Explore Credit Card Options Available in the U.S.

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Understanding your options before choosing

Access to credit cards in the United States is not determined by income alone. The U.S. financial system evaluates credit history, credit score, past financial behavior, and even how long someone has interacted with financial institutions. For people with low income, this often leads to confusion, frustration, and poorly informed decisions.

If you identify with at least one of the situations below:

• You have never had a credit card in the U.S.
• Your annual income is up to $30,000
• You have a low credit score

This page should be treated as a starting point, not a conclusion.

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Credit Card Options for U.S. Applicants

When researching credit card options in the United States, a common misconception is assuming that approval decisions are based on a single factor, such as income level.

In reality, the U.S. credit system evaluates applicants using multiple criteria, and income is just one of several elements considered — often not the most decisive one.

Because of this, two individuals with similar annual income levels may receive very different outcomes when applying for a credit card. Approval decisions can vary depending on factors such as:

• Whether they have an existing credit history
• Their credit score (FICO or VantageScore)
• Previous use of credit, even if it was years ago
• Their relationship with banks or card issuers

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1. People with no credit history

This profile commonly includes:

• Young adults
• Recent immigrants
• Individuals who have only used debit cards or cash
• People who have never had loans, financing, or credit cards

In the U.S., having no credit history is not the same as having bad credit. Still, from the perspective of banks and issuers, the lack of data creates uncertainty. As a result, credit cards offered to this profile often share specific characteristics, such as:

• Secured card structures (with a security deposit)
• Lower initial credit limits
• A focus on building credit rather than offering rewards

Explore credit card options commonly reviewed for this profile:

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2. Applicants seeking cards with manageable limits

This group includes individuals who:

• Work in lower-paying jobs
• Have limited fixed income
• Are at an early career stage
• Need predictability and spending control

For this profile, income plays a more visible role, especially in determining:

• Initial credit limits
• Annual fees
• Approval criteria

There are credit cards in the U.S. market designed with this audience in mind, typically issued by institutions that evaluate applications more holistically, considering income flow, recent history, and financial behavior.

Explore credit card options commonly reviewed for this profile:

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3. Applicants with Limited or Developing Credit History

A low credit score is often associated with:

• Late payments in the past
• High credit utilization
• Accounts in collections
• Previous financial setbacks

This is one of the most sensitive profiles within the U.S. credit system. Even so, there are cards specifically issued for individuals seeking to rebuild credit, rather than maximize benefits.

These cards typically feature:

• Higher fees or interest rates
• Controlled credit limits
• Fewer additional benefits

Explore credit card options commonly reviewed for this profile:

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Why this page does not recommend “the best credit card”

Under the BGS Editorial Method, this page is not designed to make direct recommendations. The U.S. credit card market is dynamic, highly individualized, and influenced by contractual and behavioral factors.

Instead, this page aims to:

• Organize the topic by real user profiles
• Present categories of credit cards available in the market
• Direct readers to specific content, each focused on one real product

An informed decision only happens after reviewing the supporting articles, where each credit card is examined individually and within its appropriate context.