The Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit

Don’t sacrifice good rates and rewards just because you have fair credit! Even people with average credit can enjoy cash back with their purchases. Read on for reviews of the best credit cards for fair credit, which can earn you a lot more than you think.

You don’t have to have the world’s best credit score to enjoy the benefits of a worthwhile cash back program. Thankfully, you’re out of the woods with a 650+ FICO score, so you can take advantage of offers you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. If your FICO score isn’t what it could be, don’t despair! Here are the most top rewards-earning cards for people with average credit.

Absolute best credit card for average credit: the Capital One Cash Credit Card - Average Credit

Topping our list is the Capital One Cash Credit Card - Average Credit, a killer offering from Capital One that offers accessibility and rewards. Even with less-than-stellar credit, you get:

• 1.5% rewards on all your purchases (1% back, plus a 50% points dividend on your anniversary of cardmembership)
• Easy-to-redeem cash back, so you don’t have to struggle with complicated rewards programs and point systems
• 0% APR on purchases until February 2013, so you can take your time paying off a big purchase

It has a remarkably low $39 annual fee, which actually beats out most other bad credit cards. For example, the Orchard Bank MasterCard has a $59 ongoing annual fee. Plus, like all Capital One credit cards, this one has no foreign transaction fee.

Capital One® Cash Rewards - Average Credit
	50% bonus on the cash back you earn every year 1% cash back on all purchases Earn unlimited cash rewards that don't expire Redeem cash rewards anytime for any amount, even set up automatic redemption Personalize your card with an image of your choice 0% intro APR on purchases until February 2013
Annual Fee Signing Promo APR, variable* Intro APR Promotions $39 None Min APR: 17.9%(V) Max APR: 22.9%(V) Default APR: 29.4%(V) Cash Adv: 24.9%(V) Purchase: 0% until February 2013 Bal Trans: None

Best card for average-bordering-on-bad credit: the Capital One Classic Platinum Average Credit

If you don’t quite qualify for the average-credit Capital One card mentioned above, your next best bet is the Capital One Classic Platinum Average Credit. It too has a $39 annual fee, but doesn’t have rewards. Still, you’re getting a pretty good deal, all things considered: no purchase APR until February 2013, which gives you tons of time to build up your FICO score before you’re even charged interest on your purchases.

Capital One® Classic Platinum Credit Card
	0% intro APR on all purchases until February 2013 $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen Enjoy Platinum benefits, including 24-hour roadside assistance and extended warranty protection Pick an image for your card—choose the one shown here, any of the hundreds in our collection or add your own
Annual Fee Signing Promo APR, variable* Intro APR Promotions $39 None Min APR: 17.9%(V) Max APR: 22.9%(V) Default APR: 29.4%(V) Cash Adv: 24.9%(V) Purchase: 0% intro APR until February 2013 Bal Trans: None

Best card for immigrants: the Capital One Newcomers

Are you a recent transplant to the United States? If so, you’re in luck: Capital One has a card specifically for immigrants. Your credit score doesn’t carry over from other countries, so you have to start from scratch. But on the bright side, the Capital One Classic Platinum Average Credit is pretty much the best for doing so. There’s no annual fee, and you get 2% cash back on travel and 1% back elsewhere. It has no foreign transaction fee, of course, so it’s a great card to have if you travel home. Capital One doesn’t punish you for having no credit history – they work with you to build it up fee-free.

Capital One® Classic Platinum Credit Card
	0% intro APR on all purchases until February 2013 $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen Enjoy Platinum benefits, including 24-hour roadside assistance and extended warranty protection Pick an image for your card—choose the one shown here, any of the hundreds in our collection or add your own
Annual Fee Signing Promo APR, variable* Intro APR Promotions $39 None Min APR: 17.9%(V) Max APR: 22.9%(V) Default APR: 29.4%(V) Cash Adv: 24.9%(V) Purchase: 0% intro APR until February 2013 Bal Trans: None