Best Credit Cards if Your FICO Score is Between 650 and 699

The best credit cards and lowest interest rates are typically reserved for those with excellent credit scores, which begin at about 725. That said, you can still get a good deal on a credit card with a credit score in the high 600s.

Overview of the Best Credit Cards for 650-699 Credit Score

In-Depth Analysis of the Best Credit Cards for 650-699 Credit Score

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card  — Best for cash rewards

Apply Now On The Secure Capital One Website

Card features:

• Annual fee: $39
• APR: 29.74% (Variable)
• Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Other features: $0 fraud liability, free credit score monitoring, and auto rental collision damage waiver

Why the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good option for those with average credit

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has a very attractive cash rewards offer for consumers with average credit. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and there are no rotating spending categories requiring you to adjust your activity every quarter. The card also comes with $0 fraud liability, free credit score monitoring, and auto rental collision damage waiver. If you start with a low credit limit, you will be eligible for automatic increases after making just six on time monthly payments.

How to use the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Make your payments on time every month, and Capital One will begin reviewing your credit limit after just six months. This will not only provide you with a good credit reference, but the potential for a higher credit limit may improve your credit utilization ratio.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The major drawback of cash back credit cards — ironically — is that they can cause you to spend more money than you otherwise would. That can lead to not only excess spending, but also an unmanageable credit balance. See card details/apply or read our full Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card — Best for Building Credit while Still Earning Rewards

Apply Now On the Secure Website

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR: 24.24% - 33.74% Variable.
• Rewards: 2%-10% cash back on purchases at select merchants.
• Other features: ideal for individuals with limited or no credit.

Why the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card is a good option for those with average credit

Instead of going solely by your credit score, the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card issues a “Cash Score,” which loops in your income, spending, and savings.

Once you’ve been approved and have your card, the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card reports your on-time monthly payments to all three credit bureaus, helping you improve your credit score while you spend.

The Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card is issued by WebBank, Member FDIC.

How to use the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card

If you’re interested in strengthening your credit score, the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card can help you with that. Just make sure you pay your bill on time each month and you’ll gradually start to see your score tick upward.

You’ll also need to check the app on a regular basis to look for cash back offers. You can earn 2% to 10% cash back on your purchases in those select categories.

Why you might not want to consider the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card

With the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card, you’ll be issued a credit limit between $300 and $5,000. While the upper tier of that limit is pretty good, at this time, you can’t negotiate that limit upward, and it won’t automatically be increased after a fixed period of time, unlike other cards in its class.

As you see your credit score improve, you may also want to shift to a card that earns you unlimited cash back on all your purchases, like the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card.

See card details/apply.

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card — Best for Higher Credit Limits

Apply Now On the Secure Website

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR: 17.24% - 31.24% Variable.
• Rewards: 1%-1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases subject to on-time payments; 2%-10% at select merchants.
• Other features: Credit line of up to $10,000, no over-limit or international transaction fees.

Why the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is a good option for those with average credit

The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card is great for those who may be new to credit because your credit score is only one of the factors used to determine whether you qualify. Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card also uses your income, spending, and savings to gauge your creditworthiness. Plus, you won’t have to put down a deposit to secure your credit line. 

Best of all, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card reports your payments to all three credit bureaus, making it a great way to earn rewards while also improving your credit score.

You’ll get a credit limit of $300 – $10,000 with the card. The upper limit is pretty impressive, especially for those with less than perfect credit.

How to use the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Once you’re approved, pull up your account in Petal’s easy to use app and pay close attention to the current rewards being offered. You can earn between 2%-10% cash back by spending at certain merchants. But you’ll also earn 1%-1.5% cash back on every purchase, regardless of category. To get the higher 1.5% cash back, all you need to do is make 12 on-time monthly payments. 

Plus, if you pay your balance by the due date every month, you’ll be able to start improving your credit score.

Why you might not want to consider the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

As with many credit cards that cater to those with average credit, you’ll pay a little more in interest (17.24% - 31.24% Variable) than cards with stricter credit requirements. So, if you need to carry a balance, you’ll be racking up a lot in interest charges.  

See card details/apply.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card — Best Credit Card for Building Credit

Apply Now On the Secure Website

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0
• APR range: 29.74% (Variable)
• Rewards: None
• Other features: $0 fraud liability, and auto rental collision damage waiver benefits

Why the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a good option for those with average credit

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a no-frills credit card for those on the lower end of the average credit score range, who are mostly interested in either rebuilding or improving their credit score. The card doesn’t offer cash back rewards or points. But it does offer $0 fraud liability, and auto rental collision damage waiver benefits. In addition, there is no annual fee for this card.

How to use the Capital One Platinum Credit Card

This is really a card designed for those with fair credit, but in the credit card universe, even a credit score in the mid-600s could be considered fair. If you’ve been unable to get a credit card elsewhere, this one is an excellent choice. As long as you pay off your balance monthly, it will be a cost-effective way to improve your credit score, particularly since there’s no annual fee.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card

The only reason you might avoid this card is because you qualify for a card that also includes cash back rewards or points. Otherwise it’s an excellent card to rebuild or improve your credit score. See card details/apply or read our full Capital One Platinum Credit Card review.

Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card — Best Credit Card for Recent Bankruptcy

Apply Now On the Secure Website

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0 - $99
• APR range: 24.9%
• Rewards: None
• Other features: Master RoadAssist services, Travel assistance services, Master rental insurance, Extended warranty coverage, and Price protection

Why the Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card is a good option for those with average credit

The Indigo® MasterCard® is great for those with average credit, and even no credit at all! You won’t have to make a down payment, even if you have poor credit, and Indigo reports to all three credit bureaus, so you can start building your credit as soon as you get your card.

Finally, those with a recent bankruptcy can also qualify for the Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card.

How to use the Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card

The application process for the Indigo® Mastercard® is quick and easy. The online application is just a few questions. If you have your personal and bank info on hand, you can qualify in just a few minutes.

As always, pay off the balance of your card in full each month, and you can quickly build credit.

Why you might not want to consider the Indigo® Mastercard® Credit Card

We don’t like it when low-credit credit cards have an annual fee, and this card unfortunately does, and it’s a high one, at up to $99.

See card details/apply.

Summary of the Best Credit Cards if your FICO Score is 650 to 699

In the table below, we summarized the main information for each of the cards we presented as the best cards if your FICO score is between 650 and 699:

How We Came Up with this List

In the list we present in this guide, we focused on cards requiring average credit scores. Other important card features we considered include:

• Upfront and ongoing rewards/cash back.
• Low or no annual fee.
• Competitive interest rate range.
• Offering the ability to increase your credit line as your payment history warrants.
• Other card benefits.

What is Average Credit?

Average credit actually floats somewhere in the unspecified zone between the upper reaches of “fair” and the lower end of “good” credit. In other words, between 650 and 699.

When it comes to credit cards, average credit is very subjective. One credit card company might consider it 675 to 724, while another may decide it’s 640 to 679. But it’s safe to say if you fall somewhere between 650 and 699, you’ll be considered to have average credit with most banks.

Read more: What is a Good Credit Score?

What factors affect your credit score?

Your credit score is comprised of five factors: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. When you’re in the average credit score range, your credit score can be affected by any of these five factors. In fact, your payment history may not even be a major issue. Even though your payment history is flawless, your credit score can still fall below 700 if you owe too much on your credit cards, or if you have too much new credit.

How to Find the Best Credit Cards if Your FICO score is 650 to 699

When you reach a FICO score between 650 and 699 your credit card options start to open up considerably.

One type of card that is less relevant after you reach this credit score range is a secured credit card. These cards are more suitable if your credit score is below 650, and especially when it’s below 600.

But in the average credit score range, you should be able to qualify for unsecured cards with very little effort. What you won’t find available to you (yet) are unsecured cards with the best terms on the market. For example, you won’t qualify for the lowest interest rates, nor will you be eligible for the cards with the most generous rewards programs. But you can still get a card with an adequate credit limit, and at least some cash back rewards. And if you pay your balance off monthly — as we will recommend throughout this guide — the high interest rate won’t matter so much.

Read more: How to Use a Credit Card Responsibly

The Most Important Features of Credit Cards if Your FICO Score is Between 650 and 699

Shopping for credit cards in the average credit score range is a lot more fun than it is if your score is below average. This is the range when you start to look more selectively for the perks that a card offers, rather than just settling for whatever card you can qualify for. Here are the factors we consider most important in this credit score range:

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

In this credit score range, you start to see lower interest rates on credit cards. A card may offer 14.99% to 24.99%.

That said, the best way to avoid interest charges is to ensure that you make a monthly payment in full before your bill is due.

Annual fee

There are more credit cards available in this credit score range that have either low or no annual fee. Naturally, you want to avoid an annual fee if you can. But if you’re at the lower end of the credit score range, it may be worth it to take a card with the fee, and use the credit line to improve your score. After you do, you’ll be eligible to apply for credit cards with no annual fee.

Read more: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Introductory Offer

Lucrative welcome offers may start to pop up occasionally among credit cards for this credit score range. You may see them show up as bonus points or cash rewards for spending X amount within the first three months.

Another popular introductory offer — though not as common in this credit score range — is the 0% introductory offer. A credit card may offer this for the first 12 months or longer after your credit line is approved. It may be available for both balance transfers and purchases.

Read more: Best 0% APR Credit Cards

Credit Card Rewards

These are the ongoing rewards, like 1-1.5% cash back on standard purchases. Some credit cards may also offer you enhanced cash back rewards or points on certain spending categories. These categories usually change on a quarterly basis and can apply to gas, groceries, restaurant meals, or other spending categories.

Read more: Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Secured Vs. Unsecured Cards

Credit cards can be either secured or unsecured, though unsecured is by far the most common type. If your FICO score is 650 to 699, you will most likely get unsecured cards. But a brief discussion of secured cards is worthwhile, since it may apply to a few consumers in this credit score range who are unable to get unsecured cards.

Secured cards

Secured cards are just what the name implies. The amount of your credit line is typically based on the security deposit you put up. For example, if you make a $300 deposit, you’ll usually have a corresponding $300 credit limit.

Other than the security deposit, secured cards work just like unsecured cards. You run charges and make monthly payments. The payment history is reported to the major credit bureaus, which will impact your credit score. And even though there is a security deposit, you will still be charged interest on outstanding balances.

Secured cards often come with no annual fee or a very low one. Most will eventually increase your credit limit based on your on-time monthly payments. And some will convert your card to unsecured after a certain amount of time.

Read more: Best Secured Credit Cards

Unsecured cards

Naturally, no security deposit is required for unsecured cards. But the annual fee may be higher than it is for a secured card. The table below summarizes the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards:

Note: All cards on this page selected for credit scores between 650 and 699 are unsecured.

How to Properly Use a Credit Card for Average Credit

When you’re in the average credit score range, one of your main goals with any credit card should be to help you move into the good/excellent range. That will only happen with proper use of your credit card. Good practices include:

Pay Off your Balance Quickly and Regularly

In the average credit score range, it’s still very likely you’ll pay the maximum interest rate. If that interest rate is high, for example 24.99%, this will have obvious implications if you carry a balance. The interest rate will make having the card more expensive unless you diligently pay off the card balance in full each month.

Charge No More than you Can Easily Repay when the Bill Comes in

In order to be able to pay your balance in full each month, you should avoid charging more than you’ll be able to repay the next month. A credit card is not a blank check. No matter what the credit limit is, you need to set your own budget for that card. If the credit limit is $2,000, but you can afford to repay only $400 the following month, then $400 needs to be your credit limit.

Rewards can Lower the Cost of your Credit Card

One of the advantages of being in the 650 to 699 credit score range is that some cards offer rewards. If a card pays 1.5% cash back, and you charge an average of $500 per month, you’ll earn $7.50 per month or $90 per year. If you don’t carry a balance — and don’t pay interest — it’ll be like earning an extra $90 per year. What you earn in rewards/cash back will hopefully be enough to cover the annual fee, making the card essentially free to use.

Tips to Improve Your Credit

Improving your credit score is an important financial goal when you’re in the average credit score range. Moving your credit score to above 700 can bring you a lot of attractive credit offers. But to do that, you’ll have to successfully manage your credit card usage.

Monitor Your Credit Score from Now on

You don’t want to become obsessive about this, but you do need to have a general idea where your credit score is at any time. At a minimum, a serious negative change in your credit score can indicate either an error on your report or even fraudulent activity. Only by knowing what your credit score is on a regular basis will you be able to detect and deal with either situation.

Read more: How to Get a Free Credit Report and Credit Score

Dispute Any Errors

One of the major purposes for monitoring your credit is to correct errors. If you monitor your credit on a monthly basis, you’ll detect those errors shortly after they happen. That’s important because you’ll have both better recollection of what really happened, as well as documentation. You’ll need both to correct the error.

If you do detect an error, contact the creditor immediately and dispute it. You’ll have to provide written documentation of your case. If the creditor agrees that the entry is an error, have them confirm that in writing. Also, request they report the corrected information to all three credit bureaus. Wait 30 days, then check your credit again.

If the information continues to appear on your credit report, mail a copy of the letter from the creditor to each of the credit bureaus, and request they correct the information.

Pay ALL Your Bills on Time

This should be completely obvious, but it bears repeating. A single late payment could drop your credit score 20 or 30 points. That can drop you from average to fair credit in a matter of weeks. It’s not just about repaying your creditors on time either. If you get behind with a utility company or a landlord, they may report the unpaid balance to the credit bureaus. That will also drop your credit score.

This is why it’s critical to pay all bills on time, all the time.

Pay Off Any Past Due Balances

If your credit report reflects any unpaid balances, pay them off. If you believe the balance to be an error, you’ll have to dispute it and provide written documentation of your claim. If you can’t, it’s best to pay it and be on your way. A paid collection or charge-off is always better for your credit score than an unpaid one.

Read more: Can I Fix Old Unpaid or Charged Off Accounts on My Credit Report?

Go Slow Applying for New Credit

Even once you get a credit card approved, you should let plenty of time pass before applying for another. At least six months is recommended.

Alternative Cards for People with Credit Scores Between 650 and 699

Alternative cards are less of an issue in the average credit score range than they are with fair or poor credit scores. But there may nonetheless be circumstances where you will want to have one or more of those alternative cards.

Debit Card

A debit card is basically a necessity these days because it gives you direct access to your bank account. It’s also an excellent way to manage your finances. You can’t spend any more than you have in your account, which puts a natural limit on spending. And if nothing else, having a debit card will reduce your dependence on your credit card. That will help to avoid running up your credit card balance.

A debit card doesn’t help you build credit

As valuable as debit cards are, their use is not reported to the credit bureaus. These are strictly financial management tools and not credit builder cards.

A debit card can help you manage your finances

This is probably the most important benefit of having a debit card. If you maintain your budget primarily through your checking account, the account balance will serve as a natural limit on your debit card spending.

Read more: How to Use Your Debit Card Safely

Prepaid Cards

From a standpoint of having a credit card-like card, prepaid cards are usually not necessary if your credit score is at least 650. But they do have a purpose and may be worth considering.

How Do Prepaid Cards Work?

Prepaid cards are available everywhere these days. You buy a card by adding a certain amount of money to it. The amount of money you add is your spending limit. You’ll pay a small fee for the purchase of the card. You can then use the prepaid card the same way you would a credit or debit card.

You can add money to a prepaid card on an ongoing basis by recharging it, which will typically require the payment of a small fee each time.

The Benefits and Limitations of Prepaid Cards

The two biggest limitations of prepaid cards are:

• They do nothing to improve your credit score
• They have to constantly be recharged

But they have one benefit that’s not available with either credit cards or debit cards. When you use a prepaid card, it leaves no record of account information. That virtually eliminates the possibility of identity theft. They’re well-suited to making purchases online, or even in person with vendors you don’t entirely trust. You can make your purchase, and not have to worry about leaving a paper trail behind.

But the absence of a paper trail points to another disadvantage. Prepaid cards lack the type of buyer protection benefits available with debit cards and especially with credit cards.

Read more: Is There Ever a Good Reason to use a Prepaid Card?

Store Charge Cards

If your FICO score is 650 to 699 you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting general credit cards. But if the credit limit on your card is on the low side, you may want to supplement it with a store card.

How store cards work

Store cards are issued by individual merchants. You may have a credit card issued by Sears, JCPenney, Macy’s, or other retailers, but they’re not credit cards in the usual sense. They can only be used to charge purchases through that merchant. You will not be able to use the card to make other purchases, like groceries and gas.

Are store cards a good idea?

Store cards can make sense if you do a lot of business with the card’s issuing merchant. But they’re subject to all the limits of general credit cards. For example, you should avoid carrying a balance, as interest rates on store cards can be excessive.

Read more: The Best Store Credit Cards

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Debit, Prepaid, and Store Cards

Compare More Recommended Credit Cards

Is your credit score not 650, 660, 670, 680, or 690? Find more top credit cards for your credit score (FICO score) range:

• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Over 750
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Between 700 – 749
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Between 600 – 649
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Under 599

Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC.