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If you have a limited credit history, or past or current credit issues, you may not qualify for all credit cards. Luckily, there are credit cards available to you, including unsecured, secured or prepaid cards. Unsecured cards act just like a regular credit card, and require no upfront funds or other special actions. Secured cards are guaranteed by your funds, which act as a security deposit in case you default on the loan with the credit card company. Prepaid cards act like a debit card, requiring you to deposit the amount you wish to spend ahead of time. All cards issuers can charge additional fees for a variety of actions, including obtaining the card and signing up for different plans. Some of these cards will report your payment history to credit bureaus and reporting agencies to help rebuild your credit. To learn more about credit cards, see our FAQ.
Bad Credit Credit Card Reviews & Prices
Updated 05-17-2012
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Type of Card | Fees | Helps Credit History? | Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| Orchard Bank Mastercard |  | 14.99-24.99% (Variable) for unsecured card; 7.99% for secured card | Users prequalified for either unsecured or secured card | $0-$59 annual fee | Reports to all 3 credit bureaus every month | Our Rating: Top pick for rebuilding your credit history; great choice for those with poor credit; offers both unsecured and secured cards; includes 3-bureau credit reporting |
| Orchard Bank Visa Card |  | 14.99-24.99% (Variable) for unsecured card; 7.99% for secured card | Users prequalified for either unsecured or secured card | $0-$59 annual fee | Reports to all 3 credit bureaus every month | Our Rating: Great choice for rebuilding your credit history; smart pick for those with poor credit; offers both unsecured and secured cards; includes 3-bureau credit reporting |
| Capital One® Secured Mastercard® |  | 22.9% variable | Secured Mastercard for those with poor or no credit | $29 annual fee | Reports to all 3 credit bureaus every month | Our Rating: Helps rebuild your credit by reporting to all 3 credit bureaus, high APR rate. |
| Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Card |  | 9.99% (Fixed) | Secured Visa card for those with poor or no credit | $0 | Reports to Experian and TransUnion credit bureaus every month | Our Rating: Good choice for those with poor credit; Experian and TransUnion credit reporting |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Type of Card | Fees | Helps Credit History? | Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| BillMyParents® Reloadable Prepaid Mastercard® |  | n/a | Prepaid Visa debit card for teens | Monthly Plan = $3.95 | Does not report to credit bureaus | Our Rating: Prepaid Mastercard debit card for teens; includes ability to monitor teen spending; no credit bureau reporting |
Select Next Advisor Blog Posts
Can I Use the AppliedBank Secured Visa Gold Card Internationally?
Q: I will be traveling to Australia in July, could I use the AppliedBank Secured Visa Gold Card there? How would I deposit funds for the card? A: Yes, you can use the AppliedBank® Secured Visa® Gold Card in Australia. According to the card agreement, cardholders are able to use the card in countries outside of the [...]
What Is a Good Credit Card for a 21 Year Old Trying to Establish a Credit His...
Q: Is the Orchard Bank Mastercard a good choice for someone who is trying to establish credit? I have a 21 year old who would like to apply for a credit card to get credit established. A: The Orchard Bank Mastercard is a good choice for helping to establish or build credit history. That's because it reports [...]
Will the Orchard Bank Credit Card Help Improve My Credit?
Q: Will the Orchard Bank credit card help improve my credit? A: Yes, the Orchard Bank credit card can help improve or rebuild your credit history but you'll have to do your part too. By reporting your credit card payment history to all 3 credit bureaus, Orchard Bank can help boost your credit. And it [...]
How Can Someone New to the U.S. Build Credit History?
Q: I have recently returned to the U.S. after living in Canada for 35 years. I now find that I virtually have no credit rating, even though I have plenty of assets (home/car etc.) and good retirement income. I keep being turned down for the simplest things such as Department store cards and other kinds [...]
Ways to Save: Tips to Give More Love to Your Savings Account
With the temptation to whip out your credit card around every street corner and web page, sometimes saving money isn't an easy task. At NextAdvisor, we review the top online savings accounts and have come up with a list of basic saving tips so you can watch your account grow. 1. Find the best rate. Though rates these [...]
Do Capital One Venture card miles correlate to airline frequent flyer awards?
Q: If I use the Capital One Venture card, will my miles earned correlate to any airline frequent flyer rewards? As example, American Airlines charges 65,000 miles to fly to HKG. Would I be able to use 65,000 points from my Capital One card to achieve this exact same award? A: The concept is similar, but the [...]
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