7 Best Prepaid Credit Cards To Build Credit
Prepaid credit cards cannot help you build credit. The cards that come closest to prepaid cards are secured cards that require a deposit which sets your spending limit. We have listed the best ones to build credit this year.
Table of Contents
- Can a Prepaid Credit Card Help Build Credit?
- 7 Credit Cards That Build Credit
- 1. Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
- 2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- 3. SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
- 4. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
- 5. Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
- 6. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- 7. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?
- Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Credit Card
- Can Prepaid Cards Hurt Your Credit Score?
- FAQs
Prepaid credit cards to build credit don’t technically exist as these cards aren’t linked to a bank account. However, when talking about prepaid credit cards, people are often referring to secured credit cards as these cards require an upfront deposit and are designed to help you build credit. Most of them report to the major credit bureaus, and making on-time payments and staying below your credit utilization can help you build good credit.
We’ve rounded up the best credit cards to build credit, along with their rates, fees, and eligibility requirements.
Can a Prepaid Credit Card Help Build Credit?
Prepaid cards do not build credit. This is because there is no borrowing involved that has to be repaid when using prepaid cards. They are not linked to a bank account and do not report to any of the credit bureaus. They are similar to debit or gift cards on which you use your own money. You can load funds on your prepaid card through direct deposits and at retailers. The amount you load onto the card is the maximum that you could use. To use more, you will need to top up the balance by making more deposits. There may also be some deductions such as transaction fees upon using the card.
Prepaid credit cards are handy as they help avoid the need to carry cash around. Some people opt for them because they are unable to qualify for a credit card. They also avoid overspending and maintain your budget as you can only spend the amount you deposit. However, if you want to build a credit history and you are just starting from scratch, then a secured credit card would be the best option.
7 Credit Cards That Build Credit
Lender | Scholaroo rating | Regular APR | Credit Score |
---|---|---|---|
Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card Best for no fees and no interest Visit website | 0% | No minimum credit score | |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card Great secured card with cash back rewards Visit website | 28.24% | No minimum credit score | |
SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Great for travel Visit website | 17.24% | No minimum credit score | |
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Best for fast upgrades Visit website | 19.24% | N/A | |
Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Best for low interest rates Visit website | 9.99% | N/A | |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Best for borrowers without a bank account Visit website | 22.64% | No minimum credit score | |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Best overall Visit website | 30.49% | 580+ |
Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Best for no fees and no interest
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Great secured card with cash back rewards
SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
Great for travel
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
Best for fast upgrades
Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred®
Best for low interest rates
OpenSky® Secured Visa®
Best for borrowers without a bank account
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best overall
1. Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
3. SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
4. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
5. Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
6. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
7. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?
A prepaid credit card is a card that is loaded with funds by the cardholder. It functions like a debit card, allowing you to spend up to the amount you’ve preloaded.
It’s important to note that prepaid cards are not typically associated with credit building as they don’t involve borrowing or repaying funds. They are also not linked to a bank account.
Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Credit Card
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards and prepaid credit cards have their distinct roles. A secured credit card is typically used for building credit. It requires a security deposit that serves as your credit limit. Your usage is reported to the credit bureaus, affecting your credit score.
Secured Credit Cards Advantages:
- Helps build credit
- More accessible to high risk borrowers
- Easier to get with bad or no credit
- Mostly do not require a credit check
- Acceptable everywhere
- Can be used to make online payments globally
- Convenient to carry
Secured Credit Cards Disadvantages:
- Requires a security deposit
- Have lower credit limits
- Requires interest payments
- Some charge heavier fees and higher rates
Prepaid Cards
On the other hand, a prepaid card doesn’t require a credit check and won’t help build credit since it isn’t tied to a credit line. It’s more akin to a debit card, helping manage money without the risk of going into debt.
Prepaid Cards Advantages:
- No credit check
- High risk borrowers can get them easily
- Helps avoid overspending
- Do not increase debt
- Generally accepted widely
- Convenient to carry as an alternative to cash
- No bank account is required to get one
Prepaid Cards Disadvantages:
- Do not build credit
- Limited use in emergencies as there is no credit
- You can only spend equal to the balance deposited
- May require multiple fees like deposit/reloading fees, transaction fees, monthly fees, andnd ATM charges
Can Prepaid Cards Hurt Your Credit Score?
Prepaid cards cannot hurt your credit score and they do not report to the credit bureaus. There is no credit that is required to be repaid and the cardholder is only able to use what they have deposited on the card. Since you will be using your own money loaded on the card, there is no payment history to be reported.
FAQs
Do prepaid credit cards help build credit?
No, prepaid cards do not help build credit. They function more like debit cards, allowing you to spend only the money you’ve loaded onto the card. They do not typically report to the credit bureaus, so they won’t help improve your credit score.
What is the maximum limit on a prepaid credit card?
The maximum limit on a prepaid credit card can vary depending on the card provider, but some cards allow you to load up to $10,000. Remember, however, that these funds are not a credit line and will not directly contribute to building your credit score.
What credit card is best for building credit fast?
A secured credit card is best for building credit. A secured credit card requires a security deposit as collateral which reduces the risk of lending. They are easier to get, and report to the major credit bureaus, and many also come with various rewards and benefits. However, to build credit, you will need to make on-time payments and use less of the total credit limit available to you. Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card are two great options for a secured credit card.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days?
There are many ways to increase your credit score quickly. A good credit score can widen your financing options and help you get better terms on loans and credit cards. It also helps increase the chances of getting accepted by good lending companies.
You can improve your credit score quickly mainly by making on-time payments, lowering your credit utilization rate and using a maximum of 30% of the credit line, reporting on-time rent and utility payments, and checking and disputing inaccurate information on your credit report.