Many of the top travel credit cards and rewards credit cards can be difficult to qualify for as a beginner and usually require good to excellent credit. If you are unable to qualify for those cards, you still have options for earning rewards with a variety of credit cards that are easier to get.
CNBC Select analyzed the most popular cards to determine the easiest credit cards to get in a variety of categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the easiest credit cards to get).
Easiest credit cards to get approved for
- Best for unsecured card: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for no annual fee: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best student dining card: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for secured credit card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Best for high approval rate: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Best for low interest: First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- Best for no credit: Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
- Best for cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
- Best for small businesses: Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
- Best for Chase customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠
Best for unsecured card
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Cons
- High variable APR
- No rewards program
Who's this for? The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't offer rewards, but it may be available to you even if you have fair to good credit and don't want to make an upfront deposit.
Standout benefits: This card could be the perfect bridge to improving your credit score (without needing a security deposit) and working your way to more rewarding credit cards. After only six months Capital One will automatically review your account for a potential credit line increase or upgrade to a rewards card.
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Best for students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 6 months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair / New to Credit
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- Cash-back program
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons
- Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
- Cash-back program limits earnings: Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in various categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%
- You must be a U.S. citizen and college student to apply for this card
Who's this for? The Discover it® Student Cash Back is available to college students with fair credit or limited credit history. This card lets you earn cash back on every purchase.
Standout benefits: You don't tend to find generous welcome bonus offers with student credit cards, but the Discover it® Student Cash Back card is an exception. When you open a new account, all of the cash back you earn in the first year will automatically be matched by Discover. There's no limit to this offer, so if you earn $300 cash back in your first year, you'll get an additional $300 at the end of that year.
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Best for no annual fee
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Fair/Good/Excellent
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Pros
- 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
- Simple cash-back program that doesn't require activation or spending caps
- One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months
Cons
- 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:$443
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards with no annual fee. Normally, you'd need a good to excellent credit score to be approved for the top credit cards, but you can get the Citi Double Cash Card with fair or average credit.
Standout benefits: The best part of this card is its simplicity. You'll earn 2% back on every purchase: 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay.
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Best student card for dining
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through Nov. 14, 2024; 8% cash backon Capital One Entertainment purchases; unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 3% cash backon dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% cash backon popular streaming services and entertainment; 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $50 cash bonus when you spend $100 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair
Terms apply.
Pros
- High cash-back rate on dining and entertainment purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Cons
- Potentially high APR
Who's this for? The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared toward students who spend a significant amount on dining, entertainment, streaming services and groceries, with rewards rates that compare favorably to what you find with non-student credit cards.
Standout benefits: You'll earn 10% back on Uber Eats orders and Uber rides, plus receive a statement credit for the monthly Uber One fee through Nov. 14, 2024. With Uber One you can save even more on orders with reduced delivery fees and up to 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders.
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Best for secured credit card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A on purchases
Regular APR
28.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
New / Rebuilding
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- Cash-back program
- Generous welcome bonus
- Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit
Cons
- Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
- Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses
Who's this for? The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is an excellent secured credit card that not only earns rewards but also comes with a potentially lucrative welcome bonus.
Standout benefits: The cash back you earn during the first year you have the card will be matched. There's no minimum spending requirement, so you won't risk missing out on your intro bonus. Plus, this card charges no foreign transaction fees.
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Pro tip: You can pair this card with a Discover bank account
If you want to do all your banking in one place, the Discover® Cashback Debit Checking account offers a debit card that earns 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. You can also earn a generous return on your cash with a Discover® Online Savings Account.
Discover® Cashback Debit Checking
Discover® Bank is a Member FDIC.
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
None
Rewards
1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details by clicking "Learn More".
Free ATM network
60,000+ Allpoint® and MoneyPass® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursem*nt
None
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Discover® Online Savings Account
Discover® Bank is a Member FDIC.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
4.25% APY
Minimum balance
None
Monthly fee
None
Maximum transactions
Up to 6 free withdrawals or transfers per statement cycle
Excessive transactions fee
None
Overdraft fee
None
Offer checking account?
Yes
Offer ATM card?
Yes, if have a Discover® checking account
Terms apply.
Read our Discover® Online Savings Account review.
Best for high approval rate
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
On OpenSky's secure site
Rewards
New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
Welcome bonus
No welcome bonus
Annual fee
$35
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
25.64% Variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
No credit history
Terms apply. Click here to view the Cardholder Agreement.
Pros
- No credit check, even if you have a credit score
- High approval odds
Cons
- $35 annual fee
- 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Who's this for? If you're struggling to get approved for your first credit card, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card could be a good option. According to its website, based on Q1 2024, the average approval rate of this card is 89.35%.
Standout benefits: The OpenSky Secured Visa Card only requires a $200 upfront deposit and reports to all three major credit bureaus. You also have the opportunity to earn up to 10% cash back on select purchases through special offers.
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Best for low interest
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Rewards
1% cash back rewards on payments
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$49
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
15.24% variable
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Poor/Limited/No Credit
Terms apply.
Pros
- Potentially low APR
- Earns cash back rewards
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- No welcome offer or intro APR offer
Who's this for? The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is ideal if you're seeking an unusually low starting variable APR.
Standout benefits: This is a secured credit card, but it earns 1% cash back on every payment. This allows you to earn rewards while you're working to rebuild or boost your credit score.
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Best for no credit
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Rewards
1% cash back on eligible purchases right away and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments; 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
18.24% - 32.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair, Good, No Credit
Terms apply.
Pros
- No credit history required (if you do have a credit history, that does factor into the credit decision)
- No fees whatsoever
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments; 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
- Credit limits range from $300 to $10,000
Cons
- Card isn't for rebuilding credit, but it's good for building credit
- No special financing offers
- No welcome bonus
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $249
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,577
Who's this for? The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is open to applicants with no credit history, including those without a social security number. Instead of requiring a credit score, your banking activity and other financial data can determine your eligibility for the card.
Standout benefits: You can boost your cash back by making on-time payments. You'll start off earning 1% cash back and can earn up to 1.5% back after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
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Best for cash back
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose, 2% cash back on eligible purchases in your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants) and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either3%of the amount of each transfer or$5minimum, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fees
3%
Credit needed
Poor/None
Pros
- No annual fee
- You can earn cash-back for everyday spending, a rare feature for a secured credit card
- Opportunity to upgrade to an unsecured card if you pay your bills on time and stay within your credit limit
Cons
- No welcome offer
- High APR
- 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Who's this for? The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is easy to get, even with poor credit or no credit, because it is a secured credit card and requires an upfront deposit. But unlike many other secured credit cards, it has a generous rewards structure.
Standout benefits: This card allows you to customize where you earn bonus cash back. You receive 5% on the first $2,000 spent in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two of 12 categories of your choice. You'll also earn 2% back in one additional category of your choice.
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Best for small businesses
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
Information about the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
28.49%variable
Balance transfer fee
4% of each transaction (minimum $0)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Poor/No credit history
Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Bad credit may qualify
- Opportunity to transition to an unsecured card for qualified cardholders
- Flexible redemption options
Cons
- $1,000 minimum security deposit
- No welcome bonus
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
Who's this for? The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card provides an opportunity to improve your business' credit while earning rewards.
Standout benefits: This card offers a generous 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a higher-than-average return for everyday purchases, especially for a secured business card.
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Best for Chase customers
Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
26.99% variable APR
Balance transfer fee
5% or $5 of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Credit needed
New/Rebuilding
Terms apply. Information about the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Pros
- Low/no credit score requirement
- Generous rewards for everyday purchases
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee
- Small welcome offer
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Rise℠ is a card designed for anyone new to credit and offers a great opportunity to build a relationship with Chase. According to Chase, having a Chase checking account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for this card.
Standout benefits: This card earns 1.5% back on all purchases, which is an above-average return for a regular credit card and is exceptional for a credit card designed for those who are establishing their credit history.
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Comparison of the easiest credit cards
Credit Card | CNBC Select's pick for | Credit needed | Minimum security deposit | Annual fee | Rewards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Student Cash Back | Students | Fair or new to credit | None | $0 | Cash back |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | High approval rate | No credit needed | $100 | $35 | Cash back |
Citi Double Cash® Card | No annual fee | Fair to excellent | None | $0 | Cash back |
Capital One Platinum Credit Card | Unsecured card | Fair to good | None | $0 | None |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Secured card | New to credit or rebuilding credit | $200 | $0 | Cash back |
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | Student dining | Fair | None | $0 | Cash back |
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | Low interest | Poor, limited or no credit | $200 | $49 | Cash back |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | No credit | Fair, Good or no credit | None | $0 | Cash back |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card | Cash back | Poor credit or no credit | $300 | $0 | Cash back |
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card | Businesses | Poor credit or no credit | $1,000 | $0 | Cash back |
Chase Freedom Rise℠ | Chase customers | New to credit or rebuilding credit | None | $0 | Cash back |
More on our easiest credit cards to get
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit-builder card that offers a path to upgrading to a more rewarding credit card in as little as six months.
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card has no foreign transaction fees and grants users free access to CreditWise, which is Capital One's credit monitoring service. You can also save 50% on handcrafted beverages at Capital One Cafés when you pay with your Capital One card.
To help you avoid an unnecessary hard pull on your credit report, Capital One offers pre-approval for this card. Capital One automatically considers you for a higher credit line or upgrade to a rewards card in as little as six months.
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Discover it® Student Cash Back
The ability to earn cash back in rotating categories makes Discover it® Student Cash Back a valuable choice.
Rewards
- 5% back for up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating quarterly bonus categories you activate throughout the year (then 1%).
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
For all new accounts, Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year with no minimum spending requirement or cap on the match.
Annual fee
$0
Notableperks
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card has no foreign transaction fees, which is helpful for anyone who is studying abroad or travels internationally during school breaks. You also receive an introductory 0% APR on new purchases for the first six months. After the introductory period, an 18.24% to 27.24% variable APR applies.
Check out CNBC Select's best college student credit cards.
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Citi Double Cash® Card
What makes theCiti Double Cash Card such a great no-annual-fee credit card is the uncapped 2% back you earn on all eligible purchases.
Rewards
Earn 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. For a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi TravelSM portal through 12/31/24.
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
When you complete a balance transfer with theCiti Double Cash® Card in the first four months of opening the account, that transfer receives an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum). After the intro period, there's a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum). With a new account, you'll receive 0% intro APR for the first 18 months (then a 19.24% to 29.24% variable APR)
While it is technically a cash-back card, it earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou® points. This gives you more options for redeeming your points. You can use ThankYou points to get cash back (checks, direct deposits, statement credits) and other redemptions, such as gift cards at a value of one cent per point. You can alsotransfer these pointsto three travel loyalty programs: JetBlue, Wyndham and Choice Hotels. If you pair this card with the Citi Strata Premier℠Card (see rates and fees), you'll unlock access to even more transfer partners, including Turkish Airlines, Avianca and Singapore Airlines.
Check out CNBC Select's best cash-back credit cards
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Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a card designed for students with rewards rates that match many of the top cash-back credit cards.
Rewards
- 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats through Nov. 14, 2024
- 8% cash backon Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
- 3% cash backon dining
- 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- 3% cash backon popular streaming services
- 3% cash back on entertainment
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card has no foreign transaction fees and provides access to Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment. When you need to get off campus to study, you can take advantage of 50% off handcrafted beverages at all Capital One Cafés.
Eligible purchases qualify for protections such as travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection*. Capital One also offers you complimentary access to CreditWise®, its credit monitoring service.
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Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a solid credit card, even if you're in the process of rebuilding your credit. It allows you to earn rewards as you improve your credit score and offers a clear path to upgrading to an unsecured card.
Rewards
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Discover will match the cash back you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or cap on the match.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card requires a minimum $200 refundable security deposit, but after seven months there's an automatic review to see if you can be moved to an unsecured card. This takes the guesswork out of wondering when you'll qualify for an unsecured credit card.
There are no foreign transaction fees, so you won't be charged for using the card abroad. The cashback you earn can be redeemed at any time with no minimums, including directly through PayPal.
Check out CNBC Select's best cards for building credit.
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OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a low annual fee secured card with an 89% average approval rate, which is great news if you're struggling to qualify for other credit cards.
Rewards
- Up to 10% cash back through offers
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$35
Notableperks
To be eligible for the OpenSky Secured Visa Card, you'll need to make a refundable security deposit of at least $200 ($3,000 maximum deposit). While this is a secured credit card, after you make six months of on-time payments you could qualify for a credit limit increase or transition to an unsecured card.
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First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a secured card that requires a minimum upfront deposit of $200.
Rewards
- 1% cash back on all payments
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$49
Notable perks
There's no minimum credit score required to be approved for the First Progress Platinum Prestige secured card. You will need to make an upfront refundable security deposit of $200 to $2,000 and your credit limit is based on your deposit. You can redeem the cash rewards you earn as a statement credit toward your balance.
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Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card isn't just easy to get, but also has no fees, including no late payment fee. Instead of judging your creditworthiness solely based on credit history, Petal may ask you to link bank accounts during the application process. Then, WebBank, analyzes your bank statements and other data, such as bill payments and earnings, to determine your eligibility.
Rewards
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away, which can increase up to 1.5% cash back after you make 12 on-time monthly payments
- 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The best part of the Petal 2 card is its lack of fees, it has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no late payment fee and no returned payment fee. The ability to earn up to 1.5% cash back after making 12 on-time monthly payments is not only a nice perk but a great way to encourage responsible behavior. You can also take advantage of limited-time offers for 2% to 10% back at select merchants.
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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
The flexibility with what purchases earn the most rewards is what makes U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card a good choice for anyone who wants to earn cash back.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on prepaid airfare, hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Rewards Travel Center
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose. Eligible categories include cell phone providers; TV, internet andstreaming; home utilities; fast food restaurants; gyms; ground transportation; furniture stores; sporting goods stores; select clothing stores; electronics stores; department stores; and movie theaters.
- 2% cash back on eligible purchases in your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants)
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The main benefit of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is its flexible bonus reward categories. Plus, the cash back you earn with this card is easy to redeem. You can redeem cash back for a statement credit, a deposit to a U.S. Bank account (savings, checking or money market) or a prepaid U.S. Bank Rewards card. You'll need at least $25 to make a redemption.
When you open a new account, you must put down a deposit of between $300 and $5,000 which acts as your credit line. If you spend within your credit limit and pay your bill when it's due, U.S. Bank could eventually upgrade you to the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, at which time your security deposit will be returned.
Check out CNBC Select's best cards for everyday spending.
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Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is a secured business credit card that's designed to offer businesses with poor credit a chance to turn things around.
Rewards
- 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
Through Bank of America's Business Advantage 360 you can view your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free. Eligible purchases also qualify for car rental insurance, emergency ticket replacement and lost luggage assistance.
Check out CNBC Select's easiest business credit cards to get
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Chase Freedom Rise℠
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ is a no-annual-fee card geared toward those just starting their credit journey. It is easier to qualify for if you're an existing Chase checking account customer with a balance of at least $250.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025
- 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $25 statement credit after enrolling in automatic payments within the first three months of opening the account.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
You can redeem the cash back you earn with the Chase Freedom Rise for gift cards, statement credits, travel and more. And as you build your credit history, this card provides a path to upgrading to other Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
It also provides peace of mind with perks such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Anyone who loves delivery can enroll to receive three months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (activate by Dec. 31, 2024). After the free months, you'll be automatically enrolled in DashPass at 50% off for the next nine months.
Check out CNBC Select's best credit cards for bad credit
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Credit cards that offer pre-approval
When you apply for a credit card, it typically results in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score, however, if a credit card offers pre-approval you can potentially avoid the situation where you get a hard pull on your credit report but aren't approved for the card.
Receiving a pre-qualified or pre-approved credit card offer doesn't guarantee you're eligible for the card, but it can help you hone in on cards you're more likely to be approved for. If you're not pre-approved, then it's a card you probably don't want to consider applying for.
Many credit card issuers offer pre-approvals, including Discover, OpenSky, American Express and more.
How to compare credit cards
When shopping for a credit card, you want to pick the best option for you. Start by thinking about why you want a credit card and what you're hoping to get out of it. If you're hoping to build your credit, then any card you can get approved for can help, as long as you pay your balance in full and on time each month.
You'll also want to carefully consider the costs and benefits before applying.
Credit card benefits
Aside from providing a way to build your credit, credit also comes with a huge range of benefits and perks.
Big welcome bonuses and rewards rates are a big part of the value you receive from any card. Knowing what you want to use the rewards for and where you spend the most, can help you hone on the best card for you. Cash-back rewards are easy to use, but travel rewards can have a higher potential value if you jump through a few hoops. Some cards are especially rewarding for groceries, gas, dining or travel. Other cards are great for everyday purchases because they offer a higher flat-rate return on every dollar you spend.
Credit card costs
Most credit cards have interest and fees that are extremely important to understand. One of the most common fees is the annual fee, which you pay every year just to keep the card. If you're building or rebuilding your credit, it's typically best to focus on credit cards without annual fees.
Credit cards also tend to have high APRs. When you carry a balance on your card, the interest you pay can easily offset any value you receive from that card's benefits. If you're working to pay off card debt, you may be able to benefit from a card that offers an intro 0% APR, just remember that if you don't pay off the balance before the intro APR expires, you'll start paying interest again.
Different types of credit cards
Credit cards come in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of where you are in your credit journey or what you want to get out of a credit card, there's likely a good fit for you.
Secured credit cards
Secured credit cards are a good option if you have no credit history or have a weak credit score because they are easy to get approved for. This type of credit card requires an upfront refundable deposit and your credit line is based on your deposit. Secured cards tend to have few rewards, but you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card after making regular on-time payments.
Unsecured credit cards
An unsecured credit card doesn't require you to make a deposit and the credit line you receive is based on factors such as your income and credit history. You'll typically need a credit score to open this type of card and the most rewarding unsecured cards require the highest credit scores. Most types of credit cards are unsecured, including travel credit cards, cash-back cards, business credit cards and many more.
Rewards credits cards
Cash back cards, airline cards, hotel cards and travel cards are all different types of rewards credit cards. With a rewards credit card, you can earn points with a specific merchant or brand or earn general rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of ways. These cards may also offer additional benefits such as purchase protections, elite status perks or additional bonuses when you spend a certain amount on your card.
Student credit cards
You're usually eligible to open a credit card when you turn 18, however, it can be difficult to qualify for a card if you have no credit history. Student credit cards are a solution to this problem. To be eligible, you generally need to be 18 years old and enrolled in a qualifying college. These cards allow you to establish your credit history and some even offer basic rewards.
Business credit cards
Business credit cards are a great tool for small business owners because they allow you to easily separate personal and business expenses. Business credit cards are typically designed with small to mid-sized businesses in mind and differ from corporate credit cards. You'll often need a personal credit score to qualify for these cards, although the activity may not appear on your personal credit report.
How to get approved for a credit card
When you apply for a credit card, the issuer will usually check your credit and verify your identity. To complete an application, you'll typically need your Social Security Number (although some cards are available without an SSN), address, income, employment status and contact information. You can save yourself the heartache of applying for a card and being denied, by researching a few key factors before hitting submit on an application.
Know your credit score
Most of the top credit cards have minimum credit score requirements. By knowing what your credit score is ahead of time, you can hone in on just the cards you have the best chance of qualifying for. If your credit score isn't where it needs to be, then it may be better to wait and work on boosting your score before applying.
Understand the card's requirements
In addition to a certain credit score, credit cards also have other guidelines. These restrictions vary by card, card issuer and type of card. For example, secured credit cards require an upfront deposit and business credit cards require you to have a business or side hustle. Other rules depend on the card issuer, American Express typically limits you to earning the intro bonus from a specific card once per lifetime. With Chase, you may not be eligible for a card if you've opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the previous 24 months. Do your research ahead of time and read the fine print so you can navigate any limitations you may face.
See if you're pre-approved
Some banks or cards offer pre-approval or pre-qualification. Getting pre-qualified for a credit card doesn't guarantee your approval. However, if you aren't pre-approved, you can avoid applying for a card if you're likely to be denied. This can save you from adding an unnecessary hard inquiry to your credit report, which is useful because hard pulls temporarily lower your credit score.
How to build your credit score
While there are different credit scoring models, the most commonly used versions rely on similar information to create your credit score. However, your payment history and debt are typically weighted more heavily. So these are the two areas to focus on the most if you want to give your credit a helping hand
Payment history
When you open a consumer credit card or take out a personal loan, the activity from these accounts is tracked by the agencies that create your credit report. When you make an on-time payment, that reflects positively on your credit score. Over time, consistently paying your bills on time is one of the best ways to increase your credit score.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all bill payments are tracked on your credit report. When you pay your utility bill or streaming subscription, it usually won't impact your credit score. However, there are services, such as *Experian Boost™ and eCredable Lift®, that allow you to link additional types of accounts to specific credit reports.
Experian Boost™
On Experian's secure site
Cost
Free
Average credit score increase
13 points, though results vary
Credit report affected
Experian®
Credit scoring model used
FICO® Score
Results will vary. See website for details.
How to sign up for Experian Boost:
- Connect the bank account(s) you use to pay your bills
- Choose and verify the positive payment data you want added to your Experian credit file
- Receive an updatedFICO® Score
Learn more about eligible payments and how Experian Boost works.
These types of tools can give your credit a boost, but there are limitations. You may need to pay a fee, they typically only affect one of the three major credit reports and some services could hurt your score if you add negative payment histories.
Debt
Your total debt is usually a big part of your credit score. Being debt-free or having a plan to pay down your debt, is vital to building your credit.
With revolving accounts, such as credit cards, paying your balance in full each month is important because it lowers your credit utilization ratio. Your credit utilization ratio shows how much of your available credit you are using. Keeping this number low will help improve your credit score.
FAQs
What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit?
If you have bad credit, the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is one of the easiest cards to get because the issuer considers other factors, such as banking activity, in addition to your credit score.
What credit card can I get with a 500 credit score?
If you have a credit score of 500, the easiest credit cards to get will be secured credit cards that require a deposit, such as the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card.
How can I get an authorized user credit card?
To become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account, the primary account holder needs to add you as an authorized user. Authorized users get their own credit card but typically won't have access to the same benefits available to the primary cardholder and there could be a fee for adding authorized users.
Are store credit cards easy to get?
Store credit cards are typically easier to qualify for, but they can have limited rewards or other limitations. Many store cards can only be used with that particular retailer or have fewer useful benefits than other types of credit cards.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit cardreview is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit cardproducts.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. Seeour methodologyfor more information on how we choose the best easy credit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for cards that are easy to be approved for, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
When choosing the best easy-to-get credit cards, we focused on cards that are available to consumers with no credit or poor credit.
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*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
*Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost.
Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is issued by WebBank.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Cash Back, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.