What credit cards are available at a 700 credit score

A 700 credit score puts you in the range where mainstream credit card issuers will consider you, though you will not yet may have access to for their premium cards. Most banks and card networks treat 700 as the threshold where risk drops enough to offer unsecured cards — cards that do not require a deposit. You will see options from issuers like Capital One, Discover, Chase, and American Express, but the cards available to you will have higher interest rates and lower credit limits than cards offered to people with scores above 750.

The specific cards you can get depend on the issuer's own scoring bands, which they do not publish. What matters is that at 700, you are no longer limited to secured cards or subprime products. You have access to cards that build credit the same way premium cards do — through monthly reporting to the credit bureaus — but with terms that reflect your current risk profile.

Key Takeaways

  • At 700, you can get unsecured cards from mainstream issuers, meaning you do not have to put down a cash deposit to open the account.
  • Cards available at this score typically carry interest rates between 18% and 29%, depending on the issuer and your income.
  • Credit limits at 700 are usually between $500 and $2,500, and many issuers will increase them after six months of on-time payments.
  • Secured cards are still an option if you want to rebuild faster or if you are denied for unsecured cards, though they require a deposit.
  • The card you choose matters less than using it responsibly — on-time payments and low utilization will raise your score faster than any card feature.

Unsecured cards designed for scores in the 650–750 range

Capital One Platinum and Discover It Secured are the two most common entry points at 700. The Capital One Platinum has no annual fee, a starting credit limit of $300 to $2,500, and reports to all three credit bureaus. Discover It Secured requires a deposit equal to your credit limit (between $200 and $2,500) but offers cash back on purchases — 2% at gas stations and restaurants for the first year, then 1% after. Both cards review your account after six months and may convert you to an unsecured card or increase your limit without requiring more money.

Chase also offers the Chase Freedom Rise, which is unsecured and has no annual fee, though it typically requires a score closer to 700 and a checking account with Chase. American Express has the Blue Cash Everyday, which is unsecured and offers 1% cash back on all purchases, but American Express uses a different approval process and may decline you even at 700 if your income or payment history does not meet their threshold.

The difference between these cards is small at the 700 level. None offer travel rewards, sign-up bonuses, or premium perks. The choice comes down to whether you want cash back (Discover, Amex), no deposit requirement (Capital One, Chase, Amex), or the fastest path to a higher limit (Capital One and Discover both review after six months).

Secured cards and when they make sense at 700

A secured card requires you to deposit cash into a savings account held by the bank. That deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a normal card, make monthly payments, and the bank reports your activity to the credit bureaus. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, the issuer will return your deposit and convert the card to unsecured, or open a new unsecured card for you.

At 700, you do not need a secured card to build credit — unsecured cards will do the same job. But a secured card makes sense if you were denied for unsecured cards, if you want to rebuild your score as fast as possible (because you control the credit limit and can keep utilization very low), or if you have a specific goal like reaching 750 in the next year. The Discover It Secured is the most popular choice because it offers cash back even though it is secured, and because Discover has a clear path to conversion.

Interest rates, fees, and credit limits at 700

Interest rates for cards at 700 range from 18% to 29%, depending on the issuer and your income. Capital One Platinum typically lands around 24% to 27%. Discover It Secured is usually 18% to 24%. Chase Freedom Rise is often 18% to 25%. These rates are much higher than cards for people with 750+ scores, which often start at 12% to 18%, but they reflect the real cost of lending to someone with a recent negative mark or thin credit history.

Annual fees are rare at this score level — most cards charge nothing. Some issuers charge a one-time processing fee ($25 to $95) when you open the account, which they may waive if you ask. Secured cards charge nothing extra beyond the deposit itself.

Credit limits start low: $300 to $500 is common for a first card at 700. Some issuers will approve you for up to $2,500 if your income is high enough. The limit matters because it affects your utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you use each month. Keeping utilization below 10% helps your score, so a $500 limit means keeping your balance under $50. If you get a $2,500 limit, you have more room to spend without hurting your score.

How to choose between cards at this score

Start by deciding whether you want cash back. If yes, Discover It Secured is the strongest choice because it offers 2% cash back on gas and restaurants in year one, and you can convert to unsecured after 12 months. If you do not want to put down a deposit, Capital One Platinum or Chase Freedom Rise are your best bets.

Next, check whether you already bank with Chase or have a relationship with another issuer. Banks often approve their own customers more readily and at better terms. If you have a Chase checking account, explore for Chase Freedom Rise first. If you bank with Capital One, start there.

Finally, think about your timeline. If you are trying to reach 750 within a year, a secured card with a small deposit ($500 to $1,000) and perfect payment history will move your score faster than an unsecured card with a low limit. If you just want a card to use and do not have a specific score goal, an unsecured card is simpler because you do not have to manage a deposit.

What happens after you open a card at 700

Your first card will not when ready raise your score. In fact, a new account and a hard inquiry will lower your score by 5 to 10 points in the short term. After that, your score will improve if you make on-time payments and keep your balance low. Most people see a 20 to 50 point increase within three to six months of responsible use.

After six months, many issuers will review your account and increase your credit limit without a hard inquiry. This is a soft pull and does not hurt your score. If you have made every payment on time and kept your balance low, you may see a limit increase from $500 to $1,000 or more. Some issuers will also offer to convert a secured card to unsecured at this point.

Once you reach 750, you will see a wider range of cards available to you — cards with better rewards, lower interest rates, and higher limits. That is when you can think about upgrading or opening a second card. Until then, focus on using your first card responsibly and letting time and payment history do the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will opening a credit card hurt my 700 score?

Yes, briefly. A hard inquiry will lower your score by 5 to 10 points, and a new account will lower it by another 5 to 15 points. But these effects fade within three to six months. After that, on-time payments will raise your score faster than the initial dip lowered it.

Can I get a card with no annual fee at 700?

Yes. Capital One Platinum, Discover It Secured, Chase Freedom Rise, and American Express Blue Cash Everyday all have no annual fee. Some issuers charge a one-time processing fee of $25 to $95 when you open the account, but this is not an annual fee.

What credit limit should I expect at 700?

Most issuers will offer $300 to $1,000 as a starting limit at 700. If your income is high and your payment history is clean, you may get $2,000 to $2,500. The limit depends on the issuer's own rules and your income, not just your score.

Should I get a secured or unsecured card at 700?

Unsecured is simpler because you do not have to put down a deposit. Secured makes sense if you were denied for unsecured cards, or if you want to rebuild your score as fast as possible. Both report to credit bureaus the same way and will raise your score with on-time payments.

How long until I can upgrade to a better card?

Most people can move to a card with better rewards and lower rates once they reach 750, which typically takes 6 to 12 months of on-time payments at 700. Some issuers will increase your limit or convert your card to unsecured after just six months, which is a sign you are on track.