Average credit, defined as a FICO score between 670 and 739, sits in the FICO Good tier. At that level, you do not need a security deposit and you can finally start earning real cashback or travel rewards on a credit card. The premium tier (740+) is still a stretch, but plenty of solid no-fee cards open up.
This guide compares the best unsecured credit cards for average credit in 2026, including approval odds, rewards, and which ones offer credit limit growth without a hard pull. If groceries make up the biggest line on your statement, our roundup of the best credit cards for groceries covers the supermarket-specific picks that pair well with a flat-rate card from this list.
What 'average credit' means in 2026
FICO defines Good credit as 670-739 — the band that opens up the best credit cards for fair credit and the no-deposit unsecured cards covered below. About 21% of U.S. adults fall in this band per Experian's 2024 State of Credit report. Lenders see this group as approvable but not premium-rate worthy. That means you will get cards, but the absolute best rewards rates and travel benefits remain just out of reach.
The goal at this tier is to use the card responsibly for 12 to 18 months and graduate up — the same path traced out in our roundup of secured cards that graduate to unsecured. Most issuers will report a credit limit increase after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. If you specifically want a card that asks for nothing up front, our 2026 roundup of credit cards with no down payment covers the unsecured starter options that don't require any cash to open.
Our top 5 unsecured cards for average credit
Capital One Quicksilver. Best overall. 1.5% flat cashback on everything, no annual fee, 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Approval typically requires 670+ FICO. Capital One offers automatic credit limit reviews every 6 months.
Discover it Cash Back. Best for category rotators. 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%), 1% on everything else. Discover doubles all cashback at the end of your first year. No annual fee. Approval generally starts at 670 FICO.
Chase Freedom Unlimited. Best for everyday earners. 1.5% cashback flat, plus 3% on dining and drugstores, 5% on travel through Chase Travel. No annual fee, 0% intro APR. Approval typically requires 690+ FICO and limited recent inquiries.
Wells Fargo Active Cash. Best flat-rate card. 2% unlimited cashback on every purchase, no annual fee. The 2% rate is rare without an annual fee. Approval typically requires 700+ FICO.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards. Best for category pickers. 3% in your chosen category (gas, online shopping, dining, etc.), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (combined cap $2,500 per quarter), 1% on everything else. No annual fee. Approval typically requires 680+ FICO.
If you land at the lower edge of this band, or you have a recent ding that keeps the prime issuers above from approving you, the Aspire Mastercard is a genuine unsecured option that does not require a deposit. It is built for applicants who are close to prime but not quite there, so it can bridge the gap while your score climbs back into clean approval range.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
How to pick the right card
Match the card to your top spending category. If you spend $400 a month on dining, the Chase Freedom Unlimited's 3% on dining returns roughly $144 per year on dining alone.
Check the issuer's approval band. A card that requires 700+ FICO with a 690 score is a denial. Use the issuer's pre-qualification tool first (Capital One, Discover, Amex, Chase Just-for-You).
Avoid cards with annual fees at this tier. With average credit, the rewards rate on no-fee cards is high enough that paying $95 a year for a slightly better card rarely pays off until you reach 740+.
Plan for credit limit growth. Capital One and Discover have the most consistent automatic limit increases.
If a hard inquiry or a thin file makes the rotating-category cards a coin flip, the Perpay Credit Card is worth a look. It pairs an unsecured line with a payment structure tied to your paycheck and reports your activity, which can help you add a tradeline without betting your approval odds on a single hard pull.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
A note on credit-building when you already have average credit
Average credit is the awkward middle. You are good enough for unsecured cards but not yet at premium-card thresholds. The smart move is to combine an unsecured card with a credit builder product to keep score momentum:
- The Self Visa® Credit Card (full review) adds a credit-builder line that helps thicken thin files.
- A Self.Inc Credit Builder Account adds installment history.
- Keeping utilization low across all accounts is the single biggest score lever at this tier.
Many people in the 670-720 range can move into the 740+ tier in 9 to 12 months by combining a rewards card with a credit builder loan and never carrying a balance. The full playbook is in our guide on how to improve your credit score.
To know whether those moves are actually working, you need eyes on your file. Creditship offers free credit monitoring and specific, score-aware suggestions, so you can watch your utilization and new tradelines push you toward the 740+ tier instead of guessing between statements.
What a $500 limit can do for your score
A new $500 limit does two things: it adds a tradeline, and it lowers your overall utilization ratio. If your existing cards total $1,500 in limits and you carry a $400 balance, your utilization is 27%. Adding a new $500 card drops it to 20% with the same balance. That alone can move scores 10-20 points within a billing cycle.
Use the new card lightly (under 10% of the limit) so the issuer sees responsible behavior and offers credit limit increases sooner.
Creditship
Creditship
Get free credit monitoring and concrete advice how to improve your credit from Creditship AI.
Standout feature
AI Credit Coach. AI analyzes your credit report in depth and gives you tailored, actionable steps to raise your score.
Fees
Free
Pros
Free credit report access plus monitoring and alerts
Cons
No credit repair feature
Red flags to avoid
Annual fees over $0. At average credit, you should not need to pay one.
Cards with 30%+ APR. Several subprime cards still target the 670-700 range with sky-high APRs. If you ever carry a balance, the interest will dwarf any rewards.
Subprime issuers like First Premier or Credit One. Both have hidden fees and limited credit limit growth. Average credit can do better.
Anything that bills itself as a 'platinum' card without listing rewards. A 'platinum' card with no listed rewards is usually a marketing gimmick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 670 considered average credit?
Yes. FICO defines 670-739 as the Good tier, which is functionally what most articles call 'average credit' in 2026. Roughly 21% of U.S. adults fall in this band. With a 670 score, you can qualify for several unsecured cards but should pre-qualify before applying to avoid hard inquiries.
Can I get an unsecured card with a 700 credit score?
Yes, easily. A 700 FICO sits comfortably in FICO's Good tier and qualifies you for most no-fee unsecured cards from Capital One, Discover, Chase, and Wells Fargo. Pre-qualification offers are usually accurate at this score.
What is the best credit card for someone with a 720 credit score?
For a 720 FICO, the best no-annual-fee unsecured cards are the Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% flat cashback), Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% plus bonuses), and Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% flat). All three approve at 720 in most cases. Premium travel cards become accessible once you reach 740+.
How long does it take to go from average to good credit?
Moving from average (670-739) to good (740+) typically takes 9 to 12 months of on-time payments and low utilization (below 10%). Adding a credit builder loan accelerates the process by improving your credit mix. The single fastest move is paying down any high-balance card to below 10% of its limit.
