a credit limit increase without needing to pay an additional deposit after the first three months. Navy Federal considers your account for an upgrade to the cashRewards unsecured card after six months from account opening.

Using this card outside of the U.S. does not come with foreign transaction fees. This card also does away with cash advance and balance transfer fees. Additional benefits include free access to your credit score, the ability to freeze/unfreeze your card and rental car coverage.

Pros

• Charges no annual fee
• Low minimum security deposit
• Earn 1 point per dollar on purchases
• Redeem reward points in different ways
• No foreign transaction fees
• Review of account for upgrade to unsecured card after six months

• No annual fees
• Earn 1 reward point per dollar
• Credit limit increase possible after three months
• Possibility of graduating to a secured card after six months
• Rental car coverage

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

You may benefit by getting the OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard if you wish to build or rebuild your credit because it accepts applications from people who have poor or no credit histories. Applying for this card does not involve a credit inquiry. Instead, OakStone looks at your income and ability to make payments to arrive at a decision.

You may provide a security deposit of $200 to $5,000 and the same serves as your card’s credit limit. This card reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, so using it in the right manner helps improve your credit score.

This card comes with a $39 annual fee. Using it outside of the U.S. is not a good idea as it charges a foreign transaction fee. While you might request expedited processing of your application, this service comes with an added fee.

Pros

• Apply with poor or no credit history
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Credit limit of $200 to $5,000
• No credit inquiry when you apply

• $39 annual fee
• Apply with poor or no credit history
• Reports to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
• Credit limit varies from $200 to $5,000
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

If you’re looking to build up credit for the first time but are having trouble getting approved for other cards, Citi’s Secured Mastercard could be your ticket to building a worthwhile credit score fast.

It features no annual or other incessant fees, and it allows you to access up to $2,500 of credit. Your credit limit is based on your initial deposit. As a secured credit card, this requires a $200 minimum deposit within 14 days of creating your account.

Once you open your account and make your deposit, you’ll benefit from a plethora of tools to help you build a quality credit score in no time. These include an auto-pay function and other financial planning tools, as well as free access to your FICO score.

Most importantly, this card reports to all three major credit bureaus. So with several months of responsible use, you’ll start to see improvements to your credit score across the board. You can also use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, so it’s not difficult to make purchases throughout the month and see that score improve when you pay on time.

Pros

• No annual fee
• Can use the card anywhere
• Multiple management options
• Additional financial tools, auto-pay, etc.
• Monthly reports to all three credit bureaus and free FICO score access

• Requires $200 security deposit minimum. Must pay the deposit within 14 days of opening account
• $2,500 maximum deposit
• Credit limit is equal to deposit

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

We recommend the Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard Secured Credit Card issued by Synovus Bank to individuals who wish to build or rebuild their credit. You may provide any amount between $200 and $2,000 as your refundable security deposit, and the same will serve as your credit limit.

Getting this card might work well for you if you wish to make a purchase that you plan to pay off within a few months. This is because it comes with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases for the first six months.

Making your payments on time and using a small percentage of your credit limit can help improve your credit score as this card reports your payment history to the top three credit bureaus. You need to pay a $49 annual fee for as long as your account remains active. You also have to pay foreign transaction fees if you use your card outside of the U.S.

Pros

• Low credit requirement
• 0% intro APR for 6 months
• Low APR after the intro period
• High credit line

• Requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200
• Regular credit reports to all three bureaus
• Credit line of up to $2,000
• Cash advance of $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Up to $40 late payment fee
• Credit score requirement: 300+
• 24/7 online access to your account

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

We feel that the Classic Secured Visa Credit Card from Merrick Bank may work well for people who have poor or average credit scores and wish to build their credit. It accepts initial security deposits of $200 to $3,000, making it well within reach of most people. The security deposit you provide doubles up as your credit limit. You may increase your credit limit at anytime by adding more money to your security deposit.

You need to pay a nominal annual fee of $36 for the first year, and you’re billed at $3 per month thereafter. This card reports account activity to the top three credit bureaus each month. It also gives you free access to your FICO Score every month.

Using this card outside of the U.S. might not be in your best interest as it charges a foreign transaction fee.

Pros

• Can qualify with poor credit
• Accepts $200 to $3,000 as security deposit
• Low annual fee
• Competitive APR
• Reports to the major credit bureaus
• Lets you view your FICO Score for free
• Regular account reviews to determine if you’re eligible for a credit line increase

• First year’s annual fee is $36, and you pay $3 per month thereafter
• Pay any amount between $200 and $3,000 as security deposit
• Possibility to get a higher credit limit without paying extra security deposit
• Choose from five card designs while applying
• 2% foreign transaction fee
• Reports to Equifax, TransUnion and Experian each month
• Lets you view your FICO Score for free
• $0 fraud liability

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

There’s a lot to like about the Platinum Secured Card from Capital One, starting with the budget-friendly lack of annual, monthly or foreign transaction fees and a 25-day grace period if you forget to pay your bill.

While the Capital One Platinum Secured Card does require a refundable security deposit, Capital One generously allows you to get a $200 line of credit with as little as a $49 deposit if you qualify. If you make more than that minimum deposit, you could instantly get a credit limit of up to $1,000.

Perhaps most importantly of all, the Platinum Secured Card from Capital One allows you to access a higher credit limit in just six months if you make your payments on time. Do that, and this card will serve as a great way to boost your credit score by reducing credit utilization.

Pros

• Great if you have limited or bad credit
• No annual fee
• 25-day grace period
• Good for building credit
• Easy to get a higher credit limit
• Online access for easy managing/monitoring
• Millions of acceptable card locations worldwide

• Requires an initial security deposit of at least $49
• Regular credit reports to all three bureaus
• Initial credit lines start at $200
• Cash advance of $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Up to $40 late payment fee

Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.