What credit cards are the easiest to get?
Key takeaways
Easy-to-get credit cards are useful for young adults without an established credit history, individuals with poor credit, and people looking to rebuild a credit profile after financial difficulty.
Easy-to-get credit cards may have a low credit limit and higher interest rates, but they can help improve your credit score over time.
Securing a credit card with low or no credit history is challenging, but not impossible.
Improving your credit score and demonstrating financial responsibility can enhance your chances of credit card approval.
What is an easy-to-get credit card?
Easy-to-get credit cards are designed for individuals who may not qualify for standard credit cards due to a low credit score or limited credit history.
Every time you apply for a credit card, the lender you’re applying to will check your credit historyscore, which shows how reliable you have been managing loans and other debt in the past.
The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for one of the cards with the most competitive terms.
However, if your credit history is less than stellar, you might feel like you're out of options. This is where easy-to-get credit cards come into play.
These cards typically feature:
Higher interest rates: To offset the risk of lending to individuals with lower credit scores, issuers often charge higher interest rates.
Lower borrowing limits: These cards may come with lower credit limits, which can help prevent overspending and encourage responsible credit use.
Easy-to-get credit cards may also be called bad credit credit cards, credit-builder credit cards or pre-approved or instant-decision credit cards – all cards typically designed for individuals with less-than-perfect credit scores.
What are the easiest credit cards to get?
Credit cards designed specifically for people with poor credit or no credit history are the easiest to get. These include:
What are the easiest credit cards to get?
There isn't a credit card that's guaranteed to be easy to get, as every lender has its own eligibility criteria. However, some types of cards are designed for people who may struggle to qualify for mainstream credit cards.
If your situation is... | You could consider... | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
You have a poor credit history | Bad-credit credit card | Usually a lower credit limit and higher APR |
You have limited credit history | Credit-builder card | Designed to help you build a positive credit history through responsible borrowing |
You want to know your chances before applying | Pre-approved card | An eligibility check can show cards you're likely to be accepted for before you make a full application |
You want a small amount of available credit | Credit-builder card | These often have lower credit limits than mainstream cards |
Credit cards for bad credit: These cards often come with a low credit limit and high interest or APR. But they reward careful spenders, who make their repayments on time and practice good credit habits, by improving their credit scores.
Credit-builder credit cards: Credit-builder cards are designed to improve your credit rating. They offer a chance to prove to the credit agencies who manage your score that you can use credit responsibly. This means spending low amounts and paying them off in full each month.
Pre-approved credit cards:While you’ll still need to go through a credit check before the card is confirmed, an initial soft search will reveal so-called pre-approved credit cards that you’re almost guaranteed to get as long as the information you have provided is accurate.
Student credit cards: Young people haven’t had a chance to prove they can responsibly handle credit, so their credit file often shows little financial history. Student cards can be a first option for a credit card and help teach responsible borrowing.
Steps to take before you apply
Before applying for an easy-to-get credit card it is worth considering the following:
Review your credit report: Check your credit report for any errors or missing information that could affect your application, and correct anything that's inaccurate.
Check eligibility: Use an eligibility checker before you apply to see your chances of being accepted without affecting your credit score.
Compare the features: Look beyond your chances of being accepted. Check the interest rate, fees, credit limit and any rewards to make sure the card meets your needs.
Limit applications: Avoid making several credit card applications in a short space of time, as multiple hard searches could reduce your chances of being accepted.
Borrow responsibly: Only borrow what you need and keep well within your credit limit to help build a positive credit history.
Plan your repayments: Make sure you can afford the repayments before you apply. Paying your balance in full each month, where possible, helps you avoid interest charges and maintain a healthy credit record.
Am I eligible for an easy-to-get credit card?
To qualify for these more accessible cards, you'll typically need to meet certain criteria, such as being over 18 years old, a UK resident, and having an annual income over a specified threshold, for example, £7,500. However, having a bad credit rating, history of bankruptcy or a County Court Judgment (CCJ) may affect your eligibility.
If you’re not sure about your credit card eligibility, MoneySuperMarket has a fast, free Eligibility Checker tool which can help you find credit cards you’re likely to be eligible for – and shows you your chances of being accepted – all without harming your credit score.
Can I get instant approval on a credit card?
The credit card provider will always run a credit check as part of the application process, but this can often take just a matter of seconds.
You can compare instant-decision credit cards here. Remember, while the approval may be instant, it can still take up to two weeks for your physical card to arrive in the mail.
Is it easy to get a credit card with low or no credit?
Securing a card when you have low or no credit history can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Providers will consider various factors, including the reasons behind your low score and your ability to repay what you borrow.
Some cards, such as rewards credit cards, balance transfer cards, cashback credit cards and cards with high credit limits, are likely to be out of reach until you’ve taken steps to improve your credit score.
If you’re frozen out by lenders due to your poor credit rating, you can take steps to improve your eligibility.
How do I improve my chances of getting a credit card?
To enhance your likelihood of approval for a credit card, focus on improving your credit score and demonstrating financial responsibility. Here are some strategies:
Join the electoral roll: This can help verify your identity and address
Steady income: Showing a regular income can reassure lenders
Pay bills on time: Late payments can further damage your eligibility for credit, but keeping up with utility bills and other financial commitments can reflect positively on your credit report
Meet debt obligations: Paying down existing debt and ensuring you always make your monthly payments can improve your debt-to-income ratio
Open a bank account: This applies if you’re a new UK resident
Limit credit applications: Too many applications in a short period can signal financial distress
How much could I borrow with an easy-to-get credit card?
Easy-to-get and credit-builder cards often come with lower credit limits than mainstream credit cards.
The exact amount you're offered depends on the lender and your individual circumstances, including your income, credit history and existing financial commitments. You can't usually choose your credit limit yourself.
A lower limit can be useful if you only want a small amount of borrowing. However, don't assume that being pre-approved means you'll receive a particular limit. The credit limit is the main part of a pre-approved offer that isn't confirmed until the lender makes its final decision.
If you only need a small amount of available credit, look for cards with lower starting limits rather than applying for several cards and hoping one offers the amount you want.
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Our expert says…
"Easy-to-get credit cards can be a useful stepping stone if you have a limited or poor credit history, but it's important not to mistake 'easier to get' for 'best option'. These cards often come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits, so it's worth comparing the features carefully before applying. Choose a card that suits your needs and, if possible, pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest and build a stronger credit history".
What should I do if I can't get a credit card?
Check your credit report
Look for errors or outdated information that could be affecting your applications. If you spot a mistake, ask the relevant organisation to correct it.
Find out why you were declined
Lenders don't always give a detailed reason, but it's worth checking whether there was a particular issue with your application or financial circumstances.
Try an eligibility checker
If you want to apply again later, check your chances of acceptance first rather than making another full application.
Consider whether you need to borrow
If you only need to make a purchase, using a debit card or waiting until you can afford it may be a better option than taking on expensive credit.
Get free debt advice if you're already struggling
If you're finding it difficult to keep up with existing borrowing or bills, taking out more credit may make the situation worse. Consider getting independent debt advice before borrowing more.
If you can't get a credit card, don't immediately apply for several more. Multiple full applications in a short period can leave hard searches on your credit report and could make it harder to get accepted elsewhere.
Alternatives to credit cards
Not sure if a credit card is right for you? There are other borrowing options available for those with low credit scores:
Debit card: If you can wait and use money already in your bank account, you won't pay interest on borrowing
Prepaid card: You can load money onto the card before spending, which can help you keep to a set budget
Arranged overdraft: This can be useful for short-term borrowing, but check the interest and fees and make sure you can repay what you borrow
Save before spending: If the purchase isn't urgent, waiting until you have the money available can avoid taking on expensive credit
If you're struggling with debt, organisations like National Debtline, StepChange, and Citizens Advice offer free, impartial advice. For those whose mental health is affected by financial concerns, Money Talks provides guidance and support.
Other helpful guides
If you want to find out more about credit cards, including understanding and cutting through the financial jargon, our following guides might help:
Find and compare credit cards with MoneySuperMarket
Whichever type of credit card you want to apply for, you can discover what’s on offer and compare deals on MoneySuperMarket.
All you need to do is tell us a little about your finances, including details about your income and what you want to use your new card for.
We’ll give you a tailored list of credit cards which you can sort by interest rate, any fees and charges, and how likely it is that you’ll be accepted if you apply.
Showing you cards for which you’re pre-approved can help protect your credit score as you can minimise the chance of being rejected and having to apply again for credit.
Once you’ve found the card you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your application.
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. We never take a fee from customers for this broking service. Instead we are usually paid a fee by the lenders – though the size of that payment doesn’t affect how we show products to customers.
Frequently asked questions
What if I can’t repay my credit card debt?
If you're struggling with debt, organisations like National Debtline, StepChange, and Citizens Advice offer free, impartial advice. For those whose mental health is affected by financial concerns, Money Talks provides guidance and support.
Author
Tim Heming
Personal Finance Expert
Tim Heming is a journalist and editor who has written about personal finance for national newspapers and consumer websites for 15 years. Tim enjoys providing no-nonsense information to help consumers...
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Alan Cairns
Senior Content Editor
Alan breaks down money, home, and energy topics into plain English to help you save money. Ask him about pound cost averaging or Balkonkraftwerk.
