Credit Card for Fair Credit from Our Partners

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Fair credit doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from getting a credit card but it generally means you could be offered one 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 may even offer a rewards program or other perks.
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About Fair Credit Cards

What is fair credit?

At Credit Sesame, a fair credit score is typically between 550 – 639. This is based on a VantageScore 3.0 model provided by TransUnion and may not be the credit scoring model used by the financial institutions presenting offers on the Credit Sesame website. Your credit score may vary from what you see elsewhere based on the credit bureau, date of the credit report, and credit scoring model. Credit card issuers and other financial institutions use a variety of different types of credit scores and other criteria to make credit and lending decisions so, having a credit score in a particular range is not a guarantee that you will be approved for a credit card or approved for the terms you applied for.

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

Credit cards for fair credit may offer features similar to those 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 may qualify for a credit 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 credit 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 credit 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 credit 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 credit 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: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Credit Sesame receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Credit Sesame provides a variety of offers, but these offers do not include all financial services companies or all products available.

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. All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Editorial Content Disclosure: 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 the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer.
† Approval Odds: Credit Sesame calculates your approval odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Sesame members who were approved for this product. These approval odds are estimates only and do not guarantee approval. Lenders, credit card issuers, and other financial institutions use a variety of different types of credit scores and criteria to make credit and lending decisions. The TransUnion credit score we provide is based on the VantageScore 3.0 model and may not be the credit scoring model used by financial institutions presenting offers on our website.
†† Average and Lowest Scores: "Average" and "Lowest" scores refer to the scores of Credit Sesame members who were approved for this product. These scores are estimates only and do not guarantee approval. Lenders, credit card issuers, and other financial institutions use a variety of different types of credit scores and other criteria to make credit and lending decisions. The TransUnion credit score Credit Sesame provides you is based on the VantageScore 3.0 model and may not be the credit scoring model used by the financial institutions presenting offers on the Credit Sesame website.
Provider's Terms: *See the online provider's application for details about Terms of Use. Reasonable efforts have been made to maintain accurate information, however, all information is presented without warranty or guarantee. When you click on the "Apply Now" button, you can review the Terms of Use on the provider's website. Offers are subject to change and the terms displayed may not be available to all consumers.
Loan APR Estimates: Annual Percentage Rates, loan terms and monthly payments shown are estimated based upon analysis of your credit profile, information you entered, and/or rate information provided by lenders. While efforts have been made to maintain accurate information, the loan information is presented without warranty and the estimated APR or other terms shown do not bind any lender. All loans are subject to credit review and approval. When evaluating offers, please review the lender's Terms of Use for additional details.
Reviews: User reviews and responses are not provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the banks, issuers and credit card advertisers. It is not the banks, issuers, and credit card advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts are answered. The Credit Sesame website star ratings are an average based on contributions from independent users not affiliated with Credit Sesame. Banks, issuers and credit card advertisers are not responsible for star ratings, nor do they endorse or guarantee any posted comments or reviews.
Advertiser Disclosure:
Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Credit Sesame receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Credit Sesame provides a variety of offers, but these offers do not include all financial services companies or all products available.

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. All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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