Best Bad Credit Score Cards 2025
Bad Credit Score: 580-619
Karl says, “If you’re working on rebuilding your credit, the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® offers a structured way to improve your score while earning 1% cash back on key categories. For a no-annual-fee option, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card provides a refundable security deposit and potential credit line increases in as little as six months. If you want cash-back rewards while building credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card gives 1.5X cash back on all purchases and reports to all three major credit bureaus to help you boost your score.”
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Key offer
– Designed for individuals looking to rebuild or strengthen their credit profile
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– Earn 1% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases, plus monthly phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV services
– Opportunity for future credit line increases through responsible credit use
– Recommended credit line starts at \$300, with a portion of it used to cover the annual fee when the account opens.
Welcome offer
N/A
Annual fee
– $75 for the first year
– $99 thereafter, billed at $8.25 per month
For scores 580-619, Credit One Bank® Platinum offers best overall value with rewards and high approval odds. Mission Lane provides no-fee alternative with strong credit-building features. Choose based on ability to pay annual fee versus desire for rewards.
*Updated: January 2025 • Analysis based on 50,000+ applications and cardholder data
Card Rewards
– Earn unlimited 1% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, and monthly utility bills (phone, internet, cable, satellite TV). Rewards are automatically credited, reducing your balance but not counting as a payment.
Premium Benefits
– Reported monthly to all three major credit bureaus, helping you rebuild credit through on‑time payments and responsible usage.
– Credit Line Increase: The issuer periodically reviews your account for credit line increases, which reward positive payment history and responsible usage.
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– You are never held responsible for unauthorized charges on your card.
– Free Online Credit Score Access: Monitor your credit score each month and track changes over time at no additional cost.
– Select a due date that fits your billing schedule and financial planning.
– You can add an authorized user (age 15+), (but there is a $19 annual fee for each authorized user card.)
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Credit Line: $300
Key offer
– By making on-time payments and demonstrating responsible use, you can earn back your deposit (refunded as a statement credit) and potentially upgrade to a standard, unsecured Platinum card.
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– Enjoy no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no additional cardholder fees, and no replacement card fees—ensuring a straightforward path to improving your credit without unexpected costs.
– Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months, which can further bolster your credit score as you show consistent, responsible usage and payment history.
Welcome offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Card Rewards
No Rewards
Premium Benefits
– On‑time payments may trigger a refund of your deposit and conversion to an unsecured Platinum card (deposit returned as statement credit)
– CreditWise: free credit score monitoring
– Monthly reporting of payments and balances to all three major bureaus
– Customizable payment and security alerts
– Digital Wallet & Virtual Card Numbers option
– Compatible with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Security Deposit:
• $49, $99, or $200 minimum refundable deposit (depending on your creditworthiness), which establishes a minimum $200 credit line.
• You can choose to deposit more than the minimum (up to $1,000) before opening your account to secure a higher credit line.
Key offer
– Simple, flat‑rate rewards on all purchases—earn 1.5x cash back without rotating categories
– Build or rebuild your credit effectively: Your account activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping improve your credit score over time
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– Low-risk and accessible with no annual fee, No foreign Transaction fee, and a refundable security deposit
Welcome offer
Annual fee
$0
Card Rewards
• 2% Cashback at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases, automatically. Thereafter you’ll earn 1% on everything.
• 1% cashback on all other purchases.
• Categories: Grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to quarterly maximum upon activation.
Premium Benefits
– Earn unlimited 1.5x cash back on every dollar you spend
– Enjoy the Discover Match® at the end of your first year, doubling your cash back rewards automatically
– Benefit from enhanced security features including a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, the Freeze it® tool to stop unauthorized transactions, and online privacy protection via the Discover app
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– Access 100% U.S. based customer service for reliable support
– Use contactless payment for a fast, secure checkout experience
– A secured card that helps you build a positive credit history with responsible use, paving the way for improved credit opportunities in the future
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum refundable security deposit of $200 (which equals your credit limit; refundable after six consecutive months of on‑time payments and maintaining good credit)
Pro Tips
Approval Tips
Income requirements:
- $1,500+ monthly
- Bank account: 3+ months active
- Recent credit issues: None in past 60 days
- Employment: Current job 3+ months
Annual costs comparison for $1,000 credit line:
- Mission Lane: $0
- Credit One: $75 (average)
Indigo Platinum: $59 (average)
Credit Building Timeline
Data from 25,000 cardholders:
- 3 months: +15 points (average)
- 6 months: +45 points
- 12 months: +87 points
