Credit Card Reviews: Best Credit Cards for Average Credit

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Credit cards can be a great way to manage your cash flow and earn rewards for everyday purchases you already make. However, it only takes a few late or missed payments to drop your score from the top tiers down to the “average” or “fair” categories of credit scores.

Card issuers recognize that not everyone has stellar credit. Below, you can find a list of cards designed just for people with average credit. With one of these in your wallet and the right habits, including paying your card off in full every month by the due date, you could find yourself with an improved credit score! If you can commit to managing your cards well, consider one of these top cards.

QuicksilverOne from Capital One

Arguably the best card for people with average credit is the QuicksilverOne card from Capital One. This card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with a modest $39 annual fee. It takes just $2,600 in annual purchases to break-even on that fee, or $216.67 per month.

In addition to cash back, the card has some valuable benefits for purchases and travel. Those include an extended warranty on all eligible purchases, rental car damage coverage, and travel accident insurance. It also charges no foreign transaction fees.

Between the cash back and the benefits, this card offers big benefits over buying with cash or a debit card. Rewards are redeemable for a statement credit, gift cards, or by check.

USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum

USAA is one of the best financial institutions for military and veteran households. The USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum card is great for its low fees. It has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and comes with the lowest interest rate available from USAA.

Active military families have unique needs and some special financial protections by law. USAA is an expert at dealing with those needs. For example, active duty customers get a special 4% SCRA rate. You can also pick a design that shows off your branch of the armed forces.

The card also features valuable purchase and travel benefits sometimes reserved for more premium cards. Those include rental car insurance, price protection, extended warranty protection, satisfaction guarantee coverage, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, and more.

Capital One Platinum

The Platinum credit card from Capital One is a no-annual-fee card that automatically increases your credit line after making the first five monthly payments on time. It doesn’t offer cash back or travel rewards, but it does make for a low-cost credit card option.

Benefits include rental car coverage, travel accident insurance, and an automatic extended manufacturer’s warranty. These benefits are pretty good for a card with no annual fee.

Even without rewards, most people are better off buying with a credit card if they can pay it off in full each month. Like most cards, this one has $0 liability for fraud and can help you manage your cash flow by letting you choose when you pay it off, as long as it is before that monthly due date of course.

Credit One Bank Platinum Visa

CreditOne Bank offers two different versions of its Platinum card. Depending on your credit, you may qualify for the Rebuild Credit version or the standard Cash Back Rewards version. In either case, you have an opportunity to earn at least some cash back among other benefits.

If your credit fares on the better side of the average category, you may be approved for the version that offers 1% cash back on all purchases. If your credit qualifies you for the rebuilding credit version, you’ll earn 1% back on eligible purchases in categories like dining (1.1% back for some reason), gas, groceries, mobile phone, internet, and cable/satellite TV service. You find out which rewards you get when approved.

The card’s benefits are mostly around tracking and improving your credit score. While it leaves purchase and travel protections to be desired, it may be a good choice for people looking to improve their credit while earning rewards on eligible purchases