What Are The Easiest Credit Cards To Get?

The Question

One of the more common questions we get on this blog is “what’s the easiest credit card to get and why?“. Rather than answering the same question over and over again via e-mail, let’s answer it here instead.

The Answer

It’s a pretty simple question, with a pretty simple answer. It depends. Some people want to know the answer to this question because they have bad credit that they want to improve and others ask because they don’t have a credit history at all. I’m going to break the answer down into two different answers and address these two subsets of people separately to make things simple. Before we do this, a simple disclaimer:

Don’t put any charges on your credit card unless you can pay them in full. Credit card issuers charge a very high APY and it’s very easy to fall into a cycle of debt that you can’t get under from. If you need a personal loan, speak to your local credit union instead.

For Those With Bad Credit

If you have really bad credit then it can be extremely difficult to get approved for any cards as card issuers don’t want to extend you any credit due to the associated risk. It’s important to understand how big this risk is for card issuers, somebody with a FICO score of 800-850 has an average delinquency rate (late payment or no payment made at all) of 1% where somebody with a score of 600-649 has an average delinquency rate of 31%. If somebody had a 31% chance of paying you late, or not paying you at all would you loan them money? Likely not. There are still options for people with bad credit, let’s have a look at those.

Store Credit Cards

Store credit cards are a great option, there is something known as the shopping cart trick. This lets you apply for certain store credit cards (mostly cards issued by Comenity) without a hard pull being done on your credit report, because they aren’t checking your report they don’t know how bad your credit is. The downside to this solution is that these store cards typically have low credit limits and don’t offer very attractive interest rates or rewards programs. They can still be a useful way to show other card issuers that you can handle credit cards responsibly and pay those cards back on time.

Secured Credit Card

As we mentioned before, the reason card issuers don’t want to issue credit cards to those with bad credit is because they don’t want the risk associated with it. When you get a secured credit card, you’re required to put down a security deposit that is equal to the credit limit. This eliminates that risk for them (because if you don’t repay your credit card, they are holding what you owe in cash). The downside to secured credit cards is that they often have application fees, annual fees, high APY’s and no rewards program. You’d think that this wouldn’t be the case since there is little risk to the card issuer, but some seem to take advantage of the fact people with bad credit have little choice. Thankfully this isn’t the case with all secured cards, there are some good ones out there including the Discover it Secured card (no annual fee, no application fee and a good rewards program).

For Those With No Credit

The situation is a bit different if you don’t have any credit history at all, card issuers simply don’t know how likely you are to repay your debts. Most credit card issuers offer a starter credit card for people with no credit history (or thin credit files). That said, some issuers are more lenient than others. Here are some things I’ve learned from anecdotal evidence (please provide your own in the comments).

  • Chase wants you to have credit history with at least two credit cards before applying (although they should still be on your radar after you do have two active accounts due to the 5/24 rule). It might be possible to be approved if you put $10,000 in funds into a Chase checking & savings account (if you do this, make sure you use a Chase coupon to get a sign up bonus)
  • Citi will approve customers with thin files
  • Discover will approve customers with thin files

If you have any data points on other card issuers, please let me know in the comments below. If you’re just starting off on your credit adventure, I’d recommend tracking your credit (lots of places will give you a free FICO score and there are two credit monitoring sites that will monitor all three of your reports for free)

Our Verdict

There are lots of options when it comes to credit cards that are easy to get, the best option will depend on your individual circumstances. If there is interest, we’ll also add options for people with bankruptcies on file. If you have anything to add, please do so in the comments below.

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SYBIL CUNNINGHAM
SYBIL CUNNINGHAM (@guest_834490)
November 3, 2019 07:31

what about people with bankruptcies on file?

Binky Boo
Binky Boo (@guest_933054)
March 10, 2020 03:13

Try Fingerhut.com
I have a bankruptcy and they gave me a “Fresh Start” account for $250. After I made a couple of on time payments, they promoted me to a regular account with a higher limit. Start out by charging $50 and make good payments. Then Capital One should approve you for $300. Charge a small amount and they will raise your limit in a short time. You can go from there. Fingerhut has lots and lots of things on line to purchase. It’s no secret, they are overpriced, but they will get you off to a good start! To be honest with you, I had an account with them years ago that I never paid, (young and dumb!), and they still gave me credit. Good luck!

kay
kay (@guest_624916)
August 1, 2018 08:18

whats the best card to wait to apply for after filing bankruptcy in December 2017. I just got sent the Reflex card and I will definitely be taking them up on their offer but when does the bankruptcy start to relieve creditors fairs if I haven’t once in almost a year applied for credit and just need ONE card to show credit usefulness and trust again?

EDGARDO RIVERA
EDGARDO RIVERA (@guest_678076)
November 25, 2018 10:34

GET $1,000. GET 2 SECURED CARD OF $200. AND TWO OF $400.0 AND GOTO OPS EQUIFAX LET THE OFFERS GO TO YOU.all offers say yes

Orin
Orin (@guest_608441)
June 23, 2018 20:04

I find that if you apply with a bank that you have already had a checking account with for 6+ months without having bad marks, and some cash flow into the account, that is a good place to start with applying for your first credit card. Banks pull your credit report when you apply for a card but also looks at whatever data they have in their own files about you.

EDGARDO RIVERA
EDGARDO RIVERA (@guest_678074)
November 25, 2018 10:30

GET A SECURED CREDIT CARD GO TO NEAREST CREDIT UNION

Binky Boo
Binky Boo (@guest_933048)
March 10, 2020 03:02

Stop giving bad advice! Your comments are going to damage some people! You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! Yes, it’s very common that once you get a credit card, more and more offers will start flying in. That doesn’t mean you should accept them. Too much credit is not good so have some self control. Even with a zero balance on a credit card, it can count against you. Again…too much credit is not good!
This is what someone can do that is trying to establish credit or repair damaged credit…
Go to Fingerhut.com and apply for an account. You will be approved for a “Fresh Start” account for $250. You will get an instant approval and can use it right away. No waiting. Charge $50 and make good payments. Fingerhut will promote you to a regular credit account with a higher limit after just a couple of payments. From there, go to Capital One and they will give you a $300 credit limit. Charge a small amount and make good payments. They will increase your credit limit. From there you can go where you want. BUT DON’T OVER EXTEND YOUR CREDIT. Keep it between 3 and 5 accounts!
FYI: Fingerhut has many, many items on line to chose from. They are overpriced. That’s no secret. But having an account with them will get you off to a good start!

David
David (@guest_583616)
April 18, 2018 21:34

Got these cars in order with thin file.
Public service CU 2500 secured visa
Public service CU 5000 secured CD loan
Capital One Platinum Secured 1000
Credit One Bank secured 400
Discover was declined with a 715 FICO and no later ever, reapplied for a secured 300 limit accepted
United credit card, Declined with 715 FICO, thin file
Declined for a car loan with six figure income 715 FICO and 5000+ down, thin file
Approved for 2.7pc car loan through a small credit union after 5 declines even though I have 50k in the bank.

EDGARDO RIVERA
EDGARDO RIVERA (@guest_678073)
November 25, 2018 10:26

YOU NEED MORE ATTENTION READ YOUR CREDIT REPORT SOMETHING IS WRONG.BUY A CAR CHEAP THE PAY IT GET ANOTHER CAR AND GET 3 SOME SECURED CREDIT CARDS OF $200. FOR GAS AND GET 16-24 ACCOUNT AND SEE THE OFFERS GO UCREDIT KARMA FREE REPORT.2 VISA 2MASTERCARD 2 LOANS 1 CAR LOAN 1MORGAGE 1 EQUITY
CREDIT SCORE 800

Ha_Ka
Ha_Ka (@guest_473036)
September 7, 2017 13:51

Colleague was approved for Discover It with a credit limit of $1000 no credit history. BofA wanted him to get the secure card with $39 AF, I suggested him to try for Discover. Was surprised he was approved for It instead of the secured.

P
P (@guest_472665)
September 7, 2017 01:09

When I had no credit, my first approval was from Chase for amazon visa then Amex OBC,

Kelly
Kelly (@guest_471922)
September 5, 2017 14:06

What are the best cards that you guys have had luck with.

Michelle
Michelle (@guest_411830)
May 29, 2017 14:44

I purchased a home a year and half ago, just got approved for $300 limit from capital one, I want to apply for a Victoria secret card, so can you tell me how the shopping card trick works with the aft pull, trying to increase my score, which fell significantly after my home purchase, but my mortgage is paid on time every month, I get pre-qualified offers all the time, just want to improve my score.

Trudi Parson
Trudi Parson (@guest_457909)
August 13, 2017 10:04

There’s a shopping cart trick group on facebook you should join. It’s amazing!

EDGARDO RIVERA
EDGARDO RIVERA (@guest_678069)
November 25, 2018 10:15

ALL OFFERS GET THEM AND LET VICTORIA SECRET PRE-APPROVE YOU.THEY NEED YOU

James Davis
James Davis (@guest_336941)
January 11, 2017 00:40

I had a bankruptcy discharged in 2014 and got my fha mortgage two years after and have several credit cards with limits of about 75000, I carry balances of less than 2000 per month. I was initially approved for Barclays rewards and then two other barlcays cards and Capital one. My score after discharge was 545 and now is 698. I have found that is is good to have more cards even store cards if you pay off all each month.

trying to get good credit
trying to get good credit (@guest_392042)
April 19, 2017 16:45

When you say discharge do you mean discharge from the courts

Beth
Beth (@guest_325158)
December 9, 2016 12:46

I know 3 college students under age 21 who listed their annual income at $6000 (from summer jobs, babysitting, etc) and all got Southwest credit cards from Chase. They did not have any other credit cards or loans and were not authorized users on any accounts. the credit lines were all $2000 and raised to $4000 after 3 months of prompt payment of balances in full.

shortly after they got those cards, they received mailers from both Citi and Chase regarding corresponding AA and United mileage credit cards but did not apply for those.

EDGARDO RIVERA
EDGARDO RIVERA (@guest_678067)
November 25, 2018 10:11

ACCEPT ALL OFFERS IF FOR FREE .REGITER AT YOUR STATE TO DO BUSINESS FICTITUES NAME.GET EIN NUMBER TO DO ALL CREDIT NEGOCIATION..GO TO https://app.nav.com/login
HAVE TEL 411/CREDT $10.MILLION IN NO TIME.GET 16 ACCOUNTS.ANYTHING FOR FREE GOOD.GET IT

Binky Boo
Binky Boo (@guest_933037)
March 10, 2020 02:46

You are giving very bad advice! Just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s good. Eventually it’s going to affect you one way or another. I don’t know if I read your comment correctly but it looks to me as if you are suggesting to register a fictitious business name with the state to obtain an EIN number and an unnecessary amount of credit. Why would you advise such a thing? Bad advice!
From your comment I’m going to assume you are from a different country. If I am correct, you should be ashamed of yourself coming to the United States and creating fictitious names for credit you obviously don’t qualify for, and people born in this country are struggling and working hard to obtain credit the right way….and the legal way. That’s how you show respect for our country? You should be ashamed!! In fact, I’m going to do some digging around and report you to the IRS, for starters!