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    Limited or No Credit History Credit Cards

    Having no credit or a limited credit history can be a pain when it comes to simple things like turning on utilities in your name. It can also make it nearly impossible for you to qualify for a mortgage. Credit cards are an excellent way to build your credit history. Credit cards for limited or no credit are a great solution for those who want to make day to day purchases and raise their credit score. Many of these cards are secured or prepaid credit cards.  Find answers to your questions about the best ways to build your credit score using credit cards.

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students
Card Details
  • No Cosigner Required
  • Earn 5% Cash Back on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores & utilities (including cable) for 6 months; 1% thereafter*
  • Earn at least 2% cash back in popular rotating categories like restaurants, apparel, hotel and more. Enrollment required*
  • Earn a full 1% cash back on all other purchases*

Editor's Rating

5 out of 5

Learn more about Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Balance Transfer Transfer Fee Credit Needed
0% 7 months* 13.99% - 21.99% Variable None 4% ($10 min. ) Limited

Capital One® Classic Platinum Credit Card

Here is a card which can be as unique as you when you upload a favorite image to create your own card design. It's fast, easy and free. This card offers a lengthy introductory 0% APR. The cardholder must have average credit. There is no balance transfer fee. 24-hour emergency roadside assistance plus 24-hour travel and emergency service. This card has a decent APR for people with average credit. Downside: There is a $39 annual fee.

Editor's Rating

4 out of 5

Learn more about Capital One® Classic Platinum Credit Card
Who uses this card?
This card is best for consumers with average credit looking for a Plain Jane card to use to further build credit that don't mind paying an annual fee.

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Waterfall

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Waterfall
Card Details
  • An excellent credit card for help rebuilding credit; reports to 3 major credit bureaus monthly
  • Acceptance at millions of locations worldwide, including website purchases and reservations
  • Your account information is updated and at your fingertips 24/7 so you can manage it your way
  • Email and text messages are available to remind you of your upcoming payment due date
  • Knowledgeable customer service representatives to assist you with questions or concerns


Note!  Do you know your credit score? Click here for free credit score offers.

Editor's Rating

4 out of 5

Learn more about Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Waterfall
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Balance Transfer Transfer Fee Credit Needed
N/A N/A 7.99% - 19.99% Variable N/A 5% ($5 min. ) Poor

Capital One® No Hassle CashSM Rewards - Average

Here is a card for folks with average credit. This card offers more cash back on your purchases of gas and groceries with a 2% cash back while offering 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no limit on rewards and no expiration. There is an extensive introductory 0% APR on purchases then variable APR thereafter. There is no balance transfer fee but the balance transfer APR is on the high side. Downside: There is a $39 annual fee.

Editor's Rating

4 out of 5

Learn more about Capital One® No Hassle CashSM Rewards - Average
Who uses this card?
This card is best for consumers that have average credit, pay in full, tend to spend more on gas and groceries, and don't mind paying an annual fee for a cash back rewards.

Capital One® Platinum Credit Card

There are no balance transfer fees. This card is for folks with average credit. Use Image Card to upload one of your favorite pictures or choose from one of Capital One for your own unique card. There is a 24-hour travel and emergency assistance if your credit card is lost or stolen, as well as 24 hour roadside assistance if your car breaks down or you get locked out. There is also auto rental insurance. Downside: purchase APR is high. Balance transfer APR is the same as purchase APR with no introductory rate.

Editor's Rating

3 out of 5

Learn more about Capital One® Platinum Credit Card
Who uses this card?
This card is best for consumers with average credit looking for a Plain Jane card to use to further build credit that never carry a balance.

Capital One® Secured Mastercard®

This is a great card for those with limited credit histories that would like to further build their credit. It offers a low annual fee compared to other secured credit cards and there are no set up or processing fees. It reports to all three major credit reporting agencies and offers tools to help track your credit. As with most cards for people with limited credit histories, the APR is on the high side.

Editor's Rating

3 out of 5

Learn more about Capital One® Secured Mastercard®
Who uses this card?
This card is best for consumers with limited credit that do not qualify for an unsecured card and that never carry a balance.

Journey (SM) Student Rewards from Capital One®

Editor's Review not available.

Editor's Rating

3 out of 5

Learn more about Journey (SM) Student Rewards from Capital One®
Who uses this card?
A card designed to help students build good credit.

CapitalOne® Cash Rewards for Newcomers

Editor's Review not available.

Editor's Rating

3 out of 5

Learn more about CapitalOne® Cash Rewards for Newcomers
Who uses this card?
This card is best for consumers with limited credit that never carry a balance. And who want to build credit and earn cash back.

Citi Forward® for College Students

Citi Forward® for College Students
Card Details
  • No Cosigner required
  • APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely
  • 100 ThankYou Points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line
  • Earn 1,000 points after you sign up for paperless statements within the first 3 months of account opening

Editor's Rating

5 out of 5

Learn more about Citi Forward® for College Students
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Balance Transfer Transfer Fee Credit Needed
0% 7 months 13.99% - 22.99% Variable N/A 3% ($5 min. ) Limited

Orchard Bank® Visa® Classic

Orchard Bank® Visa® Classic
Card Details
  • Reports to 3 major credit bureaus monthly providing you the opportunity to rebuild your credit
  • Acceptance at millions of locations including website purchases and reservations
  • Your account information is updated and at your fingertips 24/7 so you can manage it your way
  • Email and text messages to remind you of your upcoming payment due date with online enrollment
  • Knowledgeable customer service representatives to assist you with questions or concerns

Editor's Rating

4 out of 5

Learn more about Orchard Bank® Visa® Classic
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Balance Transfer Transfer Fee Credit Needed
N/A N/A 7.99% - 19.99% Variable N/A 5% ($5 min. ) Poor

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Beach

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Beach
Card Details
  • An excellent credit card for help rebuilding credit; reports to 3 major credit bureaus monthly
  • Acceptance at millions of locations worldwide, including website purchases and reservations
  • Your account information is updated and at your fingertips 24/7 so you can manage it your way
  • Email and text messages are available to remind you of your upcoming payment due date
  • Knowledgeable customer service representatives to assist you with questions or concerns

Editor's Rating

4 out of 5

Learn more about Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards® - Beach
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Balance Transfer Transfer Fee Credit Needed
N/A N/A 7.99% - 19.99% Variable N/A 5% ($5 min. ) Poor
We scour. You save
Every day, we search the web to find the very
best deals and money-saving tips. Then we
send them right to you.
Thank you!
You are signed up to receive the latest deals, offers and tips!
Credit Card Database

If I have no credit history, how can I get a credit card?

If you're a student, some credit card companies have credit cards specifically for you. If you're under the age of 21, you may need a co-signer to verify that you can make the payments. If you aren't a student, you can try to qualify for a regular credit card, called an unsecured card, or you can apply for a secured credit card.

A secured card is specifically for people who have no credit history or who are trying to improve their credit score. You secure your credit line with a cash deposit that is held in an account. You then use the credit card like any other, including paying your balance each month.

Where can I get the best secured credit card? >>

Where can I get the best secured credit card?

Plenty of banks and credit card companies offer secured credit cards, so be sure to check with your bank as you shop around. Many of the cards featured on CardRatings.com's page specifically for people with limited or no credit are secured credit cards. Keep in mind that some secured credit cards may allow you to transition to an unsecured account after a length of time.

CitiGroups Citi Secured Card won CardRating.com's Best Credit Card of 2009 award in the "No Credit" category because it allows consumers to earn interested on their security deposit in a CD account and, after 18 months, consumers with good account histories can upgrade to an unsecured credit card account.

What is the most important thing I need to know about building my credit score with a credit card? >>

What is the most important thing I need to know about building my credit score with a credit card?

One-third of your credit score comes from timely payments. Make your payments on time every month. Also, be sure any credit card you're considering regularly reports to all three credit reporting agencies.

Are there credit card reward programs for people like me with no credit history? >>

Are there credit card reward programs for people like me with no credit history?

Yes, there are cards with rewards programs, though mostly for unsecured cards and for college students in particular. If you're opting to apply for a secured credit card, plan a little ahead and look at the reward programs available for unsecured credit cards through the same company.

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