Can I get a credit card if my credit score is low?
Jackson Reed
Updated on January 23, 2026
If you have poor credit, there are two different types of credit cards you can qualify for — secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards. Secured credit cards are typically the easiest to get if you have bad credit. However, secured credit cards require a cash deposit to get started.
How can I get credit card debt with low credit score?
Here are some of the places to find debt relief when you have bad credit:
- Start at your bank.
- Join a credit union.
- Ask family or friends for a loan.
- Debt consolidation loans.
- Home equity loan.
- Peer-to-peer lending.
- Debt Management Programs.
- Credit card loans.
What is the lowest score you can have to get a credit card?
300
The FICO® Score☉ , which is the most widely used scoring model, falls in a range that goes up to 850. The lowest credit score in this range is 300. But the reality is that almost nobody has a score that low. For the most part, a score below 580 is considered “bad credit.” The average FICO® Score in the U.S. is 704.
Why is my credit card eligibility low?
A bad or poor credit score These include your employment status, your previous credit history (any missed payments or defaults), the number of applications you’ve made recently and any public information such as Electorial Roll and bankruptcy information.
How can I quickly rebuild my credit?
Then consider these six basic strategies for rebuilding credit:
- Pay on time. Pay bills and any existing lines of credit on time if you possibly can.
- Try to keep most of your credit limit available.
- Get a secured credit card.
- Get a credit-builder loan or secured loan.
- Become an authorized user.
- Get a co-signer.
How can I wipe my credit card debt?
Discover which option is the best and most cost-effective for you.
- Attack the debt with all your resources.
- Use a balance-transfer card.
- Apply for a credit card consolidation loan.
- Enroll in a debt management plan.
- Declare bankruptcy.
- Find the best debt solution for your situation.
Does anyone have a 300 credit score?
Though it’s uncommon to have the worst credit score, having bad credit isn’t. More than a quarter (27.66%) of consumers have a credit score between 300 and 600, which is considered bad credit or subprime credit. Conversely, 20% have a super prime credit score (781 to 850).
What is a low credit limit?
A low credit limit is designed to keep you from spending beyond your means, which is a good thing. For example, with a credit limit of just $2,000, putting $500 on a credit card each month would result in a utilization ratio of 25%.
Are there any credit cards for people with low credit scores?
The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit is very similar to the issuer’s Cash Back Rewards card. However, this card accepts applicants with lower credit scores and its cash back program is more limited. You will not earn or receive rewards while your payments are delinquent.
What’s the best way to improve my credit score?
To get the card, you fill out a credit application, and, if approved, pony up a non-refundable program fee. In return, you’ll receive a credit card that reports your credit transactions to all three of the major credit bureaus every month — the perfect way to improve your score if you pay on time. 1. Total Visa® Card
What should your credit score be to get a credit card?
And frankly, that covers a lot of consumers. Typically, a credit score below 580 on the FICO scale is considered poor. What we discovered is that there should be at least one credit card (and probably a bunch) that will suit your needs despite a troubled or non-existent credit history.
Can you get a credit card if you dont have a credit score?
Income limits vary depending on the credit card, but you must make at least enough money to repay your credit card balance each month. The higher your income, the better chance you have at getting approved for a credit card even though you don’t have a credit score.