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Annual Fee$0
APR28.24%
Sign-up BonusCashback Match — Discover matches ALL cash back earned in year 1~$100 value
Rewards2% gas & restaurants (up to $1
Credit Scorepoor
Foreign FeesNone
+ Pros
- ✓No credit score required
- ✓Earn real rewards while building credit
- ✓Cashback Match doubles first-year earnings
− Cons
- ✗Requires security deposit ($200-$2,500)
- ✗28.24% APR is high
- ✗Discover less widely accepted than Visa/MC
Rewards Breakdown
| Category | Rate | Monthly Spend | Annual Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Stations | 2% | $150/mo | $36 |
| Restaurants | 2% | $200/mo | $48 |
| All Other | 1% | $500/mo | $60 |
| Cashback Match (year 1) | 100% match | — | $144 |
| Total Estimated Annual Rewards | $288 | ||
Perks & Credits
Open to all
No Credit Score Required
Discover does not check your credit score to approve you. A security deposit determines your credit limit.
Doubles year 1
Cashback Match
At the end of your first year, Discover matches every dollar of cash back you earned. Effectively doubles your rewards rate.
Included
Reports to All 3 Bureaus
Discover reports your payment history to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — building your credit across all three.
Monthly
Free FICO Score
Check your FICO credit score for free every month through your Discover account.
Included
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Rare for a secured card — Discover charges no FTF.
After 7-8 months
Automatic Upgrade Review
Discover automatically reviews your account for upgrade to an unsecured card. Your deposit is returned if approved.
CFPB Consumer Complaints(Last 12 months)
2,903Credit card complaints
0%Timely response rate
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Complaints are not necessarily evidence of wrongdoing.
Who This Card Is For
- →First-time credit builders with no credit history — this is the best secured card available because it earns real rewards (most secured cards offer 0% back).
- →People recovering from credit damage (bankruptcy, collections) — the no-credit-score-required policy means your past doesn't matter here.
- →Students who want to start building credit responsibly — the $200 minimum deposit is accessible and the Cashback Match makes it rewarding.
Who Should Skip This Card
- →Anyone with good credit (670+) — you qualify for unsecured cards with better rewards and no deposit required.
- →People who need maximum acceptance — Discover's network is smaller than Visa/Mastercard, especially internationally.
- →Anyone who can't afford to tie up a $200-$2,500 security deposit — the deposit is held as collateral until you upgrade.
How It Compares
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Secured Credit Card (this card) | $0 | 2% | 4.4/5 |
| Chase Freedom UnlimitedBest No-Fee Card with Category Bonuses | $0 | 1.5% | 4.5/5 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash RewardsBest No-Fee Card for Travel Spending | $0 | 1.5% | 4.3/5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: 2026-03-30