Find the Right Credit Card for Your Credit Score
7 Min Read | Last updated: July 3, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Your credit score is an important part of getting approved for a credit card. Consider factors like rewards, Annual Percentage Rates (APR), and fees to find the right credit card for your credit score.
At-A-Glance
- Credit cards are often available for most credit scores, but knowing your credit score and matching it to eligible card offers could strengthen your application.
- Higher or excellent credit scores often open more doors to credit cards with elite rewards or competitive benefits.
- Even if your credit score is low or currently nonexistent, you could qualify for secured cards or become an authorized user on a family member’s card to begin building credit.
Shopping for a new credit card may seem as simple as submitting an online application, but an application doesn’t always guarantee approval. Credit scores largely impact lending decisions, so you can influence your approval odds by managing your credit account responsibly to qualify for the best credit cards available. This blog can provide tips and pointers for streamlining the search for a card that matches your needs and current credit profile.
What Type of Credit Score Do You Need to Get Credit Cards?
Generally, as long as you’re an adult, even poor credit scores and minimal credit history can help you qualify for certain cards.1 Essentially, the type of credit you need depends on the type of card you’re applying for. Cards for consumers with less established or weaker credit profiles could even include these potential perks:
- No annual fees.
- The possibility to increase the credit limit after a set period of good payment history.
- Rewards programs, including cash back.
How to Align Your Credit Scores With Credit Cards
Credit monitoring may be the first step toward knowing where you stand when applying for new cards. Knowing your credit score and how your credit report looks to lenders might assist you in finding credit cards that you’re eligible for. Next, consider how you plan to use the card.
- Are you planning on doing a balance transfer?
- Would you like to earn cash back or other rewards on purchases?
- Are you looking for low credit card fees?
Finally, pay attention to your overall borrowing costs, including annual and foreign transaction fees. Some cards come with a 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR), which could be an ideal option if you’re looking to pay down a high-interest balance or make interest-free purchases before the standard variable interest rate kicks in.
You can also get matched with cards that could be right for you without impacting your credit scores when you compare card offers with American Express. Before applying, consider how well your lifestyle and spending habits match a particular card’s mix of dining, grocery, travel, and general spending benefits.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for High Credit Scores?
While the best credit cards vary from person to person, higher credit scores might fall in the “good,” “very good,” or “excellent” ranges and can usually expand the variety of credit cards you qualify for.2 The higher your score, the lower the risk you represent to lenders, so you have stronger chances of qualifying for a credit card with more generous rewards and benefits.3 However, the threshold for exceptional credit in the most common credit scoring model is 800 and up.4
If you have very good or excellent credit you may be able to choose from among the best credit cards out there, including:5
- Cards That Offer Rewards: Some credit cards offer rewards. This could include cash back, points, miles, and more on eligible purchases, depending on the card.
- Cards With Welcome Offers: Some credit cards include welcome offers, which may include bonus points, thousands of travel miles, or a waived annual fee.
- Cards With Additional Benefits: Certain credit cards include additional benefits as well, including travel benefits. This may include potential lounge access, certain types of travel insurance, hotel credits, airline credits, and more. Some credit cards may also offer additional statement credits, which can add up over time.
It’s important to note that some of the most premium credit cards could require scores on the highest of the high range. However, card benefits and features can vary significantly from card to card, and different card issuers could have different eligibility requirements.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for Good Credit Scores?
There are plenty of options out there for people with good FICO® Scores that fall between 670-739, as lenders often consider several additional factors like income, level of debt, and payment history before issuing a credit card.6 These factors may also influence your credit limit.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for Average Credit Scores?
Fair or average credit scores may still qualify for some credit cards, including cards that may offer 1.5% cash back for qualifying purchases.7 But remember, credit card APRs could go up as credit scores go down, so cards with even better rewards could still be within reach but may have a higher APR.8
What Are the Best Credit Cards for People With No Credit?
Even if your score falls under 580, which signals a risk to lenders, you still wouldn’t be classified as someone with no credit.9 However, it can be difficult to qualify for many cards without higher scores. Fortunately, there are options for young people who have no credit history yet, along with people who are working to rebuild their credit:
- Become an authorized user on a trusted friend’s or relative’s account. Additional card members are not legally responsible for the account, but they can still get a credit score benefit from the account if it remains in good standing.
- Learn how to build credit from scratch with credit cards that are designed to strengthen credit profiles with responsible use.
Frequently Asked Questions
When used responsibly, a credit card may help your credit score in a few different ways. Making payments on time and only using a sensible amount of your available credit are two good practices that, over time, may positively impact your score. Likewise, the length of your credit history could help to improve your score over time as well.
By choosing a credit card based on your credit score, you could help increase your chances of getting approved. Credit card applications could show up on your credit report, and a high number of credit card applications over a short period of time could be a red flag to potential lenders.
You can choose to upgrade your credit card as your score improves. Over time, as you build your credit history, you might qualify for better card offers.
There’s no official cut-off for having too many cards, but it could be an idea to have at least two in case of emergencies.10 However, you might be able to maximize your rewards and raise your overall credit availability when you have several cards that you manage responsibly.
The Takeaway
When shopping for a new credit card, you might positively impact your chances of approval by applying for cards that best match your credit score, spending habits, and financial profile. As your credit score improves, you may also find that competitive cards come within closer reach, offering generous rewards and premium benefits.
1 “What credit score do you need for a credit card?,” Bankrate
2,3,4,6,9 “What is a Credit Score?,” myFICO
5 “Best Credit Cards For Excellent Credit Of 2025,” Forbes
7 “How to choose a 1.5 percent cash back card,” Bankrate
8 “Why did my interest rate go up on my credit card?,” Bankrate
10 “How many credit cards is too many?,” Bankrate
Randi Gollin is a freelance writer and editor who’s covered topics including shopping, travel, dining, and food for tech and media brands and digital publications.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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