Best Credit Cards by Credit Score: 580, 670, 740 and 800+

Which credit card fits your credit score?

Start with a card designed for your credit profile, then compare its costs and usefulness. At 580, prioritize rebuilding and manageable fees. At 670, compare mainstream options without assuming approval. At 740 or 800+, choose based on spending and benefits you will actually use. A high score does not make an expensive card the best choice.

No score guarantees approval. Income, existing debt, payment history, recent applications and issuer policies also matter. The ranges below describe general-purpose FICO scores, not published approval cutoffs for individual cards.

Credit cards by score range

Source for ranges: myFICO credit score guide. Different scoring models and lender versions can produce different numbers.

Best starting point for a 580 credit score

Compare secured cards before paying high maintenance fees for an unsecured card. A secured card requires collateral, but approval is still subject to the issuer's review. The deposit is separate from your monthly payments; it is not prepaid spending money.

Two options to investigate are Discover it Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured. Check the deposit you are offered, annual and other fees, credit-bureau reporting, and conditions for returning the deposit. Do not assume the unsecured Discover it Cash Back has the same eligibility as its secured counterpart.

Keep enough cash for essential expenses before tying money up in a deposit. A card that earns rewards can still be a poor choice if its fees or interest exceed those rewards.

Best starting point for a 670 credit score

A 670 general-purpose FICO score falls in the good range. It does not establish a universal minimum for Citi, Wells Fargo or another issuer. Compare prequalified offers where available and read whether checking an offer affects your credit before proceeding.

If you pay in full, a straightforward cash-back card can be a useful starting point. Our Citi Double Cash vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash comparison explains the difference between earning rewards on purchases and earning part of them when you pay. These are comparison candidates, not promises that either issuer will approve a 670 score.

If you carry a balance, compare borrowing costs before rewards. Use the credit card payoff calculator to see how your payment changes the cost and timeline.

Best starting point for a 740 or 800+ score

First compare a no-annual-fee card with any fee-based alternative using your own spending. Value credits only when you would have made the eligible purchase anyway. Account for booking restrictions, category caps, redemption rules and foreign transaction fees.

Illustrative fee break-even: A hypothetical card costing $95 a year must provide at least $95 more value than your no-fee alternative. If its only advantage is one extra percentage point of rewards on eligible purchases, you would need $9,500 of that spending to cover the fee. Spending beyond your budget to earn a bonus defeats this comparison.

Use the rewards calculator and card comparison directory to build a shortlist. An 800+ score does not guarantee the lowest APR, a specific limit, or approval.

Before applying: check your balances and limits

The credit utilization calculator shows both overall and per-card ratios. With $2,400 on an $8,000 limit and $900 on a $5,000 limit, utilization is $3,300 ÷ $13,000 = 25.38%. Paying $2,000 leaves $1,300, or exactly 10%, if limits stay unchanged and there are no new charges.

This is a payment-planning example, not a prediction of a score increase. Keep making required payments on time. You do not need to carry interest-bearing debt to build credit.

How we compare options

We prioritize eligibility fit, recurring costs, deposit requirements, useful rewards and clarity of terms. This guide does not rank every card or estimate your probability of approval. Product examples illustrate different approaches; check issuer disclosures for the exact offer available to you. Our methodology explains the comparison process and our advertiser disclosure explains commercial relationships.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a rewards card with fair credit?

Some products are intended for fair credit, but an issuer's product variant matters. A similarly named secured, student or unsecured card may have different eligibility and fees. Check the specific offer rather than relying on the name alone.

Should I wait until my score reaches the next range?

A range boundary is not an issuer approval rule. Consider the reason for your score, the effect of another application, your need for credit and any prequalification offered. There is no guaranteed number of months or points that produces approval.

Does checking my own score cause a hard inquiry?

Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry. A formal card application may cause a hard inquiry. Read the issuer's explanation before completing either a prequalification or application form.

Is a secured card guaranteed approval?

No. A deposit reduces the issuer's risk but does not remove eligibility checks. Review the issuer's requirements and do not send a deposit until you understand the terms.

Sources and review

Reviewed September 5, 2026 against myFICO, Discover secured card information and Capital One secured card information. Product terms can change. Written under the SmartRates editorial team byline; this page does not claim an independent professional review.