What credit cards are available at a 600 credit score

At a 600 credit score, you can get credit cards, but your options are narrower than they are for people with higher scores. Most mainstream cards from large banks require a score of 670 or above. Instead, you will find cards from smaller issuers, credit unions, and specialty lenders that accept scores in the 600 range. These cards exist — they are not rare — but they come with higher interest rates, lower credit limits, and annual fees more often than cards for people with stronger credit.

The cards available to you fall into two categories: unsecured cards (regular credit cards that don't require a deposit) and secured cards (cards backed by cash you deposit with the issuer). At 600, you may be turned down for some unsecured cards but approved for others, while secured cards are almost always an option if you have the deposit money. The choice between them depends on your situation and what you are trying to accomplish with the card.

Key Takeaways

  • Unsecured cards for 600 scores typically charge 25% to 36% interest rates and may have annual fees of $25 to $99.
  • Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit, and interest rates are still high but sometimes lower than unsecured options.
  • Cards marketed as "bad credit" cards often come from smaller issuers and credit unions rather than major banks.
  • Your credit score can improve if you use the card responsibly — keeping your balance low and paying on time — which may let you move to better cards within 6 to 12 months.

Unsecured cards for 600 credit scores

Unsecured cards do not require a deposit and work like any other credit card you have used. You get a credit limit, you charge purchases, and you pay a monthly bill. The catch is that at 600, the interest rates are steep — typically between 25% and 36% — and many cards charge an annual fee on top of that.

Cards in this range come from issuers like Milestone, Indigo, and OpenSky, as well as some credit unions. A few examples: Milestone Mastercard charges an annual fee and reports to all three credit bureaus (which helps your score if you pay on time). Indigo Platinum Mastercard has a similar structure. These are real cards with real limits, not prepaid cards, so interest accrues on any balance you carry.

The key question with unsecured cards at 600 is whether the annual fee is worth it. If you plan to carry a balance, the interest rate matters far more than the fee — a $99 annual fee is noise compared to 30% interest on a $1,000 balance. If you plan to pay in full every month, the annual fee is your main cost, and you should look for cards with no annual fee or a very low one.

Secured cards and how they work

A secured card requires you to deposit cash with the card issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You then use the card like any other card, and the issuer holds your deposit as collateral in case you don't pay.

Secured cards are easier to get approved for at 600 than unsecured cards because the issuer's risk is lower — they already have your money. Interest rates on secured cards are still high (usually 18% to 30%), but sometimes lower than unsecured options. Many secured cards have no annual fee, which makes them cheaper to hold if you pay your balance in full each month.

The deposit is not a fee — it is your money, held in a separate account. You can close the card and get your deposit back at any time. As your credit score improves (usually after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments), the issuer may convert your secured card to an unsecured card and return your deposit. This is the main reason people use secured cards: they are a stepping stone to better credit and better cards.

Interest rates and fees to expect

At 600, you should expect to pay more in interest and fees than someone with a 750 score. Here is what is typical:

  • Interest rates: 18% to 36% depending on the card and issuer. Secured cards tend toward the lower end, unsecured toward the higher.
  • Annual fees: $0 to $99. Many secured cards have no annual fee. Unsecured cards often charge $25 to $99.
  • Late fees: Usually $25 to $35 for a missed payment. This is standard across all cards, not specific to 600 scores.
  • Foreign transaction fees: Usually 3% if you use the card outside the US. Again, standard across most cards.

The difference between a 25% card and a 36% card is real money. On a $1,000 balance carried for a year, 25% costs $250 in interest; 36% costs $360. If you are choosing between two cards, the interest rate should be your first comparison, not the annual fee.

How to compare cards at 600

When you are looking at cards, focus on three things: the interest rate, the annual fee, and whether the issuer reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Reporting to all three matters because it means your on-time payments will help your score across the board.

You can find this information on the card issuer's website or by calling their customer service number. Most issuers will tell you the interest rate range you might get before you formally explore. Some will do a "soft pull" of your credit — a check that does not lower your score — to give you a more specific rate.

Avoid explore to many cards in a short time. Each process triggers a hard pull of your credit, which lowers your score slightly. Space applications out by at least a few weeks. If you are rejected for one card, wait before trying another.

Building credit with a 600 score card

The real value of a 600 credit card is not the card itself — it is what the card lets you do. If you use it responsibly, your score can improve significantly within 6 to 12 months, which opens the door to better cards, lower interest rates, and better terms on loans.

To build credit, keep your balance low (ideally below 30% of your limit), pay every bill on time, and never miss a payment. If you have a $500 limit, try to keep your balance under $150. If you charge $500 and pay it off in full the next month, that is fine — the score cares about the balance reported to the bureaus, which is usually your balance on your statement date, not your current balance.

Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, so you never miss a important date by accident. Many card issuers let you set this up for free on their website or app. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments and low balances, you can explore for a better card or ask your current issuer to increase your limit or lower your rate.

Secured vs. unsecured: which should you choose

Choose a secured card if you have cash available for a deposit and want the lowest possible interest rate. Secured cards are easier to get approved for, often have no annual fee, and can help you build credit just as well as unsecured cards. The deposit is a small price for a lower rate and a clearer path to better credit.

Choose an unsecured card if you do not have deposit money available or if you find an unsecured card with a very low annual fee and a reasonable interest rate. Unsecured cards feel more like a "real" credit card, and you do not have money tied up in a deposit. The tradeoff is higher interest rates and more likely annual fees.

If you are unsure, start with a secured card. It is the safer choice at 600, and you can always move to an unsecured card once your score improves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will explore for a 600 credit score card hurt my score?

Yes, each process triggers a hard pull that lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary — it fades after a few months. Space applications out by at least two to three weeks to minimize damage. Once you are approved and using the card responsibly, on-time payments will push your score back up.

Can I get a credit limit increase after a few months?

Many issuers will increase your limit after 6 months of on-time payments, especially if you have been paying more than the minimum. Some will do this automatically; others require you to request it. A higher limit helps your score because it lowers your utilization ratio (the percentage of your limit you are using). Ask your issuer about their policy.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will lower your score significantly — usually 100 points or more. It will stay on your report for seven years. If you miss a payment, contact the issuer when ready and pay as soon as you can. Some issuers will waive the late fee if it is your first miss and you pay within 30 days.

Can I use a secured card to build credit if I have no credit history?

Yes. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history or poor credit history. As long as you have the deposit money and a valid ID, you can open one. Make sure the issuer reports to all three credit bureaus so your payments build your score from scratch.

When should I close my 600 score card?

Do not close it when ready after your score improves. Closing a card lowers your score because it reduces your total available credit and increases your utilization ratio on other cards. Keep the card open and use it occasionally (a small charge every few months, paid in full). Once you have several cards with good payment history, closing one will have less impact.