CC for not so good credit.

[Anonymous]

Hello board-

Anyone have suggestion on what type of cc I should get? My credit isn't that good but I am trying to rebuilt it

[3MV]

I was just approved for the Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards. My score was 576 (EQ).

[Open123]

Your best bets are secured card or unsecured from Cap One, Orchard, or the BBRZ card.  In my view, I'd app for a combination.  For example, get a secured card from a prime Bank, then app for a Cap One, Orchard, or BBRZ unsecured.

If the above fails, then you'd have to resort to First Premier or Credit One.  I would avoid these if possible.  There's a price for building credit, and only you need to fully understand the price the latter charges before doing business with them.

[JustMe77]

I agree, try Orchard Bank and Capital One. They both have places on their website where you can see if you are pre-approved/pre-qualified for anything.

[jeffery581]

RE: I agree, try Orchard Bank and Capital One. They both have places on their website where you can see if you are pre-approved/pre-qualified for anything.

+1

[Anonymous]

I suggest you try the preapproval for Capital One and see what they offer.   Orchard is being bought by Capital One, so I would try Capital One first. 

You might consider secured card with CU or other major banks.   Depends on what bad things on your report.

[lithium78]

I've had pretty much every rebuilding card a person can get.  Here are the unsecured cards I got for rebuilding:

First Premier (First Premier) -- Don't even bother.  Honestly, just ignore any offer from them.

Credit One Bank (Credit One) -- Credit limit starts low and is increased in $100 to $150 increments over time if you pay their $19.95 CLI fees.  No grace period.  Interest accrues daily, which is a real pain.  $99 AF divided into monthly payments.  No rewards.

Orchard Bank (HSBC) -- Low credit limit (Mine is $900 after four and a half years).  $79 AF.  No rewards.

Direct Rewards Discover (HSBC) -- Very low credit limit.  (Mine stayed at $300 for three years before I cancelled the card.)  $59 AF.  Rewards program: 1 point per dollar.  Points can be redeemed on the Direct Rewards website for merchandise.

Best Buy Reward Zone MasterCard (HSBC) -- Low credit limit  (Mine is $900 after three and a half years).  $59 AF.  Rewards program: Earn 4 points per dollar at Best Buy, 2 points per dollar for dining out, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.  Points can be redeemed for Best Buy certificates.

Capital One Platinum (Capital One) -- Credit limit grows to a decent level with the credit steps program, but then stops and never grows again.  (Mine started at $300, then jumped to $500 after 3 months, and then to $1800 after a year at which it has remained for another two and a half years.)  $39 AF (or $3 monthly membership fee depending on what they offer you.)  No rewards.

I didn't include the interest APR, because they are all astronomically high and it's best to PIF when you are rebuilding anyway.  Hope this information helps you with your decisions.  Don't worry.  Rebuilding cards really do eventually lead you to being able to get prime cards.

[2NE1]

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@lithium78 wrote:

I've had pretty much every rebuilding card a person can get.  Here are the unsecured cards I got for rebuilding:

Direct Rewards Discover (HSBC) -- Very low credit limit.  (Mine stayed at $300 for three years before I cancelled the card.)  $59 AF.  Rewards program: 1 point per dollar.  Points can be redeemed on the Direct Rewards website for merchandise.

Best Buy Reward Zone MasterCard (HSBC) -- Low credit limit  (Mine is $900 after three and a half years).  $59 AF.  Rewards program: Earn 4 points per dollar at Best Buy, 2 points per dollar for dining out, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.  Points can be redeemed for Best Buy certificates.

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I had no idea BBRZ MC was poor score friendly. I am in the process of rebuilding as well, I already have a CapOne and Orchard CCs... would you recommend I apply to this card? or try a CU card instead? *sigh* it would be nice to find a VISA one since the two I just got are MC.

[lithium78]

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@2NE1 wrote:

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@lithium78 wrote:

I've had pretty much every rebuilding card a person can get.  Here are the unsecured cards I got for rebuilding:

Direct Rewards Discover (HSBC) -- Very low credit limit.  (Mine stayed at $300 for three years before I cancelled the card.)  $59 AF.  Rewards program: 1 point per dollar.  Points can be redeemed on the Direct Rewards website for merchandise.

Best Buy Reward Zone MasterCard (HSBC) -- Low credit limit  (Mine is $900 after three and a half years).  $59 AF.  Rewards program: Earn 4 points per dollar at Best Buy, 2 points per dollar for dining out, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.  Points can be redeemed for Best Buy certificates.

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I had no idea BBRZ MC was poor score friendly. I am in the process of rebuilding as well, I already have a CapOne and Orchard CCs... would you recommend I apply to this card? or try a CU card instead? *sigh* it would be nice to find a VISA one since the two I just got are MC.

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CUs will give you the best interest rate if you qualify.  Some CUs have rewards programs too.  The BBRZ MC is pretty decent for a rebuilding card.  The rewards rack up pretty quickly and they are pretty good if you shop at Best Buy a lot.  I used my certificates to buy DVDs for my family for Christmas this past year.

[2NE1]

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@lithium78 wrote:

CUs will give you the best interest rate if you qualify.  Some CUs have rewards programs too.  The BBRZ MC is pretty decent for a rebuilding card.  The rewards rack up pretty quickly and they are pretty good if you shop at Best Buy a lot.  I used my certificates to buy DVDs for my family for Christmas this past year.

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I'll give the CU a try! for the BBRZ MC, is there a pre-approval link? I Googled it but wasn't successful...