United Kingdom: Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Key Providers & Options
Money.co.uk (19 August 2025)
- Shows a custom-comparison of credit-builder cards specifically designed for users with bad credit. You can use the tools to ensure that you qualify without impacting your credit rating. Usually, these cards have higher interest rates and lower credit limits, however, if you manage them the right way, your credit score will increase gradually
MoneyfactsCompare (Late August 2025)
- Highlights the credit-builder type of cards which are used to improve your credit rating. The article also mentions that the rate of interest can be higher than 34.9% while credit limits may be anywhere between £50 and £1,000.
MoneySuperMarket (August 2025)
Bad-credit cards are mentioned as one of the ways to improve credit with credit limits that usually are between £200 – £1,500 (in some cases up to £3,000) but the company cautions about the high interest rates.
Capital One UK – Classic Card
Aimed at people with a poor credit history, it features a pre-check of the user’s credit worthiness and in most cases, the initial credit limit is set at a level that you can easily manage.
Tips & Considerations
- Always use eligibility tools to prevent your credit from being damaged with unnecessary hard inquiries.
- Pick credit cards that disclose your credit information to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) for a successful rebuilding.
- Watch out for higher APRs, lower credit limits, and fewer benefits than those of standard cards
- Through responsible usage (e.g. timely full payments), the upturns can start from 6-12 months.moneysupermarket.com
- You may be covered by Section 75 protection if your purchase is between £100 and £30,000
Best Credit Cards in the United States for Bad Credit
Illustrative Cards & Features
MoneyLion (2025)
Recommends different choices in accordance with your requirements:
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card: There is no annual fee, the card can earn 2% cash back on gas/restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on the remaining purchases. It also reports to all three bureaus.
- Capital One Platinum Secured: A low deposit ($49–$200) is required with a possible credit limit increase available after six months.
- OpenSky® Secured Visa: No credit check is necessary, and it reports to all bureaus.
- Petal® 1 Visa: It is an unsecured card with no annual fee or security deposit; it also reports to all bureaus.
- Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students: It is meant for students with a fair credit score; offers 1.5% cashback, no annual fee, and potential for an increased credit line.
- Secured Sable ONE: The transition path to unsecured, includes rewards and a reasonable APR.
Credit Karma (July 2025)
Emphasizes the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit:
- Does not affect your credit if prequalifiable.
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases is provided.
- Credit limit reviews are done automatically.
- Annual fee of $75 in the first year, $99 for each further year.
WalletHub & Experian Resources
- Premier Bankcard® Grey Credit Card: Prequalify with no impact, monthly reporting, and slowly may provide limit increases.
- OpenSky Plus Card: Sudden approval for bad/no credit without any conditions, cheap, requires a $300 deposit.
Smart Rebuilding Strategy (via Business Insider)
- A recent article describes a clever approach to using secured credit cards that offer rewards, which include:
- Maintain utilization at less than one-third of your limit.
- Make the full payment, on time, every time.
- Search for issuers that grant you a short review for increasing the limit and the opportunity for upgrading.
- For instance: Navy Federal’s cashRewards Secured—1% cashback, limit increase review after 3 months, or unsecured card upgrade after 6
Alternatives & Innovations
- Fintech “credit-builder” debit-like cards (such as the ones from Chime, Credit Sesame) enable users to establish credit without taking out a loan—these companies write to the credit bureaus as if the payments were made via credit, although no credit is given. There are some positive initial reviews, however, the credibility of these products by conventional credit agencies and FICO/VantageScore is still under discussion
| Region | Top Card Picks | What Makes Them Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Capital One Classic; cards via Money.co.uk, Moneyfacts, MoneySuperMarket | Eligibility check tools, reporting to all bureaux, rebuilding focus, typical limits £50–£3,000 |
| USA | Discover it® Secured; Capital One Platinum Secured; OpenSky; Petal 1; Credit One Bank Rebuilding; Premier Bankcard; Navy Federal cashRewards Secured | No-fee secured options, cashback, quick limit reviews, upgrade paths, prequalification, fintech innovations
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