Updated: 05/12/2020

Credit Cards for Fair or Average Credit Scores

A Fair or Average credit score is generally a FICO score in the 580-669 range, while a Good score is 670-739 and an Excellent score is considered anything above 740.

Credit card options for people with Fair credit are similar to those for people with no previous credit history: not so many choices, higher APR’s, limited rewards or bonuses.

On the bright side, having an Average credit rating won't prevent you from getting a credit card (unlike Poor or Bad credit), so you don't have to settle for a prepaid card or a secured card. Prepaid cards don't build your credit history, and secured cards are less convenient and more expensive than unsecured credit cards.

Have a look at our editor's top credit card picks for low to mid 600’s credit scores – travel, gas, business, rewards, cash back and all other types of credit cards for fair credit or average credit.

Jump to the section below:

 

Our favorite cards:

 

Best for Air Miles

If you prefer cobranded airline cards to earn miles and get in-flight perks, and your credit score is in fair to good range - you can try one of the easiest American Express cards to get -  Gold Delta Sky Miles card.

This card will give you priority boarding, free checked bag, 2 miles on Delta flights and 35,000 miles bonus after spending $1000 on the card in the first 3 months. The annual fee is $0 for the first year, $95 after that.

intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.24 - 25.24% (V)
intro BT APR 16.24-25.24% 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1-2 miles/$1 +30,000 bonus miles
  • get 30,000 miles bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
  • get $50 statement credit if you make Delta purchase in the first 3 months
  • 2x miles on Delta purchases
  • 1 mile for $1 on other purchases
excellent required

Gold: $95 annual fee, waived for the first year

Platinum: $195 fee

Reserve: $450 fee

Delta benefits

read review

Another good card for air miles if you have fair credit is Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier.

intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49% 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1-2 miles/$1 +60,000 sign-up bonus
  • 2x points on Southwest purchases and on Southwest Hotel and car rental programs partners purchases
  • get 60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
  • +6,000 miles every account anniversary

 

good credit required

$99 annual fee

2x on Southwest purchases

60,000 miles bonus

read review

Best for Cash Back

intro purchase APR 0% for 15 monthsregular APR15.49 - 24.24% (V)
intro BT APR 0% for 15 months 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1% or 5% on every $1 +$100
  • 5% cashback on quarterly categories ($1,500 quarterly limit, then 1%)
  • get $100 bonus after spending $500 on the card in the first 3 months
  • get $25 on first added authorized card user

 

fair credit required

no annual fee

0% intro APR

5% cash back on quarterly categories

$100 intro bonus

read review

Chase Freedom card is available for people with a credit score in the high 600’s. This is a good 5% cash back card with rotating categories. 

Another option is the Capital One QuicksilverOne card with 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything and 0% intro APR.

intro purchase APR 0% APR for 9 monthsregular APR13.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 0% APR for 9 months 13.49-23.49%
rewards 1.5% +$100 bonus
  • get $100 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
  • earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases

 

excellent / good credit required

no annual fee

1.5% cash back

$100 welcome bonus

read review

Best Balance Transfer Card

intro purchase APR 0% for 15 monthsregular APR15.49 - 24.24% (V)
intro BT APR 0% for 15 months, 0% BT fee 60 days 5% BT fee $5 min
fair credit required

no annual fee

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

0% BT fee for 60 days

free FICO score

read review

Even with a limited credit you still can get a Chase Slate card that has 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Together with a $0 balance transfer fee for the first 60 days, it makes a perfect balance transfer card. 

Business Credit Cards for Fair Credit

intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR23.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR no intro offer no BT fee
rewards 1%  
fair credit required

no annual fee

good card for an average credit

1% cash back on all purchases

read review

The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is a good solution for new small business owners. It comes with and easy approval process, 1% cash back, which isn't the greatest, but still a decent reward rate for a fair credit rating.  

High Limit Credit Card for Average Credit

There is one trick to get a high credit limit on your credit card even with a limited credit history – apply for a small business card instead of the personal credit card. You will be surprised with high credit limits that are unreachable for you with your fair credit history. A starting limit of $10,000 is a norm for a business credit card when people with low credit rarely get a limit of $1000 on a personal credit card.

The only inconvenience is that you need to register a company and apply for a federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) in order to get a small business credit card. If you have a side income, that is a good excuse to open an LLC for that activity and enjoy high limit business credit card.

Best for Students

Most banks have special credit card products for students with generous rewards and cash back offers.

Students usually do not have a credit history (no credit score) and need to focus on building a good credit for a healthy start of their independent life.

intro purchase APR 0% for 6 monthsregular APR13.49 - 22.49% (V)
intro BT APR 10.99% for 6 months 3% BT fee
rewards 1 or 5% 
  • earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories 
  • 1% cashback on all purchases
  • double cashback for first year
  • $20 cashback annual  bonus if your GPA is 3.0 or greater

 

no credit required

no annual fee

no credit needed

5% cashback on changing categories

double first year cashback

read review

Discover it for Students is a decent card that offers up to 5% cash back on selected categories according to a quarterly bonus calendar. New cardholders get double cash back for the first year, making this card a 2% flat rate card.

Tips for Building a Solid Score Starting from your Average Credit

Credit cards can be extremely helpful in many ways, but they can also damage a person’s credit if not used responsibly.

It is extremely important to manage a card wisely to eventually reach an excellent credit rating and qualify for better credit card offers in the future.

  1. While shopping for a credit card, don’t forget that it is important to limit the number of applications you submit, as sending out too many applications can indicate money problems and result in a temporary decrease in your FICO score.
  2. A rule of thumb is to use no more than 10-30% of your total credit limit available. If you exceed this number in one period – try to post a payment several days before the statement date – it will prevent from showing a large balance on the statement.
  3. Always pay your bills on time. It is recommended to do it three days in advance to avoid late payment because of technical issues.

The road to better credit can be long and challenging, but your patience and hard work will eventually pay off. A higher credit score will enable you to get better deals on credit cards as better rates on home and auto loans. 

All Credit Cards for Fair Credit 

intro purchase APR 0% for 6 monthregular APR15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49% variable
intro BT APR 0% for 15 months 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 2x on NFL purchases +10,000 points
  • 2x points on NFL and Team purchases - tickets, on-stadium purchases, etc.
  • 1 point/$1 on all other purchases
  • earn 10,000 points after spending $500 in the first 90 days 

 

 

excellent / good credit required

All 32 team cards are available, customized with your favorite team's colors and logo

Earn 10,000 bonus points after $500 in purchases in the first 90 days, enough to redeem for $100 cash back

20% off purchases at NFLShop.com - that's $20 off every $100 you spend

0% Promotional APR for 6 months on eligible NFL ticket purchases. After that, a variable APR will apply, 15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness

Earn 2 points per $1 on NFL or Team purchases - eligible game tickets, in-stadium and team pro shop purchases - and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Redeem points for NFL game tickets, VIP experiences, or 1% cash back beginning at 2,500 points for $25

0% Introductory APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Please note, there is a fee for balance transfers.

read review
intro purchase APR 0% for 15 monthsregular APR15.49 - 24.24% (V)
intro BT APR 0% for 15 months, 0% BT fee 60 days 5% BT fee $5 min
fair credit required

no annual fee

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

0% BT fee for 60 days

free FICO score

read review
intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR18.40% to 24.40%*
intro BT APR no intro offer 
fair credit / bad credit required

Best for members with average credit.

Make consistent, on-time payments and you could improve your credit rating — sometimes in as little as 12 months.

We'll periodically consider you for an automatic upgrade to a premium credit card based on improved credit and your account history.

Use your card to make purchases worldwide. (Cash advances and balance transfers are not available.)

read review
intro purchase APR 0% for 14 monthsregular APR11.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 0% for 14 months 3% BT fee
rewards 1% or 2% 
  • earn 2% cashback on gas and restaurants with $1,000 quarterly limit in combined purchases
  • 1% on all other purchases
good credit / fair credit required

no annual fee

2% on gas and dining out

read review
intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR24.99% (V)
intro BT APR no intro offer no BT fee
rewards 1.5% on all purchases 

earn 1.5% on all purchases with no cap and limitations

fair credit / no credit required

$39 annual fee

good for average credit/limited credit

1.5% cash back

read review
intro purchase APR 1.99% for 6 monthsregular APR10.74 - 20.74% (V)
intro BT APR 1.99% for 6 months 5% BT fee $10 min
rewards $10 to your favorite charity for sign up 1% on all purchases goes to your chosen charity

earn tax deductible 1% cash back and automatically send it to the charity of your choice

good credit / fair credit required
  • No Annual Fee
  • Low APR starting at 10.74%
  • World MasterCard benefits
  • Earns 1% Cash Back to ANY nonprofit of your choice including K-12 schools, colleges, & religious organizations
  • Comes with all of the great benefits of a World MasterCard
  • Support up to three nonprofits at once
read review
intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR20.49 - 20.49% (V)
intro BT APR 20.49 no BT fee
rewards 1-1.25% 
  • get 1% cash back on al purchases
fair credit / no credit required

no annual fee

student card

up to 1.25% cash back

read review
intro purchase APR 0% for 7 monthsregular APR15.74% (V)
intro BT APR 15.74% 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 4% on gas, 3% on dining and travel, 2% at Costco, 1% everywhere
fair credit required

no annual fee with Costco membership ($55 minimum)

4% on gas, 3% on dining and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, 1% on all purchases

0% APR on purchases for 7 months 

read review
intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1x 2x 5x points per dollar +80,000 pt intro bonus
  • 5x points on Marriott or Ritz-Carlton purchases
  • 2x points on airlines, rental cars and restaurants purchases
  • 1x on everything else
  • 80,000 points intro bonus

 

fair credit required

$85 annual fee, waived for the first year

80,000 sign up bonus

5x points on Marriott

2x points on airlines, rental cars, dining out

read review
intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49% 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1x-2x miles per dollar +30,000 bonus miles
  • earn 2x miles on United purchases
  • 1x regular rate on all other purchases
  • get 30,000 miles bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months 
good credit required

$95 annual fee, waived for the first year

first checked bag free

30,000 miles intro bonus

read review

 


Leave a comment

Filtered HTML

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Shortcodes usage

    1. [cardscalculator category="%MAIN_FILTER%" filter-category="%FILTER%" fields="%FIELDS%" user-calc-type="%TEMPLATE_ID%" page-size="%PAGE_SIZE%"]

      where:

      %MAIN_FILTER% - category Ids comma-separated - filter cards from DB (int)

      %FILTER% - category Ids comma-separated - filter cards we got in %MAIN_FILTER% (int)

      %FIELDS% - category Ids comma-separated, allowed: [total-rewards, total-interest, total-bt-cost, rewards-rate, intro-apr-and-period, bt-fee, apr, intro-bonus, intro-bonus-value, ongoing-apr, intro-bt-apr-and-period, first-year-annual-fee]

      %TEMPLATE_ID% - template Id (int)

      %PAGE_SIZE% - cards on page (int)

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Shortcodes usage

    1. [cardscalculator category="%MAIN_FILTER%" filter-category="%FILTER%" fields="%FIELDS%" user-calc-type="%TEMPLATE_ID%" page-size="%PAGE_SIZE%"]

      where:

      %MAIN_FILTER% - category Ids comma-separated - filter cards from DB (int)

      %FILTER% - category Ids comma-separated - filter cards we got in %MAIN_FILTER% (int)

      %FIELDS% - category Ids comma-separated, allowed: [total-rewards, total-interest, total-bt-cost, rewards-rate, intro-apr-and-period, bt-fee, apr, intro-bonus, intro-bonus-value, ongoing-apr, intro-bt-apr-and-period, first-year-annual-fee]

      %TEMPLATE_ID% - template Id (int)

      %PAGE_SIZE% - cards on page (int)

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
SIGN UP TO GET FREE
CREDIT SCORE UPDATES
and
exclusive members-only deals
Follow us
Facebook Twitter Google+