RedditHow to Build Credit History
Using a subprime credit card can be an effective strategy for rebuilding your credit. You have the option of choosing between an unsecured subprime card or a secured credit card. By using the card responsibly, you’ll establish a positive payment history. Your credit report will reflect the positive impact of this responsible usage, and as your credit improves, you may qualify for traditional credit cards with better terms.
Unsecured Subprime Cards
Unsecured subprime cards don’t require a deposit but may come with higher interest rates and fees. Those with poor or damaged credit and prior bankruptcies may qualify for unsecured subprime cards. After you improve your credit, you may qualify for traditional credit cards. Check out the following unsecured subprime cards:
| Credit Cards | Purchase APR | Transfer Info | Annual Fee | Credit Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destiny Mastercard® | 35.9% APR | N/A | $175 the first year; $49 thereafter | Poor To GoodApply NowView Card Details |
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| Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit | 35.9% APR | N/A | $175 - $199 | Bad / Poor / FairApply NowView Card Details |
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| Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® | 35.90% Fixed APR | N/A | $75 - $125 | Fair / Poor / Bad / LimitedApply NowView Card Details |
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- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- 24/7 access to your account, even on mobile!
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Less than perfect credit is okay, even with a prior bankruptcy!
- Now with higher credit limits
- Increase your access to available credit
- Higher limit than before, still no security deposit required!
- Greater access to credit than before
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- See if you're Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 - $1,000 (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
Secured Credit Cards
Secured Credit Cards require a cash deposit as collateral, which typically becomes your credit limit. They may have low fees and favorable terms. Some of these cards don’t have an annual fee and even give you cash back on your purchases. Check out the following secured credit cards:
| Credit Cards | Purchase APR | Transfer Info | Annual Fee | Credit Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | 29.99% (Variable) APR rates & fees | 29.99% (Variable) APR | $0 | Limited, BadApply NowView Card Details |
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| OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card | 29.99% (Variable) APR | N/A | $0 | No Credit, Poor, FairApply NowView Card Details |
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| First Latitude Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | 24.74% (V) APR | N/A | $29.00 | Poor / Limited / NoApply NowView Card Details |
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| First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | 18.74% (V) APR | N/A | $39 | Poor / Limited / NoApply NowView Card Details |
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- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases
- No annual fee
- No credit check to apply. Find out instantly if you are approved- Zero credit risk to apply!
- Looking to build or rebuild your credit? 2 out of 3 OpenSky cardholders increase their credit score by an average of 41 points in just 3 months
- Monitor your credit progress with free access to your FICO Credit Score.
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
- Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit - as low as $300.
- Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
- Offers flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
- Now you can make smaller partial payments towards funding your security deposit over 60 days
- Over 1.4 Million Cardholders Have Used OpenSky Secured Credit Card To Improve Their Credit
- *See Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
- Choose our First Latitude Elite Card for a lower annual APR!
- Apply now and fund your security deposit over 90 days with the option to make partial payments.
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your First Latitude Secured credit card account.
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.†
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit - as low as $200 to get started!
- †Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
- *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
- Get a First Progress Select Card and Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards!
- Secure your credit line with your refundable security deposit - choose from $200- $2,000 - with the ability to increase up to $5,000 over time!
- Choose the First Progress Select Card for a lower annual fee!
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.†
- †Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Conclusion
Unsecured subprime cards give you immediate access to credit without a deposit, while secured cards are often easier to obtain and come with fewer risks in terms of high fees. Ultimately, both types of cards can help you rebuild your credit. Your credit score will improve as long as you keep making on-time payments.
