What's the lowest credit score to get a credit card?
You need a credit score of 550 to 750 to be approved for most unsecured credit cards. The higher your credit score is, the better your chances of getting approved for one of the best credit cards with no security deposit will be.
A credit score of about 700+ will likely qualify you for just about any credit card, including those with cash back rewards, lower annual percentage rates (APRs) and more. However, there are plenty of cards you can get with a score lower than this (more on that later).
Minimum CIBIL Score Required to Get a Credit Card
Banks usually accept a CIBIL score in the range of 700-750 and above to issue a credit card to an applicant. This is subject to the applicant meeting all other eligibility requirements. However, there are some credit cards offered to persons with low credit scores.
A credit score of 500 or less gives you plenty of room for growth when building your credit, and it won't exclude you from qualifying for a good credit card. Plenty of credit cards for a 500 credit score or lower offer credit-building tools to help you achieve a higher score; others even offer rewards.
Yes, many cards are available to people with a 600 credit score. While you probably won't get approved for a top-tier card, you can almost certainly get a modest, unsecured credit card.
- OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check and no bank account required.
- Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Best for No credit check + flexibility and guardrails.
- Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card: Best for Unsecured card for bad credit.
Nearly all lenders in the US, including Discover, use a FICO® Score among other information when they make their credit decisions, and they have for more than 20 years. We think that everyone should be informed about their credit so that they can avoid surprises.
In most cases, you need at least good credit to get approved for an American Express card, which FICO typically defines as a score of 670 or higher. Other banks also issue American Express cards.
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on all purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back.
First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard: The First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard requires no credit history or minimum credit score for approval. Your security deposit is refundable, and the card is accepted nationwide.
What's the easiest unsecured credit card to get?
Some of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for are the Indigo® Mastercard®, Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card and Milestone® Mastercard®.
As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.
No, you cannot get an American Express credit card with a 600 credit score, which is considered bad credit. Most Amex credit cards require a credit score of 700 or better for high chances of approval. This means you need to have at least good credit to get an Amex credit card.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
- Top credit cards you can use instantly after approval.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
- Citi Custom Cash® Card.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
- Chase Freedom Rise℠: Best for No-deposit starter card: Solid rewards on everything.
- Discover it® Student Chrome: Best for Student cards: Simplicity and value.
- Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for Student cards: Bonus category cash-back rewards.
On our list, the card with the highest reported limit is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which some say offers a $100,000 limit. We've also seen an advertised maximum credit limit of $100,000 on the First Tech Odyssey Rewards™ World Elite Mastercard®, a credit union rewards card.
1. U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card. The U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card stands out for offering a flexible credit limit of up to $5,000, based on the deposit provided. This card is especially appealing for those aiming to rebuild credit while enjoying cash-back rewards on purchases.
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.
The credit scores and credit reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. They should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus — but they may not match other reports and scores out there.
What is the lowest credit score for American Express card?
You need a credit score of 700 or higher to get an American Express card, along with a steady income that enables you to afford the monthly bill payments. American Express only offers credit cards for people with good credit or better, so you may have to work on improving your credit score before applying for an Amex.
There is anecdotal evidence of applicants with scores as low as the mid-600s being approved, but that's rare. Even for the American Express® Green Card (see rates and fees), a more beginner-focused travel card, a score of 670 or higher is probably necessary.
You need a credit score of at least 700 (good credit) for the best Capital One credit card offers. However, other options are available for people with lower scores. It is possible to get approved for a credit card from Capital One with limited credit history or a bad credit score, for example.
Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
---|---|---|
Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
The fastest way to get a credit card is to apply online since your application could get approved instantly. You may receive a card number that can be used online right away once your application is approved, and you can request expedited shipping to get your actual card as soon as possible.
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