Credit cards for fair credit

This card is for people who need to build or rebuild credit and still want cash back while they do it. You put down a refundable deposit, $200 minimum, as of Sep 4, 2026, and that amount becomes your starting credit line, up to a higher limit if you deposit more before activation. Every purchase earns 1.5% cash back with no annual fee. The catch: several fees, including balance transfer, cash advance and late payment, are not published on the issuer's page and only appear after you apply, so treat those as unknowns until you see your terms. This is not a debit card and not a loan: it is a real revolving credit line backed by your own deposit, and it reports to the credit bureaus like any other credit card.