Accepted Credit Scores 
Limited History, Bad Credit
Discover it® Secured
Minimum. Security Deposit:
$200
$200
By:
Discover
Info about the Discover it® Secured has been collected by WalletHub to help consumers better compare cards.
This offer is not currently available on WalletHub and may be out of date.
Editor’s Take
John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor
Jan 12, 2021
Review: Discover it® Secured
Discover it® Secured is 2021’s best secured credit card because it has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with 1% to 2% cash back on purchases. The Discover it Secured card also doubles the rewards cardholders earn the first year. Very few secured cards even offer rewards. Discover it Secured’s minimum deposit – $200 – is on the low end for a secured credit card, too.
A secured credit card with rewards and no annual fee is almost unheard of. The one thing missing from the package is a low APR, but it’s best not to carry a balance from month to month with a secured card, anyway. So, the bottom line is that applying for the Discover it Secured card and paying your bill on time every month can be a great way to save money while building or rebuilding your credit. You can find more details about the offer below.
Applicants for the Discover it Secured card who do not receive an immediate decision can check their application status on Discover’s website. Just go to the status-check page, enter your Social Security number and zip code, and click the “Continue” button.
Discover it Secured credit score
Discover it Secured does not have a minimum credit score requirement. People with damaged credit or no credit history are eligible for approval. Approval is not guaranteed, however. Discover will check your credit history when you apply, and certain negative records can hurt your chances. If you have a pending non-Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your credit report, for example, you will not be approved. Applicants must also have enough income to place a security deposit and make monthly bill payments. People who are worried about being rejected for Discover it Secured may instead want to consider one of the few secured credit cards with no credit check required.
Discover it Secured benefits
The Discover it Secured card’s benefits include a $0 annual fee, 1 - 2% Cash Back on purchases, and double rewards the first year. The card also reports to the three major credit bureaus on a monthly basis. All of those things contribute to the most important Discover it Secured card benefit of all: the ability to improve your credit while also saving money. In addition, cardholders receive free SSN alerts and free credit scores.
Discover it Secured credit limit
The Discover it Secured card’s credit limit starts at $200. The limit equals the amount of the refundable security deposit that applicants are required to place after being approved for an account.
A secured credit card with rewards and no annual fee is almost unheard of. The one thing missing from the package is a low APR, but it’s best not to carry a balance from month to month with a secured card, anyway. So, the bottom line is that applying for the Discover it Secured card and paying your bill on time every month can be a great way to save money while building or rebuilding your credit. You can find more details about the offer below.
Discover it Secured Card Review Highlights
No major fees
Discover it Secured is one of only five general-use (i.e., non-credit union) secured credit cards with no annual, monthly or processing fees, according to WalletHub’s database. And since fees are one of the two most important considerations for people with bad credit (along with approvability), it certainly should be one of your finalists for anyone focused on credit-improvement.One of the few secured cards with rewards
Only 10 other secured credit cards offer rewards. All but two are more expensive than the Discover it Secured credit card, and none give you as much value. The 2% cash back that you’ll earn on the first $1,000 spent at restaurants and gas stations (combined) each quarter is nearly double the average earning rate for cash rewards cards market-wide. And all other purchases yield 1%, or roughly the market average, which is more than respectable for a secured card.Great first-year bonus
The thing that really puts the Discover it Secured over the top is its promotional offer to match (i.e., double) the cash back rewards that you earn the first year your account is open. It’s a fantastic opportunity to save, to say nothing of the fact that initial bonuses are basically unheard of among secured cards.$200 minimum deposit
Secured cards can afford to offer relatively attractive terms because they require you to place a refundable security deposit, the amount of which generally serves as your spending limit. The Discover it Secured’s $200 minimum requirement is tied for the lowest available among fully secured cards. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that you are required to place your deposit when you submit an application for the Discover it Secured credit card. You’ll get it back right away if you don’t get approved, though.High regular APR
The Discover it Secured card charges interest at a rate well above the market average for a secured card, according to WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Landscape Report. That’s why it’s a bad idea to carry a balance from month to month with this particular secured card. It’s unwise to do so with secured cards generally because you can only spend money that you’ve prepaid. That means you’d be paying interest on a loan to yourself.Reasonable approval requirements
There’s always a chance that you’ll get turned down for a credit card, even one that’s secured. But the Discover it Secured card is designed for people who are new to credit or looking to rebuild their credit, which Discover classifies as those with credit scores below 670. In other words, you should be able to get approved even if you have “bad” credit. You just need to show that your income can support monthly payments given your existing debt obligations, that you haven’t recently declared bankruptcy, and that you have both a valid Social Security number and a U.S. bank account. You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub to gauge your odds of approval.Very good reviews
It’s wise to see what current and former cardholders think about an offer prior to applying for it. With that in mind, you can read Discover it Secured credit card reviews from the WalletHub community, below.Learn More About Discover it Secured
Discover it Secured statusApplicants for the Discover it Secured card who do not receive an immediate decision can check their application status on Discover’s website. Just go to the status-check page, enter your Social Security number and zip code, and click the “Continue” button.
Discover it Secured credit score
Discover it Secured does not have a minimum credit score requirement. People with damaged credit or no credit history are eligible for approval. Approval is not guaranteed, however. Discover will check your credit history when you apply, and certain negative records can hurt your chances. If you have a pending non-Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your credit report, for example, you will not be approved. Applicants must also have enough income to place a security deposit and make monthly bill payments. People who are worried about being rejected for Discover it Secured may instead want to consider one of the few secured credit cards with no credit check required.
Discover it Secured benefits
The Discover it Secured card’s benefits include a $0 annual fee, 1 - 2% Cash Back on purchases, and double rewards the first year. The card also reports to the three major credit bureaus on a monthly basis. All of those things contribute to the most important Discover it Secured card benefit of all: the ability to improve your credit while also saving money. In addition, cardholders receive free SSN alerts and free credit scores.
Discover it Secured credit limit
The Discover it Secured card’s credit limit starts at $200. The limit equals the amount of the refundable security deposit that applicants are required to place after being approved for an account.
Jan 12, 2021
Discover it® Secured's Rewards
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Discover it® Secured's Key APRs & Fees
| ONE-TIME FEES |
|---|
| None |
| ANNUAL FEE |
| $0 |
| MONTHLY FEE |
| None |
| REGULAR RATE |
|---|
| 22.99% (V) |
| GRACE PERIOD |
| 23 days |
Discover it® Secured's Highlights
| No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use. |
| It's a real credit card. You can build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, debit and prepaid cards can't help you build a credit history. |
| Establish your credit line with your tax return by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit. |
| Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. |
| Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score. |
| Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free. |
Discover it® Secured's Additional Info
| MAX LATE FEE |
$40 |
|---|---|
| MAX OVERLIMIT FEE |
None |
| MAX PENALTY APR |
None |
| FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE |
0% |
| SMART CHIP |
Yes, chip-and-signature |
-
CASH ADVANCE APR
24.99% (V)
-
CASH ADVANCE FEE
5% (min $10)
- Last updated on 1/12/2021
Editor's Pick
Discover it® Secured is an Editor's Pick for:
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Related Credit Card Categories
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Customer Questions and Answers
Don't see what you're looking for? Submit your question about Discover it® Secured to our community.
What are my Discover it Secured Card approval odds? I have bad credit. Reply 2217
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Your Discover it Secured Card approval odds are pretty good, even with bad credit. Discover it Secured was designed for building or rebuilding credit, which means you can get it despite being a newcomer or having a bad score. As long as you have at least $200 to put down for the mandatory security deposit, which serves as your credit line, your odds are very good. But nothing is guaranteed. In particular, Discover names three reasons why you might not be approved: not enough income, too much debt, or a pending bankruptcy. You can look into whether those exclusions apply to you by checking both your latest credit report and your personalized credit analysis, which you can get by signing up for a free WalletHub account.
In general, secured cards have the highest approval rates of any credit cards because there’s little to no risk to the issuer. They can just keep your security deposit if you don’t pay your balance, after all. If you do get denied, Discover will tell you exactly why in their response. But you don’t necessarily have to give up there. You’re allowed to call Discover at 1-800-347-2683 and ask them to reconsider your application.
And if you’re still denied after reconsideration, you’re not completely out of options. Becoming an authorized user on a friend’s or family member’s credit card account can help improve your credit, at least to the point where you can qualify for your own card. You may also want to check out our ”guaranteed approval” credit cards page to see if there are any offers available that don’t require a credit check.
22
Upvotes
Does the Discover Secured Card give credit increases? Reply 3214
Paddy Sullivan
@PaddySully
There are two ways to get a Discover Secured Card credit increase: 1) add money to your security deposit or 2) graduate to an unsecured card after consistent on-time payments. But depositing more money is certainly the easier and more immediate way to get a Discover Secured Card limit increase. You’re unlikely to graduate to an unsecured card (i.e. get your deposit back) for at least 7 months.
You can find more info on both options below, starting with the more accessible of the two.
Here’s how to get a Discover Secured Card credit limit increase:
1. Add to Your Deposit – Discover it Secured’s deposit can be as little as $200 or as much as $2,500. And your spending limit will equal whatever you put down. So if you deposited less than $2,500 at the start, adding to you security deposit will result in a credit limit increase. Specifically, your limit will increase by the amount you add.To deposit additional funds, you’ll need to log in to your Discover account or call Discover customer service at 1-800-347-2683. Bear in mind it’s possible that Discover could deny your deposit if you haven’t been paying on time.
2. Pay On Time for 7+ Months – Starting 8 months into your account, Discover will take a basic look at your credit and payment history. If they like that they see, Discover may choose to graduate you to an unsecured card. If that happens, they’ll return your security deposit and you’ll have an equal or higher unsecured credit limit.Exactly how high that credit limit will be depends on Discover’s evaluation of your credit. And if a year has gone by and you’ve been consistently paying on time but haven’t been contacted by Discover, there’s no harm in calling them up and inquiring about graduation.
Finally, you can always apply for another card from a different issuer. Your credit line will be separate, but you’ll have a higher amount of total credit.
32
Upvotes
How can I check my Discover Secured Credit Card status? Reply 163
WalletHub
@WalletHub
You can check your Discover it® Secured credit card status online or by phone: 1-800-347-2683. You’ll need to provide at least your Social Security number (SSN) to help Discover locate your application. And your status will be one of three things: approved, denied or pending. We’ll walk you through the full process for each method below.
Here’s how to check your Discover Secured Credit Card status:
1. Online: Visit Discover’s “Check Status” page, and enter your SSN and zip code in the provided fields. Click “continue,” and Discover will take you to a page listing the status of any applications you’ve made.
2. By phone: Call Discover customer service at 1-800-347-2683 and navigate the menu until you hear “check the status of a pending application”. Currently, you want to press “#” and then “4,” but that could change. After providing your first and last name, SSN and zip code, you’ll be able to hear your application status.
These instructions apply to any Discover credit card, not just Discover it Secured. And if you find out that you’ve been rejected, you can also call Discover and ask for reconsideration. But this is unlikely to work unless there’s been an important change related to Discover’s stated reason for rejecting you.
16
Upvotes
When will the Discover Secured Credit Card graduate to unsecured? Reply 2914
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Your Discover it® Secured may graduate to unsecured as soon as eight months after account opening, assuming you pay your monthly bills on time and otherwise manage your finances responsibly. But there’s no guarantee when, or if, it will happen. It all comes down to Discover’s determination of your creditworthiness. After the seven-month mark, Discover’s credit analysts will periodically review both your account and your overall credit history to see whether it’s appropriate to refund your security deposit, thus graduating you to an unsecured card. But there are some steps you can take to improve your odds.
Here’s how to become a Discover Secured Card graduate:
1. Pay on time. This is probably the most important part of the process. If you don’t pay your Discover it Secured bills by the due date, you won’t even be considered for graduation.
2. Use your card responsibly. Maintaining low credit utilization will indicate to Discover that you can handle an unsecured card. So aim to use only 30% or less of your “it” Card’s limit.
3. Improve your other finances. Adding to your income and paying down debt will improve your creditworthiness as a whole, making you a better candidate for an unsecured card.
If you do graduate, you’ll receive your full deposit back. But that could take as long as two billing cycles to happen, so don’t get worried if you don’t get it right away. You can call Discover customer service at 1-800-347-2683 to be sure, if the two-cycle period elapses without a check being sent.
And lastly, if it’s been over a year and you’ve always paid on time but haven’t heard from Discover, you should give them a call to inquire about graduating. Even if they say no, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
29
Upvotes
When do I get my Discover it Secured card deposit back? Reply 94
WalletHub
@WalletHub
You will get your Discover it Secured card deposit back before closing your account, once you pay your balance in full. You should receive your deposit refund within two billing cycles plus 10 days of doing so. Any unpaid balance will be subtracted from your security deposit refund.
There’s a possibility you will get your Discover it Secured card deposit back while your account is still open, if you use the card responsibly. After the first 8 months of account activity, Discover will review your account on a monthly basis to determine if you’re eligible for a refund.
9
Upvotes
What credit score do you need for a Discover it Secured card? Reply 296
Paddy Sullivan
@PaddySully
The Discover Secured Credit Card’s requirements for approval are straightforward and fairly easy to meet, even with bad credit. Discover it Secured merely requires a bank account, some income to balance out any debt and a lack of bankruptcy in your history.
As a result, the Discover Secured Card’s approval requirements are more relaxed than any other Discover credit card’s. And it’s a great choice for either rebuilding bad credit or building credit from scratch.
Still, approval isn’t guaranteed. So it’s worth taking a closer look at the factors that could lead to rejection before you apply.
Here are the Discover Secured Credit Card’s requirements:
-
A bank account. You use this to pay the security deposit. And you’ll need to be able to deposit at least $200 to be approved.
-
Some form of income. This isn’t that huge of a factor, as Discover has your deposit as collateral if you don’t pay them back. But Discover does say you can be denied if your income is too small.
-
As little debt as possible. You can definitely have debt and still get approved for this card, but having an overwhelming amount might disqualify you.
- No pending bankruptcy. You can get approved with a completed bankruptcy on your credit report, but not if it’s still pending.
So the Discover Secured Card’s approval requirements aren’t all that high, but there’s still always a possibility of rejection. That’s why I recommend checking your credit score and report before you apply, to get a better grasp of your situation. And don’t forget that if you do get rejected, you can ask for reconsideration by calling Discover at 1-800-347-2683.
29
Upvotes
How can I pay my Discover it Secured card deposit? Reply 2416
Chip Lupo
@CLoop
The Discover it Secured credit card deposit amount is $200 to $2,500. But not everyone approved for a Discover it Secured card will be able to deposit the $2,500 maximum. Discover approves individual maximum deposit amounts based on each applicant’s creditworthiness and ability to pay. Applicants will not know their maximum deposit amount until the application is approved. At that point, they will be directed to a page to set up the deposit payment. This page will include the approved maximum deposit amount.
Discover it Secured deposits can be made through an electronic transfer from your bank account. This is currently the only way to pay the security deposit. Be sure to provide both your bank routing number and account number. You must also agree to transfer at least $200 toward your maximum deposit amount. The application is not considered complete until you submit the deposit information. Discover will initiate a transfer for the deposit amount after the application is completed. You should receive your Discover it Secured credit card within 14 days from the date you paid the deposit.
The amount of your Discover it Secured deposit determines the card’s credit limit. You can increase your credit limit by adding funds to your security deposit, up to the maximum amount you were approved for when you opened the account. The account must be open for at least 31 days before you can make additional deposits. To add funds to a Discover it Secured credit card deposit, call customer service at 1 (800) 347-3085. Be prepared to verify your bank account information when you call.
24
Upvotes
What will my Discover it Secured credit limit be? Reply 53
Scott Meister
@scott_meister
For Discover it Secured, and most other secured cards, your limit is the same as the amount you deposit. So if you put down $200, then that's what you'll be able to spend.
That's why secured cards are easier to get: there's almost no risk to the lender itself, because they have your deposited money as collateral.
5
Upvotes
How can I pre-qualify for Discover it Secured? Reply 21
RHONDA STEWART
@rhonda
You can check if you prequalify for the Discover it Secured card on their website. But approval requirements are lenient on this card. If they can verify your identity and you didn't file for bankruptcy recently, you have very high chances to get approved.
2
Upvotes
Does Discover have a secured business credit card? Reply 1
GINA MARTE
@ginamarte
Discover does not have a secured business credit card. Its only secured card is the Discover it Secured Card, which is designed for consumers with bad credit. Discover’s lone business offering, the Discover it Business card, is unsecured. It is available to small business owners with excellent credit.
Business owners are allowed to use a personal credit card for business purposes. So if you have bad credit, you could opt for the Discover it Secured Card even though it’s not a business credit card. This card, however, is better suited for small businesses that don’t require much spending power. You will have to put up a security deposit of at least $200. The amount of the deposit will determine your credit limit. You can add to the security deposit, up to a $2,500 maximum to raise your credit limit.
1
Upvote
Discover it® Secured Reviews
Share your insights and review the Discover it® Secured.
Jan 09, 2021
Excellent card to help rebuild credit. I did a $2500 secured card. It's been 8 months. I've made each payment on time. Started with a Transunion score of 586 and its now 693. Also just received an email that my full security deposit is being returned within 5-7 days.
Comment
Jan 08, 2021
Had the card for just under 8 months, got an email last night congratulating me on the refund of my deposit. I’ve always kept my balances under 15% and paid on time. Very simple process. Thank you Discover for helping me.
Dec 13, 2020
Verified Customer
Discover It Secured Card sucks! I’ve had it for about 18 months now. Never missed a payment. Called several times about how and when my credit limit is increased, and customer service always says the same...it’s an automatic review process as long as you keep your card under 30% and make payments on time...blah blah blah! I’ve been doing that. I’ve been at a zero balance, with usage on the card for about 8 months now. Still....nothing. No security deposit back and no increase on my limit, no graduation to unsecured. Don’t waste your time time if you’re trying to work on your credit. Go with CAPITAL ONE. Meanwhile, Discover is making all this interest on your security deposit.… show more
Dec 05, 2020
It's so ironic that after almost every 1 star review there is a 5 star review. That is totally bogus. Credit increasing over 100 points? This is a ridiculous claim. Not to mention all the other claims that seem "too good to be true" and you know what they say about that! They (the reps from Discover It) need to stop their nonsense by inflating these reviews! In this day and age, people aren't as gullible as they think we are. In reality their rating, in my opinion, is MAYBE .75 out of 5. Not worth the risk! BUYER BEWARE!!!!!… show more
Nov 13, 2020
I love my Discover it card for the most part. I started off with a low limit of $300 and everything was great. After my first year I decided to increase my limit a few months before going on a family vacation so I called customer service and had them increase it to $1k. So easy! One issue I’ve had is having to wait 10 business days after making large payments to get the available
Nov 12, 2020
First off the card is easy to get and yes you choose your amount so what ever you feel is good on your budget. Then you choose not them, as for the credit I've had it only 3 weeks, no change to my credit so will see how it reflects. I have 2 other cards 1 being a secured and when I got my 1st secured card my credit shot up the same day when approved like 45 points, not discover. So in looking at all the reviews I know there's been so many lies, no one's credit will shoot up as you see on these reviews, there's a bunch of lies let's keep it real people, my credit is fair and building but no need for me to lie about it so if you see a review stating it jumped up 75 to 150 is ridiculous real talk. Don't be fooled by paid reviews… show more
Oct 13, 2020
The worst secured card I have had. Been with them for almost 3 years and have not received a response on getting my secured deposit back and no answer. Also if you file a dispute they tend to side with the merchant. Don't get it Capital One is better as well as most credit unions and local banks
Oct 13, 2020
This is the worst business practice that I have seen in 15 years. So…. Discover it card approved my application and took my money all in about 5 minutes. Then I received an email stating that they needed to review my IRS taxes for the past few years. Until this review was performed I could use my card but I would have to return the money if I did not pass the review. At that time I told the representative to cancel the card because I didn’t want the IRS all in my affairs. They transferred me to another representative that stated they would NOT be asking for-- or looking at-- my financial information and that they were only doing an address verification. The next email I received stated that I did not pass the tax review. I spoke to another rep that said sorry for the mixed communication but we do review the taxes for financial information. However, I can’t tell you what criteria was used. You are welcome to apply again at anytime but this case could not be escalated. So I asked when do I get my $500 back? She said 2-3 months. WHAT!!!!!! This is a sham. Discover should not be taking money until one is 100% approved for the card. Then they should not be holding money for months. This should be illegal as it is unethical and a highway robbery.… show more
Sep 19, 2020
Discover secured helps to rebuild credit
Without having to spend large amounts of money all at once. You also have a much greater chance of getting approval with that particular card. The rates are low and there are no hidden fees
Without having to spend large amounts of money all at once. You also have a much greater chance of getting approval with that particular card. The rates are low and there are no hidden fees
Sep 18, 2020
PLEASE READ before you pay DIscover for your deposit!!
We have had nothing but problems with this Discover since my husband and I were approved. My husband and I applied for a card at the same time. My husband received his card in the mail, after paying the $200 deposit, but Discover would not activate his card "due to security verification issues" and cancelled the account and said 2-3 billing cycles to receive the $200 deposit back (we have not received that three months later). I was able to use my card for two months until I received an email yesterday from Discover saying that MY card was cancelled "due to security verification problems". I don't even have a speeding ticket and there was no attempt by Discover to reach out to me to verify anything. I called Discover and they would not tell me why my card and account were cancelled due to "security issues". I have not come close to my limit, paid my bill early for the only two months I had it, my credit score was going up and I have no identity theft issues. I now have to wait 2-3 months to get my $200 deposit back. That is a total of $400 of ours that Discover accepted and is holding on to while my credit score takes a hit from a closed account. Stay away, I've never had any other issues with credit cards/secured credit cards like this.… show more
We have had nothing but problems with this Discover since my husband and I were approved. My husband and I applied for a card at the same time. My husband received his card in the mail, after paying the $200 deposit, but Discover would not activate his card "due to security verification issues" and cancelled the account and said 2-3 billing cycles to receive the $200 deposit back (we have not received that three months later). I was able to use my card for two months until I received an email yesterday from Discover saying that MY card was cancelled "due to security verification problems". I don't even have a speeding ticket and there was no attempt by Discover to reach out to me to verify anything. I called Discover and they would not tell me why my card and account were cancelled due to "security issues". I have not come close to my limit, paid my bill early for the only two months I had it, my credit score was going up and I have no identity theft issues. I now have to wait 2-3 months to get my $200 deposit back. That is a total of $400 of ours that Discover accepted and is holding on to while my credit score takes a hit from a closed account. Stay away, I've never had any other issues with credit cards/secured credit cards like this.… show more
Sep 08, 2020
I like the fact that I already have a Discovery account I will be able to make easier money transfer between account and a better manageability, I also like the fact that Discovery is one of the best online Banking institution available.
Aug 18, 2020
Have had this card for 3 years with a 1000 credit limit. Have been asking how I could get my card unsecured and they kept telling me to continue to keep balance lower than 30 percent...ok what else? They couldnt tell me why i havent graduated yet, almost lkme its a big secret. My credit score is 701. I applied for wells fargo credit card and was approved for 9000 but discover wont give me a credit line? Wow i canceled that card and now i have to wait the 2 billing cycles plus 10 days for my deposit back... thanks discover for the false hope.… show more
09/17/20
I am having the same issue been with them for 4 years never missed a payment. Maybe it’s because we both deposited $1000 to start with. Look like most people get unsecured if they have lower balances
Jul 29, 2020
Verified Customer
I applied for this card about 2 weeks ago on July 11. I made a deposit of $2500 so my line would be $2500. I received the card on 7/25. Both my Trans union and equifax scores were 559 when I applied for this card. I activated the card on the same day that I received it. The very next day, on 7/26, I received an alert on credit karma and when I checked, I kid you not guys, my equifax went up 103 points! The very next day, on 7/27, I received another alert on credit karma and checked, my Transunion score also went up by 103 points. I wish I could attach pictures so you guys would see the dates and changes. Both my scores are now 662 and that was only for activating the new line! I didn't even start using the card yet. I will update in a few months! I am over the moon guys as I'm trying to fix my credit to buy a house next year. I can only see it going up higher from here on. It took me from the poor credit bracket to the fair credit bracket in 2 days and I haven't even started using it yet! I am so excited and so glad that I went with discover. I'm not saying that your score will go up by that many points as we don't all have the same history with our credit but it's worth a try guys! Try it!!! And no I'm not paid for this review. I really wish I could attach pictures as proof for you guys to see.… show more
Jul 21, 2020
I had a 520 FICO when I applied. Was approved and added $200 deposit for my credit limit. I paid my card off or kept my credit utilization under 8% monthly. I made sure I paid the bill at the closing date, NOT the due date! I never paid interest on card and after EXACTLY 8 months they refunded my deposit and increased credit limit to $1,800! HIGHLY RECOMMEND DISCOVER!
Jul 04, 2020
Literally just got this card after a couple weeks they sat on my application. However they also have a bank account at this company with my name and over $5K in deposits. Ok so I get the card after a wait of some time longer than my checking debit card. No problem and no questions from them about any additional paperwork. Now the IT card comes and it says to activate so I do that. I am thinking I finally got a break and have some funds to invest in rebuilding and now I am going to start my journey today buying basic needs with the card and paying off the small balance in full each month. NOPE! NOT HAPPENING! I activate the card and stop at the convenience store for a drink and my card is declined. I told the clerk I just activated it so maybe the system is lagged. I pay with the regular discover debit. Ok then I finish my errands and grocery shopping and get them on the phone. "Oh well I see you tried to use your card at X convenience store today. There is a fraud alert on your account." WHAT? The card is less than one day old. So then I get transferred to another rep and then another rep. Oh now my phone number when looked up does not come back with my name so therefore I am flagged for fraud. Also I have to get a notarized statement and send to them until I can use a card that I just secured for $2K without them having any problem taking my securitization deposit. DONE and DONE!!! This company is a consumer craphole and managed by a bunch of most likely brain damaged ditzes. I am securing other credit for $2K so when I close this my overall credit line does not go down despite the closing of account. Oh they did me a big favor by extending the time I can send in the notarization they need instead of just asking me to send a copy of my DL and SS card. IDIOTS!… show more
Jul 02, 2020
Verified Customer
I got this card after my chapter 13 discharge. Put down $200 and bought a couple burgers each month and paid back fully each month. In the meantime I took a $300 1 year secured loan at my C.U., waited 3 months and got a $400 secured card from same C.U. After 7 months Discover refunded the $200 and switched me to a $1,500 unsecured card. My score went from 545-636 in 7 months. A McDonald's employee took phone snapshots of my card and went on a shopping spree. Discover ruled in my favor and I got the purchases reversed. Very happy with this card.… show more
Jun 20, 2020
Verified Customer
I've had my Discover It Card for 4 years and have made timely payments, and have maintained responsible use off all credit cards and it has not graduated to unsecured. I was also able to obtain credit cards with higher limits from other credit card companies.
Jun 06, 2020
I was so surprised that my score went up 112 points just for getting the card, and I haven't even used it yet. Looking forward to improving even more from here. (It did take a couple of weeks for it to arrive after I was approved). The process was all online, super fast and easy.
May 16, 2020
I was denied a credit card, I have a discharged bankruptcy but kept my car and never misses payment in 3 years also I have a unsecured credit card with a 28% balance which I never have been late or missed payment and a 600 credit score, I don't understand why I was declined when all over the internet it said Discover card is the best to re-establish credit after bankruptcy? The only plus to this was they ran a soft inquiry so it dint affect my credit score.… show more
Feb 14, 2020
I love my Discover it card for the most part. I started off with a low limit of $300 and everything was great. After my first year I decided to increase my limit a few months before going on a family vacation so I called customer service and had them increase it to $1k. So easy! One issue I’ve had is having to wait 10 business days after making large payments to get the available credit. Only happens when I decide to pay the card off in full 3-5 days before my due date. But if you call in they’ll call your bank to verify the payment has went thru and they’ll “release” your available credit. They also keep telling me that they’ll eventually switch me to a unsecured card and that they review my account monthly but I’ve had my card for over two years, no late payments and if I do charge to my max limit (only did that 3 times on large purchases) I either pay it off completely or below 8% utilization many days before the due date. All in all a great card and company. Just get rid of the 10 day thing!… show more
07/02/20
Ok it takes one third of a month to be able to use the credit line you secured because ........ ???? That line of credit should be released as soon as the check clears that you paid off that amount of the balance you were carrying. All the more reason for me to leave Discover if they take ten days to post a payment. Thanks for the input.
Jan 16, 2020
They automatically transferred me to a credit card with a $2500 limit after 7 months. I never had to ask them!
Website is great and the one time I had to call them someone in the US answered and solved my question.
Website is great and the one time I had to call them someone in the US answered and solved my question.
Dec 10, 2019
Verified Customer
I used to have Discover card with limit of $1250 which was charged off and closed due to financial setbacks in the past but early this year in 2019, I called and settled the account. Since I have settled the account, can I still get approved for any discover card or the discover IT secured. My score now is around 630. I really love discover and wanna be a part of them again but don't know if they will give me another chance.… show more
Nov 05, 2019
I applied for a Discover It credit card a few days ago. I called them today to find out what was going on with my application and they approved me. I am so excited about getting started with them on the journey to better credit. Hope the eight months go fast so I can see if they do what they say and get a higher credit line.
08/08/20
Discover does do what they say. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to pay my bill discover at increased my credit line to 1500.00. Pretty good considering I only deposited 200.00 in my secured card account. Loving being a Discover customer.
Oct 02, 2019
This card was started to help my credit. I did a $300 deposit and used it for about 8 months. Paid the total balance off each month and was automatically changed from secured to unsecured, refunded my deposit and increased my credit line to $1800. My credit has improved about 40 points and i have almost $30 in cash back rewards. I cant see a reason as to why you wouldnt use this card! I read through reviews of all the secured cards before choosing Discover and I am very glad I did.… show more
Sep 27, 2019
Worst experience ,Applied for this card got approved made my deposit ..Received email stating my deposit was received should receive my card ten day after sept 18..Next day get a phone call from Discover that that I need to get a 4508-t ok I explained to the that due to a illness I was out of work for a few years and just start to work again was told then they will not open the account and they was unwilling to receive any other proof of income..Now next day I receive a letter at my old address from who else But Discover asking me to call in ,only to be told they never sent a letter ..two days letter I receive a Discover card in the mail ,But no active account ..Why need a tax form for a secured card simply ridiculous… show more
Aug 27, 2019
So I'm giving this 4 stars because I applied a couple years ago when my credit was super low (around 500), and was denied. I decided to make a change in my life last year, moved away from people dragging me down, started paying my rent and utilities on time, boosted my score with a SelfLender loan, and raised my credit 55 points in 5 months. I tried again, and Discover It secured card has now approved me! I thought I would never be approved! But I will say I had been denied a few secured cards in the past. For those who think the default is just acceptance, that is NOT true. A secured card is STILL a credit card, and you can still be DENIED. Note, I have never had a bankruptcy so I don't know what exactly that affect is, but my credit definitely was terrible. For anyone looking to bump their score a bit I recommend SelfLender to start. I can't give 5 stars yet as I'm waiting on the card in the mail as we speak. After I've used it a few months and watched my credit for improvements, I'll update. Good luck on your financial journey.… show more
Aug 08, 2019
says its for people to help rebuilding credit after bankruptcy, denies people with bankruptcy. why is this card even an option ? im not sure what else to say, just rambling on right now, so I can fulfill the 200 characters needed to submit a review, for a complete waist of my time.
Jun 17, 2019
I applied and received this card in March 2019 easy process. It's now June 2019 3rd statement in and ai have had no issues with this card! Love the cash back. My fico score is now at 658 with TransUnion when I first opened it was 592. It has only gone up! I pay off balance before the closing date so it can show 0% utilization on my credit report. I have never carried a balance so the due date is always $0 owed. Call and ask when the statement Closing date is and always make sure it is $0 balance on that date. I'm looking forward to right after my7 month statement, crossing my fingers that I get an increase in my credit limit like others $2000 to $2500. I also noticed that people who added more money on there account to have a bigger limit did not get the increase until after 13 months instead of 7th billing cycle if at all. graduation automatically seems to happen later. I'm keeping mine at $200 it's fine with me!!!… show more
07/27/20
To build your credit score you need to have a balance showing when Discover reports your card use on the closing date. Ideally below 5% as more than 5% can drop your score, especially for a new credit. 0% utilization is not good. Just leave a UR of 1% or 2% to be reported and this will help your score more than a 0% UR.
May 20, 2019
I cant say enough good things about Discover. I'm working on getting a 2nd CASH BACK card. I held the secured card for 7 months, exactly when the 7th statement closed I got my deposit back. Initially I put 300, then I added 700 later. So I got the 1K back and they doubled my limit
May 19, 2019
I’ve had this card for little over a year. I think it’s a great card it’s no annual fee $0, 2% cash back on gas stations & restaurants, plus reward matching the first year. Other unsecured cards I have doesn’t have these benefits. As with anything I believe it’s important to read the fine print to try and avoid being blindsided. But this company doesn’t really have hidden fees so all the negative reviews are from people not doing their due diligence. Are there drawbacks? Of course! 1 being they report as a secured card but meh what can you do. 2 they do take 1-3 days to post your online or app payment so if you aren’t careful with your checking account you could get a returned payment. This has never happened to me but my younger irresponsible self probably would have. 3 I have had to call them once because they held my account after making my FIRST large payment but no issues since. I now avoid all this my utilizing my banks online bill pay discover gets it electronically same day boom crisis avoided. Might I add some of these reviews complaining about payment posting times, trying to pay with pay/ prepaid cards is stupid. In addition to getting a credit card you need to also get a reputable bank account and get all your financial aspects in order. The key to getting ahead is learning how these companies work and play the game. They won’t tell you how to play better than them because they bank on us not figuring them out. My last thing is I still haven’t been graduated! Am I bummed yes I’ve paid on time in full every month since obtaining this card. My score had improved however I think it’s to do with my student loans not decreasing much and me having to get a new car loan. I believe that’s something people need to consider as well is not just about the score and your payment history it’s the FULL picture. Debt has to be reduced over all. So for now I’m fine the benefits outweigh being unsecured to me...for now. Hope this helps someone.… show more
09/12/19
I concur 1,000,000,000%, this card is great to have as long as you use it properly. Truthfully this basically applies to all tools that are set in place for financial improvement as well as credit building.
May 18, 2019
Got denied, I plan on calling them to find out why. I have little debt and my credit score is 595. I Do have a bankruptcy that is 6 yrs old and it was discharged in 2013. I thought I was good based off all the reviews but I guess not. I have only 1 credit card with $240 limit that I pay on time. Also have 2 school loans 6k and my car is about to be paid off never late balance is under 2k 52 on time payments. Don’t know where I went wrong with this card. I’m hopeful when I call them l, they reconsider. Pray for me guys lol… show more
06/01/19
It sounds me to that you should be testing the pre-qual form instead of applying at a cold app. If you have bankruptcy on your CR, you should always be trying the pre-qual to see if you even have a shot of doing business with them.
05/18/19
Update: I did call and please be warned!! They do not do reconsiderations. Once ur denied, you are denied. Next, whether or not you have a discharged bankruptcy or not, you will not get approved. So if you do have a bankruptcy do not waste your time and inquiry on this card. She also told me I have insufficient revolving accounts. Good luck out there hope this helps
Apr 24, 2019
I got the Credit Karma app at the suggestion of my fiance, so I'd know where my credit numbers stand (I was one who thought it better not to know such horrors) and I am glad I sucked it up and looked. My credit was poo. I was in the mid 500's and if I wanted to own a home, get a decent interest rate for a car, I had to get my scores up and clean up my credit. I applied for two cards one being Discover It Secured Card and set my initial limit at $1000. I read some reviews and one suggested bumping it up as much as you can so, I put another $1000 on it and made my purchases and made sure I payed my card (and my other cards/loans) on time. I set up calendar reminders on my phone to insure that I wouldn't forget. Its now April 2019 and to my surprise I got a letter from Discover graduating my card to unsecured and a check for my deposit. They review not only how you use their card but your history across all of your cards,loans, etc to determine if your're a good candidate to graduate your card. I love my card and it is and will always be my go to card! Thanks Discover for allowing me to get my credit back on track!… show more
Apr 03, 2019
Just ridiculous! Discover It Secured card is named one of the top secured cards to get
after Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I have a 650 credit score post bankruptcy. I am an authorized user on one of my husband's credit card & have 1 student loan. I also have a house but it was included but we continue to pay on time & will keep it. I was approved for a new car loan with no problems! I was approved for another secured card no questions asked. I was prequalified which is the only reason I applied yet I was still denied. I was sent a letter saying I was denied due to bankruptcy. I called customer service & they stated becuase of bankruptcy & other things on my credit? There's nithing bad on my credit. I always paid on time & have a good credit history. This company is total garbabe & huge liars. I won't apply with them,in the future for anything. They don't deserve good people trying to get their credit back on track as customers...… show more
after Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I have a 650 credit score post bankruptcy. I am an authorized user on one of my husband's credit card & have 1 student loan. I also have a house but it was included but we continue to pay on time & will keep it. I was approved for a new car loan with no problems! I was approved for another secured card no questions asked. I was prequalified which is the only reason I applied yet I was still denied. I was sent a letter saying I was denied due to bankruptcy. I called customer service & they stated becuase of bankruptcy & other things on my credit? There's nithing bad on my credit. I always paid on time & have a good credit history. This company is total garbabe & huge liars. I won't apply with them,in the future for anything. They don't deserve good people trying to get their credit back on track as customers...… show more
11/05/19
You sound really mad at Discover. Why? Because they chose not to take a chance on you? You say you have nothing on your credit report. That's because you filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy and wiped them all out. Discover is known not to approve people who have filed bankruptcy. Are they really supposed to be impressed because you are an authorized user on somebody's else account? You are still not responsible for paying that account. Pre-qualification or Pre-approval is still no guarantee you will get a card. All that means is that you met the basic requirements after a soft pull of your credit and it doesn't count against you because you have not applied for the card. Just because they didn't approve you doesn't mean they are garbage company and huge liars. There are a lot of people out there who would totally disagree with you.… show more
Apr 02, 2019
Declined wit score in the early 600s dont know why said “I’ll get a letter in the mail within 7-10 business days. Highly disappointed. Been reading all the reviews seen ppl get approved wit lower scores, very interested in why I was declined. Have 4 open accounts never late, 2 years is the oldest and 3 months is the newest.
Mar 24, 2019
GAME-CHANGER WITH FAST RESULTS!! I messed up my credit a few years ago to chase after love. After that failed miserably, I lost my job and decided I'd never allow myself to get that low again. Beginning anew with a part-time job, I got this secured Discover It. card with the minimum deposit in 8/2018. I used it often for gas or groceries, making sure that I never let my balance revolve at more than 30% of my tiny $200 limit. Basically, I followed my pay schedule and paid on my card every 2 weeks. I'll tell you, in March, 2019, my mindful behavior really paid off, and I was surprised with a letter, returning my deposit back to me and a very significant credit limit increase. After only 6 mos, I have grown my financial confidence back and feel very proud of my conscious payment habits! I know each of us is unique, but I can testify that Discover is willing to reward those with a good track record. It feels wonderful to have my deposit back, to have a much higher credit limit, and I'm watching this card help my FICO score improve!!… show more
Mar 08, 2019
Applied for and received my Discover It Secured in August 2018, along with another secured card.
I started out making multiple payments a month but now just make sure the balance is at zero before every statement and leave it at $0 a few days before and after payment would be due (my due date is the 1st, had it at $0, used it on the 3rd for new cycle and it showed a balance when they reported to bureaus).
The app is very convenient and easy to use, the rewards add up (free $21 so far), and my credit scores through CK went from lower 500s to lower 700s.
At the 8th month now I just got an email they're returning my deposit and giving me a $2500 credit line.
It's a fantastic way to build credit- responsibly. Couldn't be happier, unless I suppose they gave 10% cash back =D ave… show more
I started out making multiple payments a month but now just make sure the balance is at zero before every statement and leave it at $0 a few days before and after payment would be due (my due date is the 1st, had it at $0, used it on the 3rd for new cycle and it showed a balance when they reported to bureaus).
The app is very convenient and easy to use, the rewards add up (free $21 so far), and my credit scores through CK went from lower 500s to lower 700s.
At the 8th month now I just got an email they're returning my deposit and giving me a $2500 credit line.
It's a fantastic way to build credit- responsibly. Couldn't be happier, unless I suppose they gave 10% cash back =D ave… show more
Feb 08, 2019
Just Recieved My Card in the Mail Today, I applied on the 28th of January, so i would say thats quik. I have no credit Score or History so im happy to have this card, i also just got a Capital One Secured last Month They actually just reported but still No score yet.. takes time
Jan 28, 2019
I have a credit score of 625. Trying to rebuild after divorce. Income is 80k a year and I was turned down. Right before applying I was approved for an unsecured First Premier Visa. Doesn’t make sense. Screw discover. I will never apply for a card with them again
01/20/20
It could be your income to debt ratio. I wouldn't celebrate getting a First Premier. Not only are they fee heavy but to get a credit line increase you have to pay for it. I've had them before. I am also credit rebuilding. I hope once this it rebuilt this time, I will never have to do it again. But if something unforeseen happens, I will never again get a First Premier card. A secured card or Credit One, Capital One, and Discover It are much better choices.… show more
Jan 14, 2019
I obtained the card to help increase my credit score. The application process was easy. I was approved instantly and received my card in less than 2 weeks. I made 2 purchases with the intent to pay the full balance when I received my statement. By the time I received my first statement, Discover had already reported my balance to Equifax which dropped my credit score down 5 points because my balance was more than 10% of my credit limit. I immediately paid the full balance and going forward will only use the card for a small purchase (like gas) and pay the balance immediately.… show more
Dec 31, 2018
I chose to use Discover it Secured to start credit for a new business. After making a $2500 security deposit and providing all requested verification my account was closed due to business reasons which could not be explained. After being on the phone for over an hour, I was told it would take the equivalent of two weeks to receive my deposit back by way of check. Horrible business and customer service.
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Last updated on: January 12th, 2021 at 17:42
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WalletHub is an independent comparison service.
We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. When you click "Apply Now" you will be directed to the offering institution's website. In addition, keep in mind that actual rates and other information may vary for a number of reasons including the applicant's' creditworthiness and differences between an individual's situation and the criteria/assumptions used to generate the information displayed. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
Ad Disclosure: Offers originating from paying advertisers are noted as “Sponsored” at the top of this page. Advertising may impact how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Irrespective of whether an offering institution is a paid advertiser, the presence of offer information on WalletHub does not constitute a referral or endorsement of the institution by us or vice versa. Furthermore, offers have not been reviewed or approved by the offering institution. Information is displayed first and foremost to help consumers make better decisions.
Editorial Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. In addition, it is not issuer’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Offer last updated: Jan 12th, 2021 at 17:42 ET