Review, compare, and apply for the best credit card offers online. Each credit card on our site is hand-picked by our researchers. Questions? What are the FICO score requirements for credit card approval?
Credit card approvals are based several factors: your length of employment, your family income, and most importantly, your credit history (reflected by your FICO score).
Different credit cards have different FICO score requirements for approval. While these credit requirements are confidential, we can estimate credit requirements for a particular card based upon previous applicants’ experiences applying for the particular credit card.
On this site, we rate the FICO score required for each credit card as any, good, or excellent.
What FICO Score Ratings Mean
FICO Required: Any – Almost anybody can get approved for these credit cards. Banks may alter the terms of the credit offer based on your individual credit history, however. Estimated minimum FICO score: Any.
FICO Required: Good – Borrowers must have verifiable employment, a higher annual income, no more than one late payment or charge-off on their credit report, and not have too much credit in use. Estimated minimum FICO score: 675.
FICO Required: Excellent – Only top borrowers will qualify. A high annual income, clean credit history, and low debt utilization are required. Estimated minimum FICO score: 720.
What if my FICO score is okay but falls below 675?
If your FICO score is below 675 but you have not had a late payment in a year or two and do not have a large amount of debt, you may still be able to be approved for a credit card listed with a FICO requirement of “good”. The card company will, however, take other factors, such as your employment and income into consideration.
My FICO score is above 675 and I was denied a credit card. What gives?
Your FICO score is only one requirement credit cards use to decide who gets approved and who gets denied. It is possible, for example, to have a good FICO score but have so much debt that the credit card company will not give you more.
If you have been denied credit, it is a good idea to get a free copy of your credit report to make sure there are no errors on it. Your credit report will also show you why you may have been denied credit and give you an idea of what you can do to improve your score.
Check out the many easy ways to review your credit report online, often for free.
Don't risk being turned down for credit because of your credit score! Know your score first and apply for the best card you can. Go Free Credit provides instant online free access to your credit report and score.