The card you can get depends on your credit history, income, and what the issuer is willing to offer

Credit card issuers decide whether to approve you based on your credit score, income, employment status, and existing debt. There is no single card everyone qualifies for. A person with a credit score above 750 and stable income will see different options than someone rebuilding credit or applying for the first time. The issuer pulls your credit report, looks at what you owe, and decides the risk. If you are approved, they also set your credit limit — the maximum you can borrow.

Your starting point is knowing your own credit score and recent credit history. You can check your score free through AnnualCreditReport.com (the only federally mandated free source) or through your bank or credit card issuer if they offer it. Your score tells you roughly which tier of cards you might reach. From there, you can search issuer websites directly or use comparison tools to see which cards list requirements you meet.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit scores above 670 typically open access to standard cards with rewards; scores below 580 usually mean starting with a secured card or store card.
  • Secured cards require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and they report to the three credit bureaus to help you build history.
  • Store cards and cards from smaller issuers often have lower approval thresholds than major bank cards.
  • Each application creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score slightly, so spacing out applications by a few weeks reduces damage.
  • Being approved for a card does not mean you should use the full limit; keeping your balance below 30 percent of the limit helps your credit score.

Cards for people with established credit (score 670 and above)

If your credit score is 670 or higher and you have a steady income, you have access to most standard cards from major issuers. These include cards with cash back, travel rewards, or points. Issuers like Chase, American Express, Capital One, Discover, and Bank of America all offer cards in this range. You can compare them on their own websites or on third-party sites like NerdWallet or The Points Guy.

At this tier, the main trade-off is between rewards and annual fees. A card with 2 percent cash back on everything might have no annual fee, while a card offering 3 percent on dining and travel might charge $95 per year. The issuer's website will list the annual percentage rate (APR) you might receive — though the actual rate depends on your credit profile and can vary within a range. Read the terms carefully: some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, and some offer bonus points if you spend a certain amount in the first three months.

Cards for people rebuilding credit (score 580 to 669)

If your score is between 580 and 669, or if you have limited credit history, a secured credit card is often the most direct path. You deposit cash with the issuer — usually $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other, paying a monthly bill. The issuer reports your payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which builds your credit history.

Secured cards do charge an annual fee, typically $25 to $95. Capital One Secured, Discover Secured, and U.S. Bank Secured are common options. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your account to an unsecured card and return your deposit. Some people also may have access to for a standard card from a smaller bank or credit union in this score range — it is worth checking with your own bank first, since they may have lower thresholds for existing customers.

Cards for people with limited or poor credit history

If you have no credit history or a score below 580, a secured card is still your best option, but you may also consider a store card as a stepping stone. Store cards — issued by retailers like Target, Kohl's, or Amazon — often have lower approval thresholds and can be easier to get. However, they usually work only at that store or a small group of affiliated stores, so they are less useful for everyday spending. They do report to the credit bureaus, so they help you build history.

Another option is a card designed for people rebuilding credit, such as the Capital One Secured or Discover Secured. These cards are accepted everywhere, not just one store. The trade-off is the annual fee and the deposit requirement. If you cannot afford a deposit right now, a store card may be your entry point, and you can move to a secured card once you have built a few months of payment history.

How to search for and compare cards

Start by visiting the websites of major issuers directly: Chase, American Express, Capital One, Discover, Bank of America, Citi, and U.S. Bank. Each lists the cards they offer and often shows the credit score range they typically look for. You can also use comparison sites like NerdWallet, Bankrate, or The Points Guy, which let you filter by credit score, rewards type, and annual fee.

When you find a card that interests you, read the full terms before applying. Look for the APR range, annual fee, grace period (the number of days you have to pay your balance before interest kicks in), and any sign-up bonuses. Then check the issuer's website for the actual application. Do not apply through a third-party site; go directly to the issuer to avoid phishing or data theft.

What happens when you apply

When you submit an application, the issuer performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry shows up on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time can add up, so space out applications by at least two to three weeks if you are applying to more than one card.

The issuer will tell you whether you are approved, denied, or pending within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, they will tell you your credit limit and when your card will arrive. If you are denied, you can ask why — sometimes it is income-related, sometimes it is the hard inquiry itself if you have applied recently. If you are pending, the issuer may call you to verify information. Keep your phone number current on the application.

What to do if you are denied

A denial does not mean you cannot get a credit card. It means that particular issuer decided the risk was too high at that moment. You have options. First, you can wait three to six months and apply again — your score may have improved, or the issuer's standards may have shifted. Second, you can apply for a different card from a different issuer, particularly a secured card or a store card, which have lower thresholds. Third, you can contact the issuer and ask if they have a reconsideration process; some will review your application if you provide additional information like proof of income.

If you are repeatedly denied, the issue may be your credit report itself. Check your report at AnnualCreditReport.com for errors — a missed payment that was not yours, a debt that was paid but still shows as open, or an account you do not recognize. You can dispute errors with the credit bureau, and correcting them can improve your score enough to change the outcome of your next application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does applying for a credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Each application creates a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points. The impact fades over time, and the inquiry disappears from your report after two years. Multiple applications in a short window do more damage, so wait two to three weeks between applications if you are applying to more than one card.

What is the difference between a secured card and a regular card?

A secured card requires you to deposit cash upfront, which becomes your credit limit. A regular card does not. Secured cards are designed for people building or rebuilding credit. After six to eighteen months of on-time payments, many issuers convert your secured card to a regular card and return your deposit.

Can I get a card if I have no credit history?

Yes. A secured card is your most direct path. You deposit $200 to $2,500, use the card, and make on-time payments. The issuer reports this to the credit bureaus, building your history from scratch. A store card is another option, though it works only at that retailer.

What credit score do I need to get a rewards card?

Most rewards cards require a score of 670 or higher. Some issuers will approve scores as low as 650 if you have stable income and low existing debt. Check the issuer's website for the score range they typically look for, but remember that ranges are guidelines, not guarantees.

Should I apply for multiple cards at once?

No. Each application creates a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score significantly. Space applications out by two to three weeks. This also gives you time to review each card's terms and decide whether it is right for you before moving to the next one.