Your credit report may have a few bumps and bruises, and that’s ok. No one is perfect. Furthermore, just because your credit score is only average, doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a cash back credit card. In fact, in addition to putting some money back into your pocket, the right credit card can actually help you to build your credit report or heal a credit file damaged in the past. Used properly, credit cards can positively impact your credit. That’s because the financial institutions issuing these cards report to the major credit bureaus each month; therefore, your responsible use, including proper budgeting and consistent on-time payment, could result in an improved score. A higher credit score will help you as you seek to purchase a vehicle or a home in the future or even qualify you for better credit card offers in the future.
Our editors have compiled a list of the best cash back credit cards for people with fair/average credit (FICO puts that in the 580-669). CardRatings considered multiple factors when evaluating these cards, including fees (annual, foreign transaction, late payment, cash advance), cash back rewards, bonus offers, APRs (interest rate), additional perks and benefits of membership and user friendliness.
(Note: To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking account within 60 days of the date the Upgrade Card account is opened. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA(R) Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. If you have previously opened a Rewards Checking account or do not open one as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after the 3rd qualifying card purchase.)
