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Choosing Credit Cards for Fair Credit

8 min read

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A fair credit score falls between 580 and 669 on the FICO® Score scale.
The best credit card for you depends on your priorities. A secured credit card may help you rebuild your credit history.
With responsible card usage, you can build your credit.

If you’ve missed a few payments or accrued some credit card debt, you may have a “fair” credit score. A fair credit score might indicate that you’ve had some high balances or struggled to make payments on time. Scoring models may use a different range for fair credit scores. But on the FICO^® scoring model, a score from 580 to 669 is considered fair.

You may not qualify for the best credit rates or terms with a score in this range, as it’s below the average credit score. However, having fair credit doesn’t mean you have to settle for the most basic credit cards. You could still find a card that helps your score and earns rewards.

Types of credit cards for fair credit

With a fair credit score, you may not be able to qualify for a wide range of unsecured credit cards with extensive rewards or perks.

Lenders use your credit score to help them estimate your credit risk. While a fair credit score isn’t the lowest range, it still may point to some financial challenges or bad credit habits that concern potential card issuers, limiting your options. Fortunately, a credit score is just a snapshot of your credit. Positive changes can turn your credit score around.

If you want to gain access to credit and work on rebuilding credit history, a secured credit card may be the best fit. Secured cards typically don’t require excellent credit history, so you may qualify with a fair score.

Secured credit cards can build credit history and help credit scores. To open a secured credit card, you send your issuer a security deposit. The deposit amount typically is equal to your credit limit.

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You can use a secured credit card to make eligible purchases within your credit limit, just like your average credit card. If you miss payments, your issuer may use your deposit to cover the balance and close your account.

On the other hand, making on-time payments and keeping your balance low may improve your score. After months of responsible use, your card issuer may upgrade you to an unsecured card.

You may qualify for some unsecured credit cards with a fair credit score. But those cards might have less-than-ideal terms, like high interest rates or annual fees.

How to choose a credit card for fair credit

As you compare credit cards, consider your priorities, financial habits, and eligibility. The right credit card option for you may help you shop and earn rewards on your everyday purchases while helping you reach your financial goals.

Credit bureau reporting

Rebuilding your credit score takes dedication. If you want your months of careful spending, paying your bill on time, and keeping your balances low to pay off, you should make sure your credit card issuer reports your activity to a major credit bureau. The credit bureaus compile information they receive from your lenders into your credit report, which determines your credit score.

If your credit card issuer reports your activity to a credit bureau, then your credit report and credit score will reflect your positive credit habits.

Upgrade to a new card

After a few months of consistent, responsible credit card use, you may want to upgrade to an unsecured credit card with a higher credit line and more features. Some credit card issuers may automatically convert your credit card account to unsecured after you’ve maintained good habits for a certain amount of time. Or you may have to request an upgrade.

With a secured card from Discover, you may upgrade to an unsecured card after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.²

Not all credit card companies allow you to upgrade your secured card. In some cases, you may have to apply for a new unsecured credit card, which may involve a hard credit check. If the card issuer approves your application, you may want to close the secured account so you can collect your refundable deposit.

Credit limits on credit cards for fair credit

You may not qualify for a high credit limit if you have a fair credit score—at least, not at first. Credit card issuers aren’t likely to extend you a high credit limit if you may not be able to manage it. Every credit card company is different, but you might have trouble qualifying for a $2,000 credit limit with a fair credit score. Over time, as you work to improve your credit score, you may qualify for a higher credit line.

With a secured credit card, the card issuer may approve you for a maximum credit line, but your credit limit typically equals your deposit amount. So, if you’re approved for a $1,000 credit limit, but you only provide a $300 deposit, your credit limit would generally equal $300.

Low or no interest

If you tend to carry a balance from month to month, you want to try to avoid a card with a high interest rate. A card with a relatively low interest rate or a card with a low or 0% introductory APR could save you money in the long run. To avoid owing interest, you can pay off your card in full and on time each month.

Credit card rewards

If you never or rarely carry a balance, a card’s interest rate may not be a deciding factor. You might instead want a card that allows you to earn miles or cash back as you shop. You don’t need a perfect credit score to earn credit card rewards—you have options. Your spending habits could help you find the best fit. A card that offers cash back in your biggest spending categories, like gas or groceries, could maximize your rewards.

Some credit cards have rotating bonus categories that may fit into certain lifestyles. For example, students may want a student cash back card. The Discover it^® Student Card lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, you earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases–automatically.

No annual fee

Some credit card issuers charge an annual fee for keeping your credit card active. An annual fee may make it more difficult to budget and consistently repay your credit card balance. Plus, fees may cut into any rewards that you earn on your card. While you’re working to rebuild your credit history and establish excellent credit habits, a no annual fee credit card may be a better fit. Discover charges no annual fee on any of our cards, including the secured card.

How a new credit card may impact your fair credit score

While applying for a credit card may trigger a hard credit check that can temporarily bring down your credit score, you may also improve your score by using your new card responsibly.

Credit scoring models determine your score based on your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. Using a credit card responsibly can help build your credit score in many of these areas:

Payment history: If you pay at least the minimum required amount early or on time each month, you could build a positive payment history. Some issuers offer automatic payments, which makes it easier to stay on top of your bill.
Credit utilization: Your credit utilization ratio is the total amount you owe across all your credit accounts compared to your total available credit. A new credit card increases your available credit, which improves the ratio if you keep your spending in check and maintain low balances.
Credit mix: If you have a mix of revolving and installment credit accounts, lenders can see that you can handle different types of credit responsibly. If you already have a loan, a credit card could help your credit score by adding revolving credit to the mix.

Did you know?

If you want to keep an eye on your score, it can be helpful to have a credit card issuer that provides access to your credit scores for free. With Discover, get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO^® Score and more.³

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The bottom line

While a fair credit score may narrow your options, finding the best card for your financial circumstances is still important. By assessing a card’s interest rates, fees, and rewards, you can make an informed decision. Responsible credit card use could help you stay on top of your score and improve your financial well-being to provide more credit options in the future.

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