Credit Cards
Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
A fair credit score does not lock you out of real rewards. The issuers know that, even if they would rather you not. These are the cards we rank highest for applicants in the fair credit range who still want cash back and a path to better terms.
Top matches
#1 PickMeridian One Card
- ✓3% cash back at supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year
- ✓1.5% flat rate on all other purchases
- ✓$200 welcome bonus after $1,000 in the first 90 days
- ✗Grocery bonus capped annually
#2 PickVela Cashback Card
- ✓Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- ✓No annual fee and no category enrollment
- ✓Cash back never expires
- ✗Rate trails the best 2% flat-rate cards
#3 PickCardinal Student Card
- ✓1% cash back on all purchases plus 0.25% for paying on time
- ✓No annual fee and no credit history required
- ✓Free monthly credit score tracking to build habits
- ✗Higher APR than cards for established credit
How we ranked these: We ranked every card in our database that accepts fair credit by our overall methodology score, which weighs rewards value, approachability, and fees.
Last updated 2026-06-06
Questions, answered
What is considered a fair credit score?
Fair credit generally means a FICO score in the 580 to 669 range. Applicants in this band are approvable for a real set of cards, though usually not the premium travel cards that want 720 or higher.
How do I move from fair to good credit?
Pay every bill on time. Keep balances well below your limits. Skip opening several new accounts at once. Used responsibly, any card on this page reports your good behavior to the bureaus, which is what lifts your score into the good range over time.