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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Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit

Top Pick:

Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit

Key offer

– Designed for individuals looking to rebuild or strengthen their credit profile

– 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.

– 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

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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Top Runner-Up:

Capital One Platinum Secured

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.

– 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.

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Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Runner-Up:

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

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

– Low-risk and accessible with no annual fee, No foreign Transaction fee, and a refundable security deposit

Welcome offer

Discover will match all the cashback you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For Example if you earned 10,000 points you will earn another 10,000 at the end of the year.

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

– 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