How to Get a Credit Card with Bad Credit in 2026
The exact steps to take — including which cards approve bad credit, how to boost your odds, and what mistakes to avoid.
To get a credit card with bad credit: apply for a secured credit card, which requires a deposit but approves far more applicants than unsecured cards. The Discover it Secured (no annual fee, cash back) is the best option. If you've been denied everywhere, the OpenSky Secured Visa requires no credit check — anyone with $200 is approved.
Step 1: Know your credit score
Before applying for any card, check your credit score for free through Experian, Credit Karma, or your bank. This tells you which cards you're realistically likely to be approved for:
| Credit score range | Rating | Best card type |
|---|---|---|
| 300–499 | Very bad | OpenSky (no check) or Chime Credit Builder |
| 500–579 | Bad | Discover it Secured or Capital One Platinum Secured |
| 580–619 | Fair | Secured or unsecured bad credit cards |
| 620–669 | Fair | Most secured cards + some unsecured options |
Step 2: Choose the right card
Applying for the wrong card wastes a hard inquiry and further damages your score. Match your situation to the right card:
- Can afford $200 deposit + want rewards: Discover it® Secured
- Can only afford $49–$99 deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured
- Been denied everywhere / have bankruptcy: OpenSky® Secured Visa® (no credit check)
- Want zero fees and zero interest: Chime Credit Builder (requires Chime account)
- Cannot afford any deposit: Petal® 1 Visa® (soft pull, evaluates banking history)
Step 3: Apply correctly
- Apply for one card at a time. Each application is a hard inquiry. Multiple applications in a short period hurts your score and signals desperation to lenders.
- Use your real income. Include all sources — employment, freelance, benefits, alimony. Understating income reduces your approval odds.
- Double-check your personal information. Mismatched name, address, or SSN causes automatic denials. Verify everything matches your credit report before submitting.
- Have your deposit ready. For secured cards, you'll need to fund the deposit immediately after approval. Have the money available before you apply.
Step 4: Use the card to rebuild credit
Getting approved is only the first step. How you use the card determines whether your credit improves:
- Make one small purchase per month
- Pay the full balance before the due date every month
- Keep your balance below 10% of your credit limit
- Never miss a payment — set up autopay
Read our full guide: How to rebuild credit fast →