Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards with $1,000 to $5,000 Limits for Bad Credit

Below is a list of guaranteed approval credit cards that will approve you regardless of your credit score because they perform no credit checks. These credit cards are ideal for those who have just experienced a sharp drop in their credit scores to what is now considered very poor and adverse credit scores territory and as a result, have constantly been denied other cards and do not want to go through another hard inquiry. So while you can technically say there is no real "guaranteed approval credit cards", the reality is that the recommended credit cards listed here have easy application and approval is instant in most cases because the criteria and requirements are easily met by almost everyone. You would also be pleasantly surprised that you can get credit limits that are quite high by subprime standards. Our recommended credit cards that guarantee approval have credit limits ranging from $1,000, $2,000 and up to $5,000.

Credit cards that guarantee approval include secured credit cards, credit builder credit cards, prepaid credit cards and debit cards. Secured credit cards that guarantee approval often just require that you pass basic identity verification and fund your security deposit, or open a mobile bank account with them and set up a direct deposit. You would also be surprised that some of these security deposit requirements are lower than most though you could deposit up to $5,000 to set yourself a very high limit. There are also unsecured credit cards that guarantee approval and these tend to be merchandise or electronic store credit cards. Very often, the only requirement is that you have a debit card or have a minimum income of around $1,000. Credit limits for these cards come at around the $1,000 area so they are not too shabby. All prepaid credit cards have no credit checks and approval is always assured.

We will also give you some alternatives to guaranteed credit cards later on.

Below is a list of our recommended credit cards that guarantee approval with very minimal requirements that do not require a hard inquiry. They include secured credit cards, credit builder cards, debit and prepaid credit cards and even unsecured store credit cards. While all secured credit cards require a security deposit (which becomes your credit limit), some might actually decline your application if your credit scores are really bad or if you have just emerged from a bankruptcy. Our recommendations all guarantee approval as long as you meet their non-credit score criteria.
 

Debit Card That Reports to Credit Bureaus

All prepaid credit cards and debit cards guarantee approval because they do not perform any credit checks or hard inquiry. The reason is that they do not extend you any credit at all. Our recommended debit card below goes one better and actually reports to credit bureaus and helps you to rebuild your credit.
 

Extra Card

Who is this card for? - The Extra Card is a debit card that is for the rebuilder who has a checking account and does not need or want a credit line and get into more debt (which is impossible with a debit card). It is ideal as a rebuilder who wants to rebuild his/her credit, control his/her spending without any risk of getting into more debt.

Requirements - All you need is a checking account.

Why We Like This Card? - We like this card because being a Mastercard Debit Card, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Furthermore, as the Extra Card is one of the extremely rare debit cards that report to credit bureaus, you can rebuild your credit without getting into more debt. The $7 monthly fee is also very reasonable.

Cardholders Comments - Here are a couple of cardholder comments on the Extra Card.

After a nasty divorce my credit score went down from 750 to 580. Even with a 580 credit score I got denied by my bank's secured credit card and other unsecured cards. I got easily approved for Extra and for me, the $7/month is definitely worth it to rebuild my credit. At the same time, I got a Self acccount and later their secured Visa and after a year and a half, my credit score has increased by 100 points to 680.

Monthly Fee - $7
Regular APR - None as it is a debit card
Requirements - Need a checking account.

Read our review of the Extra Debit Card

Credit Builder Credit Cards - Requires Setting A No Credit Check Credit Builder Loan First

Credit Builder Secured Credit Cards require you to open a credit builder loan first. The credit builder loan does not do any credit checks so you will definitely be approved. Once you have saved up enough for a security deposit, you can then get the secured credit card (also no credit checks and acceptance is assured). Both the credit builder loan and secured credit card report to credit bureaus so you will have 2 items reporting instead of one.
 

Self Secured Visa

Who is this card for? - The Self Secured Visa is ideal for those who want to rebuild with a secured credit card but do not have the funds for the security deposit. As a credit builder card, Self allows you to deposit a fixed amount into your Self credit builder account every month until you meet your security deposit target. Once that is achieved, you will get your secured credit card.

Requirements - You need to open a credit builder account with Self. After paying a minimum of three monthly payments and having saved enough for your security deposit (minimum amount is $100), you can then get the secured credit card and fund it with your savings from the credit builder account. Both the credit builder account and secured credit card require no credit checks and you will definitely be approved.

Why we like this card? - We like the Self Secured Visa because it allows those of you who are strapped for cash to slowly build up savings by starting a "credit builder account" with them. While you build up your savings via a monthly deposit, you build up your credit as well because they are reported to the credit bureaus. Self also does not check your credit so you will definitely be approved.

Cardholders Comments - Here are a couple of cardholder comments on the Self Secured Visa Card.

I’ve had them for 1.5 years and currently have a secured card for $1850 through them. They have absolutely raised my score and updated all positive history.

Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 23.24%
Requirements - Open a Self Credit Builder account, make a minimum of three payments.
Credit Limits - Minimum of $100 and a maximum of $3,000.

Read our Self Secured Visa

Secured Credit Cards That Guarantee Approval Instantly - $2,000 - $3,000 Credit Limits

The recommended secured credit cards will approval you instantly. But you have to fund your security deposit before they send you your card to use. So approval is guaranteed and instant but there is no instant use.
 

Opensky Credit Card

Who is this card for? - The Opensky Secured Visa Credit Card is for rebuilders who want to rebuild their credit using secured credit cards and have been denied for other secured credit cards (you may be surprised that this happens more often than you think). It is also for rebuilders who only have Western Union or Moneygram because Opensky allows you to fund your security deposit via Moneygram or Western Union. The minimum security deposit requirement is low at $200 (which is refundable when you close the card) is very affordable to start your rebuilding process.

Requirements - No credit checks. Will definitely be approved but you do need to fund your security deposit.

Why We Like This Card? - We like Opensky because it is one of the best known and reputable secured credit card in the rebuilder world. Lots of people recommend this card because it has been around long enough and is very reliable in their credit bureau reporting. Their $35 annual fee is also very reasonable considering that they will guarantee your approval as long as you fund your security deposit. If you pay your first six monthly bills on time, Opensky will consider a credit limit increase without any additional security deposit. They now also have an unsecured credit card called the Opensky Gold Unsecured Credit Card, which by some accounts have a $35 annual fee and a starting credit limit of $500. They will consider pre-approving you for this card in as little as six months with timely payments and improvements in your credit score.

Opensky now have a mobile app which they launched in 2019 and they are gradually making improvements to it. This will make them more appealing as many subprime issuers do not even have a mobile app. You can also set up autopay (which is actually not available to many subprime credit cards).

Annual Fee - $35
Regular APR - 21.14%
Requirements - No credit checks. You will be approved but you need to fund your security deposit.
Credit Limit - $200 - $3,000

Read our review of the Opensky Secured Visa

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard Secured Credit Card

Who is this card for? - The First Progress Select Mastercard is for those looking for a secured credit with a reasonable annual fee and APR. It is ideal for rebuilders with very low credit scores or even those who have been discharged from bankruptcy and are looking for a secured credit card to rebuild without incurring any hard inquiries. As there are no credit checks, it is essentially a guaranteed approval secured credit card with a credit limit up to $2,000.

Requirements - No credit checks. Acceptance is assured and you will be able to use your card as long as you fund your security deposit (which sets your credit limit).

Why we like this card? - We like the First Progress Select Mastercard because there is no credit checks and you will definitely be approved as long as you fund your security deposit. Both the annual fee and APR are reasonable and you will be able to check your Vantage score from Experian every month for free. First Progress also offers you an upgrade path to an unsecured credit card in as little as 6 months if you pay your bills on time as you may be invited to apply for the First Digital Mastercard (which has a partnership with First Progress)

Annual Fee - $39
Regular APR - 18.24%
Credit Limit - $200 - $2,000.

Read our review of the First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard.

Secured Credit Card which Guarantees Approval and Require Setting Up Mobile Banking Account and Direct Deposit

Go2Bank Secured Credit Card

Who is this card for? - The Go2Bank Secured Visa is for rebuilders who want a no credit check guaranteed approval secured credit with a low security deposit requirement. Unlike the majority of secured credit cards which require at least $200 in security deposit, Go2Bank secured credit card only requires a $100 minimum, making it a more affordable secured credit card than others.

Requirements - You would need to set up a Go2Bank Mobile Banking Account and direct deposit. Once you have direct deposited $100 into your account, you can request for their secured credit card. Both mobile bank and secured credit card do not perform any credit checks.

Why we like this card? - We like the Go2Bank Secured Visa credit card for many reasons. With regard to the card itself, there is no annual fee and it has a low minimum security deposit of $100. You also get a free Vantage Score from Equifax with the card as well.

However, Go2Bank's mobile account (called the Vault) is a great online mobile banking account and platform as well. You can get a really good APY (interest) on your account and get your paycheck 2 days earlier (4 days earlier for government benefits) with direct deposits). At this moment, Go2Bank is offering accounts the ability to get their tax refund 5 days earlier if you choose their bank as the one to get the refund from the IRS.

More importantly, Go2Bank has a really slick modern app that is top notch among the cards mentioned here.

Annual Fee - $0
Regular APR - 22.99%
Credit Limit - Min of $100

Read our review of the Go2Bank Secured Visa Credit Card.

$5,000 Credit Limit Credit Card

Buy On Trust Lending

Who is this card for? - The Buy On Trust Lending is an electronic store on the web where you can make purchases and get them picked up at your nearest Best Buy store. Buy on Trust reports to all three major credit bureaus and does not perform any credit checks or hard inquiry. They are ideal for rebuilders who would like to get their electronics on a "lease to buy" basis and rebuild their credit at the same time, who want to avoid a hard inquiry and also a credit instrument that can get them up to $5,000 in credit limits.

Requirements - You need a monthly income of at least $1,000 for 3 months from the same source/employer and also a checking account with no NSF issues. There are no credit checks performed.

Why we like this card? - We like Buy On Trust because not you can buy any electronics that is available at Best Buy Stores and is one of the very rare lease to buy electronics store tht actually reports to credit bureaus. There is also no credit checks (no hard inquries) which will be greatly appreciated by those who cannot afford another hard inquiry on their credit report. Instead, the requirements are that you need to show you have 3 months of income of at least $1,000 from the same source and a checking account with no overdraft or NSF. It is ideal if your income is direct deposited into your bank account. If you meed these requirement, then your approval is almost assured and guaranteed and your credit limit can max out at $5,000.

Annual Fee: $0
Membership Fee: $0/month
Credit Limit: Up to $5,000

Read our Review of Buy on Trust Lending

Credit Card with $1,000 Credit Limit

Unique Platinum

Who is this card for? - The Unique Platinum is a guaranteed approval credit card with a $1,000 credit limit without no security deposit required that is ideal for those who have been constantly rejected and denied for other rebuilder credit cards and are looking for a credit line with a decent limit and no credit checks. People who have really bad credit scores in the low 500s or even 400 can get approved.

Requirements - Requires you to have a debit card. There are no credit checks and approval is guaranteed as long you have a debit card.

Why we like this card? - We like the Unique Platinum because you can get a starting credit limit of $1,000 which you can use at www.myuniqueoutlet.com. The APR is also 0%, which means you can buy products and pay over time at 0% (ie no interest). They also have a RX Spark prescription discount program where you can get up to 54% discounts at over 62,000 pharmacies. This is also ideal for those who do not have regular health insurance.

Annual Fee: $0
Membership Fee: $19.95/month
Regular APR: 0%
Starting Credit Limit - $1,000.

Read our Review of the Unique Platinum

Opensky vs First Progress - While both Opensky and First Progress do not check your credit and will definitely approval you, there are some key differences between them like payment methods and pathway to an unsecured credit card that may influence your choice.

Self vs Opensky - While Opensky is a traditional secured credit card, Self is more a new Fintech secured credit card that requires you to sign up for a credit builder loan first (no credit check required). I think this is an important comparison to read if you are deciding which one to get, but you may well end up getting both.

One of the things you would notice is that our recommendations on this page on credit cards that guarantee approval and do not perform any credit checks is that they consist on mainly secured credit cards and a couple of store credit cards that are unsecured and do not require any security deposit. There are really no regular Visa or Mastercard (that are not secured credit cards) that guarantee approval and do not perform any credit checks. The next alternative are credit cards that allow you to go through a pre-approval process with no impact on your credit score. These cards are slightly harder to get approved for than our recommended cards above. You need to have been rebuilding for at least 6 months or longer (preferably a year) and showed an improvement in your credit score or have paid off some charge offs and collections.

Personal Loans are also an alternative to rebuild your credit especially if you genuinely have a need for one and have sorted out your budget to be able to manage your cashflow and monthly payment. Our recommendations below starts with a pre-approval process first with no impact on your credit score unless you are pre-approved and decide to pull the trigger.
 

Reflex Mastercard

Who is this card for? - The Reflex Mastercard is for those with bad credit and are looking for a credit card with a decent credit limit..

Requirements - There are several things that will greatly improve your chance of get approved. You need to have worked on your credit score for at least 6 months to a year and show improvement in your scores. Ideally, you credit utilization ratio should be no more than 40% and your debt payment to income ratio should be no more than 40% as well.

Why we like this card? - There are three main reasons why we like the Reflex Mastercard. The first is that they offer four versions with different credit limits and fees and this alone increases your chance of getting approved. The starting credit limits available are $300, $500, $750 and $1,000. Secondly, if you pay your first six monthly bills on time, your credit limit will double. That means it will increase to $600, $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000 respectively from the original starting credit limit. Thirdly, Reflex has modern perks like free credit scores and a mobile app as well.

Annual Fee: varies - check our review
Credit Limit: $300, $500, $750 or $1,000. Doubles to $600, $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000 after 6 months of timely payments.

Read our Reflex Mastercard

Destiny Mastercard with CashBack Rewards

Who is this card for? - The Destiny Mastercard CashBack Rewards is for those with bad credit but have been working to improve their credit scores and are looking for a credit card that earns cash back..

Requirements - There are several things that will greatly improve your chance of get approved. You need to have worked on your credit score for at least 6 months to a year and show improvement in your scores. Ideally, you credit utilization ratio should be no more than 40% and your debt payment to income ratio should be no more than 40% as well.

Why we like this card? - We like the Destiny Mastercard CashBack Rewards because it is one of the rare "bad credit" cards that give you a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all your purchases. The cash back earnings will offset the fees you have to pay on the card. $700 is also very decent credit limit.

Annual Fee: $175 first year, then $49
Monthly Fee - $0 first year, then $12.50/month
Credit Limit: $700

Read our Destiny Mastercard

Zippy Loans

Who is this loan for? - Zippy Loan is for those with bad credit looking for a loan for debt consolidation, renovations or any other personal loan for up to $15,000..

Requirements - Zippy Loan has relationship with over 100 lenders hence we cannot pin down any certain criteria. But having a regular income is a must as well as the usual credit metrics like credit utilization ratio, total debt etc.

Why we like this loan? - Zippy Loan is a loan aggregator who has relationships with over one hundred lenders. Hence, there is a very good chance that there will be a lender who will suit your needs. Their app and online application is extremely simple. Approval is very quick and you can get cash in your account as soon as the next business day after approval.

Loan Limit: $100 to $15,000

Read our Zippy Loan Review

Viva Loan

Who is this loan for? - Viva Loan is for those with bad credit looking for a loan for debt consolidation or any other personal loan for up to $15,000..

Requirements - Viva Loan has relationship with over 100 lenders hence we cannot pin down any certain criteria. But having a regular income is a must as well as the usual credit metrics like credit utilization ratio, total debt etc.

Why we like this loan? - VivaLoan has a very easy and user friendly application process. Approval is quick and you can get your loan as quickly as the next business day upon approval. VivaLoan has relationships with over 100 lenders and there is a good chance that you will get an offer some a lender that will suit you.

Loan Limit: $100 to $15,000

Read our Viva Loan Review

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's a guaranteed approval credit card?

What's a guaranteed approval credit card?

Can I get declined for any of these credit cards on this page?

Can I get declined for any of these credit cards on this page?

Are there guaranteed approval credit cards with $1,000 limits with no deposit?

Are there guaranteed approval credit cards with $1,000 limits with no deposit?

Are there guaranteed approval credit cards with $10,000 limits?

Are there guaranteed approval credit cards with $10,000 limits?

Are the recommended cards on this page instant approval credit cards?

Are the recommended cards on this page instant approval credit cards?

Can I get a credit card with 500 credit score?

Can I get a credit card with 500 credit score?