The Best Secured Credit Cards That Are Easy To Get
Best Rewards Card That’s Easy To Get
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover's Website
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 2% Reward Rate
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. PlusRead More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
28.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
New/Rebuilding Credit
Our Expert Take
In the secured credit world, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card stands above the competition. With an unlimited 1% cash back rate on all purchases, plus 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, no penalty APR and no annual fee, we love this card for those who need to rebuild their credit. The matching cash back reward at the end of your first year is a sweet bonus.
Expert Commentary
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Albert Hsieh
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
No credit history required, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers one of the best credit cards for building or rebuilding a healthy credit history, while earning cash back in select everyday categories.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- Cash back rewards earning is uncommon for a secured card
- Free FICO score access each month
- Cashback Match doubles cash back rewards earning at the end of the first year
- Bonus category rewards are capped
- Secured cards don’t provide many of the perks unsecured cards do
- Secured cards require refundable deposits
Card Details
- No credit score required to apply.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
- 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.
- 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. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- 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.
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.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Secured Card For Rewards
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 3% Reward Rate
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug storesRead More
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
28.24% variable
Credit Score
New to Credit
Our Expert Take
A secured card with no annual fee and the ability to earn rewards, this Bank of America card can provide a way forward for those needing to build their credit profile.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- Earns cash-back rewards on eligible purchases
- Potential for an upgrade to an unsecured card
- The rewards system can be complicated to track
- An opening deposit of $200 is required
- There’s a foreign transaction fee
Card Details
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement & furnishings
- Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%
- A minimum refundable security deposit of $200 (maximum of $5,000) is required to open this account
- Now, you can access your FICO® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking
- No annual fee
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Secured Card For Low Fees
Navy FCU nRewards® Secured Credit Card *
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
1X Reward Rate
Earn 1X points per dollar spent
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.00% variable
Credit Score
Bad/Poor(0 - 649)
Our Expert Take
A secured card with no annual fees, no balance transfer fees and rewards, the NRewards is a solid choice for those who qualify and are eligible for the Navy Federal Credit Union.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent
- No cash advance fees at Navy Federal branches or ATMs
- Navy Federal requires membership, which means you need to have at least a grandparent or grandkid that’s a veteran or active military member
- As a secured card, the account requires a deposit
Card Details
- Cell phone protection
- No annual fee, cash advance fees, or balance transfer fees (terms apply)
- Earn 1X points per dollar spent
- No rewards limit
- Points can be redeemed for cash, statement credit, gift cards and merchandise
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Unsecured Card That’s Easy To Get
Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card *
4.2
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 10% Cash Back
2%-10% cash back at select merchants
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
25.24% - 34.74% Variable
Credit Score
Fair/No Credit
Our Expert Take
Those whose credit score is less than perfect may be able to build a stronger credit profile by using the Petal 1 Visa Credit Card responsibly. It’s one of a tiny batch of credit cards aimed at those without great credit that don’t require an upfront security deposit.
Pros & Cons
- No security deposit required
- No annual fee
- Earns rewards
- Rewards only available at select merchants
- No balance transfer option available
Card Details
- $300 – $5,000 credit limits
- Earn a credit limit increase in as little as 6 months
- Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit *
1.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
1% Reward Rate
Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. TermsRead More
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually (billed as $8.25 monthly)
Regular APR
29.74% Variable
Credit Score
Bad Credit(0 - 649)
Our Expert Take
Rebuild credit while earning cash-back rewards on eligible purchases and at select retailers with the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit. Just be sure to account for the annual fee before applying.
Pros & Cons
- Earns cash back on select purchases
- Accessible to applicants who have bad to fair credit scores
- Access to a revolving line of credit with no security deposit
- High annual fee that increases the second year
- High interest rates
- Limited rewards program
- Low credit limits
Card Details
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases, phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services
- Zero fraud liability for unauthorized charges
- Automatic reviews for credit line increase opportunities
- Online access to your Experian credit score
N/A
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
The Easiest Credit Cards To Get for Students
Easiest Student Card To Get With 0% Introductory APR
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's Website
4.1
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Our Expert Take
Here’s an excellent way for students with average or limited credit scores to gain experience managing credit. No annual fee, no penalty APR, plus up to 5% cashback rewards in rotating categories (up to a quarterly cap with enrollment, 1% back on other purchases) earn this card an “A” in our book.
Expert Commentary
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Albert Hsieh
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
An engaging and fun student credit card, the Discover it® Student Cash Back combines useful benefits for cardholders to learn about building credit history while earning extra cash back each quarter on select categories.
Pros & Cons
- 5% cashback on rotating bonus categories after enrollment
- First-year cash-back match
- 5% bonus cashback rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending
- Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
- Low 1% base reward rate
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- 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. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Student Cash-Back Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card *
3.3
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Welcome Bonus
$50
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Our Expert Take
Build credit and earn flat-rate cash back at the same time, for no annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Excellent extra benefits
- Solid cash-back rewards for a student credit card
- Other student cards may offer better earning potential
Card Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
