Credit Card for Fair Credit from Our Partners

See offers from our partners.
Fair credit doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from getting a credit card but it generally means you could be offered a card with a higher Annual Percentage Rate (APR) if your application is approved then what is offered to individuals with, say, excellent credit.  Credit cards for fair credit have the potential to help you improve your credit rating if you use it responsibly, and some cards may even offer a rewards program or other perks.
Advertiser Disclosure

About Fair Credit Cards

What is fair credit?

Generally speaking, a fair credit score is typically between 650 and 699. Each lender defines credit score ranges and the terms available to consumers in each range. Each card issuer has different criteria they use to determine if you will be approved for their credit card, so, having a credit score in a particular range is not a guarantee that you will be approved for the card or approved for the terms you applied for.
Fair credit may be the result of negative marks on your credit report, such as late payments. Fair credit can also result from a limited credit history, either because you’re new to credit or because you have chosen not to use credit. The number and variety of credit products in your history, and the length of time you’ve used them, factor into your score along with your payment history and debt levels.

What can you expect in a credit card for fair credit?

Credit cards for fair credit may offer features similar to those on cards for good credit but on a slightly smaller scale. Someone with good credit might be able to qualify for a card that offers 2% cash back on purchases while a consumer with fair credit card may qualify for a card that offers 1.5% or 1% cash back.
Credit cards for fair credit tend to charge higher APRs, but many are available with no annual fee.

Raising a fair credit score

Raising a fair credit score boils down to using credit the right way, managing your account responsibly. Pay your bill on time each month and don’t owe more than 30% of your credit limit (if your card has a low limit, pay the bill before the statement closing date to keep the utilization rate as low as possible). Keep older accounts open even if you don’t use them, and don’t apply for credit unless you really need it.

Fair credit options

A good or excellent credit score opens the door to more credit options. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t find a card that will work well for you if you have fair credit.
When you compare credit cards for fair credit, consider your spending habits first. If you have a history of forgetting to pay the bill, for example, look for a card that has no penalty rate and if possible set up automatic payments.
Pay attention to the APR, but remember that it’s more important to pay off the balance each month and pay no interest at all. Before you jump at an introductory offer, review the fees and other card terms.  If you choose the right credit card for fair credit, you can build great credit without having the added expense of an annual fee.

Advertiser Disclosure:

The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which this site may receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Credit Sesame is an independent comparison service provider. Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain accurate information throughout our website, mobile apps, and communication methods; however, all information is presented without warranty or guarantee. The editorial content on this page (including, but not limited to, Pros and Cons) is not provided by any credit card issuer. Any opinions, analysis, reviews, or recommendations expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer. All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Close

Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which this site may receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Credit Sesame is an independent comparison service provider. Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain accurate information throughout our website, mobile apps, and communication methods; however, all information is presented without warranty or guarantee. The editorial content on this page (including, but not limited to, Pros and Cons) is not provided by any credit card issuer. Any opinions, analysis, reviews, or recommendations expressed here are author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer. All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.