Discover it Secured Credit Card
Real cash back and a first-year match set it apart, though new applications are paused for now.
A refundable deposit opens the door to the Discover it Secured Cash Back Credit Card, and Discover matches every dollar of cash back you earn in the first year.
Discover aims this card at people with no credit history or a damaged one in the United States, and it does not ask for a credit score to apply.
Expect no annual fee, 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories, 1% elsewhere and a path to an unsecured card.
Why is the Discover it Secured worth it?
Rewards are rare on secured cards, and that is what sets this one apart. The deposit, as low as $49, protects the issuer, while the cash back and the first-year match give you a reason to use the card. Confirm on Discover’s page that you can apply today.
Advantages
- Unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of first-year cash back
- 5% cash back in rotating categories you activate each quarter, plus 1% on other purchases
- No annual fee
- Deposit as low as $49 for a credit line of at least $200
- When you build a positive track record, Discover says you earn your deposit back and upgrade to the Discover it Cash Back card
Disadvantages
- The 5% rate applies only up to a quarterly maximum and only after activation
- The deposit can be $49, $99 or $200 depending on your creditworthiness
- Your deposit is tied up as collateral for as long as the card stays secured
- Carrying a balance means paying interest, and the deposit does not cover your monthly payments
Important notice: this content is informational and based on official sources. We do not act as a financial intermediary.
Inside the Discover it Secured
Discover, which is part of Capital One, issues the card on its own network. After approval you have 35 days to fund the deposit, either at once or in parts, and the account opens when the minimum is paid and the card is activated.
A larger deposit made before activation lifts the starting line, and Discover says the maximum line ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 based on creditworthiness. Credit line increases without extra deposits can also come from your payment history.
Key information
- Annual fee: none
- Deposit: $49, $99 or $200, set by creditworthiness
- Minimum credit line: $200
- Maximum credit line: $1,000 to $3,000
- Cash back: 5% in rotating categories (activation, quarterly maximum) and 1% on everything else
- Cash back match: all cash back earned in your first 365 days
- Bureau reporting: three major bureaus
- APR: shown in Discover’s rates and fees disclosure
Last updated: 01/10/2026
Digital platform: Discover mobile app
Discover lets you lock and unlock the card from its mobile app. Cardholders who sign up for CreditWise can also see a FICO Score 8 and get credit monitoring alerts at no charge.
Who is the Discover it Secured ideal for?
If you want to build credit and enjoy earning rewards on the way, this card fits. It works best for people who will track the quarterly categories and pay the statement balance each month.
Someone who dislikes activating categories, needs a lower deposit than the one assigned to them, or expects to revolve a balance will likely find another card more practical.
Common questions
Is there an annual fee?
No. Discover lists the card with no annual fee.
How low can the deposit be?
As low as $49 for a minimum $200 line, though Discover sets it at $49, $99 or $200 based on creditworthiness.
Can the card turn into an unsecured one?
Discover says that once you establish a positive track record you earn your deposit back and upgrade to the Discover it Cash Back card, with no fixed timeline published.
Is the Discover it Secured a good option?
With no annual fee, a first-year match and a built-in upgrade path, the Discover it Secured is among the more rewarding ways to build credit. Its limits are the deposit, the category activation and the need to avoid interest.
Open the full details page to review the requirements before you apply.
You will stay on this website
