Finding the perfect credit card is tough at the best of time, so when your credit is damaged, it can seem almost impossible. One of the best ways to fix your credit is through an unsecured credit card. Unsecured cards are what people usually think of when imagining a credit card. These types of cards don’t need a security deposit, instead offering a line of credit with no initial cost to the applicant. But what are the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit, and how do they help you rebuild your credit score?
The Best Unsecured Cards for Repairing You Credit Score
When investigating credit cards for building credit, the first consideration should be just how low is your credit score? Knowing whether you have a bad credit score or a fair credit score can significantly alter the credit cards available to you.
“Guaranteed Approval” Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Those with badly impacted credit will struggle to get a credit card without needing a deposit. Fortunately, there are a few “second chance” credit cards that offer the ability to rebuild credit and don’t require a deposit, meaning they are not secured cards.
BOOST Platinum Card
BOOST Platinum Card
BOOST Platinum Card
- 0% Regular Purchase APR
At a Glance
The BOOST Platinum Card is a basic store card offer from Horizon Financial Services. The BOOST Card perfect for consumers seeking to establish or rebuild their credit score. This card features a no interest on purchases, a credit limit of $750*, and no credit check.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Bad Credit, No Credit? No Problem
- $750 Unsecured Credit Line*
- Fast and Easy Application
- No Employment or Credit Check
- *usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com
- Regular Purchase APR: 0%
- You have poor credit or no credit history at all
- You want a store card without a credit or employment check
- You want additional perks, like credit monitoring or roadside and legal assistance
While there is no such thing as a “guaranteed approval” unsecured credit card, the Boost Platinum Card is as close as it comes to it. This card offers a $750 unsecured line of credit to the Horizon Outlet – an online shopping portal. The shop provides an impressive list of products, meaning the cards provide excellent value.
What makes this card so useful, however, is that it regularly reports activity to one of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, ad TransUnion. With on-time payments, cardholders can quickly build a positive credit history and raise their score. This, in turn, can lead to better credit card options in the future.
Get a Pre-Qualified and the Chance to Increase Your Credit Line
Part of boosting a credit score is increasing the amount of available credit. Many unsecured credit cards for rebuilding credit offer smaller credit limits with the chance to receive an increase with demonstrated financial responsibility. This requires paying on time and not receiving any penalty fees.
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
One of the most popular credit card offers in this category is the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® from Celtic Bank. The card comes with an initial credit limit that ranges from $300 to $1,000, which Celtic Bank might increase should you make your payments on time for the first six months. Plus, new Surgecardholders enjoy no monthly maintenance fees for the first year.
In addition, the card issuer performs automatic account reviews free of charge. Doing so can result in a credit limit increase, thereby boosting your purchasing power and your available credit – two important factors in calculating your credit score.
Another popular option in unsecured credit cards for rebuilding credit category is the Indigo Mastercard. The card features a fixed APR on purchases, a low foreign transaction fee, and regular reporting to the major credit bureaus. In time, using the card responsibly can even result in a credit line increase.
Indigo Mastercard
Indigo Mastercard
Indigo Mastercard
- 24.90% Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Indigo Mastercard is rapidly becoming recognized as a top credit card option for applicants with less-than-perfect credit. It is a great resource for anyone who wants to establish, build, or repair their credit score. What’s more, benefits of the Indigo Mastercard include quick pre-qualification with no impact on your credit score, 24/7 mobile account access, chip card technology, and more.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Great for demonstrating responsible use of credit
- Short and easy-to-complete pre-qualification form
- 24/7 mobile account access
- Choose your card design free of charge
- Regular Purchase APR: 24.90%
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater (not to exceed $100)
- Penalty APR: 29.9%
- Annual Fee: $0 to $99 depending on the card issued
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 1% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Over Limit Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You want to build or repair your credit score with a decent credit line
- You have a history of poor credit and have been declined by other credit card issuers
- You want a credit card whose application will not impact your credit score
- You don’t want a secured credit card or can’t afford a security deposit
- You would like to show some personality with several card designs
- You would like a tool for building credit that is accepted worldwide – anywhere Mastercard is accepted
Other Options Like Indigo and Reflex
 Fortiva |
 Surge |
 Aspire® |
 OpenSky® |
|
| Credit needed | Bad - Fair | Bad - Fair | Bad - Fair | None - Fair |
| Pre-qualify | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Initial credit limit | $350 | $300 | $350 | Min. deposit of $200 |
| Annual fee | $49 to $175 the first year; up to $49 thereafter | $75 to $99 | $49 to $175 the first year; up to $49 thereafter | $35 |
| Rewards | N/A | N/A | 3% back on gas, groceries and utilities; 1% back on all other eligible purchases | N/A |
| Card type | Unsecured | Unsecured | Unsecured | Secured |
Summing It Up
Finding an unsecured credit card to rebuild your credit can be tough, but there are plenty of great options available. By making on-time payments and focusing on your goal to rebuild your credit score, you can quickly boost your score – and get a credit limit increase.
Related Article: What Are the Easiest Credit Cards for Bad Credit to Get?
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
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