What Credit Score Do You Need for Popular Credit Cards?
The short answer, by card type
Credit score requirements follow the card type closely. Secured cards, student cards, and other starter cards are designed for fair credit, roughly 580 and up, or no credit history at all, which is the whole point of them. Everyday cash-back cards generally want good credit, around 670 or higher. And premium travel and rewards cards, the ones with big bonuses and lounge access, generally want good-to-excellent credit, roughly 700 to 720 and up. So the better the rewards, the higher the bar. See your first credit card and how to build credit.
Credit score typically needed for popular cards
Here is the score each popular consumer card usually calls for, from the most accessible to the most demanding. These are typical guidelines, not guarantees, since approval depends on more than your score.
| Card | Credit score typically needed | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Student | New to Credit (580+) | No annual fee |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne | Fair (580+) | $39 |
| Capital One SavorOne | Fair (580+) | $39 |
| Chase Freedom Rise® | New to Credit (580+) | No annual fee |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | New to Credit (580+) | No annual fee |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Fair to Good (630+) | No annual fee |
| Apple Card | Fair to Good (640+) | No annual fee |
| Amazon Visa | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| American Express® Blue Cash Everyday | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| American Express® Blue Cash Preferred | Good (670+) | $95 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Bilt Blue | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Capital One Quicksilver | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Capital One Savor | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Citi Double Cash® | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Citi Strata℠ | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Gemini Credit Card | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| PayPal Cashback Mastercard | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Prime Visa | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Robinhood Gold Card | Good (670+) | $50 |
| U.S. Bank Cash+® | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ | Good (670+) | No annual fee |
| American Express® Gold | Good to Excellent (700+) | $325 |
| American Express® Green | Good to Excellent (700+) | $150 |
| Bilt Obsidian | Good to Excellent (700+) | $95 |
| Capital One Venture | Good to Excellent (700+) | $95 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Good to Excellent (700+) | $95 |
| Citi Strata Premier℠ | Good to Excellent (700+) | $95 |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® | Good to Excellent (700+) | No annual fee |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ | Good to Excellent (700+) | $95 |
| American Express® Platinum | Excellent (720+) | $895 |
| Bilt Palladium | Excellent (720+) | $495 |
| Capital One Venture X | Excellent (720+) | $395 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Excellent (720+) | $795 |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ | Excellent (720+) | $595 |
It is not just your score
A good score gets you in the door, but it is not the only factor. Issuers also weigh your income and existing debt, your credit utilization, how many cards you have opened recently, and any derogatory marks like late payments or collections. Some have their own rules on top, most famously Chase 5/24, which usually declines you if you have opened five or more cards in 24 months, no matter how high your score. So a 740 score can still be denied for too many recent applications. See the 5/24 rule, how to get approved, and credit utilization.
What to do if your score is not there yet
If your score is below the card you want, do not burn a hard inquiry on a likely denial. Start with a secured or student card, put a few small charges on it, and pay in full and on time for six to twelve months while keeping utilization low. That builds the score, and many starter cards graduate you to a regular card. Once you are solidly in good-credit range, step up to a rewards card. Patience here is worth far more than a wasted application. See secured cards explained and what credit score you need.
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