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Credit-Land.com is an independent, advertising-supported web site. Credit-Land.com receives compensation from most issuers whose offers appear on our site. Compensation from our advertising partners may impact how and where their products appear on our site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within review lists. Credit-Land.com has not reviewed all available credit card offers in the marketplace.
December 2024: Top Credit Cards for Fair Credit from Our Partners
Your credit isn't great, but it isn't terrible either. You've had your ups and downs and missed a payment here and there. Can you still be eligible for a card that offers some benefits like access to a line of credit or low monthly payments? The answer is - Yes! With an average FICO score, you can still be eligible for cards on advantageous terms. Look for a card that offers a reasonable annual fee and interest rate for people with fair credit history.
- Cards of December 2024
- Cards with Rewards
- No Annual Fee
- Student Credit Cards
our choice
- 1% Cash back on Debit Card purchases with qualifying activity. See website for details
- No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
- Early paycheck access; up to 2 days early
- Fee free overdraft protection
- No fees
- eWallet compatible (Apple, Google, Samsung)
- Large ATM network
- Mobile check deposit
- Online bill pay
- Peer-to-peer payments via Zelle.
- FDIC Insured
our choice
Great Rewards
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
1% Cash back on Debit Card purchases with qualifying activity. See website for details
No Credit Check
Instant Response:
No
Guaranteed Approval:
Yes!
Credit Check:
No
Overdraft Available
Overdraft Available:
Yes
Overdraft Fee:
$0
Maximum Overdraft Limit:
See terms
our choice
No
Annual Fee & Foreign Transaction Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
Credit Line
Increase
Potential
Security Deposit:
N/A
Credit Line:
See terms
Credit Line Increase:
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Build Credit:
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
our choice
our choice
No Credit Check
Credit Check:
No
Instant Response:
Yes
Credit Agencies Report:
Yes
Loans up to
$750
Minimum Loan Amount:
See terms
Maximum Loan Amount:
$750
Term of Loan:
See terms
Instant Response
Credit Recommended:
Any Credit
Minimum Age of a Borrower:
18
Employment Required:
Yes
our choice
Build✧ Your Credit
Build Credit:
✧Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
Credit Line:
See terms
Card Usage:
Use everywhere Mastercard cards are accepted (subject to available credit)
Response in
60
Seconds
Response in 60 Seconds:
Yes
Card Network:
Mastercard®
Credit Check :
Yes
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Credit Bureau Reporting:
Yes
Card Category:
Unsecured Fee Based Credit Card
Checking Account Required:
Yes
our choice
our choice
Loans up to
$100,000
Minimum Loan Amount:
$1,000
Maximum Loan Amount:
$100,000
Term of Loan:
See terms
Instant Response
Credit Recommended:
Any Credit
Minimum Age of a Borrower:
18
Employment Required:
Yes
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Credit Check:
Yes
Instant Response:
Yes
Credit Agencies Report:
Yes
our choice
Earn Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Bonus Offer:
N/A
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$39
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
Earn More
on Your
on Your
Daily Spending
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Max. Rewards:
5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Rewards expiration:
Cash back doesn't expire for the life of the accountµ
our choice
Unlimited
2%
Cash Back
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
2% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0^
Regular APR:
29.99%^
Balance Transfer Fee:
See website for Details*
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$0^
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
our choice
our choice
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Credit Check:
No
Instant Response:
Yes
Credit Agencies Report:
Yes
Instant Response
Credit Recommended:
Any Credit
Minimum Age of a Borrower:
18
Employment Required:
No
our choice
Response in
60
Seconds
Response in 60 Seconds:
Yes
Card Network:
Mastercard
Credit Check :
Yes
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Credit Bureau Reporting:
Yes
Card Category:
Unsecured Fee Based Credit Card
Checking Account Required:
Yes
Build✧ Your Credit
Build Credit:
✧Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
Credit Line:
See terms
Card Usage:
Use everywhere Mastercard cards are accepted (subject to available credit)
our choice
Earn Up to
3%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
Up to
$1,000
Credit Limit
Security Deposit:
No
Credit Line:
Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
Credit Line Increase:
See terms
Instant Response
Instant Response:
Yes
Card Network:
Visa®
Credit Check:
Yes
our choice
$200
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
0%
Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Intro APR on Balance Transfer:
0% (18 months)
Regular APR:
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee:
Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min).
our choice
- 1% Cash back on Debit Card purchases with qualifying activity. See website for details
- No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
- Early paycheck access; up to 2 days early
- Fee free overdraft protection
- No fees
- eWallet compatible (Apple, Google, Samsung)
- Large ATM network
- Mobile check deposit
- Online bill pay
- Peer-to-peer payments via Zelle.
- FDIC Insured
our choice
Great Rewards
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
1% Cash back on Debit Card purchases with qualifying activity. See website for details
No Credit Check
Instant Response:
No
Guaranteed Approval:
Yes!
Credit Check:
No
Overdraft Available
Overdraft Available:
Yes
Overdraft Fee:
$0
Maximum Overdraft Limit:
See terms
our choice
Earn Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Bonus Offer:
N/A
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$39
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
Earn More
on Your
on Your
Daily Spending
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Max. Rewards:
5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Rewards expiration:
Cash back doesn't expire for the life of the accountµ
our choice
Unlimited
2%
Cash Back
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
2% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0^
Regular APR:
29.99%^
Balance Transfer Fee:
See website for Details*
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$0^
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
our choice
Earn Up to
3%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
Up to
$1,000
Credit Limit
Security Deposit:
No
Credit Line:
Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
Credit Line Increase:
See terms
Instant Response
Instant Response:
Yes
Card Network:
Visa®
Credit Check:
Yes
our choice
Earn
10%
back in Reward Dollars
Rewards:
Earn 10% back in Reward Dollars* every day on purchases at Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, and CB2
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
See terms
Late Payment Fee:
See terms
our choice
Earn Up to
3%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and restrictions.
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
Earn 1.5% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
None272
Foreign Transaction Fee:
3%
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40.00
Earn More
on Your
on Your
Daily Spending
Rewards on everyday purchases:
Earn 1.5% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and restrictions.
Rewards expiration:
Cash Rewards earned do not expire although they may be forfeited in accordance with the rewards terms.
our choice
Unlimited
1%
Cash Back
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
1% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$39^
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
$39
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$39^
Regular APR:
35.99%^
Balance Transfer Fee:
N/A
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
our choice
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
Up to 3%
Late Payment Fee:
$0
$200
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions**
Up to
10%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Up to 10% cash back from your favorite brands with Upgrade Shopping
Rewards on everyday purchases:
unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redemption Options:
See terms
our choice
Unlimited
1%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases.
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Build Credit:
Yes
Instant Response:
Yes
Card Usage:
Use everywhere Mastercard cards are accepted (subject to available credit)
Build Your Credit
Build Credit:
Yes
Credit Line:
Up to $1,500
Card Usage:
Use everywhere Mastercard cards are accepted (subject to available credit)
our choice
No
Annual Fee & Foreign Transaction Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
Credit Line
Increase
Potential
Security Deposit:
N/A
Credit Line:
See terms
Credit Line Increase:
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Reporting
to the Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Build Credit:
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
our choice
$200
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
0%
Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Intro APR on Balance Transfer:
0% (18 months)
Regular APR:
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee:
Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min).
our choice
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0^
Regular APR:
35.99%^
Balance Transfer Fee:
N/A
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$0^
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
Up to
$3,000
Credit Limit
Security Deposit:
No
Credit Line:
$500 - $3,000^
Credit Line Increase:
See terms
our choice
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
Up to 3%
Late Payment Fee:
$0
$200
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions**
Up to
10%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Up to 10% cash back from your favorite brands with Upgrade Shopping
Rewards on everyday purchases:
unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redemption Options:
See terms
our choice
Earn
10%
back in Reward Dollars
Rewards:
Earn 10% back in Reward Dollars* every day on purchases at Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, and CB2
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
n/a
Late Payment Fee:
See terms
our choice
Earn Up to
3%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and restrictions.
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
Earn 1.5% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
None272
Foreign Transaction Fee:
3%
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40.00
Earn More
on Your
on Your
Daily Spending
Rewards on everyday purchases:
Earn 1.5% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
Max. Rewards:
Earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and restrictions.
Rewards expiration:
Cash Rewards earned do not expire although they may be forfeited in accordance with the rewards terms.
our choice
Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Redemption Options:
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
No
Annual Fee & Foreign Transaction Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41.
0%
Intro APR on Purchases
Intro APR:
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Regular APR:
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.
Annual Fee:
$0
our choice
Unlimited
1%
Cash Back
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
1% Unlimited Cash Back on Every Purchase, Everywhere Mastercard is accepted
No
Foreign Transaction Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Annual Fee:
$75^
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $39
Up to
$1,000
Credit Limit
Security Deposit:
No
Credit Line:
$300 - $1,000^
Credit Line Increase:
See terms
our choice
Earn
10%
back in Reward Dollars
Rewards:
Earn 10% back in Reward Dollars* every day on purchases at Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, and CB2
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
See terms
Late Payment Fee:
See terms
our choice
Earn Up to
8%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
Bonus Offer:
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
$50
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
our choice
Up to
5%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Redemption Options:
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
No
Annual Fee & Foreign Transaction Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41.
0%
Intro APR on Purchases
Intro APR:
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Regular APR:
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.
Annual Fee:
$0
our choice
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
Unlimited
1.5%
Cash Back
Rewards on Everyday Purchases:
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
$50
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
our choice
No
Annual Fee & Foreign Transaction Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41.
Up to
2%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Redemption Options:
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
0%
Intro APR on Purchases
Intro APR:
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Regular APR:
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.
Annual Fee:
$0
our choice
Earn Up to
8%
Cash Back
Max. Rewards:
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Rewards on everyday purchases:
1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
Bonus Offer:
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
$0
Annual Fee
Annual Fee:
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee:
None
Late Payment Fee:
Up to $40
$50
Cash Back Bonus
Bonus Offer:
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
making strides WITH
FAIR CREDIT
As you can see, there are options out there for people with fair credit that offer cash back rewards. You can even get 1% cash back on purchases and watch your savings climb. But that's not all.
When used wisely, by making on time payments and keeping account balances below their credit limits, cards for fair credit may also help you boost your FICO score. Knowing what to expect from these cards and using their terms to your advantage may help you graduate from a fair credit rating to an excellent one, but you must be diligent and patient because previous mistakes take time to correct. It may take several years of prompt payments to restore your good credit.
Here is a rundown of what you need to know about using and applying for credit cards for fair credit:
- Interest Rate. Credit cards designed for people with fair credit may carry high interest rates. Your best bet is to avoid carrying a balance on the card for any extended amount of time.
- Additional Fees. Credit cards for fair credit sometimes come with higher fees than other cards. These fees can include one-time processing fees, so keep an eye out for those charges when evaluating an offer.
- Rewards For Fair Credit. Some credit cards in this category offer rewards that include cash back on travel and other purchases. Since rewards cards for fair credit tend to have higher-than-average interest rates, it pays to be careful.
From Fair to Good Credit
Pay on Time: 35% of your credit score is based on your payment history. Never miss a payment deadline.
Keep Low Balances: 30% of your score is your "credit utilization ratio", which compares your total available credit to the amount of credit you have used. The lower your ratio, the higher your score will be.
Keep Cards Open: 15% of your credit score is the average duration of your accounts, with emphasis on length. The amount of new credit, and the number of types of credit make for 10% each.
questionsABOUT CREDIT CARDS
FOR FAIR CREDIT
How can someone with fair credit get a credit card with a high limit?
If you have a fair credit score - in the 620 to 680† range - there are many credit cards available to you, but you may not be granted a very high credit limit. It depends not only on your credit score,...
Read moreWhat is considered to be a fair credit score?
If your credit score is in the mid-600s†, between about 620 and 680†, then your credit is considered fair. Credit cards for fair credit are the best bet for you - and there are plenty...
Read moreCan I Get A Credit Card With Fair Credit But A Judgment On My Report?
Getting a credit card is top priority for most people irrespective of their age or social status. Having your own independence in terms of being able to pay is all important and a credit card provides just that above...
Read more
commentsABOUT CREDIT CARDS
FOR FAIR CREDIT🜂
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