Credit card for excellent credit (like the Platinum Card from Amex, the Chase Sapphire Reserve) and bad credit score cards (like secured cards) tend to get the most traffic – and headlines – on sites like BestCards. But what about credit cards for people with fair credit? There are a huge assortment of credit cards for average credit, so we’ve broken them down – here are our picks for the best credit cards for fair or average credit.
The Best Credit Cards for Average Credit
Bouncing back from a bankruptcy, default, or other negative credit event can be challenging. Secured credit cards offer the easiest lifeline when it comes to credit, but the deposit requirement means their spending potential is limited for most consumers.
Reaching a “fair” credit score (a FICO Score between 580 and 669) offers the opportunity for better credit options, inducing unsecured credit cards. Unsecured credit cards for fair credit provide access to revolving credit without the need for a deposit.
Fair Credit Cards that Offer Credit Limit Increases
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
- 29.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
- See Terms* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Surge Mastercard® can be an ideal pre-qualification option if you need to repair or continue building your less-than-perfect credit score. Though it bears annual and maintenance fees, it does, however, provide attractive perks for qualified cardholders – including the potential for a double credit limit increase in as little as six months.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Monthly Credit Score – Sign up for electronic statements, and get your Vantage 3.0 Score Credit Score From Experian
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000 (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
- Regular Purchase APR: 29.99% (Variable)
- Cash Advance APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- Annual Fee: See Terms*
- Foreign Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You have fair or poor credit and need to build or repair your credit ratings
- You prefer a pre-qualification card that will immediately inform you whether you would be approved prior to applying
- You want to double your credit line by up to $1,000 by making your first six monthly minimum payments on time
- You don’t want a secured credit card or can’t afford a security deposit
- You want a card that reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
- You want the security of an optional credit protection program
Surge’s credit card products are popular tools in the credit repair space. The Surge Mastercard® provides the ability to build credit with the chance of an unsecured credit limit increase – and that is an even juicer reward for someone with a non-prime credit score.
New Surge Mastercard® cardholders can watch their up to $1,000 initial credit limit double up to $2,000 in as little as six months. Celtic Bank and Surge automatically double the credit limit with on-time payments for each of the first six months of after opening a card account.
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
- 29.99% Regular Purchase APR
- See Terms* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The FIT™ Platinum Mastercard® is an unsecured credit card that offers the chance of a credit line increase in just six months. The card starts with a $400 unsecured credit line – but offers the chance at a double your credit limit increase in as few as six months.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- $400 credit limit doubles to $800! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Initial Credit Limit of $400.00 (Subject to available credit)
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Checking Account Required
- Regular Purchase APR: 29.99%
- Cash Advance APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: See Terms
- Annual Fee: See Terms
- Foreign Transaction Fee: See Terms
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You have no credit (or bad credit) and want to build up a positive credit history
- You don’t have the funds for a security deposit on a secured card
- You want to double your credit line with six minimum payments on-time
- You want monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
The FIT Platinum Mastercard is another credit card for fair credit that provides a credit line increase to qualified cardholders, automatically. New FIT cardholders can double their $400 starting credit line to $800 by simply making their first six monthly payments on-time – that’s it!
Fair Credit Cards that Earn Rewards
Some subprime – or near-prime – credit cards provide rewards. While some secured cards provide rewards points, these are usually restricted to larger banks and provide limited value due to the small credit limits those cards provide. Most rewards for average credit take the form of cash back.
Revvi Card
Revvi Card
Revvi Card
- 35.99%* Regular Purchase APR
- 35.99%* Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Revvi is a full-fledged Visa® credit card that can help you improve your credit score with on-time payments and responsible use. The Revvi Card features a quick and easy application and doesn’t require perfect credit. Not only that, but Revvi also offers 1% Cash Back Rewards^^ with on-time payments. The card also features an initial credit line of $300, with the chance of a credit limit increase after year one.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card • Perfect credit not required • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit) • Checking account required • Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies • *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details • ^^See Revvi Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance APR: 35.99%*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10, or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $75 1st year, $48 after*
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41*
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41*
- You want to improve your credit score by making on-time payments and keeping credit use low
- You want Visa® protections, like Zero Fraud Liability coverage
- You’re seeking manageable monthly payments
- You want to earn 1% Cash Back Rewards^^, on payments made to the card
The Revvi Card is another great option for cash back rewards, but this time without the need for a security deposit. Cardholders earn 1% back on purchases^^ when paying the card’s minimum balance due every month. Cash back rewards apply towards statement credits to help pay down Revvi Card balances.
Earning 1% cash back while building credit is an excellent feature, making Revvi a solid option for anyone seeking to boost their score and get rewarded at the same time. Revvi also offers the chance at a credit limit increase, with credit reviews on accounts as early as 12 months after opening.
^^See Revvi Rewards Program Terms & Conditions for details.
Related Article: What Are the Easiest Credit Cards for Bad Credit to Get?
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