Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit (580-669 FICO)
A 580-669 FICO is a transitional zone — you qualify for most entry-level rewards cards and some mid-tier cash back cards, but premium travel cards are out of reach until you cross 670. The right card at this tier builds history while giving you modest rewards.
61 cards realistically approvable at this score.
Top picks for Fair Credit (580-669)
Chase
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Best for: Growing businesses with travel and advertising expenses
$95
1x–3x
points
$1,125 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
$1,125 value
Discover
Discover it Cash Back
Best for: Those who enjoy maximizing rotating categories
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$300 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$300 value
Chase
Chase Ink Business Cash
Best for: Small businesses with high office supply & telecom spend
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$750 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$750 value
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Chase
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Best for: Hyatt loyalists who value premium hotel stays
$95
1x–4x
points
$600 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1x–4x
Intro Offer
$600 value
Wells Fargo
Bilt Mastercard
Best for: Renters wanting to turn monthly rent into travel rewards
$0
1x–3x
points
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
N/A
Chase
Chase Freedom Flex
Best for: Savvy cashback maximizers, especially Chase ecosystem users
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Best for: Everyday spending with no annual fee
$0
1.5%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Capital One
Capital One SavorOne
Best for: Dining and entertainment enthusiasts
$0
1%–3%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Citi
Citi Double Cash
Best for: Maximizing flat-rate cash back
$0
2%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
2%
Intro Offer
$200 value
American Express
Blue Cash Preferred from Amex
Best for: Families spending heavily on groceries
$95
Waived 1st yr
1%–6%
cashback
$250 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1%–6%
Intro Offer
$250 value
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Best for: Simple flat-rate cash back seekers
$0
2%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
2%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Chase
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Best for: Businesses wanting simple flat-rate rewards
$0
1.5%
cashback
$750 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
$750 value
American Express
American Express Business Gold
Best for: Businesses with variable top spending categories
$295
1x–4x
points
$1,000 value
Annual Fee
$295
Rewards
1x–4x
Intro Offer
$1,000 value
Citi
Citi Simplicity
Best for: Paying off high-interest credit card debt
$0
None
cashback
0% APR / 12 mo
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
None
Intro Offer
0% APR / 12 mo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Best for: Anyone needing maximum time to pay off debt interest-free
$0
None
cashback
0% APR / 21 mo
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
None
Intro Offer
0% APR / 21 mo
Chase
United Explorer Card
Best for: Frequent United Airlines flyers
$95
Waived 1st yr
1x–2x
miles
$600 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$600 value
Capital One
Capital One Venture Rewards
Best for: Travelers wanting simple flat-rate miles
$95
2x–5x
miles
$750 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
2x–5x
Intro Offer
$750 value
American Express
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Best for: Everyday household spending — groceries, gas, and online shopping
$0
1%–3%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Best for: Students studying abroad or international students
$0
1.5%
cashback
$50 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
$50 value
American Express
American Express Blue Business Plus
Best for: Small business owners who want no-fee Membership Rewards
$0
1x–2x
points
$150 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$150 value
Citi
Citi Custom Cash Card
Best for: People who want automatic 5% back in their top spending category
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature
Best for: Foodies who want high dining rewards without an annual fee
$0
1x–4x
points
$250 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–4x
Intro Offer
$250 value
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
Best for: Travelers who value cell phone protection and streaming credits
$95
Waived 1st yr
1x–5x
points
$500 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1x–5x
Intro Offer
$500 value
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Best for: People who spend across multiple categories and want no annual fee
$0
1x–3x
points
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
$200 value
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Best for: People with high utility or cell phone bills
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Best for: Regular Hilton guests who value Gold status perks
$150
3x–12x
points
$650 value
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards
3x–12x
Intro Offer
$650 value
Chase
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Best for: IHG hotel loyalists who stay a few times per year
$99
3x–26x
points
$700 value
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
3x–26x
Intro Offer
$700 value
Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Best for: Frequent Southwest flyers pursuing the Companion Pass
$149
1x–3x
points
$700 value
Annual Fee
$149
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
$700 value
Chase
Amazon Prime Visa
Best for: Amazon Prime members who shop frequently on Amazon
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Brex
Brex Card
Best for: Funded startups and tech companies
$0
1x–8x
points
$1,100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–8x
Intro Offer
$1,100 value
American Express
American Express Blue Business Cash Card
Best for: Business owners who prefer straightforward cash back
$0
1%–2%
cashback
$250 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–2%
Intro Offer
$250 value
Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver
Best for: Those who prefer simplicity over maximizing categories
$0
1.5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Barclays
Barclays Arrival Premier
Best for: Simple travel rewards without tracking categories
$150
Waived 1st yr
2x
miles
$750 value
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards
2x
Intro Offer
$750 value
Bank of America
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Best for: Bank of America customers who want category flexibility
$0
1%–3%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Discover
Discover it Student Chrome
Best for: College students building credit
$0
1%–2%
cashback
$100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–2%
Intro Offer
$100 value
Capital One
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Best for: Business travelers wanting simple flat miles
$95
Waived 1st yr
2x–5x
miles
$500 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
2x–5x
Intro Offer
$500 value
Bank of America
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards
Best for: Small businesses banking with Bank of America
$0
1%–3%
cashback
$300 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
$300 value
Bank of America
BankAmericard Credit Card
Best for: Consolidating debt while making new purchases
$0
None
cashback
0% APR / 21 mo
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
None
Intro Offer
0% APR / 21 mo
Chase
Chase Slate Edge
Best for: Building better credit habits while paying off debt
$0
None
cashback
$100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
None
Intro Offer
$100 value
American Express
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
Best for: Frequent Delta Air Lines flyers
$150
Waived 1st yr
1x–2x
miles
$700 value
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$700 value
Chase
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Best for: Regular Marriott hotel guests
$95
2x–6x
points
$450 value
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
2x–6x
Intro Offer
$450 value
Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Best for: Budget Southwest Airlines frequent flyers
$69
1x–2x
points
$500 value
Annual Fee
$69
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$500 value
Goldman Sachs
Apple Card
Best for: iPhone users wanting a seamless, no-fee cashback card
$0
1%–3%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
N/A
Bank of America
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
Best for: Bank of America customers who want simple, enhanced cashback
$0
1.5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
Barclays
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
Best for: American Airlines loyalists who want easy miles and bag savings
$99
1x–2x
miles
$600 value
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$600 value
American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Best for: Occasional Hilton guests who want no-fee hotel rewards
$0
3x–7x
points
$400 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
3x–7x
Intro Offer
$400 value
American Express
American Express Green Card
Best for: Urban commuters who use transit and eat out frequently
$150
1x–3x
points
$400 value
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
$400 value
Synchrony
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Best for: People who want simple 2% back everywhere with PayPal perks
$0
2%–3%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
2%–3%
Intro Offer
N/A
Ramp
Ramp Corporate Card
Best for: Growing companies that want expense management + cashback
$0
1.5%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
N/A
Bank of America
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards
Best for: Bank of America business customers who want simple cashback
$0
1.5%
cashback
$300 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5%
Intro Offer
$300 value
Citi
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Best for: American Airlines flyers who want a free first year
$99
Waived 1st yr
1x–2x
miles
$500 value
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
1x–2x
Intro Offer
$500 value
Barclays
JetBlue Plus Card
Best for: Frequent JetBlue flyers
$99
1x–6x
points
$600 value
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
1x–6x
Intro Offer
$600 value
Chase
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Best for: Occasional Marriott guests who want a no-fee hotel card
$0
1x–14x
points
$420 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–14x
Intro Offer
$420 value
Barclays
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Best for: Budget travelers and Las Vegas visitors
$75
1x–6x
points
$540 value
Annual Fee
$75
Rewards
1x–6x
Intro Offer
$540 value
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express
Best for: Military families who want low APR and solid rewards
$0
1x–3x
points
0% APR / 12 mo
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x–3x
Intro Offer
0% APR / 12 mo
USAA
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus
Best for: Active-duty military and veterans who shop on base
$0
1%–5%
cashback
$200 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–5%
Intro Offer
$200 value
PenFed Credit Union
PenFed Gold Visa Card
Best for: People transferring a balance who want zero fees
$0
None
cashback
0% APR / 12 mo
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
None
Intro Offer
0% APR / 12 mo
Synchrony
Venmo Credit Card
Best for: Venmo users who want automatic category optimization
$0
1%–3%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
N/A
SoFi
SoFi Credit Card
Best for: SoFi members who want 2% everywhere with crypto redemption
$0
2%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
2%
Intro Offer
N/A
TD Bank
Target REDcard Credit Card
Best for: Frequent Target shoppers
$0
0%–5%
cashback
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
0%–5%
Intro Offer
N/A
Gemini
Gemini Credit Card
Best for: People who want a real credit card that earns crypto
$0
1%–3%
mixed
$100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%–3%
Intro Offer
$100 value
Approval odds by issuer at 580-669
| Issuer | Approval odds |
|---|---|
| Capital One | Strong |
| Discover | Strong |
| Chase | Moderate |
| American Express | Moderate |
| Citi | Moderate |
Odds reflect typical approval patterns at this score band — individual approvals also depend on income, utilization, and recent application history.
Card types to target at this score
Strategy for a fair credit (580-669) profile
- 1Use a card built for fair credit as a stepping stone — Capital One QuicksilverOne and Discover it Student are common picks.
- 2Set up autopay for the statement balance — a single missed payment can cost 60+ points at this tier.
- 3Pay down balances before the statement closes so reported utilization stays under 10%.
- 4Wait 6 months between applications — denials at this tier often trigger hard pulls with no benefit.
What to avoid at 580-669
- ✕Skip subprime cards with monthly fees, processing fees, or activation fees — predatory at this tier.
- ✕Don't max out a new card in the first month — reported high utilization can drop your score 30-50 points.
- ✕Avoid closing a fair-credit card after you upgrade — the account age still counts.
Compare top cards for fair credit (580-669)
Comparing the best cards
| Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Intro Offer | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Chase | Growing businesses with travel and advertising expenses | $95 | 1x–3x | $1,125 value | 4.7 |
| Discover it Cash Back Discover | Those who enjoy maximizing rotating categories | $0 | 1%–5% | $300 value | 4.7 |
| Chase Ink Business Cash Chase | Small businesses with high office supply & telecom spend | $0 | 1%–5% | $750 value | 4.6 |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card Chase | Hyatt loyalists who value premium hotel stays | $95 | 1x–4x | $600 value | 4.5 |
| Bilt Mastercard Wells Fargo | Renters wanting to turn monthly rent into travel rewards | $0 | 1x–3x | — | 4.6 |
| Chase Freedom Flex Chase | Savvy cashback maximizers, especially Chase ecosystem users | $0 | 1%–5% | $200 value | 4.7 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase | Everyday spending with no annual fee | $0 | 1.5%–5% | $200 value | 4.6 |
| Capital One SavorOne Capital One | Dining and entertainment enthusiasts | $0 | 1%–3% | $200 value | 4.5 |
| Citi Double Cash Citi | Maximizing flat-rate cash back | $0 | 2% | $200 value | 4.6 |
| Blue Cash Preferred from Amex American Express | Families spending heavily on groceries | $95(waived yr 1) | 1%–6% | $250 value | 4.5 |
Frequently asked questions
What credit cards can I get with a 650 credit score?⌄
At 650 you'll qualify for Capital One QuicksilverOne, Discover it Student Cash Back, Petal 2, and most credit-builder cards. Some Chase and Citi cards approve at 650 but without the highest rewards tier.
Can I get a no-annual-fee card with a 620 score?⌄
Yes. Petal 2, Capital One Platinum, and Discover it Secured (which upgrades to unsecured) all approve at 620 with no annual fee. Rewards are modest but the card builds history.
How fast can I move from fair to good credit?⌄
3-9 months with clean behavior. The biggest lever is paying below 10% utilization for three consecutive months. Missed payment history takes longer to heal — 24 months of perfect payments typically offsets a single 30-day late.
Should I choose a secured card at 620?⌄
Only if you've been denied an unsecured card twice. Petal 2 and Capital One Platinum approve unsecured at 620 and don't require a deposit.
Will a credit-builder loan help alongside a card?⌄
Yes. A credit-builder loan adds an installment account to your credit mix (10% of FICO) and proves payment history. Self and Kikoff are popular options.