Responsible credit card use can build your credit score while setting solid financial habits. However, many consumers and small businesses are locked out of the best credit cards because of low credit scores or a lack of credit history. The easiest credit cards to get can grow your credit score while earning rewards on everyday purchases and providing valuable benefits you can use today.
While there are countless credit card options available, most of them do not target people who are working to build their credit. These are the easiest credit cards to get in 2024 so you can start building your credit history and qualify for lower interest rates, better loan terms, and more rewarding credit cards in the future.
Our recommendations
Best for: Everyday Spending
Best for: Everyday Spending
Citi Double Cashยฎ Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
The Citi Double Cashยฎ Card is a valuable everyday spending credit card that provides a generous 2% cash back on all of your spending. Day in and day out, you earn 1% when you spend and a matching 1% when you pay back. Rewards are unlimited and there is no annual fee. Earn an additional 3% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi TravelSM portal until 12/31/24.
The lack of a 0% introductory period for purchases is a minor drawback while the ability to transfer rewards to several partners provides an additional benefit. Overall, this card is a minimum effort, maximum reward option for daily use and well worth considering.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYouยฎ Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travelโ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Best for: flexible rewards
Best for: flexible rewards
Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card
Credit score needed
Excellent, Good
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
This card offers high rewards points based on your top spending category, up to $500 spent each month. In addition to the $200 cash-back welcome reward, it also offers a low intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. And it has no annual fee. While the $500 spending cap on 5% rewards limits rewards, if your monthly spending is modest, this may be a good option.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYouยฎ Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travelโ portal through 6/30/2025.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for โ as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card account per person.
Best for: fair credit
Best for: fair credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
The card_name offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. With responsible use of the card, Capital One starts automatically reviewing your account in as little as six months for a possible credit limit increase. A higher credit limit can help your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio, which makes up 30% of your score. This card also includes unlimited access to your credit score for free through CreditWise.
While the card has a annual_fees annual fee, the cash-back rewards on everyday purchases can offset that cost and grow your bank balance. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use it outside the U.S. without incurring additional fees.
Card Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesnโt expire for the life of the account. Itโs that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where youโll get Capital Oneโs best prices on thousands of trip options (terms apply)
Additional Benefits:
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you wonโt be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. Itโs free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and youโre all set
Member FDIC
Best for: students
Best for: students
Chase Freedom Riseยฎ
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
The Chase Freedom Rise card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back so you can start building credit while earning rewards on purchases.
Students need to build credit as they prepare for their careers when they graduate. Using one of the best cards for students is a good way to build good financial habits. If you're worried about getting approved, having a Chase checking account with at least a $250 balance increases your approval chances.
Other than its unlimited cash back rewards, the card also offers a one-time $25 statement credit when you enroll in automatic payments. This is an excellent strategy to avoid late fees and missed payments because your payment history is 35% of your credit score. After you've had the card for at least six months, you may qualify for a credit limit increase based on your card usage and payments.
Card Benefits:
- Increase your approval chances: Maintaining a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 can boost your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Riseยฎ.
- Earn Cash Back: With Chase Freedom Riseยฎ, build your credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards never expire as long as your account is open, and thereโs no minimum to redeem.
- Earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. Simply choose a date and amount to ensure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
- Credit Limit Increase: As a Chase cardmember, youโll be evaluated for a credit line increase as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount you can spend on your Freedom Riseยฎ Card.
- Free Credit Score: Track your credit score and learn how to improve it with Chase Credit Journey.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all the great features of your Freedom Riseยฎ card without paying an annual fee.
Member FDIC
Best secured card
Best secured card
Chime Secured Credit Builder Visaยฎ Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
card_name is a secured credit card that acts differently from traditional secured cards. Cardholders deposit money into their Chime checking account and then transfer money over to their Chime Credit Builder account. There is no preset spending limit, and Chime doesn't report credit limits to the credit bureaus. However, you can only spend up to your available balance. While most secured credit cards do not allow access to your security deposit, Chime allows cardholders to use their deposit to pay off their balance.
Chime does report your activity to the three major credit bureaus to help you build credit without charging annual fees or interest charges. To qualify, you must have a Chime checking account and direct deposits of at least $200. The bank does not check credit scores when you apply, so trying to open an account will not affect your score.
- In order to be eligible for this secured credit card, you must first open a Chimeยฎ Checking account and receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more.
- No credit check to apply, no annual fees, and no minimum security deposit1
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visaยฎ Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
- 1Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
- To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Best for: bad credit
Best for: bad credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
The card_name is an excellent choice for people with bad credit because it has no annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
When you have bad credit, many card issuers require a security deposit to open a credit card. To open your account, you'll start out with a minimum security deposit of $200. Initially, your credit limit equals the security deposit you provide. With responsible use of the card, Capital One conducts automatic credit line reviews to increase your limit and may convert you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
- 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
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Best for: retail stores
Best for: retail stores
Target REDcardโข Credit Card
Credit score needed
Good, Excellent
In addition to the 5% discount at Target, it earns 2% back on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else.
Target is one of the easiest retailers to get a card from because it offers three versionsโa credit card, a debit card, and a reloadable card. All three options offer valuable rewards and benefits, including 5% off purchases online and in-store, no annual fees, an extended return window, free two-day shipping and more. The Target RedCard Mastercard, its credit card, is the ideal choice for consumers because it can be used at any store.
If you're unable to qualify for the Target RedCard Mastercard (you need good to excellent credit), you can open a RedCard debit card or reloadable card instead.As noted, both offer the same benefits as the Mastercard, except for rewards on purchases outside of Target.
- Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase of $50 or more when approved for a Target Circleโข Credit or Debit Card.
- Get a $50 credit when you open a Target Circleโข๏ธ Reloadable account and spend $50 at Target.
- No annual fees.
- Free 2-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items at Target.com.
- Target Circleโข๏ธ Card exclusives and offers.
- More return time - get an additional 30 days for returns and exchanges at Target.
- Pay for your Target purchases directly from your existing checking account (purchases generally take 1-3 days to process).
- Add cash for free at Target and spend anywhere Visaยฎ debit cards are accepted.
- Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases and 1% everywhere else outside of Target: Target Mastercard exclusive.
- Cash withdrawal of up to $40 at checkout.
- Cash Advance Fees: Eitherย $10ย orย 3%ย of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Late payment fees: Up to $41.
- Returned payment fees: Up to $30.
Best for: business owners
Best for: business owners
Brex Card
Credit score needed
No credit check. Brex uses company financial data instead
Annual fees
Starting at $0 per month per user
It earns up to 7x points on your spending, which can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, and more. You'll earn 7x on rideshares, 4x on Brex Travel, 3x on dining, 2x on recurring software, and 1x on everything else.
The Brex Card is an ideal business credit card for entrepreneurs, startups, mid-size companies and enterprise-level businesses. Instead of relying on your personal credit score for approval, Brex sets credit limits that are 10x to 20x higher based on your business finances, such as revenue or dollars raised from investors. Unlike most small business credit cards, Brex does not require a personal guarantee. Plus, the card offers unparalleled features that track spending on travel, procurement, and more with automated compliance, custom limits and controls, and real-time expense tracking.
- Worldwide card acceptance.
- 5-star app on iOS and Android.
- Earn up to 7x back, redeem for cash back, credits, or even billboards.
- Get a card limit appropriate to your business based on financial factors such as revenue or dollars raised.
- Call or chat live 24/7 from anywhere, with notifications by Slack, text, email, WhatsApp โ whatever you prefer.
- Chip and PIN, fraud protection, and more on World Elite Mastercard.
- Enable travel expenses and ensure policy compliance with automated controls, receipts, and memos.
- Designate spend limits for specific vendor expenses, and set to recur or expire, to avoid being overcharged.
- Instantly issue purchase cards with per-transaction AP controls and PO-like approval flows.
- Set up recurring or one-time employee stipend cards with embedded policies โ and only pay for what's used.
- Provision spend limits for any need, and your policy will be auto-applied with every Brex card swipe.
- Balance transfer fee: N/A
- Cash advance fee: N/A
- Foreign transaction fee: N/A
Easiest cards to get comparison chart
|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Starting at $0 per month per user | No credit check. Brex uses company financial data instead |
Our methodology
When selecting the easiest credit cards to get in December 2023, we focused on cards that offered the highest value for each type of customer on our list. The criteria included the following factors:
- Credit score requirements.
- Security deposit amount.
- Welcome bonus.
- Earning power.
- Annual fees.
- Credit card benefits.
- Standard purchase APR.
For each type of customer, we weighed the factors identified above to find the best credit card based on their needs. While these credit cards for building credit are the best according to our criteria, others may be a better fit based on your individual circumstances.
TIME Stamp: Gain access to credit and build it at the same time
When you have bad credit or a limited credit history, getting approved for a credit card can be a challenge. By focusing your attention on the easiest credit cards to get, you'll improve your approval odds to gain access to credit. This list contains numerous credit cards that meet the needs of different types of consumers and business owners. While each of these cards can help build your credit, some also offer lucrative rewards, popular benefits, and unique features.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to approve a credit card?
When applying online, many banks and card issuers offer instant credit decisions. Applicants can get instant approval and know what their credit limit is within seconds of submitting an application. However, not all customers qualify for an online decision. In that case, Federal law requires the card issuer to notify you of its decision within 30 days. Typically, you'll get a letter in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
What credit score do I need to get approved for a credit card?
The credit score required for approval depends on the card you're applying for. Luckily, banks and card issuers offer different credit cards for all types of credit scores. Some card issuers even offer credit cards for people with bad credit or a limited credit history. However, cards with the best rewards and benefits are typically reserved for people with excellent credit.
What are instant approval credit cards?
Instant approval credit cards inform applicants of the bank's decision immediately after submitting an application. While these cards offer an instant decision on your application, most do not allow you to start using your card right away. In most cases, you'll need to wait for the physical card to arrive seven to 10 days later. Credit cards with instant access allow cardholders to start using the card digitally as soon as it is approved.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visaยฎ Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.