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If you’re just starting out and need credit, it can be frustrating when no one will give you credit.
How do you get started building a credit history? Or in the case of bad credit, begin rebuilding a positive credit history?
It’s a precarious situation, but there are actually plenty of choices that will help you easily get approved for a new credit card to start building credit, or earn a second chance to improve bad credit.
You may even find that you can qualify for a rewards-earning card!
In this article we’ll cover:
Why you want to have good credit
What is the definition of good/bad credit
Risk-free ways to test the credit waters
Which credit cards are easiest to get approved for
A credit card alternative
Your next step credit card options
Let’s take a look at how to get started and review our choices for the easiest credit cards to get approved for. Note that the recommended credit scores listed below are solely provided by Upgraded Points and not credit recommendations from issuers.
Before You Apply for a Credit Card
Know Your Credit Score
If you don’t know your credit score, your first step on the path to good credit will be to determine your starting point and find out your credit score. You don’t have to pay to secure this information.
Once you’ve determined your score, you’ll know which credit cards you can consider and begin the improvement process if applicable.
See If You’re Pre-qualified or Pre-approved
Many credit card issuers offer pre-qualification or pre-approval options on their websites. This is an opportunity to input your information to see if the issuer has any credit offers available to you.
The best part of pre-qualification or pre-approval is that it does not affect your credit score since no hard inquiry is being done. There is no guarantee you will ultimately get approved, but it does increase your chances.
Want to find out if there are credit card offers waiting for you without having to complete and submit a formal credit card application? These offers can be accessed risk-free through the CardMatch online tool.
The CardMatch tool is easy to use and does not affect your credit score. Just input some minimal information and a list of any available offers will be displayed.
Easy-approval credit cards can also earn rewards on every purchase. Image Credit: Adam Melnyk via Shutterstock
Recommended “Easy-to-Get” Credit Cards
We’ve chosen some of these easy-approval credit cards since they strike a balance between the ability to earn rewards and the ease of qualifying for the card.
Others offer easy access and allow you to build or rebuild your credit history.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card (Credit Score: 580+)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Platinum card is great for those looking to build up their credit score and credit history, without paying a deposit or annual fee.
The Capital One Platinum card is great for those looking to build up their credit score and credit history, without paying a deposit or annual fee.
None
$0
30.74% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Good (580-739)
If you’re ready to get serious about building or rebuilding your credit, you’ll want a credit card for which approval is probable, one that has a simple structure and is easy to manage, and ideally, has some benefits you can use. This is where the Capital One Platinum Credit Card really shines.
Pros
No annual fee
Free credit monitoring
Cons
Does not earn rewards
The high APR can be costly if you carry a balance
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
While it is not a rewards-earning credit card, the Capital One Platinum serves the purpose of building or rebuilding credit and has a high chance of initial approval.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Credit Score: 580+)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases while you work your way up to a higher credit line. Redeem rewards for any amount at any time.
Unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases while you work your way up to a higher credit line. Redeem rewards for any amount at any time.
None
$39
30.74% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Good (580-739)
If you’re looking to build your credit, and earn cash-back rewards while doing so, then the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a fantastic option. You can increase your credit line just paying your bill on time every month and you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all of your purchases.
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
Automatic credit line review after 6 months of on time payments
Unlimited access to your credit score via CreditWise
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
$39 annual fee
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® can be a good option for people with no credit or bad credit, including students and people who have previously declared bankruptcy. Not only does it not require a credit check to get prequalified, but it also helps build (or rebuild) credit by making regular payments.
On the downside, it does have a lower credit limit, may charge an annual fee based on your creditworthiness, and has a high APR that can mean big fees if you miss a payment. This article will look into some of the reasons why the Indigo Platinum card can be a good card for you and also discusses some alternative options.
No security deposit required so you can keep more money in your pocket
Pre-qualify without impacting your credit score
Shine brighter with a credit card as unique as you
Get access to a credit card you can use online, in store and in app where ever you see the Mastercard logo
Build on your credit history with style
Worry free spending with $0 liability on unauthorized charges!
When it comes to selecting a business credit card with easy access, the additional ability to earn rewards is a big positive.
While most business credit cards require excellent credit to be approved, card issuer Capital One provides access for those with a fair credit score level or better.
SCROLL FOR MORE
Credit Card
Benefits & Info
Capital One Spark Classic for Business
Recommended Credit Score: 580+
Don’t let an annual fee keep you from selecting a particular credit card either — the increased earnings may far offset the cost of an annual fee.
For example, if your business spends $50,000 a year, your net earnings would be $905 on the Spark Cash Card (2% cash-back minus the $95 annual fee).
Spending $50,000 on the Spark Cash Select Cardwith no annual fee would result in $750 cash-back.
Hot Tip: When looking for a credit card that is easy to qualify for, you’ll find Capital One at the top of the list of issuers offering accessible options with reward-earning potential. Plus, Capital One allows you to see if you’re pre-qualified for their credit cards.
Many student credit cards do not require previous credit history. Image Credit: Jostens
Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards can be easily secured with little or no credit history, making these cards easy to get approved for.
Chase Freedom Student Card
1% unlimited cash-back on all purchases
Welcome bonus upon meeting minimum spend
$0 annual fee
Secured Credit Cards
Another option for easy credit card approval is a secured credit card, which will allow you to be approved with no credit history or even bad credit.
Secured credit cards do require a security deposit and generally come with lower credit limits.
Because these secured credit cards report to all 3 credit bureaus, you will be building a positive credit history when you manage your card well.
Hot Tip: Secured credit cards can be an excellent alternative for building or rebuilding credit, but there’s more you need to know. Our complete guide to secured credit cards offers tips on what you should look for, how to apply, and our recommendations for the best secured cards.
Store credit cards can be some of the easiest to get approved for. Image Credit: Comenity
Store-Branded Credit Cards
Store-branded credit cards are designed to reward the loyalty of frequent retail customers, encourage additional purchases, and of course, generate interest income for the card issuer.
Perhaps you’ve been approached when checking out at your favorite retail store with a comment such as, “Want to save 10% on today’s purchase?”
Or you may be offered a store-branded credit card during checkout when making a purchase online.
Characteristics of store-branded credit cards can include:
Accessible to customers with fair or better credit scores (some do not even pull your credit score)
Chances of approval quite high
Most often come with no annual fee
Help improve credit because they report to credit bureaus
Approval can be instant
Earn merchant rewards/discounts
Check out our guides to store-branded credit cards and learn more about these easy-approval credit cards. Our Comenity Bank store credit card guide and Synchrony Bank store credit card guide tell you everything you need to know.
Bottom Line: Store-branded credit cards provide easy access to credit with certain retailers. Most store credit cards require only fair or better credit scores, and some do not even pull credit scores.
This Self account requires no previous credit history. Image Credit: Self
A Credit Card Alternative: The Credit Builder Account
For ease of access to credit and a sure way to affect your credit history positively, you can’t beat establishing an account with Self.
Self, formerly Self Lender, is essentially a secured loan that doesn’t require a hard pull on your credit or any credit history.
Here’s how it works.
Apply for the loan with no hard credit pull on your credit
On approval, the loan is deposited into a certificate of deposit for collateral
You make scheduled monthly payments on the loan
You receive back the principal you’ve paid into the loan
The loan does charge interest, but there is no security deposit required and no hard inquiry on your credit report.
Bottom Line: A Self account is a great alternative way to start building a positive credit history when you have bad credit or no credit. You can find out more in our in-depth Self guide!
Next Step Rewards-earning Credit Cards
Let’s look into the near future when you’ve managed your entry-level credit card well, improved your credit score, and are ready for a premium rewards-earning credit card.
These credit cards require a good to excellent credit score.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our favorite choice for a first-time travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 2X valuable and transferable Ultimate Rewards Points on travel and dining purchases.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points atU.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros
4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
Having bad credit affects your life in so many ways. Here are some examples of what you can expect with bad credit:
Not able to rent an apartment or buy a home
Difficulty qualifying for certain jobs
Not able to finance a vehicle
High-interest rates if you are able to get a loan
Higher insurance premiums in certain states
Not able to put utilities in your name or the requirement of a large deposit
Difficulties securing a cell phone
Good credit changes your life in a positive way.
Not only are you able to do all the important things we just mentioned, but you’ll also have the additional ability to qualify for credit cards that earn valuable rewards.
I get it: sometimes things happen that are out of your control and your credit is affected. Or perhaps you just made a few mistakes; many of us have been there. The important thing to know is that there is a path back to good credit.
And if you’re just starting out, there’s also a path to securing new credit that is totally in your control.
Bottom Line: Bad credit can cost you plenty and present financial boundaries to securing housing, transportation, and communication. There are, however, many options for securing new credit without credit history and improving your credit score regardless of your past history.
The first step to building or re-building your credit is to know your credit score. Image Credit: Experian
Definitions of Good Credit/Bad Credit
There are 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Credit card issuers use 1 or more of these reporting agencies to access your credit score/history and determine if granting credit to you is warranted.
While definitions and calculations vary, credit scores generally range from 300-850.
Experian defines poor (bad) credit as a credit score between 300-579 and a fair credit score as 580-669.
Equifax considers a credit score of 700-749 as good and 750+ as excellent.
Knowing the credit score range you’re in is a critical first step in the process of securing a credit card.
Bottom Line: While you will need an excellent credit score to secure the best premium rewards-earning credit cards, you can still qualify for rewards-earning credit cards with a fair credit score or above.
Managing Your Credit Card Account Well
If you want to have your own place to live, a vehicle to drive, a cell phone, and be able to afford insurance, you’re going to need good credit! Here’s where to start:
Poor credit? Start with a store-branded credit card, secured credit card, or Self.
Regardless which credit card you secure, follow these tips for managing it well:
Don’t spend more than you can pay off each statement period
If you can’t pay off your balance, pay more than the minimum due
Make extra payments when you have the money
Make all payments on time
Check your online account to make sure payments have posted
Call the credit card company if you have a problem
Keep the card active with small purchases
Track your spending with your online account
Don’t lend your card to others
Bottom Line: Securing a new credit card alone won’t help improve your credit score. You’ll have to manage the card well and over time you will develop a positive credit history and see improvement if you have had bad credit.
Final Thoughts
There’s always a path to securing new credit or rebuilding your past bad credit history, and it starts by knowing where you currently stand.
Once you’ve discovered your credit score, reviewed your credit report, and selected a credit card that is easy to get approved for, your journey begins.
It’s not easy to improve your credit — you’ll have to manage your new credit well — but the rewards for doing so are life-changing!
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Farknot Architect via Adobe Stock
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is the easiest to get approved for?
The card you can easily get approved for will depend on your credit score. With poor credit, you may have to start with a secured credit card that requires a security deposit.
With fair credit or better, you may qualify for a store-branded credit card.
With no credit history, you may also qualify for a store-branded credit card or begin with a loan from Self.
Does accessing my credit report hurt my credit score?
If you personally access your credit report, it does not affect your credit score. Plus, it is a good practice to do so.
You’ll want to check to make sure everything that is on your report is accurate and that there are no errors.
Using any of the risk-free pre-qualification tools or the CardMatch tool also does not affect your credit score.
If a lender or credit card issuer accesses your credit report as a result of an application you submitted, there is an effect on your credit score (but it is usually temporary).
Several of these application “hard” credit inquiries can also negatively affect your credit score.
Why do I need a security deposit for a secured credit card?
If you have no credit or bad credit, the secured credit card issuer is granting credit to someone who has not proven they can manage credit or has not managed credit well.
Over time, once you have proven that you can manage your credit, you may qualify for an unsecured card or even a rewards-earning credit card.
Some secured card issuers refund your security deposit after a period of on-time payments. Others refund your security deposit when the card is closed.
How do I get a store credit card?
A store-branded credit card is one of the easiest to get approved for. You may be asked when checking out at your favorite local retail store or look for an application brochure near the cash register.
You can also go online to the store’s website and attempt a purchase; you may receive an offer during checkout.
You will also find the credit card application and card details on the retailer’s website.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
![The 10+ Easiest Credit Cards to Get Approved For [2023]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Woman-choosing-credit-cards.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
