Building Credit From Zero: Your Complete Guide to Approval-Friendly Credit Cards

Starting your credit journey can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just beginning to establish a credit history. The good news? You don’t need an existing credit score to get started. Whether you’re applying for your first card or looking to upgrade after a year or two of responsible use, there are credit card options designed specifically for your situation.

Cards You Can Get Without Any Credit History

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

If you’re starting completely from scratch, secured credit cards are your gateway. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card stands out because it combines the features typically found on standard cards with the accessibility of a secured product. To open this card, you’ll provide a refundable security deposit that serves as collateral for the issuer. This approach allows banks to approve applicants with minimal or no credit history.

What makes this card particularly appealing is the absence of an annual fee—a major advantage when you’re building credit on a budget. Beyond the cost structure, you’ll earn cash back rewards and receive a sign-up bonus, benefits rarely offered on secured credit cards. These reward features help you gain value while you’re establishing your creditworthiness.

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

For those seeking guaranteed approval credit card options with maximum flexibility, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card presents an innovative alternative. This card eliminates the security deposit requirement entirely, making it accessible even without a traditional credit score.

The application process demonstrates how modern fintech companies approach credit decisioning. If you lack credit history, Petal evaluates your banking records instead—examining your bill payment patterns and financial responsibility through your bank account activity. This alternative qualification method opens doors for many first-time applicants.

The fee structure is equally appealing: zero annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no late payment penalties. The cash back rewards on all purchases provide immediate value, making this card practical for everyday spending while you build your credit profile.

Cards for Those with Some Credit Foundation

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Once you’ve spent a year or more building credit, additional cards become available. For frequent Amazon shoppers, co-branded credit cards represent an excellent way to combine shopping benefits with credit building. The Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card caters to non-Prime members, while Prime members can access the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card with enhanced cash back rates.

Both versions feature relaxed approval guidelines. Applicants with FICO® Scores around 640 or above typically have strong approval odds, making these cards accessible during the early-to-mid stages of your credit journey.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Stepping into cards with more generous benefits, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers substantial value for credit builders who’ve progressed beyond the beginner stage. This card delivers multiple advantages:

A meaningful sign-up bonus with an achievable spending threshold jumpstarts your rewards. The cash back structure covers several bonus categories with competitive rates, and the 0% intro APR period provides flexibility on existing balances. There’s no annual fee, keeping costs manageable.

However, this card requires good credit—typically a FICO® Score above 670. If your score hasn’t reached this threshold yet, revisit this option after 12-24 months of responsible card use.

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 Month BT Offer

The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 Month BT Offer combines simplicity with substantial rewards potential. The dual-cashback structure—1% when you purchase and another 1% when you pay—delivers a straightforward 2% return on all purchases.

Additional benefits include a sign-up bonus, zero annual fee, and a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Like the Chase card, approval typically requires a FICO® Score above 670, positioning this as an upgrade card once your credit profile strengthens.

Additional Options Worth Considering

Two more cards merit attention for those who’ve built solid credit foundations:

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express provides bonus cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retailers—categories where many people spend regularly.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card allows you to select your preferred bonus category, offering personalization based on your spending patterns.

Choosing Your Path Forward

Your starting point depends on where you stand today. With no credit history, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and Petal® 2 Visa® offer guaranteed approval credit card solutions. Both eliminate common barriers to entry while providing genuine rewards value.

If you’ve already spent time building credit, the Amazon cards become accessible options. Push toward good credit status (FICO® Score 670+), and the Chase and Citi cards unlock premium benefits that accelerate your rewards accumulation.

The key to credit building isn’t finding the perfect card—it’s choosing one that fits your current situation and using it responsibly. Each month of on-time payments, low utilization, and timely full payments strengthens your credit profile, gradually unlocking access to cards with increasingly valuable benefits.