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Credit Cards for People with Limited / No Credit

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Credit Card Applications for Limited or No Credit

Credit Cards for People with Limited / No Credit
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When you apply for a credit card, the bank wants to see your credit history and be sure you're a good risk - so what if you have limited or no credit history? The time to start building with one of these cards, recommended by Credit-Land.com, has come.

The card for limited/no credit history may not come with many perks, since their main purpose is to give you an opportunity to build a credit history. Consider this as an investment in your future. Never miss a payment, pay off your balances, and you'll be on the road to excellent credit. In time, you'll be eligible for amazing rewards. It pays to be patient.

Sort Cards by:RatingIntro APR on Purch.Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeInst. Response
Average / Limited Credit

Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.

Key Feature: Start building your U.S. credit today
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
n/a24.9% (V)$0See termsYesNo
Card Details:
  • A card designed to help those new to the U.S. establish credit and earn cash back.
  • Build credit with responsible use -- plus automatic reporting to the three major credit bureaus.
  • Get 2% cash back on travel purchases.
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • No annual fee.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Get 2% cash back on travel purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

  • High purchase APR.
See card details
Average / Limited Credit

Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.

Key Feature: Get 50% more cash back every year
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
0%
(until
February
2014)
19.8% (V)$39See termsYesNo
Card Details:
  • 50% bonus on the cash back you earn every year.
  • 1% cash back on all purchases.
  • Earn unlimited cash back that doesn´t expire.
  • Redeem cash back anytime for any amount, even set automatic redemptions.
  • Personalize your card with an image of your choice.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases until February 2014.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Cash rewards never expire.
  • Awesome 50% Bonus on Cash Back earned.

  • Has an Annual Fee.
See card details
Bad Credit

Bad Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 350 to 619
You can apply if: you regularly miss or skip payments and max out your credit balance; you have more than one foreclosure, repossession, or a bankruptcy declared.

Key Feature: No Annual Fee
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
n/a24.90%$0See websiteYesYes
Card Details:
  • Affordable Monthly Payments.69
  • No Annual Fee.68
  • No Over Limit Fee.68
  • Get Response in 60 seconds.
  • No down payments, no layaway and no surprises.
  • We often say "YES!" when others say "No".
Our Expert Opinion
  • No annual fee.
  • Quick approval.
  • Good for people with less than perfect credit.

  • High APR.
See card details
Average / Limited Credit

Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.

Key Feature: No Annual Fee for the First Year; $19 After That
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
n/a24.9% (V)$0 intro for first year;
$19 after that
See termsYesNo
Card Details:
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $19 after that.
  • Image Card - personalize your card with an image of your choice.
  • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen.
  • Monitor your spending with text message alerts.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Annual fee is waived for the first year.
  • People with average credit can be approved.
  • Chat online with customer service during application process.

  • No 0% promotional periods.
See card details
Bad / No Credit

Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.

Key Feature: No Monthly, Annual or Purchase Fees
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Activation FeeGuaranteed ApprovalInstant ResponseCredit CheckBuild CreditReporting Credit Bureaus
$0NoNoNoNoNo
Card Details:
  • No Monthly, Annual or Purchase Fees.
  • Direct Deposit.
  • No Overdraft, Inactivity or Foreign Exchange Fees.
  • Purchase Protection.37
  • Fraud Protection.
  • Roadside Assistance.37
  • No Credit Check.
Our Expert Opinion
  • No monthly fees.

  • Limits on free ATM withdrawals.
See card details
Bad / No Credit

Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.

Key Feature: Free Bill Pay and online budget management tools
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Activation FeeGuaranteed ApprovalInstant ResponseCredit CheckBuild CreditReporting Credit Bureaus
$0YesNoNoNoNo
Card Details:
  • Use Direct Deposit - get your paycheck or government benefits check up to 2 days faster.
  • Refill a Prepaid Phone using your Control card - Get $1 back each time you add $25 or more.
  • Simple fee plan with no cost to order or activate a card and no overdraft fees.
  • Qualify for a $10 Purchase Cushion and $5/month fee plan after a Direct Deposit of $500 in one calendar month.
  • Earn Cash Back Rewards & Refer A Friend bonuses.
  • Free Bill Pay and online budget management tools.
  • Transfer money to other cardholders online or with your mobile phone.
  • Free Smartphone App - check your transactions, balance and find the closest reload location.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Free Direct Deposit with automatic upgrade.
  • Cash back rewards program.
  • Available optional savings account.

  • Has a monthly fee.
See card details
Average / Limited Credit

Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.

Key Feature: 0% Intro APR on Purchases
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
0%
(until
February
2014)
19.8% (V)$39See termsYesNo
Card Details:
  • 0% intro APR on purchases until February 2014.
  • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen.
  • Enjoy MasterCard benefits, including 24-hour roadside assistance and extended warranty protection.
  • Pick an image for your card - choose the one shown here, any of the hundreds in our collection, or add your own.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Customize card with your favorite pictures.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

  • Annual fee.
See card details
Average / Limited Credit

Average / Limited
You can apply if: you own credit card or other credit for less than 3 years or you have defaulted on a loan in the past 5 years.

Key Feature: No Annual Fee
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
n/a19.8% (V)$0See termsYesNo
Card Details:
  • Designed to help students build good credit with responsible use.
  • Access to your monthly credit score, plus an interactive tracking tool to help monitor your credit.
  • Customizable text and e-mail alerts to help keep you on track.
  • Get 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 25% bonus each month you pay your bill on time.
  • No annual fee.
  • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Tools that allow you to monitor your credit score for FREE.
  • Get cash back for making payments on time.
  • Great card for students to build credit.

  • High standard APR.
See card details
Bad / No Credit

Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.

Key Feature: $0 activation fee when you signup online!
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Activation FeeGuaranteed ApprovalInstant ResponseCredit CheckBuild CreditReporting Credit Bureaus
see siteNoNoNoNoNo
Card Details:
  • $0 activation fee when you signup online!
  • Earn $20 with free direct deposit of your employer paychecks on to your PayPower card.
  • Earn $30 when you direct deposit your government benefits checks on to your PayPower card.
  • Refer a friend and earn $20 when they sign up.
  • No Credit Check, Overdraft Fees, Minimum balances or existing bank account required.
  • Use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online and at ATM´s.
  • Safe and secure alternative to cash and funds are protected by the Visa Zero Liability policy.
  • Free online bill pay, customer service, and card to card transactions.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Faster tax refund with PayPower.
  • No minimum balance required.
  • Use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

  • Charges monthly maintenance fee.
See card details
Bad / No Credit

Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.

Key Feature: Free Direct Deposit
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Activation FeeGuaranteed ApprovalInstant ResponseCredit CheckBuild CreditReporting Credit Bureaus
$9.95YesYesNoNoNo
Card Details:
  • Instant Account Number - No Credit Check.
  • Free Direct Deposit - paycheck, benefits, tax refunds.
  • Easy Online Bill Payment & Mobile Account Access.
  • No Purchase Transaction Fees.
  • No Overdraft Fees or Balance Minimums.
  • Withdraw cash at ATMs or get cash back with purchases.
  • Free Credit ScoreTracker.61
  • Choose Your Card Color - Blue or Pink.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Free direct deposit.
  • Free score tracker.
  • No credit or ChexSystems checks.

  • Set up and monthly fee.
See card details
Bad Credit

Bad Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 350 to 619
You can apply if: you regularly miss or skip payments and max out your credit balance; you have more than one foreclosure, repossession, or a bankruptcy declared.

Key Feature: Guaranteed $500 Unsecured Credit Limit
Expert Rating:
Summary of Card Features:
Intro APR
on Purch.
Regular APRAnnual FeeActivation FeeReporting Credit BureausInst. Response
n/a0.00%See websiteSee websiteYesYes
Card Details:
  • $500 Credit Limit.70
  • Guaranteed approval for unsecured credit line.
  • No Credit Check.
  • Fast Online Application.
  • No Employment Check.
  • Reports to a Major Credit Bureau.
  • Bad Credit accepted.
  • Always 0.0% APR.
Our Expert Opinion
  • Reports to a major credit bureau.
  • Fast approval.

  • Maximum credit limit of $500.
See card details

37 See the American Express card terms and conditions online.
61 Cardholder fees apply.
68 The Fingerhut Credit Account is offered to US residents by WebBank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank, located in Salt Lake City, UT. Member FDIC, who determines eligibility and qualifications for the terms of credit.
69 If you apply and are accepted for a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank, who determines eligibility and qualifications for the terms of credit.
70 Click apply to view See Card Terms & Conditions for Details.

Your First Credit Card

Banks have set up special credit lines for new immigrants and people who have barely established their credit history. In fact, if you have just become a permanent resident of the USA, you will probably be approved right away for your first credit card. Banks are more willing to give offers to people with limited / no credit, compared to people with bad credit history. You are a blank slate, ready to start great credit!

Credit History: First Steps

The following steps will help you establish your credit history:

Find a job. You need to show that you have steady income so banks could see you can repay loans and lines of credit. When you apply for an account, you will be asked for proof of employment.

Sign up for a checking account. Banks will want you to have a backup account on your application, and having access to a checking account helps you develop discipline and learn good credit habits.

Apply for a credit card for people with no credit history. The only way to build a credit reputation is to be a responsible credit card user for a while. Keep these tips in mind as you build your credit and you'll be on the road to excellent credit:

  1. Use your card for smaller expenses like groceries and gas.
  2. Don't carry a balance as you begin to build your credit history. Pay your account in full every month. Also be sure you make every payment by the due date. This will establish on-time payment habits and keep you from paying interest.
  3. Spend small, but spend consistently. The more active your credit account is, the better your credit score will be.
  4. Stay within your budget, don't get near your limit, and keep a tight reign on your spending.
  5. Know what your APR is. Many banks are eager to lure you in with terrific offers like 0% interest for the first few months - just be sure you know how long your introductory rate is going to last. The ongoing rate will usually be significantly higher.

Our Experts about Limited/No Credit Cards

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Questions & Answers about
Limited/No Credit Cards

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Leo Zhu
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