Best 7 Credit Cards For 600 Credit Score

1. Best Overall: Capital One QuicksilverOne

Annual Fee: $39

Regular APR: 29.74%

Credit Required: 580 – 670

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards has many features of a more sought-after card but without the high credit score requirements. You can qualify for this card with a fair credit score between 580 and 670. 

According to Capital One, you could have also defaulted on a loan within the past five years or have a limited credit history.

This card offers 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases. You’ll also get 5% cash back on hotel and rental car transactions you book through Capital One Travel.

Other benefits this card offers include automatic credit line reviews, credit score monitoring with CreditWise from Capital One, and no foreign transaction fees. 

Between the elevated rewards on certain travel purchases and no foreign transaction fees, this could make for a great travel card (though we also have another travel card on our list).

Pros:

• • Cash back rewards on all purchases

• • No foreign transaction fees

• • Automatic credit limit review after six months

Cons:

• • Annual fee required 

• • High purchase APR

2. Best For Cashback Rewards: Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees”

Annual Fee: $0

Regular APR: 17.24% – 31.24%

Credit Required: None

The Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” card issued by WebBank is designed to help borrowers boost their credit scores. Unlike most cards, you don’t even technically need a credit history to qualify. Instead, Petal will use your banking history to approve your application.

The Petal card doesn’t charge annual fees, unlike some of the cards on our list. You’ll also get between 1% and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. And you may be eligible for bonus cash back at select merchants. 

The rewards structure is a bit complex, though — you’ll start by earning 1% cash back and can increase that rate over time.

Petal also prides itself on not charging any fees on this card. You won’t pay annual membership fees or late or returned payment fees. And if you’re traveling with your Petal card outside of the U.S., you won’t be subject to any foreign transaction fees.

Pros:

• • Cash back rewards on all purchases

• • No credit history needed to qualify

• • No fees of any kind

Cons:

• • High purchase APR

• • No balance transfers

• • Complex rewards structure

3. Best Secured Rewards Card: Discover It Secured

Annual Fee: $0

Regular APR: 27.24%

Credit Required: None

The Discover It Secured is slightly different from the other cards we’ve discussed so far because it’s a secured card. That means that when you’re approved, you pay a security deposit, which becomes your credit limit. 

For example, if you pay a $300 security deposit, you can spend up to $300 on your card. If you make on-time payments and improve your credit history, Discover will eventually upgrade to an unsecured card, and you’ll get your security deposit back.

Because of the security deposit you pay, Discover doesn’t require any credit history to qualify for this card. So whether you have a 600 credit score or no credit score, you have a good chance of being approved.

Even though this card is secured and designed for borrowers with poor or no credit, it still has excellent rewards. First, you’ll get 2% cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 each quarter. You’ll also get 1% cash back on all other purchases. Finally, at the end of your first year, Discover will give you a dollar-for-dollar match of the cash back you’ve earned.

Pros:

• • No credit history required

• • Cash back rewards on all purchases

• • Rewards are doubled in the first year

• • No annual fee

Cons:

• • Security deposit required

• • 2% cash back rewards are capped

• • High purchase APR

4. Best After A Bankruptcy: Indigo Mastercard

Annual Fee: $0 – $99

Regular APR: 24.90%

Credit Required: 300 – 670

The Indigo Mastercard is another that’s specifically designed for borrowers with poor credit. In fact, unlike many credit cards, you can be approved for an Indigo card even if you have bankruptcy on your credit report.

Indigo may require a fee based on your credit score. Annual fees range from $0 to $99, and the lower your credit score, the greater the Fee you’ll pay. 

With a credit score of 600, you may not be subject to the full $99 fee since you’re on the higher end of the required credit score range.

This card doesn’t offer any rewards on your spending, meaning it’s not as desirable as many of the cards on our list (especially when you account for the annual Fee). However, we include it on this list because it could be the only option for some borrowers with bankruptcy in the past.

Pros:

• • Qualify with a credit score as low as 300 or bankruptcy

• • Lower purchase APR than many cards on our list

Cons:

• • Fee up to $99

• • No spending rewards

• • Low maximum credit limit

5. Best For No Credit Check: OpenSky Secured Visa

Annual Fee: $35

Regular APR: 21.64%

Credit Required: None

OpenSky Secured Visa is another secured credit card, meaning you pay a security deposit when approved, and that deposit acts as your credit limit. You can put down as little as $200 or as much as $3,000.

Like other secured cards, this one is easy to qualify for. In fact, unlike most credit cards, OpenSky doesn’t even require a credit check. Not only does this mean you can be eligible with poor or fair credit, but it also means you won’t have a negative impact on your credit score when you apply.

You will pay an annual fee of $35, which you won’t run into with many other secured credit cards. The card also doesn’t offer any rewards for your spending.

Pros:

• • No credit check required

• • Lower purchase APR than many cards on our list

Cons:

• • Security deposit required

• • Annual fee required

• • No spending rewards

6. Best For Travel Rewards: Credit One Bank Wander Card

Annual Fee: $95

Regular APR: 27.74%

Credit Required: 580 – 740

The Credit One Bank Wander Card is a travel credit card, meaning you’re specifically rewarded for spending money on travel. 

With this card, you’ll get 10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals that you book using the Credit One Bank travel partner. 

You’ll also get 5X points on other eligible travel, including flights, dining, and gas purchases. Finally, you’ll get 1X points on all other purchases.

This card also offers a welcome bonus, which no other card on our list currently does. When you sign up for your card, you’ll get 10,000 bonus points when you spend at least $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. Those points can be redeemed for a $100 statement credit.

This card does require an annual fee of $95, which is higher than most of the cards on our list. If you’re considering applying for this one, make sure you’ll earn enough rewards to compensate for the higher annual Fee.

Pros:

• • Cash back rewards on all purchases

• • Elevated rewards on travel purchases

• • Welcome bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days

• • No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• • High annual fee

• • Limited rewards redemption options

7. Best For Students: Discover It Student Cash Back

Annual Fee: $0

Regular APR: 17.24% – 26.24%

Credit Required: 580 – 670

The Discover it Student Cash Back is specifically designed for college students. 

With this card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on spending in one bonus category each quarter. Categories rotate between Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. 

For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash back. And at the end of your first year, Discover will match the points you earned in the first year.

One feature that Discover offers that no other card on our list offers is an introductory APR of 0% for the first six months after you open the card. 

You can also qualify for an interest rate as low as 17.24% — the lowest of any card on our list — with a good credit score. Finally, you can get a balance transfer APR of 10.99% for the first six months after a transfer.

This card doesn’t require an annual fee. And to qualify, you’ll only need a fair credit score, meaning one as low as 580. However, you must be a student to qualify. And once you graduate, you’ll be moved to a standard credit card.

Pros:

• • Cash back rewards on all purchases, including 5% back on certain spending categories

• • No annual fee

• • Low interest rate for creditworthy borrowers

• • 0% introductory APR and 10.99% balance transfer APR

Cons:

• • Only available to students

• • Complex rewards structure

• • 5% cash back bonus categories must be activated

How To Choose The Best Credit Card?

When shopping for a credit card, it’s important to compare its features to ensure you’re getting the best one available. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best credit card:

(1) Interest Rate: Interest is the cost of borrowing money on your credit card. Any remaining balance at the end of each month will have interest applied, so finding a card with the lowest rate is important. Of course, paying your balance in full each month is best. But having a low-interest rate is beneficial in case there’s ever a situation where you can’t pay the card off.

(2) Secured V/S Unsecured: A secured card is one that requires a security deposit when you sign up, and the security deposit acts as your credit limit. Unsecured cards don’t require security deposits, and your credit limit is decided based on your credit score. While secured cards are easier to qualify for, unsecured cards keep more money in your pocket upfront by skipping the deposit.

(3) Annual Fee: As you may have noticed, many cards on our list require an annual fee. If you are considering a card with an annual fee, it’s important to ensure the benefits outweigh the fees. Plenty of cards don’t require annual fees, but the Fee can sometimes be worth it.

(4) Rewards: Many of the cards on our list allow you to earn cash back or points on your purchases. Make sure the card you’re choosing offers not only the best rewards but also offers the best rewards for the type of spending you do. For example, if you travel a lot, you may prefer to opt for a card with higher travel spending bonuses.

(5) Welcome Bonus: While many cards on our list don’t offer welcome bonuses, at least one does. And welcome bonuses become more common with better credit cards. A welcome bonus is usually rewarded when you spend a certain amount in the first few months after opening the card. While welcome bonuses can be a nice treat, consider them alongside each card’s other rewards.

(6) Credit Required: When you apply for a credit card, it usually shows up on your credit report and can affect your credit score. For that reason, it’s important to find cards where you meet the credit requirements. With a credit score of 600, you may not qualify for all cards, so research each card’s minimum credit score.

The credit card benefits available to you increase as your credit score improves. While many of the cards on our list offer some benefits, they don’t compare to more premium credit cards. Once your credit score has improved into the good or very good range, consider upgrading your card or applying for one with more benefits.

How To Use A Credit Card To Boost Your Credit Score?

If you have a 600 credit score, you may wonder how to go from fair to good credit to qualify for better credit cards. The best way to do that is to use your credit responsibly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

(i) Make on-time payments: Your payment history is the most important factor that affects your credit score. If you miss a payment — or even pay it a few days late — it can significantly impact your credit score. The best way to protect your credit is to make all payments on time.

(ii) Keep your card balance low: Your credit utilization — meaning the percentage of your available credit you’re using — is another important factor for your credit score. The lower your utilization rate, the better. Try to use less than 30% of your credit limit at any one time.

(iii) Increase your credit limit over time: Another way to improve your credit utilization and, therefore, your credit score is to increase your credit limits. That way, you can spend more on your card each month without exceeding that 30% utilization.

(iv) Use your credit card: Having a credit card isn’t necessarily enough to boost your credit. Creditors want to see that you can use credit responsibly, which requires you actually use your credit. Consider using your card for some of your day-to-day spending’s throughout the month. Make sure to pay off the total balance by the due date each month, not just the minimum payment.

Conclusion

It may be more difficult to get a credit card with a 600 credit score, but it’s not impossible. You can use the many tools available, including secured credit cards and those tailored to fair-credit borrowers, to help boost your credit score. The good news is there are plenty of credit cards for people with a 600 credit score that offer many of the benefits of other cards, including spending rewards and sign-up bonuses.

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