You’ve probably heard that you need “good credit” to be approved for a credit card. But what if you have a few problems? What if those problems are in the past, but they’re still reflected in your credit file? Does that mean you’re out of luck and unable able to get approved for any credit card? Not exactly.

Tips to Secure a Credit Card with Not-so-Good Credit

If you have some problems in your credit file that you’re worried about but you’re making a serious effort to fix them, here are a few options you have to increase your chances of getting access to a credit card.

1. Check your credit file for errors to make sure your bad credit history is accurate. — Knowing you have less-than-perfect credit isn’t enough. Get your credit file and make sure those problems are real and not errors that should have been corrected (like stating you have an overdue account several months after you’ve paid it off or outdated employment information that makes you appear less creditworthy). Taking care of any errors you find can help you improve your credit history and eligibility.
2. Pay off some existing debt first to improve your credit history. — If you have too much overall debt or overdue accounts, there’s no way around it. You need to tackle those problems first. Pay off as much as you can (you don’t have to be completely out of debt to be approved for a new credit card), and make sure every account is being paid as agreed before you apply, even if that means waiting a little while before getting a new credit card.
3. Apply for starter credit cards where requirements might be lower. — Even if you can’t get approved for your ideal credit card, it doesn’t mean you can’t get credit at all. If you’re recovering from past mistakes and want to rebuild your credit history, consider starting with no frills options or cards targeted to first-time cardholders. The requirements are usually lower because there’s an expectation that people will have short, or even no, credit histories. However, that also means you’ll probably start out with a low credit limit. An example of a credit card targeting first-time cardholders is the ANZ First Visa.
4. Get added to another person’s card. — If most of your credit-related problems are in the past (and simply causing trouble because they’re still in your credit file), you might be able to turn to people who know and trust you. Many credit cards allow the primary user to add additional cardholders to the account. That would give you access to the credit line, and you would get your own card. Not all people are comfortable doing this though, so it really comes down to your relationship and how much the other person knows about your credit history and your current ability to pay any debt you rack up (because that debt becomes their responsibility if you don’t pay, making it a big gamble for them). Examples of people who might list you as an additional cardholder until you rebuild your own credit history are your parents or your spouse.
5. Apply over the phone. — Applying for your credit card over the phone is no guarantee that you’ll be approved. But it does give you a chance to explain your concerns to a live representative and ask if there’s additional documentation you can provide that would prove your creditworthiness beyond the usually-requested documents.

No one said getting a credit card with bad credit would be easy. But “bad” is a relative term and it can be done. The key is making sure you’re making a serious effort to fix any past credit problems and build a new credit history in the process.