What's the best Discover card for bad credit?

The best Discover card for bad credit is definitely the Discover it Secured Credit Card. In fact, it’s really the only Discover card that you can count on getting despite a bad credit score. Here’s how it works: when you apply, you place a security deposit of at least $200, which will become your credit line if you’re approved. This refundable deposit acts as collateral for Discover, reducing their risk and explaining why it’s so easy to get approved.

But that’s not all you need to know about Discover it Secured. There’s more to learn, both in terms of its benefits and some fine print details.

Discover it Secured is the best Discover card for bad credit because:

• You won’t pay an annual fee. This card is free to have. There’s no foreign transaction fee either. But do keep in mind that you’ll have to temporarily part with at least $200 to make the security deposit.
  
• There are rewards. It’s unusual for a secured card to have rewards, but Discover it Secured does. You get 2% cash back on your first $1,000 of purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter. Everything else gets 1% cash back. And at the end of your first year, your rewards for the year are matched by Discover.
  
• It’s unlikely, but possible, you’ll be declined. Income, debt, and bankruptcy can affect your approval odds. But this is your best chance, as far as Discover cards go.
  
• Credit-building potential is equal to unsecured. There’s no difference in the way secured cards and unsecured cards report information to the credit bureaus.
  
• You can increase your credit limit. Anytime after getting your first monthly statement, you can call Discover at 1-800-347-3085 to add to your security deposit. Your credit line will increase by the amount of this additional deposit.
  
• Graduation to unsecured is possible. After you’ve had it Secured for at least 8 months, Discover will review your credit every so often. They might decide to refund your security deposit and transition you to an unsecured card.

So Discover it Secured is easy to get and has a lot of benefits. But if you want more options and are open to cards from other companies, I’d recommend the Capital One Secured Mastercard, Credit One Bank Platinum Visa and Indigo Mastercard. They’re some of the best overall offers for bad credit.

Definitely the secured card. If you have really bad credit, secured cards are the only ones you can get. The Discover card doesn't charge annual fees, and even has cash back rewards, so I think that would be your best bet.

Just get the secured card. You can apply for it, even if you have bad credit. Plus, if you make payments on time, your score will go up.