Fair Credit? You Have Credit Card Options

Credit scores. Most of us have them—more than one—and many of us hate them. If you’re like a lot of Americans, your credit score is in the fair zone—from 580 to 699, depending on which scoring model is used, FICO or VantageScore. And that fair credit score can be, well, unfair. It places you the subprime category where you won’t get approved for the best rates or even the best credit cards.

Most people with fair credit already have at least one credit card. They also have a total credit line of less than $5,000. That’s proof that with a fair credit score, you can still find a credit card. What you may not know is that you can find a card that fits your needs. You may even find one that helps you boost your score and/or lets you earn rewards.

Before delving into credit cards for fair credit, just what is a fair credit score?

Just What Is Fair Credit?

FICO credit scores and VantageScore credit scores are the two most popular credit-scoring models. FICO scores were developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation. VantageScore scores were developed by the major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax and Transunion. Scores in both models range from 300 to 850. Within this range, the models group potential borrowers into five categories:

FICO Credit Score Ranges	VantageScore Credit Score Ranges
800–850 Exceptional	750–850 Excellent
740–799 Very Good	Not applicable
670–739 Good	700–749 Good
580–669 Fair	650–699 Fair
300–579 Very Poor	550–649 Poor
Not applicable	300–549 Very Poor

A lot of factors go into a credit score. Payment history is the single biggest factor for both FICO and VantageScore. It accounts for roughly 35% of your total score. If you have a fair score, chances are you’ve made at least one payment more than 60 days late in the last 12 months. That fair score also affects your chances of getting loans and credit cards and good interest rates on those you can get.

Your Credit Score and Getting Credit Cards and Loans

Your credit score is your lifeline to getting approved for new credit cards and loans. If you have a low score or no credit history, your odds of approval go down and/or your interest rate goes up.

Poor and very poor credit means you’re unlikely to qualify for a loan or credit card. Individuals in this category may benefit from a secured credit card, which requires a security deposit but helps to rebuild credit.
Fair credit means you can probably qualify for credit cards and some loans, but not at optimal interest rates.
Good credit lets you get approved for most loans and credit cards at lower interest rates than people with fair credit.
Very good, exceptional or excellent credit typically qualify you for the very best interest rates, credit card rewards programs and credit card and loan terms.

Your Credit Card Options for Fair Credit

If you have fair credit and need a new credit card to build or rebuild your credit or just to use, you have a few options.

Option 1 is to work to improve your credit before you apply for a new card.
Option 2 is to find the best credit card option available to you now—one that’s known to approve someone with a fair credit score.

A credit card can actually help you improve your credit. So, choosing option 2 may be a good idea depending on your situation. If you get a credit card now, you can always ask your card issuer to review—and increase—your interest rate when your credit score does improve.

These are some solid unsecured credit cards for fair credit.

Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® with Cash Back Rewards

The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa with Cash Back Rewards is also a rewards card. It lets you earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases—some terms do apply. Your rewards post to your account automatically each month. You also get access to offers only to Credit One Bank card members through Visa® Discounts. The card also includes travel accident and auto rental collision insurance from Visa.

You can see if you prequalify for the card quickly, easily and securely. So you can find out if you’re likely to get approved before putting a hard inquiry on your credit report.

The card does have an annual fee of $0 to $99. But that fee depends on your credit score. With a fair score, you’re more likely to pay on the lower end of that range. The ongoing APR is a bit nicer than the two Capital One cards at for purchases. You can’t do balance transfers with this card, so there’s no APR for that.

Credit One Bank will give you a chance to increase your credit line down the road, but a fee might apply. As you use this card responsibly, your account will be automatically reviewed to see if you’re eligible for an increased credit line.

Last, but not least, this card speaks to your unique self by letting you pick from multiple card designs, a fee may apply.

Helping Your Fair Credit Score

Some of the factors that lower your credit score include late payments, using more than 30% of your available credit, significant outstanding debt compared to your income, negative public records like judgments and bankruptcies and several credit inquiries in a short time period. The length of your credit history and the mixture of different types of accounts also plays a role.

Using a credit card wisely can help you work toward a higher credit score. Increasing your available credit with a newer card lowers the amount of overall credit you’re using, which has a positive impact on your score.

When you get your new credit card, keep your combined balances of all cards below 30% of your combined credit limit to lower your credit utilization ratio, make on-time payments and pay off other debt to see the benefits of your hard work in improving your credit.

Even increasing your score from the fair to good category will let you qualify for credit cards, car loans and personal loans with lower interest rates. It also boosts the chances of approval for a mortgage or rental home. Auto and home insurance premiums are also lower for people with good credit.

Not Sure What Your Credit Score Is?

Knowing your credit score can help you narrow your search for a credit card. If you don’t know your score, you can get your Experian VantageScore credit score right here on Credit.com for free. And you can get your FICO score for just $1.

Your free Experian VantageScore score includes a free credit report card that shows where you stand the five key criteria used to calculate your score—payment history, credit utilization, credit age, account mix and credit inquiries. Your score and report card get updated every two weeks, so you can see how using your new card improves your credit or what you need to do differently if it’s not.

At publishing time, the cards mentioned here are offered through the Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for one of the cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).

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