Credit Card Wisdom:
At its core, a credit card serves as a powerful tool for credit rebuilding. Make informed choices based on your credit profile and financial preferences. Track your credit progress over time, emphasizing responsible card usage (keeping balances low and paying on time every month) as a key factor in credit building and score improvement. Secured credit cards should be thought of as a bridge to get to the unsecured credit cards offered for those consumers with prime credit scores (generally 670+).
Compare and select from our leading credit card options offered by banks specializing in credit building with secured credit cards and cash back rewards. All the cards below can be used to make purchases anywhere credit cards are accepted.
FICO score ranges break down
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- Excellent credit: 800 – 850
- Very Good credit: 740 – 799
- Good credit: 670 – 739
- Fair credit: 580 – 669
- Poor credit: 300 – 579
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Bookmark this site for credit building tips. APPLY BELOW to build/re-build your credit.
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If you are new to credit or your credit score is in the 500s – low 600s, we recommend the following:
New! Apply for the Yendo credit card – the first credit card backed by vehicle equity. It works like a regular Mastercard, but uses your vehicle equity to get higher limits at affordable rates. Scroll below to learn more.
| Credit Card | Ideal For | Highlights |
Reflex Mastercard® Credit Card | Those with fair/poor/bad/limited credit (all credit types welcome to apply for this unsecured credit card |
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Surge Mastercard® Credit Card | Those with poor/fair/damaged credit (all credit types welcome to apply for this unsecured credit card) |
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What is the difference between a secured credit card and an unsecured credit card?
For the secured cards, the card-issuing bank holds the security deposit (equal to your credit limit) to offset any credit losses in case you don’t pay your bill; you do get your deposit back when you close the account in good standing.
Generally, unsecured credit cards do not require any deposit and are usually offered for individuals with credit scores >670. Some banks do offer unsecured credit cards with small credit limits and a high annual fee for credit scores below <670.
Eventually once your credit score reaches 670+, you will want to close the secured cards to recoup your deposit (or close the unsecured cards for bad credit to stop paying the high annual fees).
Unsecured Credit Building Credit Cards
Unsecured Credit Cards for bad/poor credit scores are available and suggested for those individuals unable (or unwilling) to put up the security deposit required for the Secured Cards. The unsecured cards listed below can help build credit without having to place a deposit. However, please note that most of these cards generally have higher annual fees (than secured cards) and are usually recommended as a “last resort” for use only for a short term for credit building (or rebuilding).
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® – Unsecured (No Deposit) Credit Card
Ideal for: Those with fair/poor/bad/limited credit (all credit types welcome to apply), and looking for a short term solution to build credit score without placing a deposit for secured cards.
Ideal Vantage 3.0 Score Range: 500 to 680. Average approved customer score is around 600.
Apply
Product Highlights:
· Credit Limit Range: $300 – $1,000 ($300, $500, $750, $1,000)
· AF: Varies between $75-$125 (See Terms)
· APR: 35.90% Fixed
Product Description:
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Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
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See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
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Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit
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Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
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Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
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Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
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Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
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Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
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Checking Account Required
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See if you are Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
The Reflex® Mastercard® Credit Card and the Surge® Mastercard® Credit Card are issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-Chartered Industrial Bank, Member FDIC under license from Mastercard International and serviced by Continental Finance Company, LLC.
Applications cannot be accepted from CO, WV, WA & MN at this time for Reflex and Surge cards.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® – Unsecured (No Deposit) Credit Card
Ideal for: Those with poor/fair/damaged credit (all credit types welcome to apply), and looking for a short term solution to build credit score without placing a deposit for secured cards.
Ideal Vantage 3.0 Score Range: 500 to 680. Average approved customer score is around 600.
Apply
Product Highlights:
· Credit Limit Range: $300 – $1,000 ($300, $500, $750, $1,000)
· AF: Varies between $75-$125 (See Terms)
· APR: 35.90% Fixed
Product Description:
-
Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
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See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
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Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit
-
Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
-
Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
-
Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
-
Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
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Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
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Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
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Online account access 24/7
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Checking Account Required
Important point to remember is that regardless of which credit card you use, you should pay your monthly balance on time, pay in full to avoid interest charges, and keep your utilization rate (balance outstanding/total card limit) to under 30%. This means for a $300 limit card, spend no more than $90 a month on your card.
If you are interested in loan options for all credit scores instead (including receiving cash within one business day), please click here.
Click here to learn how to save for a secured card deposit (or for any other purpose) with FDIC insured market leading high yield savings accounts
The quicker you begin the process, the faster you will begin to see results
In 3 easy steps, take advantage of the quick and hassle free applications listed here:
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Finish the application in one sitting and get approved
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Use your ATM card to fund your refundable deposit (for secured cards only)
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Receive your credit card in a few days and start building your credit history
How Long Does It Take to Build Good Credit?
Building good credit takes time and depends on your financial habits. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the timeline:
1. Why Does Credit History Matter?
Your credit history makes up about 15% of your FICO score. A longer history gives lenders more information about how you’ve managed debt, such as making payments on time and keeping balances low.
2. How Long to Establish a Fair Credit Score?
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If you’re starting with no credit, you can achieve a fair credit score (600–699) in 1 to 2 years.
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Key habits to follow:
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Pay bills on time.
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Keep your credit utilization low (use less than 30% of your credit limit).
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Avoid unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report.
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3. How Long to Build Good Credit?
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Moving from fair credit to good credit (700–749) usually takes a few more years.
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Maintaining responsible credit behavior, such as paying on time and managing debt wisely, is essential.
4. How Long to Reach Excellent Credit?
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Achieving an excellent credit score (750 and above) is a long-term goal.
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It typically requires 5–10 years of consistently good habits like:
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Making on-time payments.
-
Managing various types of credit (e.g., credit cards, loans).
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Keeping balances low.
-
5. What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
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Credit-building timelines vary based on individual circumstances.
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Focus on building good financial habits, such as consistent payments and responsible credit use.
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Your credit score is a snapshot of your financial behavior at a given time, and it will evolve as new information is added to your credit report.
By sticking to these principles, you’ll steadily improve your credit over time.
Experian Boost – Free Tool to Increase Credit Score 
Top 5 reasons to apply for a secured credit card:
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Building Credit History: Secured credit cards are ideal for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit history. By making timely payments and managing their credit responsibly, cardholders can demonstrate creditworthiness over time.
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Limited Credit History: For individuals with limited or no credit history, secured credit cards offer a valuable entry point into the world of credit. These cards provide an opportunity to start building a positive credit history, which is essential for future financial endeavors like renting an apartment or applying for a loan.
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Credit Score Improvement: Those with poor or fair credit scores can benefit from secured credit cards as a means to improve their credit standing. Responsible use, such as keeping balances low and making payments on time, can lead to an increase in credit scores over time.
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Financial Independence: Secured credit cards can empower individuals to take control of their finances and move towards greater financial independence. With responsible use, cardholders can graduate to unsecured credit cards, access higher credit limits, and enjoy lower interest rates.
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Learning Financial Responsibility: Secured credit cards provide an opportunity for individuals to learn important financial skills, such as budgeting, managing credit utilization, and understanding interest rates. These foundational skills are crucial for long-term financial health and stability.
How do I apply for a secured credit card?
Although every issuer processes applications a bit differently, the steps needed for applying and receiving a secured credit card is typically as below. We recommend completing the application process in one sitting and having your debit card and bank information handy for any secured card deposit.
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Research your options and apply for the secured card that best meets your needs. The issuer will evaluate your application through their underwriting process to make the approved/rejected determination.
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Once approved, you will be required to fund the deposit. Before the issuer opens your secured credit card account, you have to pay your security deposit. With some applications, the issuer will request your bank account information to transfer the deposit from your bank if they approve you. Some secured cards like the opensky® Plus will give you some time to pull together the deposit. It is important that you fund your deposit within the required time frame provided by the credit card issuing bank. If not, your application status will be changed from approved to rejected.
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Your secured credit card is mailed to you. Once you fund the security deposit, the issuer will mail you your card. You can then use it just like any other credit card. Make a few small purchases each month so that you can pay off the balances by your monthly due date. In general, to keep building your credit score, it’s best to use less than 30% of your available credit at any given time.
With the above 3 steps, you are on your way to building and improving your credit history.
How long does it take to receive my credit card after approval?
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Once you apply, and the card’s issuer immediately verifies your identity and ability to pay, they could approve your account right away (for unsecured credit cards). For secured credit cards, once they approve you, and you fund your security deposit, they mail your card to you in a few days.
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Generally, it takes about 7-10 business days from the time they approve your application (and you fund it for secured cards) to send your credit card to you.
Is the secured credit card deposit refundable?
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The secured credit cards listed here offer a refundable security deposit. For the secured credit cards, the card-issuing bank holds the security deposit (equal to your credit limit) in case you don’t pay your bill. However, you do get your deposit back anytime you choose to close the card account in good standing.
Can I transition from a secured card to an unsecured one?
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When your credit improves from bad to average to good, you’ll find that you will be able to qualify for unsecured credit cards with cash back and other rewards.
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After 6-9 months of on time payment, some secured cards like the opensky® Plus card may review your account for potential upgrade to an unsecured card. When your card program moves (graduates) you to an unsecured card, it returns your security deposit to you.
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Other card programs will allow an increase in credit limit without requiring an additional deposit (i.e. partially unsecured option) after 6-12 months of on-time payments.
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With most issuers, you may have to specifically request an upgrade. If your issuer can’t or won’t upgrade you — also keep in mind that not all secured-card issuers even offer unsecured cards — you can apply for unsecured cards separately with other issuers. The way that would work is that you will close your secured account and receive your security deposit back, and then open a new unsecured account.
Are loan options available for various credit scores?
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Personal loans (or emergency cash) are available for all credit scores. You can use personal loans for almost anything you need, including debt consolidation, unexpected medical expenses, unforeseen emergency cash needs, or making a large purchase..
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It is important that you avoid personal loans that charge atrociously high interest rates. With the rise of fintech and peer-to-peer lending companies there are several lenders servicing various customers across the entire credit spectrum (from poor credit to prime credit), making personal loans cheaper, more accessible, and a tool to build credit with. Click here to see your hassle free Personal Loan options.
❓FAQs – building credit history:
1. Why Does Credit History Matter?
Your credit history makes up about 15% of your FICO score. A longer history gives lenders more information about how you’ve managed debt, such as making payments on time and keeping balances low.
2. How Long to Establish a Fair Credit Score?
-
If you’re starting with no credit, you can achieve a fair credit score (600–699) in 1 to 2 years.
-
Key habits to follow:
-
Pay bills on time.
-
Keep your credit utilization low (use less than 30% of your credit limit).
-
Avoid unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report.
-
3. How Long to Build Good Credit?
-
Moving from fair credit to good credit (700–749) usually takes a few more years.
-
Maintaining responsible credit behavior, such as paying on time and managing debt wisely, is essential.
4. How Long to Reach Excellent Credit?
-
Achieving an excellent credit score (750 and above) is a long-term goal.
-
It typically requires 5–10 years of consistently good habits like:
-
Making on-time payments.
-
Managing various types of credit (e.g., credit cards, loans).
-
Keeping balances low.
-
5. What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
-
Credit-building timelines vary based on individual circumstances.
-
Focus on building good financial habits, such as consistent payments and responsible credit use.
-
Your credit score is a snapshot of your financial behavior at a given time, and it will evolve as new information is added to your credit report.
Apply today for our diverse range of secured and unsecured credit cards.
