Getting Unsecured Credit Cards With Bad Credit

Bad Credit Doesn't Rule Out Unsecured Credit Cards

Many people believe that because of their bad credit, unsecured credit cards are not available to them. While it may be more difficult, there are options for people with bad credit who want an unsecured credit card to build their credit or have available for use in an emergency. While a secured credit card is the most commonly recommended option for people with bad credit, unsecured credit cards ARE available - even for those with the worst credit.

Bad Credit: Unsecured Credit Cards vs. Secured Credit Cards

One of the easiest ways to get a credit card when you have bad credit is to opt for a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you deposit money in a bank designated by the credit card company to serve as a 'security deposit' - an assurance that they'll get their money if you default on payments. Depending on the lender, that deposit might be equal to your desired credit limit, or slightly higher or lower. A security deposit of $300, for instance, might get you a $150 line of credit with one company, a $300 line of credit with another, and a $400 one with yet a third. The interest rate is generally competitive, since the company has a guarantee of getting its money if you don't make payments.

An unsecured credit card requires no security deposit. A bad credit unsecured credit card will often have either a high APR (annual percentage rate), high fees, or both. How do the two stack up against each other? Here's a comparison from two actual credit card offers that are sitting on my desk as I write:

Secured Credit Card
Security Deposit: $250
Annual Fee: $35
Setup Fee: $35
APR: 15.40%

Credit Limit Increases: $100 increments, each require $100 deposit

Bottom Line: It will cost you $370 to maintain a $250 credit limit for the first year, with at least $250 up front, at an APR of 15.40%. You'll have $170 available credit upon receipt of your card. You'll have to put up an additional $100 every time you want to increase your credit limit.

Bad Credit Unsecured Credit Card
Annual Fee: $48
Setup Fee: $29
Participation Fee: $72 ( annual, billed at $6 monthly )
Program Fee: $95 (one time fee)
APR: 9.9%

Credit Limit Increases: $25 ( per increase of $100, at their discretion )

Bottom line: It will cost you $244 for the first year, all of it billed to your credit card on your first statement, to maintain a $250 credit limit with an APR of 9.9%. You'll have $72 credit available upon receipt of your card.

In the long run, while a bad credit unsecured credit card may cost you more, you won't be tying up your money up front. Either card will help repair your credit as you make payments on time and regularly, but the unsecured card has an APR that's almost 5% lower. You're the only one who can decide which is the better option for you - but it makes sense to weigh all your options before you decide that your only way to have a credit card is with a security deposit.

@ Copyright 2005 - Bill A Smith

About the Author

Bill A Smith is a credit counselor for http://www.americreditservices.com Feel free to visit our bad credit help center at http://www.americreditservices.com/bad-credit

Bad Credit and Unsecured Credit Cards

Regardless if you have good credit or bad credit or even if you are rich or poor, there is a credit card on the marketplace for you. If you have bad credit then you will need to find a company that offers unsecured credit cards.

The secured credit cards are for families and individuals that have money, yet want a credit card to maintain their credit rates on the records. Spending money is not going to build their credit, therefore they will use the cards to build there credit line. Frequently these people will expend a couple of hundred each month and repay the charges off quickly. This is ludicrous since the repayments paid sooner than the date due will not build any credit lines. Rather, the cardholder must show good faith by paying the cards off on the due date.

If you have bad credit, then be aware that providers that offer unsecured credit cards may require a small deposit. The deposit is a security to the lenders that if you fail to make payments, they can use the deposit to meet the debt amount. If you apply for the card and are approved, most likely you will not receive a credit line above the depositing amount. In other words, you credit card may only provide you $500 credit and if you exceed these amount you are at risk of loosing your card.

Most unsecured credit cards offer low fixed interest rates and a credit line, starting at $200 and up, depending on the card provider and the depositing amount. The providers may even offer additional benefits, including cash back or points per purchase made on the credit card. You will need to be very cautious while looking for an unsecured credit card.

The Pesky Sales People

Salespeople will often go out of their way to make a sell. At times, you may receive phone calls, emails, or letters in the mail with special offers on credit cards. The credit lines may range from $200 up to $10, 000 regardless of your credit ratings. Most of the offers tell you to sign up now before the offer expires. BE CAUTIOUS! Most of these offer a 'slicks' to lower you into a web of debt.

Also, watch out for the advertising slicks that send messages, claiming that you are approved for a Guaranteed Credit Card. Most likely, the slicks have a high-paying approval line of credit to offer.

If you do find a credit card and are approved it will help you when times are tough. One advantage of credit cards is that you can head over to the bank and withdraw $500 when you need quick cash.

The downside is being aware that you will be paying more than $500 back in most instances. On the other hand, you are not going deeper in debt really, (depends on the payday advance amount and fees), but Payday Loan lenders will attach a higher fee than many credit card lenders. For example, you could get a payday loan up to $500 at a Payday Advance store and may pay $82 for the loan borrowed. If you exceed three extensions on Payday Loans then you could pay up to 449.9% interest rates on the loans. Therefore, credit cards are more reliable for offering payday loans.

No matter if, you have good, bad or no credit at all, the unsecured cards are more available to be on your side, than few of the other types of cards offered are. If you have bad credit or no credit, you may want to check out the High-Risk card lenders, since many will work hard to get you a card. The lenders will also go out of their way to find a card that better suits your needs.

Furthermore, if you are searching for an unsecured credit card, or any card for that matter, be sure to stay alert to each detail laid out in the terms and agreements. Some card providers will charge yearly rates, monthly rates, and additional hidden charges. Therefore, reading the fine print before signing a contract is the wisest thing you will ever do!

About the author:

Tony Robinson is a careful and experienced credit card user, He is also a Webmaster and International Author. Check out his credit card tips at http://www.ezy-credit-card.com/