Do you have bad credit?
Are you interested in applying for a credit card? Are you concerned that you won’t qualify for an offer that suits your financial needs?
It’s simple to apply for a credit card when you have good credit. The only thing you have to worry about is choosing the right offer.
Conversely, when you have bad credit, you’re faced with the challenge of finding an offer designed for consumers in your position.
What is a Good/Bad FICO Score?
Before you do anything, you need to understand the finer details of your situation. This means knowing where things stand in regards to your credit score.
According to Experian, your score will fall somewhere between 300 (lowest) and 850 (highest). Here’s a breakdown of what your score means:
- 300 to 579 is very poor
- 580 to 669 is fair
- 670 to 739 is good
- 740 to 799 is very good
- 800 to 850 is exceptional
So, if your score is 579 or less, you have your work cut out for you when applying for a credit card.
Now that you know your situation, here are three tips to keep in mind:
1. Know the Qualifications Before You Apply
There are credit cards designed for people with all types of credit. You need to understand the qualifications before you go through the application process.
For example, if a card is designed for people with very good credit, there is no point in wasting your time. Not only will your application be denied, but this will also result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
In other words, you should only apply for credit cards that you qualify for.
2. Consider a Secured Credit Card
It may not be something you want to do, but it’s a step you can take if you have bad credit and hopes of boosting your score in the months to come.
With a secured credit card, you’re required to make a security deposit that serves as collateral. If you default for any reason, the credit card company can take your security deposit.
As long as your activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus (check on this before applying), responsible use can help boost your score over time.
3. Talk to Your Bank
Let’s face it: you may not have much knowledge of how to apply for a credit card when you have bad credit.
Fortunately, there are places you can turn for help. For example, your local bank may be able to provide advice on the best bad credit credit cards, including any that they personally offer people in your position.
You can learn a lot by searching online, but there’s no replacement for speaking with a knowledgeable professional over the phone or in a face to face environment.
Final Thoughts
Just because you have bad credit doesn’t mean you can’t carry a credit card.
Do you have any experience with bad credit credit cards? How did you rebuild your credit score? Share your personal strategy in the comment section below.
I’m looking for a. Credit card to build credit. I have been denied in past due to child support. Now that I have this covered a
I have been trying to get credit card for over 3 months . I realize my age and I have not bought anything on credit for some time now. I just want an opportunity to show I am responsible and realize I will only be allowed a card with low credit limits , and this is fine. I need a card to show responsible pay habits . I am a hand on a ranch and have no overhead. The money I make is mine with no monthly bills except for those I incurred. Please give me the opportunity to prove myself. Thank You for your time on this matter, Larry W. Neyland
I just need someone to give me a chance for an unsecured low limit credit card to prove I can pay on time every month.
Looking for a card with like $599 credit limit
Looking for a second chance to fix my credit…I keep getting denied. Can u please give me 1 chance to prove how serious I am didn’t realize how important credit was WOW…If u can start me off at a 300$ limit..Thank you Joy Amodeo
Good
I have bad credit and I am trying to get it better. A $500 credit line so I can get a start on rebuilding and so I can prove to someone that I can do it.
Hello, my name is Cleto Mina. I’d just like to share with you why, how I am where I am. In 2021 I was admitted to ER, I could breathe. I was diagnosed with COPD m life changed that day. I didn’t have health insurance. I have put n the disabled list. And there is no getting off that list. I paid my medical bills as long as I could, but after my savings were gone it was a losing battle.t ld lost pretty much everything that ray, I couldn’t work anymore. So anyway, get health insurance cause you just never know. Most all my bill are medical bills.I can never work again. The moral of story s don’t go without health insurance.
I’m looking for an unsecured credit card for bad to fair credit
I’m looking for an unsecured credit card with a $500 limit
I have been trying to get a credit card for months so that I can improve my credit score please help I need it I am taking care of my mom and I need it to help get the things that she needs.
I’m looking for a credit card to rebuild my credit up just $300 to start with Thank you
Hi my name is Brian and I know my credit looks bad and makes me look like im irresponsible but the truth of thr matter is that im not ive just been fighting a serious and very rare bacteria that attacks your kidneys and causes rhem to shut down im goinh on my fourth surgery cause they go in and remove it and within a couple months it returns and im back to square one again and surgery number five now. My medical bills are thru the roof and if you could olease start me out between 300 to 500 i can prove that i am responsible enough to pay it off i have recently came into some money ive got better insuance and no more high dr bills and i really need to boost my credit score and i would love to get unsecured credit card and show you and prove to you all that i can do this right this time and mangae it better than have shown in the past so i ask ya to please give me one more chance to show you that i can do this and not let anyone down including myself. I thank you for your time. Sincerely Yours
Brian. L
It’s been over 15 to 20 years since I had a credit card and I didn’t use it because I went to prison. So I like to be able to have a chance to build a credit history. That’s why I need to start a credit history so I can start building a life for me and my family. Thank you.
Hello,
Well, I haven’t had a credit card ever, not sure if a department store (JC Penny’s) counts as a “credit card” which I had back in 2002-2003. At that time I wasn’t knowledgeable of the importance of building credit for my credit score. Fast forward to now my credit score is low/bad and I need to build it back up. I would be content with starting out with a secured credit card in order to re-build my credit score. I’m older now, and have learned the importance of responsibility. Would you consider giving me the opportunity to prove to myself and consumers I am worthy of beginners credit.
Thank you,
Ansar E. Muhammad