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If you’re just starting from scratch, building credit can be an uphill battle. You often need credit to build credit, but what do you do if you don’t have a credit history to begin with?
Luckily, there are some cards you can get with little or no credit history at all. While starter credit cards may not have many bells and whistles, you can use one to build your credit before moving on to a card with more perks. From secured cards to credit-building cards, here are the best credit cards for no credit.
This card doesn’t require a high credit score and allows you to secure your credit limit with a refundable security deposit. The minimum security deposit is $49, and the maximum is $200.
While this card doesn’t offer rewards, it doesn’t come with an annual fee. Plus, your payments will get reported to the three credit bureaus, helping you boost your score faster. With responsible use, you may be eligible for a higher credit limit over time.
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If you’re a credit newbie and want a card that doesn’t require a security deposit, the Petal 1 card is a good option. This unsecured card offers a credit limit of up to $5,000, higher than most of its counterparts.
This card doesn’t charge an annual fee and provides a straightforward approach to credit-building.
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Don’t let the “secured” part fool you — there’s no security deposit required to open this credit builder card. You don’t even need a credit score to apply: There’s no credit check to get this card.
Instead, your credit limit is the total balance you’ve deposited into your secured Chime bank account. Because you can only spend the money you have on hand, you won’t pay any interest or late payment fees. There’s also no annual fee.
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The OpenSky Secured card is a fairly standard secured card. It doesn’t require a credit check and provides the chance to build credit using a refundable security deposit as collateral.
But what makes this card unique is its low APR and high credit limit, which can help you keep your credit utilization low and avoid debt.
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The Discover it Student Cash Back card may be one of the best student cards on the market today. You can earn up to 5% cash back on purchases in an activated category each quarter (up to $1,500, then 1%). You’ll get 1% back on all other purchases. Discover will even match all of the cash back you’ve earned in the first year with the card. Most student and secured cards don’t offer cash back, which is a big win for new credit users.
Plus, this card has low rates and fees, including a 0% APR offer for the first few months of opening the card.
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If you’re new to credit or trying to rebuild your credit, you might want to try the Amazon Secured Card. There’s no annual fee, and while you need an upfront deposit (up to $1,000), you can get 2% back when you shop at Amazon — a rare find among secured cards. You may also be able to upgrade to Amazon’s unsecured card after responsible use.
You must be an Amazon Prime member to avoid paying an annual fee.
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Like other cards, you don’t need a credit score to apply for the Arro Card. But unlike other cards, Arro is designed to help you build smart financial habits and avoid going into debt. How? The card links to a mobile app featuring activities and challenges to help boost financial literacy.
The Arro card starts you at a low credit limit, which you can increase over time by engaging in in-app activities.
While there’s a monthly membership fee (up to $3), the card reports to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build your score.
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If you’ve never gotten a credit card before, starting with a secured card or a credit-builder card is one of the best ways to build your credit. Make sure any card you choose reports to one of the three major credit bureaus so you can track your credit score in the coming months.
You should get a starter credit card if:
Starter cards are a good option for students beginning their credit journey, immigrants building their credit in the U.S., or someone starting over after bankruptcy. Anyone who is just starting out using credit would benefit from using a starter credit card.
Getting your card is only the first step to building credit. Here are some ways to boost your score and improve your credit over time.
Remember, building good credit takes time and effort. By using your credit card responsibly, you can gradually raise your credit score.
If you’re looking to build your credit score, having a starter credit card is a great way to begin. It gives you the chance to start using credit responsibly, which is helpful if you’re young or new to credit-building.
Not having credit may feel like a limitation, but there are options for you. Whether you’re a student, new to credit, or rebuilding your credit, getting a starter credit card can help you on your credit-building journey.
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