Easiest Credit Cards to Get in April 2024
Updated March 28, 2024 at 3:23 pm
If you’re currently in search of the easiest credit card to get, you may want to look at secured credit cards first. This type of credit card requires you to put down some cash to start building credit, but you can get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured card when you pay your bills on time and use your card responsibly otherwise.
There are also unsecured credit cards that are geared toward consumers with imperfect credit. These cards don’t require a security deposit as collateral, but some have higher fees and fewer perks than their secured card counterparts.
In this guide to the easiest credit cards to get approved for based on eligibility criteria, we include options that could work for almost anyone. Let’s take a look at some of the best credit cards with easy approvals in 2024 based on rewards, cardholder benefits, fees and other factors.
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Our Picks - Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
- Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
- Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Building Credit: Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
- Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
- Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Easiest Credit Cards to Get Approved for in 2024
Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover matches all the cash back rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and adds it to your rewards account within two billing periods.
Why we chose it: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card can approve you even if you don’t have a credit score yet, and you get the chance to earn rewards and build credit after putting down a security deposit of at least $200. There’s no annual fee, and Discover says you can get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured Discover card after six on-time monthly payments. Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Earn 1% to 2% cash back on spending
- No credit score required
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- Bonus rewards spending caps
Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: While the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card may require some credit history to be approved, this secured credit card lets you build credit for the future and earn rewards at the same time with a minimum security deposit of $200.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t offer any rewards for spending, but it does have a minimum security deposit that will either be $49, $99 or $200 for an initial $200 credit limit. This low deposit amount can be helpful for consumers who need to start building credit with a limited cash flow. Read our Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card review.
Pros
- Minimum security deposit of $49, $99 or $200
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No rewards on spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: The OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check or hard inquiry to get approved. This means you could be eligible to put down a security deposit and start building credit regardless of your credit history. Read our OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card review.
Pros
- No credit check required
- 88% average approval rate
- Build credit history across all three major credit bureaus
Cons
- $35 annual fee
- High variable interest rates
Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Rise is an unsecured credit card that earns rewards and helps build credit. However, Chase says cardholders who already have a Chase bank checking account with at least $250 on deposit are more likely to qualify.
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back rewards on everything you buy
- $25 statement credit for enrolling in automatic payments within first three months
- Potential for a credit limit increase after six months
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- May need Chase banking relationship to qualify
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: Issued by WebBank, the Petal 1 Rise is an unsecured credit card for people with no credit history, limited credit or poor credit. This card lets you get preapproved online without any impact on your credit, and you can earn 2% to 10% cash back with select merchants.
Pros
- No security deposit required
- Considers alternative data for approvals (like banking history)
- Get up to a $3,500 credit limit
Cons
- $59 annual fee
- No rewards for regular spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for Building Credit: Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
Why we chose it: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card may be slightly more difficult to qualify for than the Petal 1 Rise, but it’s still geared toward people with limited credit or imperfect credit. This card doesn’t charge an annual fee, and cardholders can qualify for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Similar to the Petal Rise, you can earn 2% to 10% cash back with select merchants, but there’s no ongoing rewards structure.
Pros
- Reports to the credit bureaus
- Get up to a $5,000 credit limit
- Considers alternative data for approvals
Cons
- No rewards for regular spending
- High variable interest rates
Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Why we chose it: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is another unsecured credit card to consider if you have fair credit, or a FICO Score from 580 to 669. This card doesn’t offer rewards, but it does build credit and give you the chance to earn a higher credit limit in as little as six months with responsible use. Read our Capital One Platinum Credit Card review.
Pros
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Pathway to a higher credit limit in as little as six months
- As an unsecured card, no security deposit is required
Cons
- High variable interest rates
- No rewards for spending
Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Why we chose it: The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit is a good match for those who need to rebuild their credit after mistakes made in the past—and it even offers cash back rewards on eligible purchases.
Pros
- Earns 1% cash back on eligible purchases
- Pathway to a higher credit limit
- As an unsecured card, no security deposit is required
Cons
- $75 annual fee the first year, then $99 ($8.25 per month)
- High variable interest rates
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover matches all the cash back rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and adds it to your rewards account within two billing periods.
Why we chose it: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is the easiest credit card to get for students since you don’t even need a credit score to apply. This card also earns rewards for spending, and it helps young people build credit for the future with on-time payments and responsible use. Read our Discover it® Student Cash Back review.
Pros
- Earns 1% to 5% cash back rewards, plus a Cashback Match™ welcome bonus
- Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- No penalty APR
Cons
- High variable interest rates (after introductory offers end)
- Spending caps on bonus rewards categories
- Category activation required to earn highest rates
Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
After making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Why we chose it: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is another easy card to get for college students, and it doesn’t charge an annual fee. Cardholders can even earn 1.5% cash back on purchases made with their card, and an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers applies.
Pros
- Earns 1.5% cash back on purchases
- Features a first-year welcome bonus
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- High variable interest rates after intro offer
- Charges foreign transaction fees
A Closer Look at the Easiest Credit Cards to Get
Best Secured Credit Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: When it comes to finding the easiest credit card to get that’s also rewarding, it’s hard to beat the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. This secured credit card doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, yet you can earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 spent at restaurants and gas stations each quarter (then 1% back) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, with Discover’s Cashback Match™ program, your first-year rewards earnings will be matched after year one.
Who should have this in their wallet: Because the Discover it® Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a credit score to apply, this card is ideal for consumers with no credit, limited credit or damaged credit due to mistakes made in the past. Users who choose the Discover it® Secured Credit Card get the chance to earn rewards and build credit for the future, and they can even get their security deposit back in as little as six months.
Other cards to consider: If your search for the easiest credit card to get is focused on secured credit cards, other options also earn rewards and help build credit. A solid alternative to consider is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card since it earns a flat rewards rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases and features relatively easy approval requirements.
Best Secured Credit Card, Runner-Up: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
Why we love this card: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured is a stand-out secured credit card due to its lack of an annual fee and the fact you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. A free FICO Score is offered every month, and you can use this card to help establish, build or strengthen your credit for the future.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card if you want a secured credit card that earns rewards, and you’re willing to put down a security deposit of at least $200. This card is a great choice for consumers who prefer to earn flat-rate cash back for spending.
Other cards to consider: If you travel internationally often from time to time and don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees, consider the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. It also earns rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also requires the same minimum security deposit of $200.
Best Secured Card for Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card can be an attractive option for cash-strapped consumers since it has a minimum security deposit that starts at $49 but could also be $99 or $200. Even with a lower deposit amount, cardholders get a starting credit limit of $200 and can use their card to build credit for the future. Capital One also offers automatic credit line reviews that could lead to getting a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is for people who need to start building credit but don’t necessarily care about earning rewards. Individuals who want to put down the lowest security deposit possible should also check out this card.
Other cards to consider: If you’re willing to put down $200 or more for a secured credit card, you can qualify for one that builds credit and doles out rewards for spending. Examples include the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card, to name a few.
Best for No Credit Check: OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: While the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee, this card doesn’t use a hard inquiry to check your credit. The card issuer also says it has an 88% average approval rate, which means it can be one of the easiest credit cards to get by far.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card if you have problems with your credit and want the chance to rebuild. You can start building credit with a minimum security deposit of just $200 and earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases at over 40,000 retailers.
Other cards to consider: Other credit cards can help you build credit after mistakes made in the past if you’re willing to go through a credit check to get approved. For starters, you’ll want to check out the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card.
Best for Chase Customers: Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card
Why we love this card: While Chase says the Chase Freedom Rise is easier to qualify for if you have a Chase bank checking account with at least $250 on deposit, this card can be well worth the trouble. Individuals won’t pay an annual fee, and they get to earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cardholders can even get a $25 cash bonus for enrolling their card in automatic payments, and it’s possible to qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Chase Freedom Rise is for anyone who wants to build credit and earn rewards without having to put down collateral for a secured credit card. This card is also geared toward existing Chase customers or consumers who are willing to open a Chase checking account.
Other cards to consider: There are other unsecured credit cards to consider depending on your credit score, including the Petal 1 Rise, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit.
Best for Credit Newcomers: Petal 1 Rise Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Petal 1 Rise is an unsecured credit card that can help credit newcomers build credit for the future if they’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee. This card doesn’t offer rewards on regular spending, but cardholders can earn 2% to 10% cash back on purchases with select merchants. Initial credit limits range from $500 to $3,500, and those with the Petal 1 Rise can also qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months with the Petal Leap Program. Also note that Petal credit cards consider alternative banking data for approvals, so linking a savings account and showing responsible banking activity can help you get approved.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Petal 1 Rise is best for people who want to build credit with an unsecured credit card and don’t want to prioritize earning rewards on regular purchases. This card also comes with its own mobile app that makes it a solid choice for tech-savvy consumers who want to manage their credit, purchases and payments on the go.
Other cards to consider: There are plenty of other unsecured credit cards that build credit without a security deposit, including some with no annual fee. Alternatives to consider include the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa and the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
Best for Building Credit: Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card is another card option in the Petal family that’s unsecured with no requirement for collateral. This card doesn’t have an annual fee or charge foreign transaction fees, and it offers a path to a higher credit limit in as little as six months. Cardholders can also earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants and qualify for an initial credit limit of up to $5,000. Better yet, this card issuer considers data outside of credit scores for approvals, including your banking history.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa is for people who want to build credit without putting down a security deposit or paying an annual fee. This card is also for people who want to manage their purchases and payments using a mobile app.
Other cards to consider: If you want to build credit but also earn rewards for spending, there are some alternatives to consider that let you do both. Secured and unsecured cards that are easy to get but offer rewards include the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card and the Chase Freedom Rise.
Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is for people with fair to good credit who want to potentially improve their credit for the future and learn positive credit habits along the way. Capital One says they conduct automatic credit line reviews that can lead to a higher credit limit in as little as six months. This card is also offered with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is best for consumers who want to build credit without dealing with the temptation to overspend to earn rewards. This card is also for people with fair credit who prefer to build credit with an unsecured credit card.
Other cards to consider: Other credit cards for fair credit can also be some of the easiest credit cards to get, and some offer rewards. For example, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit offers rewards on eligible purchases while building credit for the future.
Best Unsecured Card for Poor Credit: Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit
Why we love this card: While the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit charges an annual fee, this card can be easy to qualify for when you need help rebuilding credit after some mishaps in the past. This card also offers 1% cash back rewards in certain categories, including eligible gas and grocery store purchases, your mobile phone bill and internet, cable and satellite TV services.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit if you have an existing credit history but need help repairing your credit score. While an annual fee applies each year, spending in the rewards categories on this card could help you earn enough cash back to cover it.
Other cards to consider: There are other credit cards if you have a better fair credit score that don’t charge an annual fee, although some don’t offer rewards. Compare this card to the Capital One Platinum Credit Card and the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa.
Best for Students: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Why we love this card: We love the Discover it® Student Cash Back because it doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, nor does it require applicants to have a credit score to be approved. This means it’s possible to get this card with no credit history at all. In the meantime, cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in activated, rotating bonus categories each quarter (then 1% back) and 1% back on other purchases. Discover will also match all rewards earned in your first year.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider this card if you’re a college student who needs a credit card to build credit for the future. Not only will the Discover it® Student Cash Back let you earn rewards for every dollar you spend, but you can also build credit with on-time payments on your card.
Other cards to consider: There are all kinds of other student credit cards to consider that earn rewards and don’t charge an annual fee. For example, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and is geared toward college students with limited credit history.
Best for Students, Runner-Up: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Why we love this card: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is an excellent beginner card for college students since it offers rewards with no annual fee. Cardholders also get an intro APR offer that applies to purchases and balance transfers, which can help them save money as they pay down large purchases or consolidate and pay down other high-interest debts. This card even offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus for new cardholders who can spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Who should have this in their wallet: Consider the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students if you have some existing credit history but want to build credit for the future while earning rewards. This card’s intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers also makes it useful for people who want to save on interest for a limited time.
Other cards to consider: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is also worth checking out if you want a credit card for students that’s easy to get. Further, the Discover it® Student Cash Back doesn’t require a credit score for approval, so it could be easier to qualify if you have no credit at all.
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Credit Card?
The credit score you need for a credit card depends on the type of card you plan to apply for. For example, you may qualify for one of the easiest credit cards to get with bad credit, but some cards in our guide don’t require a credit score at all.
The chart below shows what each credit score range means and how likely you are to qualify for different types of credit cards.
| FICO Credit Score Range | Credit Rating | What This Means | Credit Cards to Consider |
| No credit score | No credit | You don’t have any (or enough) reporting on your credit reports yet | Secured credit cards that don’t require a credit score Credit cards with no credit check required |
| Less than 580 | Poor credit | Based on your credit history, credit card issuers may see you as a risk | Secured credit cards |
| 580 to 669 | Fair credit | You may get approved for certain types of cards | Unsecured credit cards for fair credit |
| 670 to 739 | Good credit | Most card issuers and lenders will consider applicants with a credit score in this range | Rewards credit cards and travel credit cards |
| 740 to 799 | Very good credit | More card issuers may approve applicants with a credit score in this range for their best products | Best rewards and travel credit cards |
| 800+ | Exceptional credit | Credit card issuers may approve applicants with a credit score in this range for their best products | Best rewards and travel credit cards |
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Steps you can take to boost your credit score are pretty much the same regardless of where your credit stands right now. However, the importance of each move can vary based on the type of credit card you’re using and other details about your card.
Once you narrow down the easiest credit card to get and are approved, these tips can help you build credit and your score as fast as possible.
Never Miss a Payment
Payment history is the biggest determinant of FICO Scores, so this is one area where you can’t mess up. Make sure you pay all your bills before the due date every single month, even if that means setting up all your bills for automatic payments.
Be Mindful of Your Debt
How much debt you owe is another factor that impacts credit scores, and most experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio below 10% of your available credit (30% at a maximum) for the best results.
This means that, if you have a credit limit of $1,000, you should never owe more than $100 on your card (or $300 at the absolute most).
Make Weekly Credit Card Payments
If the credit card you’re using to build credit has a low credit limit, you’ll need to be especially mindful when it comes to keeping your credit utilization low. If you only have a $200 credit limit, for example, owing $100 means you can show a credit utilization ratio of 50%.
To keep your utilization as low as possible, we suggest paying off purchases as you make them or making weekly payments on your card.
Use Credit-Building Tools
A range of credit-building tools can help you get new information reported to the credit bureaus based on payments you’re already making. One example is Experian Boost, which helps you get credit for subscription services you have, utility bills and even rent.
Another option is the Chime®, which lets you deposit money into a linked checking account and use an associated secured card to start building credit safely. This free way to build credit is available with no credit check required to apply.
Check Your Credit Reports
Your credit reports list the information that’s used by the credit bureaus to assign your credit score, so you want to make sure this data is accurate. Fortunately, you can check your credit reports weekly for free with the website AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find errors on your reports that could be dragging your score down, you can take steps to formally dispute these errors with the credit bureaus.
Let Old Accounts Linger
Since the average length of your credit history makes up 15% of FICO Scores, keeping old accounts open can help your credit. This is even true if you’re not using them, so make sure to stash other credit cards you have for safekeeping instead of closing them out.
Stop Applying for New Credit
New credit makes up another 10% of FICO Scores, and credit card issuers don’t like to see too much. In fact, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) says that research shows opening too many new credit cards in a short amount of time represents more risk.
To help yourself as much as possible in this category, you should stop applying for new cards and use the ones you have while you focus on improving your score.
Requirements for Credit Card Approval
The exact requirements to be approved for a credit card can vary by card and issuer. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll usually need to have.
Security Deposit (Optional)
If your credit history (or lack thereof) means the easiest credit card to get is a secured credit card, you’ll need to put down a cash deposit to get approved. This deposit can be as low as $49 in some cases, but most security deposits start at $200.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about losing this money. The security deposit you put down for a secured credit card is fully refundable when you close or upgrade your account after using it responsibly (provided you don’t have an outstanding balance).
Credit History (Optional)
While some secured credit cards don’t require a credit score or even a credit check, for that matter, most require some sort of credit history to be approved. If you’re worried you won’t get approved for a credit card based on your lack of credit history, look for cards that let you get prequalified so you can have an idea of your approval odds before you apply.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Most U.S. credit cards require you to have a 9-digit Social Security number (SSN) to apply. However, some cards let you apply with an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) instead.
Regular Income
You’ll also need to provide income information to get approved for a credit card, and the rules can be different based on your age. For example, credit card applicants under the age of 21 can only list income on a credit application that they earn or expect to earn. However, applicants ages 21 and older can list household income on their application. This can include income applicants regularly get from others to pay their bills.
Personal Details
You’ll need to share a range of personal details when you apply for a secured credit card or an unsecured option. Plan on sharing information like your home address, phone number, email address, employment situation, monthly housing payment and more.
Information has not been provided by Capital One and is not an indication of preapproval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Card When You Have No Credit?
If you have no credit history to speak of, you may need to start your credit journey with a secured credit card that requires a refundable cash deposit. There are also credit cards with no credit check that might approve you with no credit history.
What Is the Best Credit Card for Bad Credit?
Your credit card options can be limited when you have a low credit score, but there are still cards you can get approved for. Typically, the best credit cards for bad credit include secured credit cards and credit cards that don’t require a credit check.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Credit Score?
According to Capital One, it can take three to six months to populate a credit score after you start building credit for the first time. From there, it depends on factors like the credit products you have and how you manage debt.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
