Although it may seem a little bizarre, a bad credit rating need not exclude you from the credit card world. The following are all perfectly legitimate options to overcome this obstacle:

Secured credit cards

These cards require collateral for approval. For example, they have to be joined to a bank account or a car, jewellery, stocks etc. This predetermined amount acts like a deposit in order to secure the card. These cards are for people who are trying to build or rebuild their credit history. Some secured credit cards apply add-on fees (e.g. application fees) so make sure that you are aware of all potential costs that could be appended to your balance before you proceed with the application. These types of fees are not uncommon so check the terms and conditions to see if they apply.

Pre-paid credit cards

These are not really credit cards, but can be used wherever credit cards are accepted. An established credit amount is placed on the card and no more than this can be spent. They are ideal for helping to avoid debt, and most cards do not charge finance fees, although other charges may apply, such as application or start-up fees.