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Best Soft Pull Credit Cards in 2024

Written by:  Joe Chappius
|
Editor:  Sam Onelia
Last updated: October 7, 2024

Soft pull credit cards allow you to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score. These cards are ideal for individuals with less-than-perfect credit who want to explore various options, from secured cards to rewards programs. Compare your choices to find the best fit for your financial situation.

Soft pull credit cards offer a unique opportunity to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.

Best Soft Pull Credit Cards – Quick Answer

At Financer.com, we’ve researched and compiled the best credit cards for 2024 to help you make an informed decision.

Find the Best Credit Card for Your Needs

Company Card name Annual Fee APR: Max. Credit Card System Travel Insurance
Destiny® Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
First Latitude Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card$2523.74%$2,000Master CardNo See offer
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card$029.99%$3,000VisaNo See offer
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card$2924.49%Master CardNo See offer
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card$9517.99%VisaNo See offer
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card$017.99%VisaNo See offer
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card$017.99%VisaNo See offer
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card$3525.64%$3,000VisaNo See offer
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®$7529.99%$2,000Master CardNo See offer
Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card$7535.99%$300VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Card$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer
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Company Overall Rating Card name Annual Fee APR: Max. Credit Card System Travel Insurance Get Started
Destiny® Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
First Latitude Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card$2523.74%$2,000Master CardNo See offer
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card$029.99%$3,000VisaNo See offer
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card$2924.49%Master CardNo See offer
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card$9517.99%VisaNo See offer
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card$017.99%VisaNo See offer
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card$017.99%VisaNo See offer
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®$7524.90%$300Master CardNo See offer
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card$3525.64%$3,000VisaNo See offer
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®$7529.99%$2,000Master CardNo See offer
Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card$7535.99%$300VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Card$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa$014.99%$25,000VisaNo See offer

What Is a Soft Pull Credit Card?

A soft pull credit card allows you to check your eligibility or get pre-qualified without a hard inquiry on your credit report. This means you can explore your options without risking a temporary dip in your credit score, which typically happens with a hard pull. Many issuers offer this feature, making it easier for consumers to shop around for the best credit card offers.

FAQs About Soft Pull Credit Cards

What is the difference between a soft pull and a hard pull?

A soft pull is a credit inquiry that doesn’t affect your credit score and is typically used for pre-qualification. A hard pull can temporarily lower your credit score and is used for final approval when applying for credit.

Can I get a soft pull credit card with bad credit?

Yes, several soft pull credit cards are designed for people with less-than-perfect credit or limited credit history. Options like the Destiny® Mastercard® and First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card are worth considering.

Do all soft pull credit cards report to the major credit bureaus?

Most soft pull credit cards report to at least one major credit bureau, but it’s essential to confirm this with the specific card issuer. All cards mentioned in this article report to all three major credit bureaus.

Are there any rewards cards that offer soft pull pre-qualification?

Yes, some rewards cards offer soft pull pre-qualification, such as the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card. However, these typically require better credit scores for approval compared to cards designed for building credit.

Top Soft Pull Credit Cards for 2024

Let’s dive into some of the best soft pull credit card options available this year:

1. Destiny® Mastercard®

The Destiny® Mastercard® is an excellent option for those with less-than-perfect credit looking to rebuild their credit profile. Its soft pull pre-qualification process allows you to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.

recommended
Destiny® Mastercard®
Destiny® Mastercard®
Credit Card
  • Pre-qualify without impacting your credit score
  • No security deposit required
  • Enjoy easy online account access 24/7
  • Monthly reporting to 3 major credit bureaus

Based on our research, this card is best suited for:

  • People with poor to fair credit (typically FICO scores between 350 to 669)
  • Individuals looking to rebuild their credit
  • Those who have been denied for other credit cards
  • People who want a quick pre-qualification process without affecting their credit score

2. First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

The First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is ideal for those looking to build or rebuild credit. It offers a soft pull pre-qualification option, making it easier to check your eligibility without affecting your credit score.

First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Credit Card
  • Reports to all three credit bureaus
  • Requires no credit check
  • $29 annual fee
  • Free real-time access to your credit score

This card could be ideal for:

  • People with no credit history or very limited credit history
  • Individuals with poor credit who are willing to put down a security deposit
  • Those who want to build credit from scratch
  • People who can afford to tie up some money in a security deposit to get a credit card

3. Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®

The Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® is a solid option for those with less-than-perfect credit looking to improve their credit profile. Its soft pull pre-qualification process allows you to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score, making it a true soft pull credit card option.

recommended
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Credit Card
  • Ideal for borrowers with bad credit
  • Starting credit limit of $300
  • Annual fee $75 for the first year
  • Easy online application

This card seems most appropriate for:

  • People with fair credit (typically FICO scores between 580 to 669)
  • Those who have had past credit difficulties but have started to improve
  • Individuals who want an unsecured card option for building credit
  • People who prefer a card with potential for a lower annual fee based on creditworthiness

How to Choose the Right Soft Pull Credit Card

When selecting a soft pull credit card, consider the following factors:

    Factors to Consider:

  • Your current credit score and financial situation

  • Annual fees and other associated costs

  • Rewards programs and their alignment with your spending habits

  • APR and introductory offers

  • Additional benefits and features

  • Credit building potential and reporting to credit bureaus

Tips for Using Soft Pull Credit Cards Responsibly

How to Use Soft Pull Credit Cards Responsibly

Follow these steps to make the most of your soft pull credit card while building your credit:

Steps

1. Pay Your Balance in Full Each Month
2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low
3. Make Payments on Time
4. Monitor Your Credit Report
5. Be Selective with Applications
Step 1

Pay Your Balance in Full Each Month

Avoid carrying a balance to prevent interest charges and demonstrate responsible credit use.

Step 2

Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

Aim to use no more than 30% of your available credit limit to positively impact your credit score.

Step 3

Make Payments on Time

Set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you never miss a due date.

Step 4

Monitor Your Credit Report

Regularly check your credit report for errors and track your progress in building credit.

Step 5

Be Selective with Applications

While soft pulls don’t affect your credit, applying for too many cards in a short period can be a red flag to lenders.

Conclusion

Soft pull credit cards offer a valuable opportunity to explore credit options without risking your credit score. Whether you’re looking to build credit, earn rewards, or simply find a card that fits your needs, there’s likely a soft pull option available for you.

Ready to find your perfect soft pull credit card?

Use our comparison tool at Financer.com to explore and compare the best soft pull credit card options tailored to your needs. Start your journey to better credit today!

Remember to compare offers, read the fine print, and use your card responsibly to make the most of these financial tools.

Our Commitment to Transparency
At Financer.com, we're committed to helping you with your finances. All our content abides by our Editorial Guidelines. We are open about how we review products and services in our Review Process and how we make money in our Advertiser Disclosure.
Author Joe Chappius

Joe is a seasoned financial adviser with over a decade in the industry, and Head of the US Market at financer.com. Throughout his career, he's directly assisted families, high-income individuals, and business owners with their financial needs. Joe draws on his wealth of client-facing experience to author insightful and high-quality financial content.

Editor Sam Onelia
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