Easiest Credit Cards to get with BAD CREDIT (Instant Decision)
How to Get Approved for a Credit Card with Bad Credit
Understanding Bad Credit
- The video addresses viewers who need a credit card but have poor credit due to late payments, collections, or high balances.
- It defines bad credit as generally being a score under 600 and emphasizes that the reasons behind a low score are crucial for approval chances.
Importance of Checking Your Credit Report
- Viewers are advised to check their FICO scores through services like myFICO or myScoreIQ before applying for cards to avoid unnecessary hard inquiries.
- Knowing your credit status helps in targeting appropriate cards and increases the likelihood of approval.
Recommended Credit Cards
Capital One Platinum Card
- This card is recommended for rebuilding credit; it has no annual fee and offers a pre-approval tool that does not affect your credit score.
- After six months of responsible use, Capital One reviews accounts automatically for potential credit limit increases without requiring an application.
- Users can upgrade to better cards like Quicksilver without new hard inquiries once their credit improves.
Discover Card
- Discover is another strong option; it also features a pre-approval tool and is known for generous credit limits.
- Despite the merger with Capital One in May 2025, both brands operate separately, allowing users to apply for both cards to enhance approval odds.
Apple Card
- Ideal for Apple users, this card integrates seamlessly with iPhones and offers real-time spending breakdown without any fees.
- Pre-approved applicants can see their starting limit before accepting the offer, which is uncommon among other cards.
- If declined, Apple provides steps to improve approval odds through its "Path to Apple Card" program.
Apple Card and Other Credit Options
Apple Card Overview
- The Apple Card offers 3% cash back on Apple purchases and is beneficial for users already utilizing Apple Pay, effectively providing "free money" on regular transactions.
- It allows financing of Apple products at 0% interest for up to 24 months, making it a good option within the Apple ecosystem but less ideal for non-iPhone users.
VMO Card Features
- The VMO card features a soft inquiry for applications that do not get approved, protecting your credit score while checking eligibility.
- It provides an automatic rewards structure: 3% cash back on the top spending category each month, 2% on the second highest, and 1% on all other purchases without needing to track categories.
- Cash back is deposited directly into your VMO account, allowing immediate use for payments or purchases. No foreign transaction fees make it suitable for international shopping.
PayPal Credit Card Insights
- Similar to the VMO card, the PayPal credit card also only results in a soft inquiry if declined. It offers 3% cash back on PayPal purchases and 1.5% on everything else.
- Thereโs no annual fee; however, inactivity can lead to account closure by Synchry, so regular usage is recommended to keep the account active.
Navy Federal Credit Union Benefits
- Navy Federal is noted for offering higher credit limits even to those with lower credit scores; membership typically requires military ties.
- Recommended cards include Cash Rewards or Cash Rewards Plus; both have no annual fees and offer significant cash back opportunities based on credit limit approval.
Secured Cards as a Smart Option
- Secured cards may be more advantageous than unsecured options available to individuals with bad credit. They require a refundable security deposit that serves as your credit limit.
- Responsible use can lead to graduation from secured to unsecured cards; Discover it secured card is highlighted for its quick upgrade path and cashback benefits.
Credit Cards to Avoid for Bad Credit
Unrecommended Credit Cards
- The speaker discusses credit cards that are not recommended due to significant downsides, despite being promoted by other creators.
- Credit One: Targets individuals with bad credit but charges high annual fees and interest rates. A $300 limit may come with a $75 annual fee before use.
- First Premiere: Similar to Credit One, it approves many applicants but imposes harsh fees that hinder credit building.
- Canora Credit: Manages cards like Indigo, Destiny, and Milestone; these cards have small limits and high costs, making it difficult to build credit effectively.
- Continental Finance: Offers various cards (Surge Card, Reflex, Fit, Cerillion), which report to credit bureaus but also have unfavorable terms that impede credit growth.
Alternative Options
- Retail store cards from Amazon, Best Buy, Macy's, and Home Depot can be easier to obtain even with low scores. They help build credit if paid in full monthly.
- However, they are limited to specific stores and often carry high-interest rates. It's advisable not to open too many at once.
Strategies for Boosting Your Credit Score
Understanding Credit Utilization
- The speaker explains the importance of credit utilizationโthe percentage of available credit being usedโand recommends keeping it below 30% for better scores.
- To see significant score improvements, aim for under 10% utilization.
Tips for Lowering Utilization
- Pay down balances using either the snowball method (smallest debts first) or avalanche method (highest interest first).
- Make payments before the statement closing date so lower balances get reported to bureaus.
- Consider making multiple payments throughout the month instead of just one large payment.
- Request a credit limit increase; this lowers utilization if your balance remains unchanged.
- Explore consolidating debt through personal loans as they reduce revolving credit usage.
Addressing Negative Marks on Your Credit Report
Importance of Clean Reports
- The speaker emphasizes that no card can fix multiple negative marks on a report such as late payments or collections; these must be addressed directly.
- For assistance in removing bad marks from reports, the speaker suggests using their DIY tool called Credit Rehab Pro, which helps create dispute letters tailored to individual situations.