10 easiest credit cards to get approved for in June 2026

Bank of America and Discover cards are currently not available on CNBC Select and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of best credit cards for alternative options.

If you've been turned down for a card, you're not alone: Credit card rejection rates hit about 13% in 2026, according to data from the New York Fed.

CNBC Select has rounded up the easiest credit cards to get approved for with bad credit, including options with low interest rates, travel rewards, balance-transfer offers and more. Read our methodology for more on how we made our selections.

Who's this for? The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't offer rewards, but it doesn't require an security deposit, either. And it's available to applicants with fair credit or a limited credit history.

Standout benefits: Capital One Platinum could be a good way to improve your credit score without a security deposit and work toward a rewarding credit card. After six months, Capital One will automatically review your account for a potential credit line increase.

Who's this for? The Discover it Secured Credit Card is a great option for those looking to bypass an annual fee. Plus, the card doesn't require a credit score for approval. It has a minimum security deposit of $200, but after seven months, Discover will consider you for an unsecured card and refund your deposit (provided you've used the card responsibly).

Standout benefits: The Discover it Secured Card earns admirable rewards for a secured card, with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%). Plus, at the end of your first year, Discover will automatically match all the cash back you earned, up to no limit.

Who's this for? Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards is geared toward students who spend a significant amount on dining, entertainment, streaming services and groceries, with rewards rates that compare favorably to non-student credit cards.

Standout benefits: In addition to the rewards categories listed above, you can earn 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, eligible purchases made with the Savor Student qualify for protections such as travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection*.

Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander American Express Card earns generous rewards on all types of travel purchases, and it's available to those with at least fair credit or better.

Standout benefits: The Credit One Bank Wander earns 5X points on eligible travel, including flights, dining and gas purchases, plus a massive 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site. You can redeem points for 1 cent each toward statement credits.

Who's this for? The Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card is open to applicants with no credit history, including those without a Social Security number. Instead of requiring a credit score, your banking activity and other financial data can determine your eligibility for the card.

Standout benefits: The Petal 2 Visa lets you boost your cash back by making on-time payments. You'll start earning 1% cash back on purchases and can earn up to 1.5% back after making 12 on-time monthly payments.

Who's this for? The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card is a great option for those who prefer some control over their bonus rewards categories.

Standout benefits: The card earns 6% cash back (3% cash back, plus a 3% first-year cash back bonus) in one category you choose during your first year. You also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. The bonus cash back purchases are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then unlimited 1% cash back.

Who's this for? The First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard is ideal if you're seeking an unusually low starting variable APR.

Standout benefits: First Progress Prestige is a secured card that lets you earn rewards while you work to raise you your credit score. Earnup to 10% cash back at select merchants and 1% cash back on all purchases when you make payments.

Who's this for? The Firstcard Secured Credit Builder Card earns rewards, doesn't charge interest or late fees and even allows you to earn a return on your deposits.

Standout benefits: You can earn up to 1% cash back on every purchase with the Firstcard premium subscription tier and up to 4.00% APY on your deposits. Applicants don't need a Social Security number to be approved.

Who's this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Credit Card is great if you're looking for a secured options that earns flat-rate cash back rewards that rival some of the top unsecured cards.

Standout benefits: Secured credit cards typically earn 1% or less on purchases. But with the Quicksilver Secured, you 1.5% cash back on every dollar you spend.

Who's this for? The Brex card doesn't require a personal guarantee or a credit check, making it a great option for small businesses and startups. Most applicants receive an approval response within a few minutes.

Standout benefits: With the Brex Card, you can earn 7X points on rideshares, 4X on Brex travel, 3X on restaurants, 2X on software and 1X on other purchases. The card has no annual fee, but depending on your plan, you may have to pay your balance daily or monthly.

Not all credit cards require great credit. Regardless of where you are in your credit journey, there's likely a good fit for you.

Apply for a secured credit card

Secured credit cards are a good option if you have a weak credit score or no credit history. You'll have to provide a refundable deposit, which determines your credit line. Secured cards have limited rewards, but you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card after making regular on-time payments.

Get a student credit card

You can usually open a credit card after you turn 18, but it can be difficult to qualify if you're still in school and have little or no credit history. Student credit cards build your credit history and may even offer basic rewards. Most student cards require applicants to be 18 years old and enrolled in a qualifying educational institution.

Be an authorized user

If you can't qualify for a card on your own, you can become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account and build your credit based on the account's history.

You'll have your own card but points, miles and other rewards are accrued by the primary cardholder. At the same time, they are responsible for all charges.

There may be a fee for adding authorized users.

When shopping for a credit card, start by thinking about why you want one. If you're hoping to build your credit, any card can help, as long as you pay your balance in full and on time each month.

Benefits

Welcome bonuses and rewards are a major reason people apply for an unsecured card. These perks are less common with secured cards, but they do exist. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card offers cash back, and the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) Savings Secured Visa Platinum Card is good for travel rewards, which can have a higher potential value if you jump through a few hoops.

Some cards are especially rewarding for groceries, gas, dining or travel. Others, like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured, offer a higher flat-rate return on every dollar you spend, making them better for everyday purchases.

Fees and interest rates

One of the most common credit card fees is the annual fee, which you pay every year just to keep the card. If you're focused on building or rebuilding credit, look for secured credit cards with no annual fee.

When you carry a balance, the interest you pay can easily offset any value you receive from that card's benefits. If you're working to pay off card debt, you may benefit from a card that offers an intro 0% APR. Just remember that if you don't pay off the balance before the intro APR expires, you'll start paying interest again.

When you apply for a credit card, the issuer will usually check your credit and verify your identity. To complete an application, you'll typically need your Social Security number (although some cards are available without one), address, income, employment status and contact information.

You can save yourself time and energy researching a few key factors before submitting an application:

1. Know your credit score

Most of the top credit cards have minimum credit score requirements. By knowing your credit score ahead of time, you can hone in on the cards you have the best chance of qualifying for. If your credit score isn't where it needs to be, it may be better to wait and work on boosting your score before applying.

2. Understand the card's requirements

In addition to a minimum credit score, credit cards also have other eligibility requirements. These restrictions vary by card, card issuer and card type. For example, secured credit cards require an upfront deposit, and business credit cards require you to have a business or side hustle.

3. See if you're preapproved

Some credit cards offer preapproval or prequalification, which involves a soft credit check rather than a hard inquiry on your credit report. Getting prequalified doesn't guarantee approval, but it can save you the trouble (and credit hit) of applying for a card if you're likely to be denied.

While there are different credit scoring models, your payment history and credit utilization are typically weighted more heavily. If you want to boost your number, focus on these categories.

Payment history

When you open or use a credit card or take out a loan, it's added to your credit report. Payment history represents 35% of your total credit score — missed payments will significantly lower your score, while on-time payments will reflect positively.

Not all payments are reported to the credit bureaus, however. Services like *Experian Boost™ and eCredible Lift® link utilities, cell phone, and other bills to your credit report and reward you for on-time payments.

Typically, they send information to only one or two of the three major credit reports. In addition, some send negative payment reports, which can lower your credit score.

Credit utilization

The amount of credit you use as compared to your total credit limit across all your accounts is known as your credit utilization ratio, which accounts for 30% of your score. Paying your balance in full each month will lower your ratio or you can ask your card issuer for a credit limit increase. So long as you don't increase your spending, you'll automatically lower your credit utilization ratio.

Credit history

Lenders want to see members with a long history of creditworthiness. How long you've had credit, the age of your oldest and newest accounts, and the average age of all your accounts represent 15% of your credit score. So, If you're think you have too many credit cards, consider canceling a newer one.

Credit mix and new credit inquiries

These two categories each account for 10% of your score: Your credit mix is the variety of accounts you've opened, including revolving lines of credit (credit cards) and installment loans (car loans, personal loans). Lenders also want to know how often you're applying for new accounts. Opening many new accounts in a short period can signal financial problems. 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to help them make informed financial decisions. Every credit card list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.

CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards to determine which were the easiest to get while still offering great value.

Focusing on cards that are available to consumers with poor credit (or no credit), we compared each on a range of features, including rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees.

We reviewed cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection and travel insurance), additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), the application process and how easy it is to redeem rewards.
 
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost.

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is issued by WebBank.

Information about the Brex Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.