If you have poor credit or limited, you might think it is impossible for you to get a credit card. Fortunately, this is not true. Prepaid cards and secured credit cards are two great options for people who might not qualify for a credit card. If you try to decide to get a prepaid card or a secured credit card, it is important to understand the differences between the two. Though they have similar functions, there are also fundamental differences that you should know before making your decision.
What is a prepaid card?
A prepaid card is ideal for people who want to manage their budget or have an alternative to paying with cash. These cards act like debit cards, which means you have to deposit the money you intend to spend in advance. Because you can only spend what is deposited, these cards are also great for parents to give children or teenagers to keep an eye on their spending. If you have a poor or limited credit and do not qualify for a regular credit card, a prepaid card, you can still make the payment online bill and other purchases without the hassle of using cash or pay fees or interest rates. Since you deposit your own money to use with the card, they do not require a credit check for approval. However, a potential drawback is that these cards do not report to credit bureaus . If you want to build your credit, a secured credit card is a better choice.
What are the first choice of prepaid cards?
American Express Serve (a NextAdvisor seller) comes with no registration fees and no monthly fee if you direct deposit once a month (if it is $ 1 / month). You can add free cash from a linked bank account, and in person at CVS / pharmacy, Family Dollar, Walmart and 7-ELEVEN participating locations. In addition, you can withdraw money free of charge to over 24,000 ATMs nationwide. Those travelers will appreciate applications for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone that allow you to send and receive money from your smartphone.
PayPal customers (or those who wish to get one) will love the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard . It not only offers free direct deposit and instant transfers from your PayPal account, but you can earn money back when you spend at specially selected shops, restaurants and more. Cardholders can also open a savings option with an APY of 5.00% for account balances up to $ 5,000. There is no registration fee, but there is a monthly fee of $ 4.95.
Not only can Netspend Visa Prepaid Card users earn cash back, but you can also sign up for a discount card requirements which saves up to 55 % on sales of the retail price of prescription drugs. Managing your money is easy with access to the account online as well as mobile applications for iPhone and Android. The installation is free, and you can choose between three plans to determine your monthly fee, ranging from $ 0 to $ 9.95 / month.
What is a secured credit card?
As prepaid cards, a secured credit card is a great option for people with poor or limited credit. The way they work is quite simple - you put a deposit when you open the card that acts as a "security deposit" in case of default on your account. This deposit can range from $ 49 to $ 500, depending on the card you choose and your credit rating, and the amount you deposit determines which line of credit is issued. If you make all your payments on time, the deposit will be refunded to you when you close the card. What makes the secured credit cards great for people suffering poor credit or limited is that they look, act and operate like a regular credit card. This with reporting your payment history to the credit bureaus helps you build credit .
What are the best secured credit card choices?
The Capital One Secured Mastercard is a fantastic asset for those who have questions of history poor / limited credit or credit, as it relates to your payment history all three credit bureaus, which means you can build your credit by making timely payments. A minimum security deposit of $ 49, $ 99 or $ 200, determined by your credit, gives you a line of credit of $ 200. The best part? There is no annual fee, a rarity among secured credit cards.
Another excellent choice for building credit, the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card looks and acts like a regular credit card, and it reports your history monthly payment to all three credit bureaus. The minimum deposit is $ 200 for this card, and you'll also have to pay an annual fee of $ 29. However, it is possible to increase your credit line up to $ 5000 (subject to approval) and no credit check is required to open the card.
Looking for a secured card with a low APR being? The primor Secured Visa Classic Card is your best bet with his 13.9% purchase April The minimum deposit is $ 200 and there is an annual fee of $ 39 to keep the card open, but you will not have to pay registration fees or treatment. And of course, your payment history will be reported to all three credit bureaus to help you build good credit.
For more information on the different types of credit cards available for people with poor credit or limited See our full credit card page comments.
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