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What Credit Score Do You Need to Get A Credit Card?

You can get a credit card no matter your score. What your score determines is what cards you qualify for.

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Updated March 27, 2024
Written by Rachel Alulis
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Key takeaways

  • The score needed to obtain a card varies significantly depending on the type of card and issuer. Standard cards may require a lower score, while premium cards typically need a good credit score of 700 or above.
  • There are card options available for nearly every score range, including secured cards for those with poor scores, which can help raise your rating over time.
  • A higher credit score generally results in better terms, such as lower interest rates, higher limits, and additional benefits.

To get a credit card, understanding your score is essential. This financial grade acts as a gateway to obtaining financial products and reflects your reliability as a borrower. This article provides a detailed guide on scores, what cards you’ll qualify for, and how you can raise your rating to get the card you want.

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Key Points: What credit card you qualify for

What card you qualify for depends in large part on your score. Understanding the minimum credit score to get a credit card can help you target your applications more effectively and avoid unnecessary rejections.

If you have the lowest credit score of 300 or none at all, your best bet will be a secured credit card. Secured cards have very low minimum score requirements since you have to put down a security deposit, which reduces the lender’s risk.

If you don’t want to put down a security deposit to get a secured card you can look for subprime unsecured cards. These cards are designed for consumers with poor FICO scores in mind. These typically have lower limits, higher interest rates, and come with extra fees like an annual fee.

Once your score reaches the fair range – anything above 580 – you’ll have more options. Get your score into the good realm – above 670 – and you’ll start to get offers for cards with cash back rewards, travel points, or 0% APR promotional offers.

Cards for fair or average credit

Scores may be the most important factor when choosing a credit card. When you’ve reached a fair credit score of 580 to 669 you will have access to a greater variety of cards. These cards can help you raise your rating. Here’s an overview of the options available and the key features to consider when selecting such cards.

Given the variety of options available, it’s crucial for borrowers to research and confirm if the credit range provided by the lender is legit and competitive.

Read more about credit cards!

What are the credit score ranges?

Credit scores from bureaus range from 300 to 850 on both the FICO and Vantage scoring models. These ranges help lenders assess your ability to repay money you borrow at a glance.

The lowest credit score is 300 on both models, a very rare score indeed. Poor scores like 300 are considered very risky and will make it hard to be approved for a card. Once your score hits the good range a wide range of card options become available.

FICO score ranges

  • Excellent: 800-850
  • Very good: 740-799
  • Good: 670-739
  • Fair: 580-669
  • Poor: 300-579

VantageScore ranges

  • Excellent: 781 to 850
  • Good: 661 to 780
  • Fair: 601 to 660
  • Poor: 500 to 600
  • Very poor: 300 to 499

What is a good VantageScore?

A good VantageScore typically falls within the range of 661 to 780, categorized as good. This score indicates to lenders that the borrower is a lower risk, often resulting in more favorable borrowing terms such as lower interest rates and better loan conditions. Achieving a score above 780, known as excellent, places a borrower in an even better position.

Poor debt management can affect your credit!

Find out how to protect your credit score!

What is the difference between FICO score and VantageScore?

FICO score and VantageScore are two scoring models that financial companies use to pull your score and determine whether or not to approve you.

FICO Score was introduced by the Fair Isaac Corporation in 1989 and has since become a standard measurement of consumer risk in the United States. It is used by over 90% of top lenders when making decisions.

VantageScore was developed as a joint venture by the three major bureaus Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax in 2006. The goal was to create a more consistent scoring model that could also provide scores for consumers who might be scoreable under one bureau’s system but not under others.

Both scoring models evaluate a consumer’s credit reports and assign a numerical score ranging from 300 to 850. The higher the score, the lower the risk. Both models consider payment history, debts, length of time you’ve had accounts, new inquiries, and types of accounts.

While both scoring models look at similar factors, there are a few key differences in how they weigh this information.

Learn more about scores on MoneyFor.

FICO’s scoring method

The FICO scoring model is the one most used by lenders. FICO scores range from 300 to 850 with higher being better. It calculates your score by analyzing the following five factors:

  • Payment history – 35%
  • Utilization rate – 30%
  • Length of time you’ve had accounts – 15%
  • Mix of account types – 10%
  • New inquiries – 10%

Credit scores do not have letter grades but you can think of them that way informally. Credit scores are similar to grades on a report card in that 800-850 can be seen as an A, 740-799 as a B, and all the way down to 300-579 as an F.

Why are my FICO and VantageScore scores different?

Your VantageScore and FICO scores differ due to the distinct models and criteria each uses to calculate your creditworthiness. FICO scores focus on payment history, amounts owed, and length of time you’ve had accounts. In contrast, VantageScore also considers these factors but places different weight on each and includes aspects like your total balances and recent behavior. Additionally, the two scoring systems may access different data from your reports or update information at different times, leading to variations in the scores.

What information credit scores do not consider

Your score does not take into account all aspects of your financial life. It is only about how you handle borrowing money. Several important factors that scores do not consider are your income, employment status, savings and assets, education level, marital status, and age.

These factors are relevant in the card application process because they provide a fuller picture of your financial stability and risk level. Although they do not directly affect your rating, lenders consider these elements alongside your score to make more informed lending decisions.

What factors impact your scores?

Your score is a reflection of your financial behavior. Lenders use it to assess how risky of a borrower you are. They look at your payment history, how much of your limit you use, how long you’ve had cards or loans, the types of credit accounts you have – namely revolving accounts or installment accounts, and how often you apply. The idea is to see if you are reliable, can handle debt responsibly, and are not dependent on borrowing.

Want to boost your rating?

Build credit easily with our tips and tricks!

How do lenders decide if I qualify for a credit card?

Lenders use a variety of factors to determine whether you qualify and what terms to offer. They will consider your report and score. These items provide data on your financial reliability and history of debt management. A history of on-time payments, low utilization, and a mix of account types bolsters your creditworthiness.

How much debt you currently carry impacts your utilization rate and debt-to-income ratio, both of which are crucial metrics for lenders. High levels of existing debt can be a red flag, indicating potential difficulties in managing additional borrowing.

The number of recent inquiries into your report can also affect a lender’s decision. Numerous inquiries might suggest you are in financial distress, seeking new accounts out of necessity rather than strategic financial planning.

Card issuers will also consider your income and employment history especially in setting your limit. They want to make sure you can afford their product. If you have a low income, they will likely give you a low limit. Include all your income on your application to increase your chances of securing a high limit.

Do pre-approvals hurt your score?

No, that is the beauty of being pre-approved. When you prequalify for a card the issuer will do a soft pull. Soft inquires do not affect your score. Hard inquiries will cause your score to temporarily dip by a few points. These happen when you submit a formal application. This is why it’s a good idea to prequalify for cards before you apply. You can then compare offers and only apply for the best card option.

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How do I get pre-approved for a credit card?

A lot of card issuers offer pre-approval on their website. Simply go online and fill out the form. You most likely will have to provide the following information:

Personal information: your full name, address, and sometimes your date of birth.

Social Security Number (SSN): Most require at least the last four digits of your SSN to verify your identity and perform a soft pull.

Income information: Some issuers may ask for your income information to assess your ability to pay your balances. However, providing income information is often optional during the prequalification process.

After you fill out the form, the credit card issuer will do a soft inquiry to see if you qualify.

Being pre-approved does not guarantee that you will be approved but it shows your chances without hurting your score.

What are some things you should consider when selecting a credit card?

How to choose a good credit card depends on your score and what you’re looking for. If your score is low and you want to improve it, your best option will be a secured card. If your score is high or at least good, then you may want to consider what type of perks you want. Are you looking for travel points, cash back rewards, or debt consolidation?

Can you get a credit card with limited or no credit history?

Obtaining a card can be challenging if your score is very low or nonexistent. Lenders typically look at your rating for proof of responsible financial management before approving applications. However, there are specific cards with low minimum score requirements that are designed to help people just starting out.

Secured cards are a prime option for those very low scores. These cards require a security deposit that typically serves as your credit limit. This deposit acts as collateral for the bank, significantly reducing the risk of to the issuer, which makes these cards easier to obtain. Over time, responsible use of a secured card, such as making purchases and paying the balance in full each month, can help enhance your score. After establishing a good score, you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

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Not everyone has a few hundred dollars lying around for a secured card. In that case, your best bet is an unsecured card for a low score. Believe it or not, there are unsecured cards that accept applicants with very poor scores. Make sure you can afford the fees – annual fees, monthly maintenance fees – before you apply.

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How to improve your credit scores

Improving your score is a critical step towards enhancing your financial stability and accessing better cards. It will take time and consistent effort but it is worth the work.

Monitor your credit report and score

Regularly monitoring your report and score is crucial for maintaining financial health. This practice can help you spot errors, identify fraudulent activities, and understand how your financial behavior influences your score.

Pay your bills on time

Consistent on time payments is one the best thing you can do. Payment history is the most influential scoring factor. Set up reminders or automatic payments can help avoid late payments or missed payments. Even one late payment will significantly hurt your score.

Credit-building cards can help brighten your financial future

Most subprime cards are specifically designed to help individuals establish or improve their scores. They are accessible to consumers with poor or fair scores and report your payment history and utilization. Make one to two small purchases a month and pay your bill in full and on time every month. You will see your rating rise.

A higher score gives you access to a wider range of financial products that cost less. You will be able to secure personal loans that don’t come with extremely high APRs and additional fees and cards with cash back rewards. In other words, a higher score means less expensive and more flexible borrowing options.

What are the different types of credit cards to build credit?

Various types of cards are designed specifically to help consumers improve their scores. You can go with a secured card that requires a cash deposit. Most require a deposit of at least $200, but there are a few on the market with a low $100 deposit requirement or no deposit required at all.

A secured card is arguably the most cost-effective option as the deposit is refundable if you close your account in good standing. If this doesn’t appeal to you, look for an unsecured card for your score range. There are plenty of subprime cards designed to help boost your score.

Are there any specific credit cards that report to all credit bureaus?

The vast majority of card issuers report to all three major bureaus. It’s a good idea to double-check that the card you’re interested in does report to all three. It is only by reporting your payment history and utilization that your score will go up. If you’re starting from scratch with no credit history know that it might take about three to six months after getting a credit card to establish a credit score.

The recommended utilization rate is 30% or less of your limit. For example, if your total limit across all cards is $1,000, you should strive to keep your total outstanding balance under $300. Keeping it under $100 is even better.

Bottom line

As you consider applying for a new card, it’s important to evaluate which ones you qualify for and how they align with your financial goals. Choose a card that offers the best benefits while helping you build or maintain your score. Whether it’s your first card, you want one to help improve your score, or you simply want to maintain a healthy rating, each decision should be made with an understanding of how it impacts your financial future.

1. Paycheck Advance is For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. Expedited disbursement of your Paycheck Advance is an optional feature that is subject to an Instant Access Fee and may not be available to all users. Expedited disbursements may take up to an hour. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.
2. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.
3. Individual results may vary. Using your credit card responsibly may allow you to improve your credit score. Credit building depends on various factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other financial activities.
4. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.
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6. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive $500 or more in Qualifying Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 30-day period. For more information, please refer to Fee-free Overdraft Terms and Conditions.
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9. Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. A qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more is required for 4.00%. No minimum balance required. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions.
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11. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group. Your money is FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at each of our partner banks, Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, members FDIC.
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13. Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
14. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
15. Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one- way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
16. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
17. Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
18. When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
19. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
20. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
21. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
22. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
23. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
24. There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.
25. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
26. Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
27. Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.
28. On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
29. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
30. SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your Visa debit card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.
31. Tipping or not tipping has no impact on your eligibility for SpotMe®.
32. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
33. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.
34. Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.
35. Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member’s direct deposit enrollment status.
36. Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.
37. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. Non-Chime members must use a valid debit card to claim funds.
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About the author

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

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