Meilleures cartes de crédit si votre score FICO est compris entre 650 et 699

Résumé des meilleures cartes de crédit si votre score FICO est de 650 à 699

Dans le tableau ci-dessous, nous avons résumé les principales informations pour chacune des cartes que nous avons présentées comme les meilleures cartes si votre score FICO est compris entre 650 et 699 :

Comment nous sommes arrivés à cette liste

Dans la liste que nous présentons dans ce guide, nous nous sommes concentrés sur les cartes nécessitant des cotes de crédit moyennes. Voici d'autres caractéristiques importantes de la carte que nous avons prises en compte :

• Récompenses/remises en argent initiales et continues.
• Frais annuels faibles ou inexistants.
• Gamme de taux d'intérêt concurrentielle.
• Offrir la possibilité d'augmenter votre limite de crédit en fonction de votre historique de paiement
• Autres avantages de la carte.

Qu'est-ce que le crédit moyen ?

Le crédit moyen flotte en fait quelque part dans la zone non spécifiée entre la partie supérieure du « juste » et la partie inférieure du « bon » crédit. Autrement dit, entre 650 et 699.

En ce qui concerne les cartes de crédit, le crédit moyen est très subjectif. Une société de cartes de crédit peut considérer qu'il est de 675 à 724, tandis qu'une autre peut décider qu'il est de 640 à 679. Mais il est sûr de dire que si vous vous situez entre 650 et 699, vous serez considéré comme ayant un crédit moyen auprès de la plupart des banques.

Quels facteurs affectent votre pointage de crédit ?

Votre pointage de crédit est composé de cinq facteurs :historique de paiement, montants dus, durée de l'historique de crédit, nouveau crédit et combinaison de crédit. Lorsque vous vous situez dans la fourchette de pointage de crédit moyen, votre pointage de crédit peut être affecté par l'un de ces cinq facteurs. En fait, votre historique de paiement peut même ne pas être un problème majeur. Même si votre historique de paiement est sans faille, votre pointage de crédit peut toujours tomber en dessous de 700 si vous devez trop sur vos cartes de crédit ou si vous avez trop de nouveau crédit.

Comment trouver les meilleures cartes de crédit si votre score FICO est de 650 à 699

Lorsque vous atteignez un score FICO entre 650 et 699, vos options de carte de crédit commencent à s'ouvrir considérablement.

Un type de carte qui est moins pertinent après avoir atteint cette plage de pointage de crédit est une carte de crédit sécurisée. Ces cartes sont plus adaptées si votre cote de crédit est inférieure à 650, et surtout lorsqu'elle est inférieure à 600.

Mais dans la fourchette de pointage de crédit moyen, vous devriez pouvoir vous qualifier pour des cartes non garanties avec très peu d'effort. Ce que vous ne trouverez pas (encore) à votre disposition, ce sont des cartes non sécurisées avec les meilleures conditions du marché. Par exemple, vous ne serez pas admissible aux taux d'intérêt les plus bas, ni aux cartes avec les programmes de récompenses les plus généreux. Mais vous pouvez toujours obtenir une carte avec une limite de crédit adéquate et au moins quelques récompenses en espèces. Et si vous remboursez votre solde mensuellement, comme nous le recommanderons tout au long de ce guide, le taux d'intérêt élevé n'aura pas tellement d'importance.

Les caractéristiques les plus importantes des cartes de crédit si votre score FICO est Entre 650 et 699

Acheter des cartes de crédit dans la fourchette de pointage de crédit moyen est beaucoup plus amusant que si votre pointage est inférieur à la moyenne. This is the range when you start to look more selectively for the perks that a card offers, rather than just settling for whatever card you can qualify for. Here are the factors we consider most important in this credit score range:

Taux annuel effectif global (APR)

In this credit score range, you start to see lower interest rates on credit cards. A card may offer 14.99% to 24.99%.

That said, the best way to avoid interest charges is to ensure that you make a monthly payment in full before your bill is due.

Frais annuels

There are more credit cards available in this credit score range that have either low or no annual fee. Naturally, you want to avoid an annual fee if you can. But if you’re at the lower end of the credit score range, it may be worth it to take a card with the fee, and use the credit line to improve your score. After you do, you’ll be eligible to apply for credit cards with no annual fee.

Introductory Offer

Lucrative welcome offers may start to pop up occasionally among credit cards for this credit score range. You may see them show up as bonus points or cash rewards for spending X amount within the first three months.

Another popular introductory offer — though not as common in this credit score range — is the 0% introductory offer. A credit card may offer this for the first 12 months or longer after your credit line is approved. It may be available for both balance transfers and purchases.

Récompenses de carte de crédit

These are the ongoing rewards, like 1-1.5% cash back on standard purchases. Some credit cards may also offer you enhanced cash back rewards or points on certain spending categories. These categories usually change on a quarterly basis and can apply to gas, groceries, restaurant meals, or other spending categories.

Secured Vs. Unsecured Cards

Credit cards can be either secured or unsecured, though unsecured is by far the most common type. If your FICO score is 650 to 699, you will most likely get unsecured cards. But a brief discussion of secured cards is worthwhile, since it may apply to a few consumers in this credit score range who are unable to get unsecured cards.

Secured cards

Secured cards are just what the name implies. The amount of your credit line is typically based on the security deposit you put up. For example, if you make a $300 deposit, you’ll usually have a corresponding $300 credit limit.

Other than the security deposit, secured cards work just like unsecured cards. You run charges and make monthly payments. The payment history is reported to the major credit bureaus, which will impact your credit score. And even though there is a security deposit, you will still be charged interest on outstanding balances.

Secured cards often come with no annual fee or a very low one. Most will eventually increase your credit limit based on your on-time monthly payments. And some will convert your card to unsecured after a certain amount of time.

Unsecured cards

Naturally, no security deposit is required for unsecured cards. But the annual fee may be higher than it is for a secured card. The table below summarizes the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards:

Note:All cards on this page selected for credit scores between 650 and 699 are unsecured.

How to Properly Use a Credit Card for Average Credit

When you’re in the average credit score range, one of your main goals with any credit card should be to help you move into the good/excellent range. That will only happen with proper use of your credit card. Good practices include:

Pay Off your Balance Quickly and Regularly

In the average credit score range, it’s still very likely you’ll pay the maximum interest rate. If that interest rate is high, for example 24.99%, this will have obvious implications if you carry a balance. The interest rate will make having the card more expensive unless you diligently pay off the card balance in full each month.

Charge No More than you Can Easily Repay when the Bill Comes in

In order to be able to pay your balance in full each month, you should avoid charging more than you’ll be able to repay the next month. A credit card is not a blank check. No matter what the credit limit is, you need to set your own budget for that card. If the credit limit is $2,000, but you can afford to repay only $400 the following month, then $400 needs to be your credit limit.

Rewards can Lower the Cost of your Credit Card

One of the advantages of being in the 650 to 699 credit score range is that some cards offer rewards. If a card pays 1.5% cash back, and you charge an average of $500 per month, you’ll earn $7.50 per month or $90 per year. If you don’t carry a balance — and don’t pay interest — it’ll be like earning an extra $90 per year. What you earn in rewards/cash back will hopefully be enough to cover the annual fee, making the card essentially free to use.

Tips to Improve Your Credit

Improving your credit score is an important financial goal when you’re in the average credit score range. Moving your credit score to above 700 can bring you a lot of attractive credit offers. But to do that, you’ll have to successfully manage your credit card usage.

Monitor Your Credit Score from Now on

You don’t want to become obsessive about this, but you do need to have a general idea where your credit score is at any time. At a minimum, a serious negative change in your credit score can indicate either an error on your report or even fraudulent activity. Only by knowing what your credit score is on a regular basis will you be able to detect and deal with either situation.

Dispute Any Errors

One of the major purposes for monitoring your credit is to correct errors. If you monitor your credit on a monthly basis, you’ll detect those errors shortly after they happen. That’s important because you’ll have both better recollection of what really happened, as well as documentation. You’ll need both to correct the error.

If you do detect an error, contact the creditor immediately and dispute it. You’ll have to provide written documentation of your case. If the creditor agrees that the entry is an error, have them confirm that in writing. Also, request they report the corrected information to all three credit bureaus. Wait 30 days, then check your credit again.

If the information continues to appear on your credit report, mail a copy of the letter from the creditor to each of the credit bureaus, and request they correct the information.

Pay ALL Your Bills on Time

This should be completely obvious, but it bears repeating. A single late payment could drop your credit score 20 or 30 points. That can drop you from average to fair credit in a matter of weeks. It’s not just about repaying your creditors on time either. If you get behind with a utility company or a landlord, they may report the unpaid balance to the credit bureaus. That will also drop your credit score.

This is why it’s critical to pay all bills on time, all the time.

Pay Off Any Past Due Balances

If your credit report reflects any unpaid balances, pay them off. If you believe the balance to be an error, you’ll have to dispute it and provide written documentation of your claim. If you can’t, it’s best to pay it and be on your way. A paid collection or charge-off is always better for your credit score than an unpaid one.

Go Slow Applying for New Credit

Even once you get a credit card approved, you should let plenty of time pass before applying for another. At least six months is recommended.

Alternative Cards for People with Credit Scores Between 650 and 699

Alternative cards are less of an issue in the average credit score range than they are with fair or poor credit scores. But there may nonetheless be circumstances where you will want to have one or more of those alternative cards.

Debit Card

A debit card is basically a necessity these days because it gives you direct access to your bank account. It’s also an excellent way to manage your finances. You can’t spend any more than you have in your account, which puts a natural limit on spending. And if nothing else, having a debit card will reduce your dependence on your credit card. That will help to avoid running up your credit card balance.

A debit card doesn’t help you build credit

As valuable as debit cards are, their use is not reported to the credit bureaus. These are strictly financial management tools and not credit builder cards.

A debit card can help you manage your finances

This is probably the most important benefit of having a debit card. If you maintain your budget primarily through your checking account, the account balance will serve as a natural limit on your debit card spending.

Prepaid Cards

From a standpoint of having a credit card-like card, prepaid cards are usually not necessary if your credit score is at least 650. But they do have a purpose and may be worth considering.

How Do Prepaid Cards Work?

Prepaid cards are available everywhere these days. You buy a card by adding a certain amount of money to it. The amount of money you add is your spending limit. You’ll pay a small fee for the purchase of the card. You can then use the prepaid card the same way you would a credit or debit card.

You can add money to a prepaid card on an ongoing basis by recharging it, which will typically require the payment of a small fee each time.

The Benefits and Limitations of Prepaid Cards

The two biggest limitations of prepaid cards are:

• They do nothing to improve your credit score
• They have to constantly be recharged

But they have one benefit that’s not available with either credit cards or debit cards. When you use a prepaid card, it leaves no record of account information. That virtually eliminates the possibility of identity theft. They’re well-suited to making purchases online, or even in person with vendors you don’t entirely trust. You can make your purchase, and not have to worry about leaving a paper trail behind.

But the absence of a paper trail points to another disadvantage. Prepaid cards lack the type of buyer protection benefits available with debit cards and especially with credit cards.

Store Charge Cards

If your FICO score is 650 to 699 you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting general credit cards. But if the credit limit on your card is on the low side, you may want to supplement it with a store card.

How store cards work

Store cards are issued by individual merchants. You may have a credit card issued by Sears, JCPenney, Macy’s, or other retailers, but they’re not credit cards in the usual sense. They can only be used to charge purchases through that merchant. You will not be able to use the card to make other purchases, like groceries and gas.

Are store cards a good idea?

Store cards can make sense if you do a lot of business with the card’s issuing merchant. But they’re subject to all the limits of general credit cards. For example, you should avoid carrying a balance, as interest rates on store cards can be excessive.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Debit, Prepaid, and Store Cards

FAQ

Compare More Recommended Credit Cards

Is your credit score not 650, 660, 670, 680, or 690? Find more top credit cards for your credit score (FICO score) range:

• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Over 750
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Between 700 – 749
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Between 600 – 649
• Best Credit Cards for a Credit Score Under 599

Petal credit cards are issued by WebBank, Member FDIC.

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