Discover’s Secured Card Review: Earn Rewards as You Build Credit
The Bottom Line
5.0
When you consider the rewards, the lack of an annual fee and the opportunity for an upgrade, this is the best secured credit card we've seen.
Rates, fees and offers
Rates, fees and offers
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2%
Bonus offer
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Intro APR
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months
Ongoing APR
APR: 27.24% Variable APR
Cash Advance APR: 29.24%, Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
0%
More details from Discover
More details from Discover
- No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- 30 points or more—that’s how much you could increase your FICO Credit Score on average after just six months of responsible use.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Pros and Cons
Pros
No annual fee
Reports to the three major credit bureaus
Apply with limited/bad credit
Earns rewards
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
Requires minimum deposit
High APR
Detailed Review
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the world-class sidekick you want when you lack a credit history or have bad credit. As a secured card, it far exceeds credit builders’ expectations in more ways than one.
Unlike most of its competitors, this card tells you when you might be able to graduate to a regular card and get your deposit back. Starting at seven months, Discover will review your account to determine whether you’re eligible for an upgrade. The card also features rewards — which are not generally offered on secured credit cards — and an annual fee of $0. It requires a security deposit of at least $200, but you can get that money back when you upgrade to a regular credit card or close the account in good standing.
Discover notes that there's no minimum credit score required to be eligible for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, although you can still expect a credit check when you apply.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Basics
Card type: Secured.
Annual fee: $0.
Security deposit: A minimum of $200. This amount determines your credit limit. Deposits can be as high as $2,500.
Welcome bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Rewards: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. All other purchases earn 1%.
APR: 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 27.24% Variable APR.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other perks:
Payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), which helps you build credit.
Discover reviews your account starting at seven months to see if you qualify for a regular credit card.
Discover doesn't charge a late fee on the first late payment.
The issuer's Credit Scorecard lets you track your credit score.
Free Social Security number alerts notify you when your information is found on the dark web.
Compare to Other Cards
Benefits and Perks
More value in the form of rewards
It’s rare to find a secured credit card that offers rewards. With this card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in spending per quarter on gas and restaurant purchases, and an unlimited 1% back on all other purchases. You'll also receive a welcome bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. Rewards don’t expire, and there’s no minimum redemption amount for most redemption options. They can be redeemed through direct deposit to a bank account or as a statement credit to your account, among other options.
The chance to upgrade to a regular credit card
With a lot of secured cards, you'll need to close your account to get your deposit back. Not so with the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. After you’ve held the card for seven months, Discover will begin automatic monthly reviews to see whether you’re ready to move to an unsecured card and get your deposit returned.
An annual fee of $0
You're already required to pay a security deposit on a secured card, so it's best to avoid an annual fee, if you can help it. This card's annual fee of $0 is one less obstacle for would-be applicants.
Drawbacks and Considerations
The minimum deposit is $200
Although the $200 minimum security deposit on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is relatively low, it can still be a barrier. In this regard, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a a better option. In some cases, you may be able to qualify for a minimum deposit of just $49 or $99 for a credit limit of $200 on this card.
It has a high ongoing APR
The interest on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is not very attractive: It comes with 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 27.24% Variable APR. If you plan to carry a balance, you may be better off with the $0-annual-fee DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card, which has a much better APR. The ongoing APR is 15.75%, Variable — which is even lower than the rates on many unsecured cards. You'll need to qualify for membership at that credit union to be eligible for the card.
It requires a bank account
Like most cards, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has to be funded by a bank account. If you don't have a bank account, you could instead apply OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. It has an annual fee of $35, but you can fund the card and pay your bill using a money order.
Learn about all your options by reading NerdWallet's roundup of the best credit cards.
How To Decide If It's Right For You
If you’re committed to building or rebuilding credit, a secured card can be very helpful, especially a card like this one that has a smooth process to help you transition to an unsecured card when you’re ready. This card also gets high marks for paying such generous rewards and having an annual fee of $0.
Unless you lack a bank account or can’t pay the $200 minimum deposit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card should definitely be on your short list of secured credit cards.
This card doesn't run a credit check on applicants, removing a major obstacle to getting approved. Additionally, you don't need a checking account; you can pay your deposit and your monthly bills with a money transfer or money order. One downside: There's an annual fee of $35.
Looking For Something Else?
Methodology
NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
What is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
A secured credit card works like a regular credit card, but it requires you to put up a security deposit as collateral. That deposit determines your credit limit. Secured cards are designed for people who are looking to build or rebuild their credit.
How much is the security deposit on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
How much is the security deposit on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
The minimum security deposit is $200 to open a Discover it® Secured Credit Card account. You can choose to deposit more money to get a higher limit. The maximum credit limit is $2,500.
Can I get my security deposit back on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
Can I get my security deposit back on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
After you've been a Discover it® Secured Credit Card cardholder for seven months, Discover begins automatically reviewing your account for a potential upgrade to a regular "unsecured" card. When you upgrade, your deposit will be returned to you. If you choose to close the card account while it's in good standing (meaning it’s paid in full), you’ll receive a refund in about two billing cycles.
Does the Discover it® Secured Credit Card earn rewards?
Does the Discover it® Secured Credit Card earn rewards?
Yes. You’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card also qualifies for Discover's signature "match" offer for new cardholders, which the issuer describes this way: "INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match."
Does the Discover it® Secured Credit Card have an annual fee?
Does the Discover it® Secured Credit Card have an annual fee?
No. You won’t pay an annual fee, but you will be required to pay a security deposit of at least $200 to open the card.
What credit score do I need to get the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
What credit score do I need to get the Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
Since this card is designed to help build or rebuild credit, you can get approved even if you have a poor credit score. You must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, a U.S. address and a U.S. bank account, and provide the security deposit.
About the authors
Melissa Lambarena
Senior Writer & Content Strategist
