Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

This card is for people who need to build or rebuild credit and still want cash back while they do it. You put down a refundable deposit, $200 minimum, as of Sep 4, 2026, and that amount becomes your starting credit line, up to a higher limit if you deposit more before activation. Every purchase earns 1.5% cash back with no annual fee. The catch: several fees, including balance transfer, cash advance and late payment, are not published on the issuer's page and only appear after you apply, so treat those as unknowns until you see your terms. This is not a debit card and not a loan: it is a real revolving credit line backed by your own deposit, and it reports to the credit bureaus like any other credit card.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, matching Capital One's flagship unsecured Quicksilver rate
- Refundable $200 minimum deposit, so the money is not a fee, it is collateral you can get back
- Credit line can grow past the minimum if you deposit more before activation
- $0 annual fee, so building credit does not cost you every year
- No foreign transaction fees and no authorized user fees
- Monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus
- Annual fee: $0, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Purchase APR: 28.99% Variable, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Balance transfer APR: See issuer terms
- Cash advance APR: See issuer terms
- Balance transfer fee: See issuer terms
- Cash advance fee: See issuer terms
- Late payment fee: See issuer terms
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Security deposit: $200 minimum, refundable, sets your starting credit line, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on Sep 4, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You have fair credit or a thin file and need a real credit card that reports to the bureaus every month.
- You can put down a $200 minimum refundable deposit and treat it as collateral, not a sunk fee.
- You want cash back while you rebuild, instead of a card that pays nothing until your score improves.
- You plan to pay in full most months, since the 28.99% variable APR is steep if you carry a balance.
- You should skip it if you already qualify for an unsecured cash back card: you can earn the same 1.5% or more without tying up a deposit.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
The Quicksilver Secured trades a security deposit for a real shot at building credit while still earning cash back. This review covers how the deposit and credit line work, what 1.5% cash back is actually worth here, and how the upgrade path to an unsecured card plays out.
How You Earn
Earning is flat and simple, the same rate as Capital One's unsecured Quicksilver card.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, no categories to track
- No enrollment required and no cap on how much you can earn
How the Security Deposit Works
Your deposit is collateral, not a fee, and it sets your credit line.
- Deposit at least $200, as of Sep 4, 2026, to open the account
- Deposit more than the minimum before your card activates to raise your starting credit line
- Earn the deposit back as a statement credit with responsible use, or get it back when you close the account with a zero balance
- Capital One reports your account to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every month
How You Redeem
Cash back redeems the same way it does on Capital One's unsecured cards.
- Redeem for a check or a statement credit
- Apply cash back directly to cover a recent purchase
- Trade cash back for gift cards
- No minimum balance required to redeem
Benefits and Protections
The protections are basic but real, matching what Capital One offers on its unsecured cards.
- $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges
- No foreign transaction fees
- No replacement card fees
- No authorized user fees
Who This Card Is For
This card fits people who need a real credit card while they build or rebuild credit, not a workaround.
- Fair credit borrowers who were turned down for unsecured cards
- Anyone who wants cash back instead of a card that pays nothing while you build credit
- Not a fit if you want a debit card or a loan: this is a revolving credit line backed by your own deposit, and how you use it can raise or lower your credit score
Comparison
| Feature | Capital One Quicksilver Secured | Discover it Cash Back | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Credit Needed | Fair to Good (580-739) | Good to Excellent (670-850) | Good to Excellent (670-850) |
| Rewards Rate | 1.5% flat on every purchase | 5% rotating categories, capped, 1% elsewhere | 2% flat: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay |
| Security Deposit | $200 minimum, refundable | None | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | 3% |
| Best For | Building credit with cash back | First-year value once you qualify | Flat 2% once you qualify |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Quicksilver Secured | Venture | VentureOne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $0 |
| Credit Needed | Fair to Good (580-739) | Excellent (740-850) | Excellent (740-850) |
| Rewards Rate | 1.5% cash back flat | 2X miles flat | 1.25X miles flat |
| Security Deposit | $200 minimum, refundable | None | None |
| Best For | Building credit | Flat-rate travel miles | No-fee travel miles |
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Reader reports, not issuer data. Not a prediction of your result. Ranges only, reviewed before publishing.