Having less than excellent credit doesn’t mean you’re doomed to the bottom of the credit card barrel. There are plenty of credit cards for fair credit that offer solid rewards and perks.
If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit history, use our guide to find a card that fits your lifestyle and needs.
Looking for a credit card? Use our marketplace to compare fair credit card offers.
Here are four great credit cards for fair credit you may want to consider:
| Credit Card | APR | Annual Fee | Rewards |
| Capital One Platinum Card | 24.99% | $0 | 1% cash back |
| Milestone® MasterCard® with Choice of Card Image at No Extra Charge | 24.9% | $35 to $99* | None |
| Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card | 24.9% | $0 to $99 | None |
1. Capital One Platinum Card
The Capital One Platinum Card is an often-cited favorite among credit card experts. Why? It doesn’t require an annual fee and there are no fees on foreign transactions. In addition, monthly payment activity reports are provided to all three credit major credit bureaus to help you quickly build your credit.
Highlights:
- No annual fee
- Capital One may give you access to a higher credit line after making five monthly payments on time
- Get free online access to your credit score and credit report summary from Experian
- Receive 1% cash back on eligible purchases
- Choose your monthly payment due date
APR and fees:
- APR: 24.99%
- Annual fee: $0
The takeaway
The Capital One Platinum Card is an excellent option for those interested in building credit and earning rewards at the same time. But at 24.99%, the APR is on the high side. If you tend to carry a balance, this may not be the card for you.
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2. Milestone® MasterCard® with Choice of Card Image at No Extra Charge
The Milestone® Mastercard® with Choice of Card Image at No Extra Charge is specifically built for consumers that need to build or rebuild their credit – so approval is likely with a fair credit score. Monthly payment activity is reported regularly to the credit bureaus, which can help increase your credit score with responsible use. While there’s one main Milestone credit card, there are several versions the company issues for different situations and various wants and needs from customers.
Highlights:
- Quick pre-qualification with no impact on credit score
- Available to those with fair credit, including those with previous bankruptcy
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Card designs to fit your personality at no extra charge
APR and fees:
- APR: 24.9%
- Annual fee: $35 to $99*
The takeaway
If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit with responsible card use, and need a card with an easy approval process, the Milestone® MasterCard® with Choice of Card Image at No Extra Charge can be a good option. But it comes with a $35 to $99 annual fee, and the APR is a high 23.9%. That’s why this card serves as a great temporary card while you rack up a solid credit history. As score increases through responsible use with the Milestone®, you may be able to qualify for cards with better terms and rewards.
3. Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card
If your FICO score is below 600 and you’re having trouble getting approved for other cards, the Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card can be a great choice. While the card doesn’t offer any cash-back rewards, it does report your activity to all three major credit bureaus to help you establish and build a credit history, if used responsibly. You can also check to see if you’re pre-approved for this card without impacting your credit scores.
Highlights:
- Easy pre-qualification process with fast response
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Online servicing available 24/7 at no additional cost
- Unsecured credit card, no security deposit required
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
APR and fees:
- APR: 24.9%
- Annual Fee: $0 to $99
The takeaway
Like the Milestone® Mastercard® with Choice of Card Image at No Extra Charge, the Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card is ideal for those mainly interested in building or rebuilding credit responsibly. It doesn’t provide rewards or many perks, but it does offer a way to report your responsible credit use to the major credit bureaus. If you’re looking for a short-term card that can help you qualify other types of cards in the future, the Indigo can be a great option.
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Shopping for a credit card for fair credit
A fair credit score is generally considered to be a FICO score of between 580 and 660. And while some credit cards for fair credit do offer rewards, you may want to focus on the APR instead.
“When you’re looking for a card, I generally encourage people with fair credit to build their credit with less focus on rewards and more on interest rates,” says Jason Steele, credit card expert with Offers.com.
“Your focus should be minimizing your interest rate. There are good cards available to people with fair credit that offer decent APRs. Eventually, as you responsibly manage your credit and pay off balances in full, you can qualify for cards that offer one to 1.5% cash-back.”
Steele says the credit card industry is intensely competitive and customers are truly valuable to their business, so no matter what your credit score range, most card issuers will have a product that meets your needs.
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*Dependent on credit worthiness