Guaranteed Approval Cards With $1,000 Limits for Bad Credit

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Rewards are a rare sight among unsecured “bad credit credit cards”. But Petal 2 offers 1% cashback from the start, and with twelve on-time monthly payments, it increases to 1.5%.

You can also enjoy added cashback opportunities from 2% to 10% at select merchants.

The stand-out feature of the Petal 2 Visa Card is its maximum credit limit of $10,000. You’ll have to work for it, though, as they check various factors (such as your ability to pay, previous credit limits, and credit history).

And even if you lack a credit history, Petal also considers factors like income and savings in your application. Just a heads up for those with a damaged credit history, as you might have a trickier time getting the seal of approval.

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Fortiva Mastercard is a credit-building option that doesn’t require a security deposit. And while it lacks welcome bonuses or rewards points, applying for this card brings near-instant credit decisions.

Fortiva reports all credit activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Through their partnership with Experian, they provide free access to your VantageScore 3.0.

The issuer also periodically reviews your account for potential credit limit increases, which can go up to $1,000.

Just watch out for the annual fee, which ranges from $49 to $175 in the first year (then from $49 to no annual fee in the years following). There’s also an account maintenance fee starting at $60, which can go up to $159 (billed monthly at $5 or $12.50 per cycle).

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The Credit One Platinum Visa is a credit-building card with a starting limit of $300. You can increase this to a maximum of $1,500 through responsible credit management.

The Credit One Bank Visa offers a customizable cashback rewards program where you can earn 1% cashback on eligible purchases.

Even better, you can choose from six reward programs: cashback for gas, groceries, phone services, dining, auto purchases, and more.

But the Credit One Platinum Visa comes with a high annual fee. In the first year, you’ll be charged $75, followed by $99 per year ($8.25 per month) in subsequent years. For cash advances, there’s a fee of $5 or 8% of each transaction (whichever is greater) and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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The Avant credit card helps you control your spending and enhance your credit score. When applying, they consider factors beyond your credit—so a less-than-ideal score won’t hold you back.

Once you’ve got the card, you’ll geta credit limit of $300 to $3,000based on your financial records.

And if you get stuck with a low limit, you can prove yourself for a higher one by making on-time payments and keeping a low credit utilization.

Avant also positively impacts your credit score by reporting to all three bureaus. But don’t overlook the fees, which include the steep 29.99%–34.99% APR, along with annual and late fees.

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The starting credit limit for the Reflex Platinum Mastercard ranges from $300 to $1,000. You can boost that to $2,000 with savvy credit habits, timely payments, and a credit utilization below 30%.

But this comes at a cost. Expect an annual fee of $96, a $10 monthly maintenance fee after the first year, and foreign transaction fees. (Sadly, no rewards or cashback incentives are offered.)

Despite drawbacks, the Reflex Platinum Mastercard is still a handy tool for building credit. Just make sure you factor in the fees and interest rates before boosting your score and opening doors to better financial opportunities.

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The Surge Platinum Mastercard offers an initial credit limit ranging from $300 to $1,000, giving you enough spending power while building your credit.

But it doesn’t stop there—Surge Card will give you the chance to double your initial limit. All you need to do is make the first six monthly minimum payments on time, and your credit limit will get a nice boost.

However, the Surge Mastercard is like a high-maintenance friend: expensive and potentially unsustainable. Expect an annual fee of up to $125 and monthly maintenance fees of up to $10—totaling up to $245 a year.

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The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured Credit Card is a great choice if you’re aiming to build or rebuild your credit. With no minimum credit score requirement, it’s designed to help those with no credit history or on a credit comeback journey.

The initial security deposit determines your credit limit, ranging from $200 to $2,000. If possible, aim for the higher end of this spectrum, as it’ll be easier to keep your credit utilization rate low. With a lower limit, it’s challenging to stay within the 30% guideline.

After gaining issuer approval, you can request a higher credit limit of up to $5,000 by increasing your security deposit.

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The Bank Americard Secured Credit Card is a powerful ally in your credit journey. It reports your payment behavior to all three credit bureaus, flexing your credit muscles and strengthening your score.

Bank of America also reviews your credit activity and rewards responsible behavior with deposit returns.

Another big bonus is the maximum credit limit of $5,000, which you can reach with good credit habits.

Unlike other cards, the card also has no annual fees or hidden charges—providing a clear path to credit improvement. Just watch out for the high APR of 25.99%.

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If the goal is to build or rebuild your credit, consider the Applied Bank Secured Visa Gold Preferred Credit Card.

To activate it, deposit $200 to $1,000—which will become your starting credit limit. You’ll then get the opportunity to increase it by making additional deposits of up to $5,000.

Just be aware that there’s no grace period, so interest begins accruing immediately.

Fees associated with the card include an annual fee of $48, late and returned payment fees of up to $38, and various other charges. So keep these in mind when figuring out the card’s cost.

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The Discover it Secured Credit Card isn’t just about building credit—you can also earn rewards on your purchases.

The annual fee is a delightful $0, with no hidden fees to hinder your progress.

The credit limit on the Discover it Secured card is determined by the security deposit you provide. Let’s say you’re approved for a credit limit of $300. To unlock your borrowing potential up to that limit, you must provide a corresponding $300 security deposit.

If you want an increase (up to $2,500), avoid maxing out your credit limit each month, and keep your credit utilization low.

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As the name suggests, the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard can help you unlock greater purchasing power by doubling your credit line.

To start, provide a $200 security deposit as collateral, which will become your initial credit limit. Making payments on time for seven months doubles your credit line to $400.

And if you want a further increase, you can add more money to your security deposit—up to $3,000. (Just know that Merrick Bank only doubles the original $200 amount.)

The card carries a $36 annual fee, late penalties, foreign transaction fees, and return payment charges—but the 22.45% APR is lower than the average credit card APR, offering a more favorable interest rate.

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The Capital One Platinum Secured Card is designed to help you establish a positive credit history. The card welcomes low credit with open arms, accepting those with a credit score range of 500 to 600 FICO.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Card comes with no annual fee, meaning no hidden charges eating away at your progress. While it may not offer any rewards or introductory offers, the absence of an annual fee allows you to focus solely on building your credit history.

And if you consistently make your payments on time, you may become eligible for a credit line increase after just six months—with the highest limit being $1,000. Keep in mind that your initial credit limit will depend on your creditworthiness and financial situation.

See how Capital One Platinum compares to Capital One Quicksilver.

Applying for a credit card with bad credit is totally doable.

Let’s break it down—

1. Assess your credit: Begin by checking your credit report and score. This will give you a clear understanding of where you stand.

2. Research credit cards: Look for credit cards for those with bad credit. These cards often have higher interest rates or fees, but they give you a chance to prove your creditworthiness.

3. Compare terms: Pay attention to fees, APRs, credit limits, and any additional perks. Consider cards that report your payment history to credit bureaus, as this will help boost your credit over time.

4. Gather documentation: Prepare necessary documents like identification, proof of income, and your address. Having these ready will streamline the application process and ensure accuracy.

5. Apply online: Visit the issuer’s website and complete the online application. Be honest and accurate in filling out the required information.

6. Make a security deposit (if needed): Some credit cards for bad credit require a security deposit. This acts as collateral and can determine your credit limit. (For example, the Discover it Secured Card allows you to make a deposit as low as $200, and your credit limit matches that amount.)

7. Play the waiting game: After submitting your application, give it some time for processing. The issuer will evaluate your application based on various factors, including your credit history and income. In many cases, this won’t take longer than a few minutes.

Different credit cards ask for varying credit scores. It’s best to take a look at the card’s website or contact their team so you’re clear on what they’re asking for.

Here’s a general idea of you what you can expect—

• Good to excellent credit score: Top-tier credit card issuers prefer applicants with good credit scores, which typically fall in the range of 670 to 850 (according to FICO). With a higher credit score, you have a better chance of being approved for cards with lower interest rates and more perks.

• Fair or average credit scores: Many credit cards cater to individuals with fair or average credit scores, usually ranging from 580 to 669. These cards are designed to help you improve your credit while offering some benefits along the way.

• Secured credit cards: If your credit score is on the lower side or you’re building credit from scratch, secured credit cards can be a great starting point. These cards require a security deposit as collateral. By using and paying off a secured card responsibly, you can gradually build your credit and work up to credit cards with no deposit.

• Specialized cards: Some credit card issuers offer specific cards for people with limited or no credit history. These cards focus more on your financial information, such as income and employment, rather than solely relying on your credit score.

Before applying for a credit card, it’s wise to check your credit score and review your credit report for accuracy. This way, you’ll have a clearer picture of where you stand and can make more informed decisions.

Read more:

• What Is a Good Credit Score?

• What Are the Credit Score Ranges?

• How To Increase Your Credit Score Quickly