7 Best Credit Cards for a 600 Credit Score in 2024 – Unlocking Opportunities

When transitioning your hair from short to long, there’s often an intermediate stage where it’s long enough to obstruct your vision but not quite long enough to be pulled back. A credit score between 600 and 650 is the financial counterpart to that hair phase — it may not be sufficient for a top-tier rewards card, but it’s possibly too high to resort to costly subprime cards.

In many aspects, the cards available for a 600 credit score will depend on the specifics of your score; if you’re establishing credit for the first time, a student or no annual fee card might be the right option. If you’re recovering your credit after some missteps, a secured card could offer the best value.

Before you dive into this Credit Comeback article, if you’re aiming to boost your credit score, understanding the wide variety of businesses operating within the financial sector can provide context and potentially assist in making the best decision for your situation.

Continue reading for our specialists’ top picks for the best credit cards for credit scores in the 600 range, including the overall best cards, unsecured, secured, no annual fee cards, and student cards.

Best Overall Cards for Credit Scores Ranging from 600 to 650

While consumers with credit scores in the 600s aren’t at the lowest end of the credit card spectrum, they also aren’t exactly in a position to be highly selective. To comfortably qualify for prime rewards credit cards that are highly sought after these days, you’ll likely need a credit score above 670.

With a credit score between 600 and 650, you can obtain a reliable unsecured credit card or a low-fee secured card that allows you to build credit and potentially earn some rewards. By using your new card responsibly for six to 12 months, your score should increase sufficiently to access even better card options.

1.Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card

• Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries, and Utility Bill Payments
• Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
• Accepted wherever Mastercard® is used
• $0 fraud liability**
• Complimentary access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion®† *Refer to Program Terms for essential details about the cash back rewards program. **Fraud liability subject to Mastercard® rules. † Your credit score will be accessible in your online account starting 60 days after account opening. (Registration required.) The complimentary VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the card issuer) or other creditors for credit decisions. See official application, terms, and details.

The Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card offers generous cash back rewards and targets individuals with “less than perfect credit,” which includes a credit score of 600. You can check if you prequalify for this card before officially applying, avoiding a potential denial without affecting your credit.

5. Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

• Credit limit up to $1,000, doubles to $2,000 with first 6 on-time monthly payments
• All credit types welcome to apply
• Free access to Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
• Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
• Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
• Check Pre-Qualification without impacting credit score
• Fast and easy application process with quick results
• Free 24/7 online account access
• Checking Account Required
• See official application, terms, and details.

The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® offers a generous credit limit, considering it’s designed for subprime credit scores. The APR is on the higher side, but not as high as some other unsecured cards for bad credit. Cardholders benefit from credit bureau reporting and Mastercard’s Zero Liability protection on authorized charges.

6. Revvi Card

• Exclusive access to free Credit Monitoring powered by TransUnion for active cardholders
• Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to Revvi Credit Card
• Quick and easy application process; response in seconds
• $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
• Build credit score with on-time payments and maintaining a balance below the credit limit
• Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months (fee applies)
• Checking account required
• Monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus
• Manageable monthly payments
• No perfect credit required
• User-friendly mobile app for on-the-go management
• *See rates, fees, costs & limitations, and rewards for complete offer and Revvi Rewards details^^
• See official application, terms, and details.

The Revvi Card offers cash back rewards without requiring a security deposit, a rare feature in the subprime market. However, its APR is high, so always pay on time to avoid being charged interest.

Top Secured Cards for 600 to 650 Credit Scores

The challenge in obtaining credit with a low credit score is that it signifies a high credit risk. Essentially, people with low credit scores are more likely to default on their debt, resulting in a loss for the creditor.

On the other hand, secured credit cards require a cash deposit to open and maintain, which acts as collateral for the loan and reduces the risk for the issuer. This makes secured cards easier to obtain than unsecured cards. Moreover, many secured cards have lower fees and offer purchase rewards.

7. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

• No credit check to apply and instant approval possibility
• 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
• Credit line increase consideration after 6 months without additional deposit
• Potential eligibility for OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after 6 months
• Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly
• View your FICO® Score through OpenSky account
• FICO score improvement for nearly half of cardholders with on-time payments within the first 3 months
• Refundable deposit as low as $200 becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
• Quick application, apply in under 5 minutes from your mobile device
• Flexible payment due dates to fit your schedule *View the cardholder agreement See official application, terms, and details.

This card doesn’t require a credit check for approval, provides a free credit score, and has a moderately low APR compared to other secured cards from major banks. However, it does charge an annual fee. If you tend to carry a balance, this card could be a great option.

Is a Credit Score of 600 to 650 a Good Score?

Obtaining a free credit score is now easier than ever, with numerous credit card issuers and third-party websites offering the service. However, understanding the meaning behind the numbers is essential. The credit score you receive is typically generated using a scoring model, such as FICO or VantageScore.

The most common credit scores are FICO® Score 8 and VantageScore 3.0. Both models operate on a range of 300 to 850, with 850 being the best possible score. At first glance, a credit score between 600 and 650 might seem decent, as it represents about 71% of the possible range. However, it’s not that simple.

A credit score of 670 is generally considered the cutoff for good or prime credit. Scores between 600 and 650 are often labeled “nonprime,” meaning they pose a risk but are not considered subprime. These scores are still considered risky, but not as high risk as scores below 580.

The categorization of credit scores also varies between scoring models. For FICO, a score of 600 to 650 is considered fair, while VantageScore deems it poor. Additionally, each creditor has its own rules that may depend more on your credit history than your credit score.

Some consumers have been approved for prime credit cards with scores below 650, while others with scores above 600 may be declined for secured cards. Credit card issuers consider factors such as payment history, open accounts, and individual history with the bank when making approval decisions.

In summary, a credit score of 600 to 650 is not ideal, as it falls short of the 670 cutoff for good credit. However, credit scores are only part of the equation, and creditors may still approve applicants with scores in this range depending on their overall credit history.

Can You Get a Credit Card With a 600 FICO Score?

The modern credit card market offers options for almost everyone, regardless of their credit scores. However, the quality of credit cards available to you will largely depend on your credit report.

Since issuers consider your entire credit history, your score alone doesn’t guarantee approval for a specific card. For example, someone with a mediocre credit score but an excellent payment history might be approved, while another person with the same score but a past delinquent payment could be denied.

Consumers with credit scores in the 600 to 650 range are generally either building credit for the first time or repairing their credit after making mistakes. Issuers view such applicants as fairly risky, which eliminates most prime credit cards as options.

The easiest unsecured cards to obtain with a poor to fair credit score will either be starter credit cards from major banks or local credit unions, or subprime credit cards, which can be relatively expensive. Secured credit cards are also a good option, as they may offer perks like purchase rewards.

Although credit scores aren’t the only factor for approval, they can help you gauge which credit cards to apply for. Choosing cards that typically approve applicants with similar credit scores can prevent wasted hard credit inquiries from failed applications.

A score in the 600 to 650 range is generally considered poor or fair, depending on the scoring model. This means that applying for a credit card aimed at consumers with excellent credit scores (750 FICO and up) is unlikely to be successful.

How Do You Get Your Credit Score From 600 to 700?

Increasing your credit score by 100 points takes time, but achieving a good credit score (670+ FICO Score) is well worth the effort. Your new card can help you improve your credit score by following these steps:

1. Make all of your payments on time: Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO Score and is the most crucial credit scoring factor. Maintaining an on-time payment history is the single best thing you can do to protect and improve your credit score.
2. Keep your credit utilization low: Credit utilization refers to your credit card balance and how much you owe compared to your available credit, i.e., your credit limit. The cards in this review are likely to approve you for a modest credit limit of $1,000 or less. Keep your credit utilization ratio at or below 30%, which means not exceeding a $300 balance if you have a $1,000 limit.
3. Don’t apply for several cards within a short period: The age of your credit history is worth 15% of your FICO Score, and the longer your history, the better it is for your score. Opening new accounts reduces your average age of credit, which can negatively impact your credit. It also adds hard inquiries to your credit report (the “new credit” factor above) that can affect your credit score for up to one year.
4. Diversify your credit mix: If this is your first or second credit card, just opening the account may help your credit in two ways. One of which is expanding your credit mix. Your credit mix refers to the types of accounts open in your name, such as a car loan, home loan, student loan, personal loan, etc. Credit scoring models like FICO want to see that you can manage payments on different accounts well. The second way opening a new card can instantly help your credit is by increasing the amount of credit you have available to you, as represented by your credit utilization ratio discussed above.

By following these basic credit management guidelines, you can improve your credit score within a few months. However, it won’t happen overnight and could take up to a year.

FAQs

Can I get a credit card with a 600 credit score?

Yes, it is possible to obtain a credit card with a 600 credit score. While your options may be limited compared to those with higher credit scores, secured credit cards, unsecured credit cards for bad credit, store credit cards, and prepaid debit cards are all viable options.

How long does it take to improve my credit score?

Improving your credit score is a gradual process that requires consistent effort. On average, it may take several months to a few years to see significant improvement in your credit score, depending on your starting point and the steps you take to improve your credit.

Should I close old credit card accounts that I no longer use?

Closing old credit card accounts can negatively impact your credit score, as it reduces the length of your credit history and can increase your credit utilization ratio. It is generally better to keep old credit card accounts open, provided they have no annual fees or other costs associated with them.

How can I ensure I am using my credit card responsibly?

To use your credit card responsibly, follow these guidelines:

1. Pay your balance in full and on time each month to avoid late fees and interest charges.
2. Keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%.
3. Review your monthly statements to monitor your spending and identify any unauthorized transactions.
4. Set up alerts to notify you of upcoming payment due dates and potential fraud.

Is it better to have a secured or unsecured credit card?

Both secured and unsecured credit cards have their pros and cons. Secured credit cards may be easier to qualify for and can help build or rebuild credit. However, they require a security deposit, which may be challenging for some individuals.

Unsecured credit cards do not require a security deposit but may have higher interest rates and fees, and they may be more challenging to qualify for with a low credit score. Ultimately, the best option for you depends on your financial situation and goals.

Conclusion

By understanding the options available to individuals with credit scores under 600, you can take steps to secure a credit card that will help you rebuild your credit and work towards financial freedom. Remember, the key to success is consistent effort and responsible credit card usage.

As your credit score improves, you will have access to better credit card offers and can continue to make progress on your financial journey. Stay focused, patient, and committed to your financial goals, and you will see the fruits of your efforts in due time.