
The best unsecured cards for bad credit
Learn about unsecured credit cards for bad credit you should consider.
About the author
Steven Dashiell is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com with expertise in rewards credit cards, financial literacy, and helping consumers build and maintain their credit. Steve has more than four years of experience in personal finance with an affinity for rewards, credit card perks and helping consumers make the most of their card choices. Steve’s writing and expertise has appeared in outlets, such as U.S. News & World Report, CBS, Fox Business, Time, Forbes and NASDAQ. When not writing about credit cards, Steve nerds out on birds, paints landscapes and life scenes, fiddles around on bass guitar and takes names in Street Fighter.
Steve wants you to know
Steve made the common mistake of accepting a credit card offer he received in the mail right after graduating high school. He promptly maxed it out on a vacation and made only minimum payments on the balance, which is a textbook example of what you shouldn’t do. This, predictably, tanked his credit score. Years later, and after much work, Steve’s credit score now rests squarely in the “excellent” tier.
“I started writing about credit cards, largely due to my horrible experience fresh out of high school. I had no clue what I was doing with my credit card and they don’t exactly come with a best practices guide. I hope to educate people in a similar position to make better decisions about their credit card use and help protect their financial health for the future.”
Steve's recommended readings
How to protect yourself from online card fraud
How to build your credit score quickly
Common credit card fees and how to avoid them
It’s best to think of a credit card as a tool in your financial toolbox. You should use it with specific intent and only after you’ve established a game plan for repayment.
— Steve Dashiell
Secured cards rarely have a balance transfer offer, but this one does.
A decent flat-rate card that allows students to begin building their credit files, but other student cards, even Capital One cards, are more rewarding options.
Marriott loyalists searching for a hotel card with mid-tier travel benefits will find a lot to consider with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card.
Along with high rewards for flights, the stellar travel perks make this the best Southwest card, and an exceptional airline card.
There's a lot of points-earning power with the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card, but very few mid-range hotels to choose from.
The Nordstrom Visa Credit Card is a store card for shoppers who are very loyal to Nordstrom and its sister brands. Find out if it's worth using the card for your everyday purchases.
This brass-tacks card offers some of the lowest rates and fees available for PenFed members—accessible by both military members and civilians.
Blue from American Express allows you to collect Membership Rewards points on all your purchases and enjoy useful credit card perks for no annual fee.