Looking for the best secured credit card? Take your pick

Secured credit cards are handy for people looking to build a credit history, who may not be eligible for regular credit cards. To get a secured credit card, you’ll pay a deposit, and by keeping a low balance and making timely repayments, you’ll build your credit score quickly.

Table of contents:
Secured credit cards Secured credit card alternatives Frequently asked questions

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Secured credit cards

Having a credit card is handy for day to day purchases, and often a requirement if you’re booking a hotel or renting a car. However, to get approval for a regular credit card, you’ll need a credit history. That’s because most credit cards don’t require any sort of security in exchange for their benefits. Instead, the issuing institution takes a look at your credit history to decide if you’re trustworthy enough to lend to.

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This can cause a problem if you have a poor credit history - or no credit history at all. If you’re a student and just starting to think about getting a credit card, if you’ve had problems with credit in the past, or if you’re a new arrival in the US, you may not be eligible for a regular credit card at all.

Secured credit cards usually require you to pay a deposit, and the credit limits on offer are typically on the low side - usually the same as the deposit you’ve handed over. However, they do let you build credit history quickly, which is useful if you want to ultimately apply for a regular credit card.

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It’s also worth noting that the fees for secured credit cards might be higher than other card types. Interest on unpaid balance amounts can quickly mount up, for example.

If you’re looking for a card to make payments easier in stores and online - or to spend while you travel, you might also consider getting a Wise borderless Mastercard. You won’t build a credit history, but you could cut your fees compared with a secured card or regular credit card.

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The borderless card is linked to the Wise borderless account - a smart new type of account you can use to hold balances in multiple currencies. Top up your account fee free in US, Australian or New Zealand dollars, euros or British pounds. Keep your money in whichever currency you want, and switch between currencies when you need to, using the mid-market exchange rate. There’s just a low transparent fee for currency conversion, and then it’s free to spend any balance you hold. That means you can avoid foreign transaction fees when shopping online or traveling - and send money cheaply to friends and family overseas, too.

Check out Wise today to see if you can save

Choosing the best secured credit card to build credit

Looking for the best secured credit card for bad credit? Or maybe you need the best secured credit card to build credit fast? Here’s a look at some of the most popular secured credit options out there.

Capital One Secured Mastercard¹

Deposits of $49, $99 or $200 and no annual fee. You may get an extended credit line once you have made 5 repayments on time, and can choose the best payment due date for your personal situation.

Citi Secured Mastercard²

Get a card with no annual fee, with a deposit from $200 to $2,500. Your credit limit will be equal to your deposit amount. Your deposit could be kept for at least 18 months, and can be used to cover the outstanding balance if your card is in default.

Discover It Secured³

Cashback on purchases (2%) , and no annual fee. You’ll be able to choose your deposit amount, and each statement shows your FICO score so you can watch your credit history build.

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Eligibility

Each card will come with its own terms and conditions, so you’ll need to confirm your eligibility when you apply. For the Citi Secured Mastercard, as an example, you’ll need to pass Citi’s credit assessment, and can’t have been made bankrupt in the previous 2 years.⁴ Credit assessments will typically look at your income and debt, as well as any other available credit information held on file.

Applying for a secured credit card

Here’s an outline of the usual process when applying for a secured card.

1. Select the card for you, and check you’re eligible. You’ll be able to see your credit report online using a site like annualcreditreport.com, or get your FICO score for a fee, to help you choose a card⁵ ⁶
2. Complete the online application, giving personal information and your social security number
3. Your application will be assessed using the provider’s credit checks, looking at income, debt and any other information available
4. Send your deposit payment which is held in a collateral holding account while your card is open
5. Your card will arrive in the mail, and you can start using it. It may take anything from a few days up to 3 weeks to get your card, so be prepared to wait

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Secured credit card alternatives

A secured credit card isn’t the only option if you don’t have the credit history to get a regular credit card, or if you need to build credit history. Depending on your needs, an alternative might mean lower costs and more flexibility. Here are a couple of ideas to think about.

Unsecured credit cards

If you’re eligible for an unsecured card, it’s worth comparing the fees and charges you might get against a secured card. Often unsecured cards are cheaper to use, making them a better choice for people with a strong credit history.

Credit Builder account ⁷ ⁸

The Self Credit Builder is an interesting option if your intention is simply to build credit history. This is not a credit card, and you don’t need to pay a deposit. Instead, it’s a savings account which lets you build credit history by maintaining an agreed savings plan and holding your money for an agreed period. You’ll select a period from 12 to 24 months, and agree the amount you’ll pay every month. There’s an admin fee when you set up the plan, so you’ll need to check how the costs compare with alternative options.

Prepaid debit cards

With a prepaid debit card, you’ll top up your balance, and then use your card as you would any other debit card. Most prepaid cards can be used for shopping online and in stores, as well as for ATM withdrawals.

You can’t overspend on a prepaid card. Your card will simply be declined when you have run out of money in your balance. That means you can’t overdraw, and you won’t pay interest charges. However, there are other fees and charges associated with prepaid cards. These vary between cards, but you might find you have to pay a fee to top up your balance, to make ATM withdrawals or to spend in a foreign currency, for example.

Wise multi-currency card

If you want to use a card when you travel, or if you regularly send or receive international payments, a Wise multi-currency Mastercard might be the best option for you. The card links to a multi-currency account, which is easy to open and convenient to use.

You’ll be able to hold your money in different currencies, and check your balance at a glance in the Wise app. Switch between currencies as and when you need to, and spend and make withdrawals using your card anywhere you see the Mastercard logo. Because there are no foreign transaction fees, the Wise mastercard can work out much cheaper than alternative options for spending in foreign currencies.

Frequently asked questions

Not sure if a secured card is right for you? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to secured credit cards, to help you decide.

### What's the difference between secured and regular credit cards? To get a regular credit card, you’ll need a solid credit history. Card issuers check your credit score, and use this to decide whether or not to give you credit. Secured credit cards on the other hand might be issued to people with no credit history, or a relatively poor credit history, if they pay a deposit in advance of use.

Are secured credit cards the easiest cards to get?

Secured credit cards are easier to get than regular credit cards for people with a limited or poor credit history. That said, you could still have your application turned down for a secured card if you don’t have any access to income, or if you have failed to pay your debts in the past.

Are secured credit cards a good idea?

Secured credit cards have benefits, and might be a good choice for some users. However, they also typically come with low credit amounts, and fairly high fees and interest charges.

If you want to build a credit history so you can apply for alternative credit cards in the future, a secured card might be a sound option. Check out the small print for each card so you don’t end up paying unexpected fees - and apply for a regular card with better terms as soon as you have built a strong credit score.

If what you want is the convenience of having a card to make payments, an alternative like the Wise multi-currency Mastercard might come with lower overall costs.

Can you be denied for a secured credit card?

You can be denied a secured credit card. This could happen if you have a poor credit history, or if you have a low income. The issuer will assess how likely it is that you’ll be able to pay your bills, and make a judgement based on their own eligibility criteria.

That said, there are secured credit cards available which require very little credit history - although they may come with steep fees.

How fast do secured cards build credit?

The amount of time taken to build your credit score will depend on your personal situation. You’ll start building a credit history immediately, but correcting a poor credit history will take longer. Financial advisors recommend leaving it at least 6 months to apply for a regular card in this case.

When you’re working on your credit, it helps to understand what credit assessors take into account when deciding your credit score.

The biggest factors looked at are your payment history and the amount you owe. That means that keeping your card spending down to a low amount, and paying off the balance each month is the best way to build your credit score.⁹

How much is a typical deposit on a secured credit card?

In most cases your credit limit - at least at first - will be the same as the deposit amount you pay. This may be as low as $50 for some cards, or as much as $2,000 for others. Some cards will automatically extend your credit limit once you’ve proved you can be trusted to repay your balance.

Your deposit is fully refundable when you close or upgrade your secured card account - but some cards have a fixed period during which you aren’t allowed to close your account.

How to upgrade to an unsecured card?

Once you’ve built a strong credit score, you can apply for a new unsecured credit card with your current provider, or choose a different card according to your needs.

How to avoid credit card debt?

If you carry credit card debt, you’ll pay interest and fees. This can work out costly over time, so it’s a smart idea to keep an eye on your spending to avoid credit card debt.

Avoiding credit card debt might be as simple as keeping a track on all of your spending day to day, so you don’t get a surprise when your credit card bill arrives at the end of the month. You’ll also want to pay off your balance in full after every statement to avoid getting hit by late fees, or racking up unnecessary interest charges.

There are many different secured credit card options out there, which suit different types of customers. However, depending on your specific needs, you might find that an alternative to a secured credit card is just as convenient, and comes with lower fees.

If what you want is the convenience of spending with a card, be sure to look at the free Wise multi-currency Mastercard as a cheap and safe way to spend, no matter where in the world you might be.

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Sources:

1. Capital One Secured Mastercard
2. Citi Secured Mastercard
3. Discover it Secured
4. Additional Information - Citi® Secured Mastercard®
5. Annual Credit Report - Home page
6. MyFICO - Home page
7. Self Credit Builder Loans
8. What is Self Lender
9. Secured credit cards for building credit

All sources last checked 9 January 2020