According to Experian, nine percent of customers have a FICO score below 550; between 2020 and 2021, the average credit score ranged from 578 to 586. If you have a low credit score, you are not alone; however, like many others, you may find getting the credit you need challenging. Several credit card companies and personal lenders approve consumers with poor credit but often charge additional fees, require deposits, or have higher interest rates.

If you need a credit card with at least $500- $1k available credit, and do not have the money to open a secured card, continue reading to learn more about your options.

Read: Second Chance Credit Cards: Best Unsecured Options for People with Poor Credit

Can I Get a Credit Card With a $500-$1,000 Limit Without Depositing Money?

Woman getting her card from the wallet at an atm

Yes! Several $1,000 credit limit credit cards are available for people with bad credit, and many offers guaranteed approval without depositing a month. Each card company has other requirements before getting the official approval for one of their credit cards.

Secured credit cards offer guaranteed credit limits based on how much you deposit; however, if you do not have the money available to make a deposit, you still have a few options to get a $500-$1000 limit credit card in your wallet.

Before applying for a credit card, compare side-by-side to determine which cards offer you the best options for your current credit score. Not all cards are alike, and the different cards could vary in interest rates and annual/monthly fees.

How Can I Get a Credit Card With No Money Down?

Amazed woman holding a smartphone and credit card standing against a white background

If you are looking for an unsecured credit card, there are plenty to choose from; however, those with lower credit scores have fewer options available. But there are still plenty to choose from, especially if you are proactive and work on improving your credit score. Researching companies that offer credit cards for people with poor credit is the best way to see if they have a pre-approval option. In most cases, getting pre-approved does not affect your credit score, but it also does not guarantee approval when you officially apply.

If you have a family or friend who trusts you, ask to be an authorized user on their credit card account. Many consumers who choose to do this often ask their parents. Make sure you do not cause problems by not paying for your purchases.

Another way to get a credit card with no money down is to step back and take a few months to bring up your credit score. Disputing errors, paying down balances, paying current debts on time, and paying off collection accounts, may raise your score enough to get approved for an unsecured high-limit credit card.

What Credit Score is Needed for an Unsecured $1,000 Credit Card?

illustration of a man pulling a gauge indicator to the happy face side

Consumers with credit scores of 700 and above have a greater chance of qualifying for a high limit credit with a limit of $1,000 to $5,000. Though having a higher score helps improve your chances of getting approved for high-limit credit cards, it does not completely disqualify you from getting one.

Read: How to Get a 700-750 Credit Score in 3 to 6 Months? (Read this Guide)

Below is our top pick of the best $1000 limit credit cards with no security deposit needed reviewed, as well as their credit score requirements. And if you don't have an excellent credit score... Don't worry! we've also included great options for you

Best Credit Cards with $500 - $1,000 Credit Limit and No Deposit (Even for People With Fair-Bad Credit)

$1 bill and credit cards on top close up

Chances are you have received emails or letters regarding a “guaranteed approval” for credit cards. Though there are not credit cards with $1,000 limit guaranteed approval, there is still an excellent chance you will get approved. Several credit cards for people with poor credit have minimal requirements, which qualifies most applicants. A secured credit card would be the only way to get accepted; however, it would require a deposit.

Here are the best credit cards with $1000 limit and other high-limit credit cards:

Card Issuer Minimum Credit Rating Soft Pull Pre-qualification Initial Limit Automatic Line Increases
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card Fair (630 or higher) No; this card requires a hard credit inquiry to apply Not specified You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as few as 7 months
First Access Visa® Card Poor (629 or lower) Yes; you can see if you’re pre-approved without affecting your credit score $300 No; this card does not offer automatic credit line increases 3
Capital One Platinum Credit Card Fair Credit Yes $300 - $3,000 Automatic periodic credit line reviews after six months
FIT® Platinum Mastercard® Bad to Fair (300 to 680) Yes $400 - $800 Eligible for increase up to $2000 after six months
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card No credit history required, but fair to excellent credit may increase your chances of approval Yes; you can see if you’re pre-approved without affecting your credit score $300 to $10,000 Yes, you may be eligible for a credit line increase after 12 months of on-time payments through the Leap program
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card 670+ *See details below $500+ Can request after 6 months
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Fair Credit Yes $300-$1,000 Automatic periodic credit line reviews after six months
Aspire® Cashback Reward Card Bad Credit Acceptable Yes up to $1,000 Periodic reviews – no automatic increase
Citi Rewards+® Card 670+ *See details below $1,000+ Can request after 6 months
Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard Fair, poor, or even no credit Yes $550 to $1,350 Automatic credit line increase after 7 months with on-time payments
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 670+ *See details below $500+ Can request after 6 months
Fortiva® Credit Card Fair Credit (670+) Yes Up to $1,000 Does not accept requests to increase the credit limit; may offer credit limit increase as a promotion
PayPal Cashback Mastercard® 690 to 700 No $250 to $20,000 Reviews monthly; may offer increase after 3 months
PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card Bad to Fair (300 to 620); not based on score alone Yes; only if it sends out pre-qualified offers based on a soft pull $200 to $700 Eligible after 12 months on-time payments
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® Bad to Fair (300 to 680) Yes Up to $1,000 Doubles with first 6 months on-time payments
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Bad to Fair Yes Up to $1,000 Doubles with first 6 months on-time payments
First Phase Visa® “less than perfect credit” – fair, poor, or even no credit no $300 to $1,000 Can request after 12 months
*Citibank has an online pre-qualification page where you can check the chances of being approved for a Citi credit card before you actually apply for one. Even though the odds of getting approved for one of their cards are much higher when you are pre-qualified, it doesn't guarantee your approval.

Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card

The Mission Lane Cash Back Visa offers a cash credit line like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. However, this card is designed for individuals with fair to good credit, making it accessible to a broader range of applicants.

One notable feature of this card is the cash-back rewards program, which allows you to earn a percentage of cash back on your purchases. The specific rewards rate may vary, but it's a nice perk for cardholders who want to get something back from their spending.

The APR for cash advances with the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa is in line with industry standards for cards in its credit category. It's essential to manage your balance responsibly to avoid high-interest charges.

First Access Visa® Card

First Access Visa® Card

The First Access Visa Card is designed for individuals with less-than-perfect credit. Like the Bank of America card, it provides a cash credit line, but it may come with a higher annual fee and higher APR, reflecting the higher risk associated with this credit category.

One downside of the First Access Visa Card is the absence of cash-back rewards or promotional APR periods for balance transfers and purchases. However, it can still serve as a tool to help you rebuild your credit when used responsibly.

This card is best suited for those who are working to improve their credit and may not be eligible for cards with better terms. It's essential to consider the fees and APR when deciding if this card is the right choice for you.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

If you have fair credit (580+) or need to build it, the Capital One Platinum credit card may be a perfect fit for you. The card is designed for people with average or limited credit, has a pre-approval option and a credit line that can range from $300 - $3,o00.

Additionally, the Capital One Platinum credit card has no annual or foreign transaction fee, making it a low cost option unlike most unsecured cards for those needing to build their credit score. However, as the card has a high APR rate of 30.74% (variable) you should avoid carrying a balance and practice a responsible use of the card.

Last but not least, if you're not happy with your starting credit line, Capital One will automatically review your account for a credit line increase after 6 months of on-time monthly payments.

Fees Rates 
$0 Annual fee 30.74% variable APR
Pros
  • $0 Fraud liability
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free credit monitoring with CreditWise from Capital One
  • No Penalty APR
Cons
  • High APR
  • No Rewards Program

FIT® Platinum Mastercard®

FIT® Platinum Mastercard®

FIT® Platinum Mastercard® offers credit card options for consumers with poor credit or little credit history while reporting all account activity to all three credit bureaus. Like some of the other cards listed, FIT® Platinum Mastercard® starts most users out with a $400 credit limit, but with on-time payments, this amount can double (or more) within six months. Compared to some of the other credit cards for those with bad credit, FIT® Platinum Mastercard® offers a higher starting limit than most.

Fees Rates
• One-time fee of $89
• $99 Annual fee
• $0 Monthly fee 1st year, then $6.35/month
29.99% variable APR
Pros
  • Qualifying with little or no credit history
  • No security deposit required
Cons
  • No rewards
  • Many fees
  • High APR

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

FIT® Platinum Mastercard®

The Petal 2 Credit Card is the upgraded version of the Petal 1 Credit Card and offers a unique approach to credit underwriting. It considers factors like your income and banking history, making it accessible to individuals with limited credit history.

One of the pluses of the Petal 2 Credit Card is its cash-back rewards program, allowing you to earn cash back on your purchases. This feature sets it apart from the other cards in this group.

Similar to Petal 1, this card has no annual fees or foreign transaction fees. It also provides a user-friendly mobile app to help you manage your finances and track your spending. The APR varies based on your creditworthiness but tends to be competitive for cards in this category.

Overall, the Petal 2 Credit Card is a strong choice for those looking to establish or rebuild credit while earning cash back on their everyday expenses.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

For those who loves rewards and bonuses, the Citi Custom Cash card is an incredible option!. The card has an impressive cash back rate of 5% in popular categories like gas, groceries, and restaurants, but the great thing is that you'll automatically earn it on your top elegible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 in purchases per billing cycle, then 1%). A minimum $500 starting credit limit is guaranteed for those approved for the card, however, you may get a higher limit depending on different factors like credit score, income, etc.

Additionally, the card has a sign-up bonus of $200 cash back* when you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening, and is a low-maintenance option since the card comes with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR based on creditworthiness) and a $0 annual fee.

* The bonus offer is given as 20,000 ThankYou® points which can be remdeemed for $200 cash back.

Fees Rates
• $0 annual fee
• Either 5% or $5 (whichever is greater) balance transfer fee
0% Intro APR for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR
Pros
  • No annual fees
  • Great rewards and bonuses
  • Points can be redeemed for gift cards, checks, among others, as well as pooled them with other Citi ThankYou rewards cards
  • Free FICO score access
  • No security deposit
Cons
  • At least 670+ FICO score
  • A low spending cap of $500 on 5% cash back category each billing cycle
  • High balance transfer fee

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Most credit cards for people with fair-bad credit tend to have high fees and/or APR and don't offer good enough rewards either. However, the Capital One QuicksilverOne credit card is another great options with generous rewards that offer 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels when you book them through Capital One Travel. Not to mention that you can also check if you're pre-approved without hurting your credit score.

The Capital One QuicksilverOne card credit line is between $300 - $1,000, however, as the Capital One Platinum card, after 6 months your credit line can be considered for an increase automatically when using it responsibly.

Fees Rates 
$39 Annually 30.74% variable APR
Pros
  • Fraud Protection
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free credit monitoring with CreditWise from Capital One
Cons
  • High APR
  • Has an annual fee

Aspire® Cashback Reward Card

Aspire® Cashback Reward Card

The Aspire® credit card is a great option that provides a credit limit of up to $1,000. Despite that the card have high fees and APR rate compared to other unsecured/no-deposit options, this card helps consumers looking to rebuild their credit while still receiving solid rewards

Fees Rates 
• $85 - $175 1st year; $29 - $49 after
• $0 monthly fee 1st yr, $7.25 - $12.50 after
29.99% variable APR
Pros
  • Monthly credit bureau reporting
  • Great rewards
  • People with bad credit can qualify
  • No "one-time" fee for application processing
Cons
  • High fees
  • No balance transfers
  • No intro APR on purchases

You may also like: No Interest Credit Cards For 24 Months: Best Options

Citi Rewards+® Card

Citi Rewards+® Card

If you're looking for a card that has at least $1,000 credit limit, The Citi Rewards+ Card is a great option for you. Since the card has a starting credit limit of $1,000 or more, this amount is guaranteed for those that get approved for the card. Additionally, the Citi Rewards+ is a $0 annual fee card that allows cardholders to earn great rewards on their everyday purchases. You'll earn 2 ThankYou points per $1 spent at gas stations and supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually in purchases, thereafter 1 point per $1 spent), and 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Another great thing is that the card has a distinctive feature that rounds up your ThankYou points earned on every purchase to the next multiple of 10 (so, 5 points earned on a purchase will be rounded up to 10 points), and the following bonuses:

  • Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 25,000 points when spending $1,500 the first 3 months of account opening
  • Annual Bonus: Each year, the card gives back 10% of points you redeem (up to 100,000 points annually)
Fees Rates 
No annual fee 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR
Pros
  • Free access to your FICO score as a Citi Rewards+ cardmember
  • Great rewards and bonuses
  • No annual fee
  • 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 15 months (then 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR)
  • You can earn unlimited points, that can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, as well as shop with them on Amazon
Cons
  • 670+ credit score required
  • Points cannot be transferred to Citi’s travel partners as with other Citi cards
  • Redemption options are not as high as other point programs

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard® Credit Card

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard® Credit Card

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard® Credit Card offers a credit card for consumers with bad credit or little to no credit, reporting activity on your account monthly to all three major credit bureaus. Initial credit limits range between $550 and $1,350, but here's the thing: With on-time payments during the first seven months, Merrick Bank® will automatically double your credit limit.

Fees Rates
• $0 to $75 One-time fee
• First Year: $0 - $72 Annual Fee, $0 after
• $0 Monthly Fee the first year, $0 to $6 after
23.70% - 29.95% Variable APR
Pros
  • People with little or no credit history can qualify
  • Reports to all three major credit reporting agencies
  • Fraud coverage if card is lost/stolen
Cons
  • Membership fees
  • No rewards

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Despite that the Citi Diamond Preferred Card lacks a rewards program, it has a terrific 21 months 0% intro APR offer on balance transfer* and 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then 17.99% - 28.74% variable APR on both balance transfer and new purchases ) that allows cardholders to hit pause on high monthly interest charges. As a result, the card is considered a great option for those needing to pay off credit card debt.

* Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening

Fees Rates
• $0 Annual fee
• 5% or $5 min balance transfer fee
17.99% - 28.74% variable APR
Pros
  • Free access to your FICO® Score online
  • No annual fee
  • Good Intro APR offers
Cons
  • No rewards
  • High balance transfer fee
  • Requires at least 670+ credit score

Fortiva® Credit Card

Fortiva® Credit Card

The Fortiva® Credit Card is an unsecured option for those with bad credit that will help improve/build your credit score when using it responsibly, as the card reports to all three major credit bureaus. Comes with zero fraud liability, but fees and APR rate is something that you have to take into consideration if you want to apply for this card as there are cheaper alternatives.

Fees Rates
• $48 - $175 for the first year. $0 - $49 after that
• No monthly fee for the first year, after that $5 to $12.50/month
22.74% - 36% variable APR
Pros
  • No security deposit
  • Zero fraud liability
  • No perfect credit required
Cons
  • No rewards
  • High Fees
  • No introductory APR offer
  • No one-time fee

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

With the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® you can earn 3% cash back on your purchases when using PayPal, and 2% on all other purchases. No security deposit needed and no annual fee. However, you'll need a PayPal account to apply for the card. Additionally, people with good - excellent credit scores are more likely to qualify, and since it doesn't have an intro APR offer, it is better for those that plan to pay in full their monthly balances.

Fees Rates
No annual fees 17.24% - 29.24% variable APR
Pros
  • No annual fees
  • Rewards available
Cons
  • Higher credit scores required
  • Has a foreign transaction fee
  • Need a PayPal account

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

The PPREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card offers an unsecured card for people wanting to establish or rebuild credit. There is no security deposit requirement; however, cardholders have some hefty fees. Also, the starting credit limit is low, starting at $200, with an available line of credit of $75 to $150 after all starting fees are charged to the card.

Fees Rates
• $55 to $95 one-time program fee
• $50 - $125 for the first year (based on creditworthiness), then $45 - $49 annually
• No Monthly fee for the 1st yr (introductory), then $6.25 - $10.40 per month
36% APR
Pros
  • Reports account activity to the credit bureaus
  • Offers free FICO score access
Cons
  • Sky-high fees
  • A high APR
  • High credit limit increase fee

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® helps those with limited or no credit history and people with bad credit looking to start over; however, this card comes with costly fees. Consumers needing credit may find better options that do not charge as many or as high of fees.

Fees Rates
• $75 - $125 Annual fee
• $0 Monthly 1st year, then $10 monthly maintenance fee
29.99% Variable APR
Pros
  • Reports to all credit bureaus
  • No security deposit
  • People with little to no credit history can qualify
Cons
  • No sign-up bonus
  • No rewards
  • High fees (and too many)
  • No balance transfer allowed

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

Surge Mastercard® Credit Card offers credit card options for consumers with fair and bad credit that report monthly to all three credit bureaus. This card helps those with poor credit rebuild their credit and raise their FICO score. Fees can be high, but those struggling to get approved for a credit card will most likely qualify for a Surge Mastercard® Credit Card.

Fees Rates
• Annual fees between $75 - $99
• Monthly fees up to $10 (no fees during the first year)
25.9% - 29.99% variable APR
Pros
  • Consumers can qualify with bad credit
  • After 6 months of usage, you may qualify for a credit limit increase
  • No security deposit required
Cons
  • High APR
  • Annual and monthly fees
  • No rewards or reward bonuses
  • No intro APR on purchases
  • No balance transfers allowed

First Phase Visa®

First Phase Visa®
First Phase Visa® Visit site

The First Phase Visa® is a great option to help improve credit scores, with a credit line of $300 - $1,000 with no security deposit requirement, and a fast, easy and secure online application (you can get your results 1 min after completing your application). However, compared to other credit cards, it is quite expensive.

Fees Rates 
• $75 annual 1st year then $48
• Application fee $89
• $6.25 monthly after first year
34.99% variable APR
Pros
  • $0 Fraud liability
  • Reports to all major credit bureaus
  • People with Fair-No credit can qualify
Cons
  • No rewards
  • No intro APR on purchases
  • Incredibly high APR rate
  • Many fees

Can I Get a High-limit Credit Card with Fair to Bad Credit?

Obtaining a high-limit credit card can help pay for emergencies and give you access to immediate cash flow. Additionally, having a high-limit credit card can help with your credit score, primarily if you only use 10 to 20 percent of the available credit.

Some things to do to help improve your chances of qualifying for a high-limit credit card include:

  • Catch up on any late payments
  • Continue paying current bills on time
  • Pay off existing debts
  • Pay down balances
  • Opt for a secured card that can be converted to an unsecured card
  • Ask your existing credit cards for a limit increase

If you would like to get a "high-limit" credit card, but you're struggling to get one (and/or even a $1k limit credit card) due to your fair to bad credit score, check out this helpful guide about how you can improve your credit scores in three to six months.

You may also want to read: The Easiest Credit Cards to Get For Immigrants (No SSN or Credit Score Required)

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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