What Is an Unsecured Credit Card?

Unsecured credit cards are the most common type of credit card. In fact, most of the time, when people apply for a new credit card, they’re applying for unsecured credit. But what does unsecured credit card mean? Consider some basic information to help you understand what an unsecured credit card is and how it works.

How unsecured credit cards work

“Unsecured,” in this case, means that the debt is not secured by collateral, such as a deposit that the lender or card issuer can keep if you fail to make payments. This type of debt is typically slightly riskier for lenders to issue because it doesn’t require collateral. So, the terms of an unsecured credit card are based on the borrower’s credit rating, ability to pay, application information, and other factors.

Examples of “secured” debt may be car loans or mortgage loans, which are “secured,” or backed by collateral—a house, a car—that helps ensure that the lender can get some of their money back in the event of nonpayment. Unsecured credit card debt has no such requirement.

Unsecured credit card interest rates

Credit card borrowers promise to repay the money, and they pay interest on the debt (unless they pay their full balance each month by the due date). Credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than car loans or mortgages, partly because credit card debt is riskier for banks.

Borrowers who have better credit scores are less risky for banks to lend to, and so these borrowers tend to get lower interest rates (APRs). The same credit card may offer different APRs to applicants based on their credit history, among other factors.

What do you need to apply for an unsecured credit card?

An unsecured credit card may require a higher income level and credit score than a secured card. The exact numbers can vary by credit card issuer, but if you get turned down for an unsecured card, you can apply for a secured card and work on building your credit until you qualify for an unsecured card.

Alternatives to unsecured credit cards

Although unsecured credit cards are the most common form of credit cards, not everyone can qualify for this type of card. If you have limited credit history or are rebuilding your credit, you might want to consider a secured credit card. A secured credit card may give you the ability to borrow only a small amount of money, for which you pay a security deposit up front.