What Is The Easiest Credit Card To Get

Our top picks of timely offers from our partners

In order to identify which credit cards are the easiest to obtain in a number of categories, CNBC Select examined the most popular cards. (For additional details on how we determine which credit cards are the simplest to obtain, view our methodology.)

Easiest credit cards to get

• Earn 2% reward points on every purchase you make with an infinite 1% cash back when you buy, plus an extra 1% reward point as you pay for those purchases. To receive cash back, make on-time, minimum payments. Additionally, for a limited period of time, earn 5% of the total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions that you book through the Citi Travel Portal through March 31, 2012.
• Welcome bonus: Spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of opening your account to earn $200 in cash back. The 20,000 ThankYou® Points that come with this bonus offer can be exchanged for $200 in cash back.

• Annual fee

  $0

• Intro APR0% for the first few months of 2018 on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

• Regular APR

  19.24% – 29.24% variable

• Balance transfer fee: For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an introduction balance transfer fee of 3 percent of each transfer ($5% minimum) applies; thereafter, a balance transfer fee of 5 percent of each transfer ($5% minimum) applies

• Foreign transaction fee

  3%

• Credit needed

  Fair/Good/Excellent

• See rates and fees, terms apply.

• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
• Simple cash-back program that doesnt require activation or spending caps
• At eighteen months, one of the longest introduction periods for balance transfers

• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $443
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213

Best for cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card

• Rewards: 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories of your choosing, 2% cash back on eligible purchases in one daily category of your choosing (such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants), and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

• Welcome bonus

  None

• Annual fee

  $0

• Intro APR

  None

• Regular APR

  29.99% variable

• Balance transfer fee: $3 percent of each transfer’s amount or $5 percent of the minimum, whichever is higher

• Foreign transaction fees

  3%

• Credit needed

  Poor/None

• No annual fee
• For regular purchases, you can receive cash back, which is an uncommon feature for a secured credit card.
• Possibility of switching to an unsecured card provided you maintain your credit limit and make on-time bill payments
• Flexibility to change your payment due date

• Requires a $300 to $5,000 deposit to open the card
• No welcome offer
• High APR
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back

• Get 5% cash back on daily purchases at various locations where you shop every quarter, such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate the rewards program. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
• At the conclusion of your first year, Discover will match all cash back earned by new cardholders.

• Annual fee

  $0

• Intro APR

  0% for 6 months on purchases

• Regular APR

  18.24% – 27.24% Variable

• Balance transfer fee 3%, introduction to balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on subsequent balance transfers (see terms)*

• Foreign transaction fee

  None

• Credit needed

  Fair / New to Credit

• *See rates and fees, terms apply.

• Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
• Cash-back program limits earnings:
  Register quarterly to receive up to 5% cash back in different categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%
• You must be a U. S. citizen and college student to apply for this card.

Best for no credit: Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

• Reward: 1% cash back on qualified purchases made immediately and up to 20% 5% cash back on qualified purchases made after making 2012 monthly payments on time; 2% to 10% cash back at specific merchants

• Welcome bonus

  None

• Annual fee

  $0

• Intro APR

  None

• Regular APR

  18.24% – 32.24% variable

• Balance transfer fee

  N/A

• Foreign transaction fee

  None

• Credit needed

  Fair, Good, No Credit

• No credit history is necessary, though it is taken into consideration when granting credit.
• No fees whatsoever
• A cash refund of 1% is given to eligible purchases immediately and up to 20%01. 5% cash back on qualified purchases made after making 2012 monthly payments on time; 2% to 10% cash back at specific merchants
• Credit limits range from $300 to $10,000

• The card is useful for establishing credit, but not for restoring credit.
• No special financing offers
• No welcome bonus

• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $249
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,577

Best secured credit card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card

• RewardsEarn up to $1,000 in combined purchases every quarter, automatically, plus 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• At the conclusion of your first year, Welcome Bonus Discover will match all of the cash back you have accrued.

• Annual fee

  $0

• Intro APR

  N/A on purchases

• Regular APR

  28.24% Variable

• Balance transfer fee 3%, introduction to balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on subsequent balance transfers (see terms)*

• Foreign transaction fee

  None

• Credit needed

  New / Rebuilding

• *See rates and fees, terms apply.

• Cash-back program
• Generous welcome bonus
• Discover will automatically review your credit card account after seven months of account opening to determine whether you can switch to an unsecured line of credit and get your deposit back.

• Cash-back program limits earnings: up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter at gas stations and restaurants, with a 2% cash-back program; thereafter, 1%
• A low credit limit prohibits cardholders from making numerous or expensive charges.

More on our easiest credit cards to get

What makes the Citi Double Cash Card such a great credit card with no annual fees is the unlimited 2.5% cash back you earn on all eligible purchases.

Whos this for?

One of the best credit cards for cash back that has no annual fee is the Citi Double Cash® Card. The best credit cards typically require a good to excellent credit score to be approved for, but you can still get the Citi Double Cash Card with a fair or average credit score.

Standout benefits

The best part of this card is its simplicity. Cardholders receive 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% cash back at the time of purchase and 1% cash back at the time of payment.

Rewards

Get 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay to earn 2% cash back on all purchases. For a limited time, through 2012/31/24, earn 5% of the total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions that you book through the Citi TravelSM portal.

Welcome bonus

After making $1,500 in purchases in the first six months of opening your account, you will receive $200 in cash back. The 20,000 ThankYou® Points that come with this bonus offer can be exchanged for $200 in cash back.

Annual fee

Notable perks

Upon completion of a balance transfer with the Citi Double Cash Card (C2%AE) within the initial four months of account opening, the recipient of the balance transfer will be charged an introductory balance transfer fee equal to 3% of the amount transferred (with a minimum of $5). Following the introduction period, there is a balance transfer fee equal to 5% of the amount you transfer ($5% minimum). New cardholders will be given 200 percent intro APR for the first three months of 2018 (and then a 2019 24% – 29. 24% variable APR).

Although it isn’t officially a cash-back card, it does earn Citi ThankYou® points as cash back. This gives you more options for redeeming your points. ThankYou points can be redeemed for gift cards worth one cent per point or cash back in the form of checks, direct deposits, and statement credits. Additionally, you can transfer these points to Choice Hotels, Wyndham, and JetBlue, three travel loyalty programs. Turkish Airlines, Avianca, and Singapore Airlines are just a few of the transfer partners you can access by combining this card with the Citi Premier® Card. (See rates and fees).

Best for cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card

What makes U.S. unique is the freedom to choose which purchases yield the greatest rewards. S. The Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card is a viable option for individuals seeking to accrue cash rewards.

Whos this for?

The U. S. Due to the fact that the Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card is a secured credit card and demands an upfront deposit, obtaining one is simple even for those with bad or no credit. However, it has a generous rewards program, in contrast to many other secured credit cards.

Standout benefits:

You can choose where you receive bonus cash back with this card. You will be paid 5% on the first $2,000 spent in total eligible purchases made every quarter in two of the 2012 categories of your choosing. Additionally, you will receive 2% back in one more category of your choosing.

Rewards

• 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and prepaid airfare reserved through the U.S. S. Bank Rewards Travel Center.
• 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases made every quarter in the two categories of your choice. Cell phone providers, TV, internet, and streaming services, home utilities, fast food joints, fitness centers, ground transportation, furniture retailers, sporting goods retailers, department stores, electronics retailers, and movie theaters are among the qualifying categories.
• 2% cash back is available on qualified purchases made in any everyday category (such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants).
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Annual fee

Notable perks

The main benefit of the U. S. Its variable bonus reward categories are found on the Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card. Also, it’s quite simple to redeem the cash back you receive with this card. Cashback can be redeemed for deposit to a U.S. bank account, statement credit, or S. A prepaid U.S. currency or a bank account (savings, checking, or money market S. Bank Rewards card. Youll need at least $25 to make a redemption.

A deposit of $300 to $5,000 is required of new cardholders; this serves as your credit line. When you pay your bills on time and stick to your credit limit, you S. Bank could eventually upgrade you to the U. S. When using a Bank Cash ® Visa Signature ® Card, your security deposit will be reimbursed.

Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back

Whos this for?

College students with fair credit or little credit history can apply for TheDiscover it® Student Cash Back. This card is simple to apply for and earns cash back on all purchases.

Standout benefits

Student credit cards and other easily obtained cards typically don’t come with substantial welcome bonus offers, but the Discover it® Student Cash Back card is an exception. Discover will match all of the rewards you receive in the first year. Since there is no cap on this offer, you will receive an extra $300 at the end of the first year if you earn $300 in cash back.

For students searching for a card that’s easier to qualify for, Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great option because of the opportunity to earn cash back in a variety of rotating categories.

Rewards

• 5% of purchases made in rotating quarterly bonus categories that you activate throughout the year will be refunded up to $1,500 (then 20%)
• 1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Discover will match the cash back you receive in the first year, with no cap or minimum spending needed.

Annual fee

Notable perks

For those who study abroad or take vacation trips abroad, the Discover it® Student Cash Back card’s zero foreign transaction fees are a boon. Additionally, cardholders receive an introductory 20% APR on new purchases for the first six months of the card’s life. After the introductory period, an 18. 24% – 27. 24% variable APR applies.

Best for no credit: Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Whos this for?

Applicants without a credit history—including those without a social security number—may apply for the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. Your banking history and other financial information may be used to assess your eligibility for the card rather than a credit score.

Standout benefits

Your cash back earnings can increase if you make your payments on schedule. Cardholders begin earning 1% cash back and can earn up to 20% of the total amount. 5% back after making 12 on-time monthly payments.

In addition to being simple to apply for, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card has no fees—including no late payment fees. Petal may request that you link your bank accounts during the application process, as opposed to evaluating your creditworthiness exclusively on the basis of your credit history. Next, in order to ascertain your eligibility, WebBank examines your bank statements along with additional information like earnings and bill payments.

Rewards

• 1% cash back is immediately available on qualified purchases and can rise to 201 5% cash back after you make 12 on-time monthly payments.
• 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants

Welcome bonus

Annual fee

Notable perks

The Petal 2 card’s greatest feature is that there are no fees associated with it. There are no annual, foreign transaction, late payment, or returned payment fees. The ability to earn up to 1. 5% cash back after making 2012 on-time monthly payments is not only a pleasant perk but also a fantastic method to promote responsible behavior. Cardholders can additionally benefit from time-limited promotions for 2% to 10% off at specific retailers.

Check out CNBC Selects best credit cards for bad credit.

Best secured credit card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Whos this for?

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great secured credit card that offers a potentially large welcome bonus in addition to earning rewards.

Standout benefits

You will receive a matching amount of cash back during the first year of your card membership. The good thing about this offer is that there is no minimum spending amount, so you won’t have to worry about losing out on your welcome bonus. Plus, this card charges no foreign transaction fees.

Even if you’re trying to rebuild your credit, it’s simpler to apply for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. It gives you a clear path to upgrading to an unsecured card and lets you earn rewards as your credit score rises.

Rewards

• 2% cashback is offered at gas stations and restaurants on combined purchases up to $1,000 per quarter.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Discover will match the cash back you receive in the first year, with no cap or minimum spending needed.

Annual fee

Notable perks

A refundable security deposit is needed for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, but after seven months, an automatic review determines whether you qualify for an unsecured card. This eliminates the uncertainty surrounding your eligibility for an unsecured credit card.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you wont be dinged for using the card abroad. The cashback you earn can be redeemed at any time with no minimums, including directly through PayPal.

What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit?

The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card is among the easiest to apply for if you have bad credit because the issuer takes other things into account besides your credit score, like banking activity.

What credit card can I get with a 500 credit score?

The easiest credit cards to obtain if your credit score is 500 are secured cards that demand a deposit, like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or U S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card.

How can I get an authorized user credit card?

The primary account holder must add you as an authorized user on their credit card account in order for you to access it. Authorized users receive their own credit card, but they usually cannot use the same privileges as the primary cardholder, and adding additional authorized users may incur costs.

Are store credit cards easy to get?

Store credit cards can have restricted rewards or other restrictions, but they are usually easier to qualify for. Compared to other credit card kinds, many store cards have fewer advantageous features or can only be used with that specific retailer.

It’s not impossible to be approved for a credit card or to forfeit the chance to accrue rewards just because you’re a novice or are trying to repair your credit. When it comes to rewards, the best credit cards that are easy to obtain outperform those with more stringent requirements for credit scores. You can even get cash back on your purchases with certain secured credit cards.

After a few months of paying your bills on time and in full, you may be able to upgrade or switch to an even more generous card. The best way to know when youre ready is to keep track of your credit score using a free resource like *Experian Boost™ (FICO® Score), CreditWise from Capital One (VantageScore) or Chase Credit Journey (VantageScore).

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Why trust CNBC Select?

Our goal at CNBC Select is to empower our audience to make wise financial decisions by offering them thorough consumer advice and excellent service journalism. Our staff of knowledgeable writers and editors who have a wealth of experience with credit card products provides thorough reporting as the foundation for each credit card review. Although CNBC Select receives commissions from affiliate partners on a number of offers and links, we take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics and produce all of our content independently of our commercial team or any other outside parties. For additional details on our selection process for the top easy credit cards, view our methodology.

CNBC Select examined credit cards from the largest banks, financial institutions, and open-member credit unions to find the ones that will return the most money to you. We evaluated each card based on a number of criteria, such as required credit and, when available, customer reviews. Other features we considered were cash-back rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APRs, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees.

Stay informed by watching CNBC Selects’ in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking, and money, and by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

*Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not every lender uses Experian credit files, and not every lender uses Experian Boost-affected scores.

Information about the U. S. The Bank Cash ® Visa Signature® Card has been gathered by Select on its own; the card issuer has not examined or supplied any information before publication.

WebBank is the issuer of the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Cash Back, click here.

FAQ

What is the easiest credit card to receive?

Because the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is intended for individuals with low credit scores, it is our choice for the credit card that is easiest to apply for. It offers excellent cash back benefits, no annual fee, and a sign-up bonus for new cardholders.

What store credit card is the easiest to get?

Maria Adams, Moderator for Credit Cards: The Fingerhut Credit Account, the Montgomery Ward Credit Account, and the Amazon Secured Credit Card are among the simplest store credit cards to obtain. People with “bad” credit can apply for these cards, and there are no annual fees.

Can I get a credit card with a 500 credit score?

You have plenty of opportunity to improve your credit with a credit score of 500 or lower, and it won’t keep you from being approved for a decent credit card. Many credit cards for people with credit scores of 500 or below provide resources for boosting your score; some even have rewards.

Read More :

https://www.cnbc.com/select/easiest-credit-cards-to-get/
https://wallethub.com/easiest-credit-card-to-get