Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards for Bad Credit
| Credit Card | Best For | Credit Score | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 300–669 | $35 | |||
| Instant Approval | 300–669 | $75–$99 the first year, then $99 annually | |||
| $1,000+ Credit Limit | 300–669 | $39 ($0 for the first year if you set up autopay) | |||
| Unsecured (No Deposit) | 300–669 | $75 for the first year ($48 after) | |||
| No Annual Fee | 300–669 | $0 | |||
| Rewards | 300–669 | $75-$99 | |||
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When it comes to credit cards and other types of loans, there’s no such thing as guaranteed approval. Approval is always at the discretion of the lender, and there’s no rule that guarantees everyone a line of credit. However, there are credit cards out there with extremely high approval odds and—often—instant approval.
Learn how to get a guaranteed approval credit card when you have bad credit, and what credit cards best meet your needs.
What’s a guaranteed approval credit card?
A “guaranteed approval” credit card is one with incredibly high approval odds and usually instant approval upon submitting an application.
There’s technically no such thing as a truly guaranteed approval credit card, as the lender always has the power to accept or reject a borrower’s request for credit. However, there are some cards that are so likely to approve applicants (usually boasting approval odds of 98%–99%) that they fall under the designation of “guaranteed approval.”
If you have bad credit and have been rejected for credit cards before, seek out guaranteed approval cards, so your application is likely to be approved.
Are there really guaranteed approval credit cards for bad credit?
There’s no credit card that guarantees that every single applicant will be approved, but there are many credit cards that approve close to 100% of people who apply. These credit cards are specifically designed for borrowers with bad credit or no credit history.
How do I get a guaranteed approval credit card when I have bad credit?
There are three ways to get a guaranteed approval credit card when you have bad credit:
- Get a secured card: A secured credit card requires a security deposit as collateral. This protects the lender against risky borrowers (i.e., ones who are less likely to pay their bills). This added protection means the lender is much more likely to approve anyone willing to put down a deposit for their secured credit card.
- Apply for cards with high approval odds: When you’re hunting for a credit card, look for ones that advertise “high approval odds” or disclose the percentage of applicants who qualify (look for 98% or higher). Not only do these statistics bode well for your application, but credit cards that advertise high approval odds are usually marketing to bad credit holders who are worried about qualifying for credit cards.
- Focus on cards with no credit check: If you’re hesitant to apply for credit cards knowing you have negative marks (like bankruptcies or foreclosures) on your credit report, seek out a card that boasts no credit check requirement. You can apply and be approved for these cards based on the information you provide in your application, and the lender won’t make any inquiries into your credit.
Best guaranteed approval credit cards for bad credit
Through our credit card research, we’ve found the following cards give the best chances of approval, even if your credit report is on the scary side. In fact, some of the following don’t even require a credit check to be approved. Check out the top six credit cards that offer as close to guaranteed approval as you can get.
