No Credit and Limited Credit History Credit Cards
If you’re new to the credit world and this is your first foray into applying for a credit card, you’ll want to begin by considering a credit card for no credit or limited credit history. After all, you have to start somewhere when applying for credit!
With great features like fixed APR rates and automatic reporting to the major credit bureaus, these credit cards can help you build, rebuild or reestablish your credit history if you make on-time minimum payments with all of your creditors and maintain your balances well below the credit limits.
Whether you’re a student, a credit newbie or you're just hoping to improve your credit history, there ARE credit cards for no credit or limited credit available to improve both your credit history and score. The cards listed below are the best offers for no credit credit cards in the marketplace. Apply online today and begin your journey towards excellent credit!
Even if you've never applied for a credit card, they still may show up on your credit report. If you are an authorized user on someone else's account, such as a parent or spouse, their usage and payment activity can affect your credit.
Find the best credit card for you from our partners.
Build Your Credit with Credit Cards for No Credit or Limited Credit History
If you’re a beginner in the credit world (and since you’re on this page, we have a feeling you might be), here are some tips on what to look for when applying for a credit card...
0% APR Intro Periods
From the moment you begin building your credit score with that first swipe, you’ll want to pay back that balance at the end of each month. However, if you’re, say, a student who plans on carrying a (hopefully small) balance, you’ll want to make sure you put off paying interest for as long as possible. In which case, you’ll want to apply to a card that has an extended 0% APR introductory period.
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, and it describes the amount of interest you’ll pay on a balance on a per year basis. So, the lower the APR, the lower the interest.
Many limited credit credit cards offer an introductory period in which the cardholder will pay 0% for a set number of months. If you plan on carrying a balance - or at the very least consider it a possibility - then we would recommend applying to a credit card with an extended 0% APR introductory period. It’s simple - the longer you put off paying interest, the more money you’ll save.
Cash Back Rewards
OK, we ALL love cash back rewards and, believe it or not, many credit cards for limited credit offer some great cash back rewards! And why do they call them rewards? Well essentially, your credit card is offering you a “reward” for using their card in the form of cash back bonuses, travel miles, points - stuff like that. However, you don’t want to get carried away with bonus programs since the risk of credit debt is not worth the possibility of rewards. Keep your spending responsible, earn cash back gradually and watch your credit score improve.
Since credit card companies want new consumers to A.) Build a relationship with them and B.) Learn how to use credit responsibly from the get-go, a number of our favorite no credit credit cards include cash back and rewards points programs for those hoping to build credit.
Student Credit Cards
Cash back student cards for no credit or limited credit consumers are also particularly rewarding since, let’s face it, any college student can appreciate getting something for “free”. (Aren’t most college apartments furnished with free futons, chairs and coffee tables? Free = good, especially when you’re in college.) Plus, most student cards are credit cards with no annual fee; again, FREE reigns supreme.
Anyways, the best student credit cards for limited credit are the ones that reward students even further on the things they’re purchasing anyway; books, groceries, movies, etc. If you’re a student, definitely consider one of the recommended no credit credit cards above designed specifically to help you build credit. Plus, take a look at our full list of student credit cards on Creditnet.com and take the first step towards building your credit today!