2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR FAIR CREDIT
What Do You Want from Credit Cards for People with Fair Credit?
If your credit score falls solidly into the fair or average category, you’ve likely found yourself wondering if there are any good credit cards for fair credit that you could take advantage of. Can you find the best credit cards for fair credit that can help to boost your overall credit score and history so you can one day enter into that excellent category?
When it comes to credit cards for people with fair credit, there are likely to be more options than you think. You might imagine that unsecured credit cards for fair credit would only offer the most basic of functions, but it’s possible to find those who offer great perks and rewards programs as well. Credit cards for fair credit don’t have to be basic.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
Not only that, but you can also find credit card offers for fair credit that feature low interest rates or no annual fee credit cards for fair credit. Qualifying for credit cards for people with fair credit doesn’t have to be impossible, and it doesn’t have to exclude you from great credit cards for fair credit.
AdvisoryHQ has noticed all of the consumer interest surrounding credit card offers for people with fair credit. We’ve responded by compiling this ranking of the best credit cards for fair credit. If you’re ready to find out more about what “fair credit credit cards” could be available to you, take a look at the detailed reviews below.
See Also: Top Best 0 Balance Transfer Credit Cards | Ranking & Reviews | 0 APR Credit Card Balance Transfer Fee
AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the credit card names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that credit card):
- BankAmericard® Credit Card
- BB&T Bright Card
- Platinum Credit Card from Capital One
- Regions Premium Visa® Signature
- TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card
- Capital One® Quicksilver One®
Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit| Brief Comparison & Ranking
Credit Card Names | Annual | APR | Rewards |
BankAmericard® Credit Card | None | 11.24% | No |
BB&T Bright Card | None | 8.4% | No |
Platinum Credit Card from Capital One | None | 24.99% | No |
Regions Premium Visa® Signature | $125 | 12.24% | Yes |
TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card | None for | 13.49% | Yes |
Capital One® Quicksilver One® | $39 | 23.24% | Yes |
Table: Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit| Above list is sorted alphabetically
How Can Fair Credit Credit Cards Help Your Credit Score?
Simply knowing and acknowledging that your credit score falls just shy of the “good” or “excellent” category shows that you have some knowledge of what determines your overall score. You likely already know that boosting your credit score can result in qualifying you for more products from lenders, more favorable terms and rates, and can make a big difference in your purchasing power.
How can having fair credit credit cards help to improve your credit score?
Well, the answer is really two-fold.
First, credit card offers for fair credit will report all of the activity that you have on your credit cards to the major credit reporting bureaus. If you are spending responsibly and making timely payments to your lender, this information reflects favorably and can contribute to your overall credit health.
Image source: Pixabay
Part of spending responsibly with your credit card is in not making the most of your available credit limit. Experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your available credit line at any given time. Spending above and beyond this can demonstrate dependency on the money you have available, which doesn’t reflect all that favorably on your score.
Second, many of the fair credit credit cards also offer educational programs and credit score monitoring to show you areas for improvement. They may be able to make suggestions for ways to increase your current level of credit savviness and boost your credit score over the long term.
Overall, credit cards for people with fair credit have the potential to make a seriously positive impact on your credit score. By the same token, irresponsible spending and spotty payment history can have a detrimental effect on your credit score. Be sure to evaluate whether you have the self-control and financial stability to manage this responsibility prior to signing any agreements.
Don’t Miss: Top Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee | Ranking & Reviews | Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
All-in-One Change Management Tools
Top Rated Toolkit for Change Managers.
Get Your Change Management Tool Today...
AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top rated lists?
Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
Below, please find the detailed review of each credit card on our list of credit card offers for fair credit. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these fair credit credit cards to score so high in our selection ranking.
BankAmericard® Credit Card Review
For one of the best credit cards for fair credit that features basic functions, low interest rates, and no annual fee, you’ll want to take a closer look at the BankAmericard® Credit Card.
Source: BankAmericard
Account Details
When it comes to your account with the BankAmericard® Credit Card, you can expect to have a few convenient features that make it a top choice among credit cards for people with fair credit. Like most of the programs offered through Bank of America, you have access to its online and mobile banking, including account alerts issued via email or text message.
Furthermore, you’ll enjoy a $0 liability guarantee for suspected fraudulent activity and ShopSafe to allow you to shop more securely online. You can also add overdraft protection when you link an eligible checking account to your credit card.
This card doesn’t offer any sort of rewards program, which is a drawback for some consumers looking for ways to earn cash back or rewards points with their credit cards for people with fair credit.
Rates and Fees
One of the top choices for credit cards for people with fair credit, the BankAmericard® Credit Card boasts the lowest interest rates among Bank of America cards. Expect a range of standard APRs that goes from 11.24% to 21.24% depending on your creditworthiness.
For those who are looking to escape high interest payments on debt accrued with other credit cards, there is a lengthy introductory offer to assist you. For the first eighteen months, you’ll find a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within the first sixty days of your account opening.
Even better, there is no annual fee on these credit cards for people with fair credit.
Related: Top Best 0 Interest Credit Cards | Ranking | Top No-Interest, 0% Purchase, 0 Percent Credit Cards (Reviews)
BB&T Bright Card Review
If you’re searching for credit card offers for fair credit that have some of the lowest available APRs, this BB&T Bright Card is easily one of the top credit cards for fair credit.
Source: BB&T
Account Details
What do you need to know about the fair credit credit card offered through the BB&T Bright Card program? First and foremost, it has several offerings that are designed to make your account more secure – both from others and from yourself.
You’ll have Visa’s Zero Liability protection program for fraudulent purchases as well as quick delivery of replacement cards or cash if your card is lost or stolen. You can also choose to enroll in overdraft protection on any eligible BB&T checking accounts that you may have.
BB&T’s credit cards for people with fair credit also come with perks that you might enjoy: warranty manager service, travel and emergency assistance, and travel accident insurance.
Rates and Fees
Among the available credit card offers for fair credit, the BB&T Bright Card does have a handful of offerings that make it appealing – particularly when it comes to interest rates. This credit card could easily be classified under low interest credit cards for fair credit, with rates ranging from just 8.4% to 17.4% APR. When compared to other fair credit credit cards, the 17.4% APR maximum interest rate is relatively low.
Upon first opening your account, you can also benefit from a 15-month period where you will have an introductory 0% APR on all purchases and balance transfers.
Not only are the interest rates generally considered some of the best, but BB&T Bright Cards are also no annual fee credit cards for fair credit. This is not just an introductory offer or an exception for the first year – it truly is a credit card for fair credit with no annual fee.
Platinum Credit Card from Capital One Review
With flexible accounts and no annual fee, it’s time for you to see why consumers are giving the Platinum Credit Card from Capital One an almost perfect rating among fair credit credit cards.
Source: Capital One
Account Details
Among the unsecured credit cards for fair credit, the Platinum Credit Card from Capital One is easily one of the more flexible choices. Individuals who are searching for credit card offers for fair credit don’t always qualify for large lines of credit from lenders due to their past performance or less-than-pristine credit score. These fair credit credit cards allow you to gradually increase your credit limit after five months of responsible usage.
Not only that but its credit card offers for fair credit include access to CreditWise from Capital One, a program designed to help you gain access to your credit score as well as tools to monitor it. This is great for those who are interested in keeping a close eye on their score as it improves.
Capital One’s best credit card offers for fair credit also give you fraud protection on any unauthorized purchases made using your Platinum Credit Card if it’s lost or stolen. You’ll have a $0 fraud liability.
Rates and Fees
The Platinum Credit Card from Capital One does come with some fairly high interest rates in comparison to other fair credit credit cards. Where many of them offer a range of rates that are based on your creditworthiness, its credit cards for people with fair credit have only one interest rate: 24.99% APR on both purchases and balance transfers.
However, you may feel that this interest rate is evened out as it is also a credit card for fair credit with no annual fee. Depending on how much of your balance you allow to rollover from month to month, the high interest rate may not be of much consequence to you.
Popular Article: Top Best Business Credit Cards | Ranking | Best Small Business Credit Card Offers (Reviews)
Regions Premium Visa® Signature Review
Good credit cards for fair credit that offer a generous reward system and low interest rates are difficult to find, but you won’t have to look any further with the Regions Premium Visa® Signature.
Account Details
What makes the Regions Premium Visa® Signature one of the best credit cards for fair credit? Part of the appeal for those searching for the best credit card offers for fair credit is its generous rewards program.
On a regular basis, you earn 1.5 Relationship Reward points for each dollar you spend on the card, which are redeemable for travel, entertainment, merchandise, and more. For the first three months following your account opening, Regions’ credit card offer for fair credit allows you to double your points, with three points for each dollar you spend.
In addition, the Regions Premium Visa® Signature fair credit credit card also comes with a few features that are ideal for those who travel frequently:
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Trip cancellation or interruption protection
- Roadside dispatch
- Visa Signature Concierge
Rates and Fees
The Regions Premium Visa® Signature has great credit card offers for fair credit. Among its top features are the extremely low interest rates that don’t vary according to creditworthiness. Its low interest credit card for fair credit has only a 12.24% APR for purchases and balance transfers.
Initially, you will also receive 12 months with a 0% introductory APR on its fair credit credit cards. This gives you a nice window in which to make large purchases without paying interest or for paying down your debt on a balance transfer.
Unfortunately, this credit card offer for fair credit is balanced out by a whopping $125 annual fee. Unlike the credit cards for fair credit with no annual fee, there is no getting around this one for the first year or thereafter.
TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card Review
Find one of the best credit card offers for fair credit in this unique travel rewards program from the TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card.
Source: TD First Class Visa
Account Details
Among the best credit cards for fair credit, there are few options that would double as a great travel rewards card. Fortunately, the credit card offer for fair credit available through the TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card provides just the answer. You can earn miles for all purchases, and you score three times the miles on all eligible travel and dining purchases (including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining, fast food, and restaurants).
Even better, this option for one of the top credit cards for fair credit also has an initial bonus offer of 25,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first six months (equivalent to a $250 statement credit towards any travel or dining purchases).
Similar to the options available from Capital One, you also receive access to credit education tools that can assist you in boosting and improving your current credit score. This would allow you to look beyond the best credit cards for fair credit and towards those with potentially more favorable terms or rewards.
Rates and Fees
The TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card is one of the best credit card offers for fair credit when you look at its very competitive interest rates. On new purchases and on balance transfers, it has a competitive interest rate of 13.49% APR. This definitely qualifies it as one of the low interest credit cards for fair credit.
Upon opening your account, there is a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first twelve months your account is open.
The fair credit credit cards available through the TD First ClassSM Visa® Signature Credit Card program do waive your annual fee for the first year, making it easy to take advantage of all the wonderful rewards. Thereafter, you’ll be faced with an $89 per year annual fee.
Read More: Top Best Credit Cards to Rebuild Credit | Ranking & Reviews | Best Cards for Rebuilding Credit
Free Wealth & Finance Software - Get Yours Now ►
Capital One® Quicksilver One® Review
With an even higher consumer rating than the Platinum Credit Card from Capital One, this Quicksilver One credit card for fair credit gives account flexibility, low interest rates, and a low annual fee.
Source: Quicksilver One
Account Details
Similar in style to the Platinum Credit Card from Capital One, the Quicksilver One from Capital One also allows flexibility when it comes to your credit line. While you may not qualify for a large credit line in the very beginning, you can gradually increase your credit limit over time when you make your first five monthly payments on time.
You also enjoy access to its CreditWise program to monitor and improve your credit profile – one of the best credit card offers for fair credit to assist you in improving your financial outlook for future.
Where this card differs from its Platinum Credit Card counterpart is in its rewards program. One of the best credit cards for fair credit, you earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no expiration dates and no limits on how much you can earn in a specific time period.
Rates and Fees
The Quicksilver One from Capital One credit card offers for fair credit gives you a great introductory offer of 0% APR for the first nine months. While this is relatively short among introductory offers, it certainly lands it in a place among the top credit cards for fair credit when so few offer this feature.
After this brief period ends, you’ll face a 23.24% variable APR thereafter. This is still a lower interest rate than the Platinum Credit Card but higher than similar credit card offers for fair credit from companies like the BB&T Bright Card.
You’ll also find an incredibly low annual fee of just $39 each year, excluding it from being one of the no annual fee credit cards for fair credit but definitely making it still affordable.
Conclusion—Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
It’s time evaluate what you truly need in credit card offers for fair credit. Do you prefer a rewards program or something more basic that can just serve to boost your score over the coming months and years? There is an endless list of unsecured credit cards for fair credit to choose from, and this list of the best credit cards for fair credit is just a starting point.
We want you to be able to make an informed decision when it comes to weighing what matters among the best credit card offers for fair credit. The conclusion that each consumer is able to come to regarding his or her own needs will be as unique as you are.
Use this ranking of the top six best credit cards for fair credit as a guide to point you in the direction you feel you need to go. Do you prefer to use good credit cards for fair credit that have low interest rates, no annual fee or a rewards program? The choice is yours with these top credit cards for fair credit.
AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer: Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info. Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.
