Table of Contents
- How Credit Scores Affect Credit Card Approval
- Credit Score Ranges and What They Mean
- What Credit Score Is Needed for Different Types of Cards?
- Estimating a Card’s Credit Requirements
- How Credit Scores Are Calculated
- Checking Credit Scores and Reports
- Building a Credit Score
- Getting a Credit Card With Bad Credit
- Getting a Credit Card With Fair Credit
- Getting a Credit Card With No Credit
- FAQ
There is no universal minimum credit score for a credit card. If you have poor credit (300–579) or a limited credit history, you may still qualify for some cards. However, your options may come with higher interest rates, fees, or security deposit requirements.
A higher score can open doors to cards with lower interest rates, fewer fees, and valuable rewards.
Key Points
• No single credit score guarantees credit card approval. Every card issuer sets its own criteria.
• If your score is good to excellent (670+), you’re more likely to qualify for premium travel and cash-back cards.
• With a score between 580 and 669, you’ll likely find options for basic cards, often with higher interest rates and fewer rewards.
• People with bad credit or no credit history may qualify for secured cards, which require a security deposit.
• Comparing the card’s requirements, APR, fees, and preapproval options can help limit unnecessary applications.
• Building credit over time can lead to more card choices and better terms.
How Credit Scores Affect Credit Card Approval
A good or excellent credit score generally improves the likelihood of credit card approval. Issuers also review other information in an application. People with a bad credit score or no established credit may still find cards designed for their circumstances.
Before applying for a credit card, review the issuer’s stated requirements and pricing. If your score falls at the bottom of the issuer’s range, approval may be less likely. Focusing on cards with requirements that match your credit profile may reduce the chance of an unnecessary application.
That doesn’t just save you some hassle. Applying for several cards can create multiple hard inquiries — which can ding your credit score.
Credit Score Ranges and What They Mean
FICO and VantageScore are two companies that issue credit scores. They have different scoring models, so their labels and ranges do not match exactly. Both commonly use a 300-to-850 scale for base consumer scores.
| FICO Score range | Credit standing | General credit card implications |
|---|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor or very poor | Approval may be limited to secured or high-fee cards |
| 580–669 | Fair | Basic unsecured or secured cards may be available |
| 670-739 | Good | More standard cards may be available |
| 740-799 | Very good | Better approval odds and card terms are more likely |
| 800-850 | Excellent | Stronger odds for cards with favorable terms, subject to issuer criteria |
| VantageScore 4.0 range | Credit standing | General credit card implications |
|---|---|---|
| 300-600 | Subprime | Approval may be limited to secured or high-fee cards |
| 601-660 | Near prime | Basic unsecured or secured cards may be available |
| 661-780 | Prime | More standard cards may be available |
| 781-850 | Superprime | Stronger approval odds and card terms are more likely |
Either a FICO Score in the good to excellent range or a VantageScore in the prime to superprime range will likely improve your access to better terms. Just remember that approval is never based on a credit score alone.
What Credit Score Is Needed for Different Types of Cards?
There is no fixed score requirement for every card category. Issuers use their own underwriting standards, and requirements can change.
People with a FICO Score of about 670 or higher are often better positioned for travel and cash-back cards. These cards may also require a stronger overall credit profile.
People with scores in the fair range may qualify for a basic unsecured card. These cards may have a higher APR and limited rewards.
People with bad credit or no credit history may be limited to:
• Secured credit cards, which require a security deposit as collateral
• Credit-building cards
• Retail cards that can be used at a particular store or chain
• Unsecured cards with higher fees or interest rates
Recommended: How to Avoid Interest on a Credit Card
Estimating a Card’s Credit Requirements
Applicants can estimate whether a card may fit their credit profile by:
• Checking the issuer’s website: Card pages may identify the expected credit range, fees, APR, and other requirements.
• Reviewing card terms: Review the card’s pricing disclosures and other terms to understand important costs, including the APR and annual fee.
• Using a third-party comparison service: Credit score tools may estimate approval odds, but they cannot guarantee approval.
• Applying for preapproval: A preapproval commonly uses a soft inquiry, which does not affect the credit score. A formal application may still trigger a hard inquiry.
• Being selective: Choose a card that matches your credit history instead of submitting several applications at once.
Recommended: Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower Your Rating?
How Credit Scores Are Calculated
FICO and VantageScore calculate scores from information in consumer credit reports. The models examine similar behavior, but each model weighs information differently.
FICO Scoring Factors
FICO identifies five main factors. The percentages describe the classic FICO scoring model. Other FICO versions and scoring models may use different calculations.
• Payment history (35%): On-time payments have the largest effect on a FICO Score. Late payments can remain on a credit report for up to seven years.
• Credit utilization (30%): This is the percentage of available revolving credit in use — the sum of the amounts you owe. Lower utilization generally supports a stronger score. Keeping utilization at 30% or below is a common guideline, although lower rates may be better.
• Length of credit history (15%): The age of accounts and the average age of accounts contribute to the score.
• Credit mix (10%): This measures the variety of revolving and installment accounts in a credit history.
• New credit (10%): New applications can lead to hard inquiries and new accounts. This is how applying for a credit card affects your credit score.
VantageScore Scoring Factors
How VantageScore calculates its scores depends on which version you’re using. Since VantageScore 4.0 is the most popular version for newer credit card and lending approvals, we’ll focus on that. :
• Payment history (41%)
• Age and credit mix (20%): Combines both the age and variety of accounts
• Credit utilization (20%)
• New credit (11%)
• Balances (6%): The overall amount you owe across current and delinquent accounts
• Available credit (2%)
Recommended: Understanding the Different Types of Credit Cards
Checking Credit Scores and Reports
When checking your credit score, you’ll notice that you have more than one. Your score can differ across sites because of:
• Different scoring models, such as FICO or VantageScore
• Different credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
• Different score versions for credit cards, auto loans, and other products
• Different report update dates
• Missing, disputed, or recently updated account information
Many people ask which credit score is the most accurate, but there’s no single answer. FICO and VantageScore are both legitimate scoring models. The most accurate credit score is the one that matches the model, credit bureau, and version preferred by the lender reviewing your application.
It’s worth noting that checking your own credit score does not lower the score. Some banks and financial apps (including SoFi) offer free credit score monitoring.
While a credit score is a number calculated from report data, a credit report shows account and payment information. Credit reports come from the credit reporting bureaus mentioned above. Each bureau may receive information from different lenders or update that information at different times. For that reason, when you’re checking your credit reports, it’s a good idea to request reports from all three companies. You can do this for free through the site AnnualCreditReport.com.
After you receive your reports, review each for errors and compare them for inconsistencies. If you find a problem, such as an account that isn’t yours, you can dispute the information.
Building a Credit Score
Building a credit score can increase the number of cards available to you and improve the terms offered. Helpful steps include:
• Pay every bill on time: Payment history is the largest FICO factor and a major VantageScore factor. Some financial apps, like SoFi Coach, help you track your bills and automate payments to make it easier to stay organized.
• Reduce revolving balances: Paying balances down can lower credit utilization. Paying the statement balance in full each month can also help avoid interest.
• Become an authorized user: Someone with no credit history or a damaged credit history may consider becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s card. The primary cardholder’s payment and balance management can boost the authorized user’s credit file.
• Keep older accounts open when practical: Closing an account can reduce available credit and affect utilization. An annual fee may change whether keeping the account open makes sense.
• Limit applications: Each formal application may create a hard inquiry. Consider spacing out applications and choosing a credit card carefully.
• Review credit reports for errors: Dispute inaccurate information with the applicable credit bureau and the company that supplied the information.
Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly
Getting a Credit Card With Bad Credit
Bad credit does not automatically prevent someone from getting a credit card. Some cards are designed for people with low scores, although they may have higher fees, higher APRs, or lower limits.
A secured card may be another option. The primary difference between a secured vs. unsecured credit card is that a secured card requires a security deposit. The deposit often determines the initial credit limit and reduces the issuer’s risk.
Some secured cards do not require a credit check. Before applying, review whether the issuer reports payments to credit bureaus, whether the deposit is refundable, and whether the card has an annual fee.
Retail credit cards may also be available to people with limited or damaged credit. These cards generally work only at a particular retailer or group of retailers, and their terms vary.
Recommended: What Is the Average Credit Card Limit?
Getting a Credit Card With Fair Credit
A FICO Score from 580 to 669 falls within the fair range. People in this range may qualify for an unsecured card with no annual fee and limited benefits, although approval and terms depend on the issuer.
Interest rates often run higher for fair-credit cards than those for good-to-excellent credit. Paying the balance in full each month can help avoid interest charges. Consistent on-time payments and lower utilization may help improve the score over time.
Getting a Credit Card With No Credit
People with no credit history may qualify for a credit card, although their choices are usually more limited.
Possible options include:
• A secured card, if the applicant can provide the required deposit
• A student card for an eligible student
• A credit-building card
• An authorized-user account held by a trusted friend or family member
People with no credit should check whether the issuer reports account activity to the credit bureaus. Without that reporting, responsible use may not help establish a credit history.
The Takeaway
There is no universal minimum credit score for a credit card. People with good or excellent credit generally have better odds of qualifying for cards with lower rates, stronger rewards, and more favorable terms. People with fair, poor, or no credit may still qualify for basic, secured, student, or credit-building cards. Smart consumers can compare credit reports, monitor their score trend, reduce utilization, and make on-time payments to improve their options over time.
Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.
FAQ
Can you get a credit card with limited or no credit history?
Yes, people with limited or no credit history can consider secured, student, or credit-building cards. Becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s account is another option. Without an established credit history, qualifying for low-APR and rewards cards may be difficult.
Can I get a credit card with a score of 600?
Yes, a FICO Score of 600 falls within the fair range. An applicant may qualify for a basic unsecured card, although the card may have a higher APR, lower limit, and few benefits. A secured card may provide another option.
What is the easiest card to get approved for?
For someone with no or limited credit history or a low score, a secured card is often among the easier cards to qualify for. The security deposit generally serves as collateral and may determine the credit limit. Approval still depends on the issuer’s requirements.
Are FICO scores more accurate than VantageScores?
Neither model is universally more accurate. The more relevant score is the one the lender uses for the application. FICO and VantageScore may produce different results because they use different formulas, score versions, bureau data, and update dates.
Why is my credit score different on different sites?
Different sites may show scores from different bureaus or scoring models. They may also use credit report data from different dates. Checking the model, bureau, score version, and update date can explain many differences.
Does checking my FICO score lower it?
Checking a personal FICO Score through a soft inquiry does not lower the score. Applying for a credit card may create a hard inquiry, which can temporarily affect the score. Checking a score and applying for credit are separate actions.
Where can I check my credit score and report for free?
Free credit reports may be available through authorized credit-report services, such as AnnualCreditReport.com. Free score tracking may be available through financial institutions and personal-finance services, but the displayed model and bureau can vary. Review both the score and the underlying reports for a complete picture.
How can I track my credit score trend?
Credit score monitoring services make tracking your score easy. Free score monitoring may be available through your bank, credit card, or budgeting app. Monitoring your utilization, payment history, new accounts, and hard inquiries can help explain the trends you see.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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