Discover it® Secured Cash Back Credit Card
Your deposit is $49, $99, or $200 depending on your creditworthiness, and you have 35 days after approval to fund it. Whatever you deposit, your starting credit line is at least $200, and Discover will assign a maximum line between $1,000 and $3,000 based on your creditworthiness, as of Sep 4, 2026. You can deposit more than the minimum before activating your card to raise your starting line. Earning works like Discover's flagship card: 5% back in categories that rotate each quarter, up to a quarterly maximum when you activate, then 1% on everything else. Discover does not publish the exact dollar cap for that quarterly maximum on the card page, so confirm it in your account once approved. The card carries a single published regular APR of 28.24% Variable as of Sep 4, 2026, with no promotional intro rate advertised. Build a track record of on time payments and Discover will refund your deposit and move you to the unsecured Discover it Cash Back Credit Card, same account number, same Cashback Match if you are still inside your first year.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Unlimited Cashback Match doubles all the cash back you earn in your first year
- 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter, on activation, plus 1% on everything else
- Deposit as low as $49 unlocks a credit line starting at $200
- No annual fee
- No credit score required to apply
- A documented path to an unsecured Discover it Cash Back Card with responsible use
- Annual fee: $0, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Regular APR: 28.24% Variable, as of Sep 4, 2026, no promotional intro rate advertised
- Refundable deposit: $49, $99, or $200 based on creditworthiness, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Starting credit line: at least $200, with a maximum between $1,000 and $3,000 based on creditworthiness
- Balance transfer APR, cash advance APR, and all fee amounts: See issuer terms, not published on the card page 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 limited, no, or damaged credit and want a real credit card that reports to all three bureaus
- You can commit to a refundable deposit between $49 and $200 to open the account
- You want the same Cashback Match and rotating 5% categories as Discover's flagship card while you build up to it
- You plan to pay on time and in full, which is what earns your deposit back and the graduation offer
- You should skip it if you already qualify for an unsecured no annual fee cash back card, you will pay less to earn the same rewards
Discover it® Secured Cash Back Credit Card Review
Discover rebuilt its secured card around the same rotating 5% categories and Cashback Match as its flagship it Cash Back card, just with a refundable deposit instead of a credit score requirement to get in the door. This review covers what the deposit actually buys you, how the rewards work, and how you graduate off it.
How the Deposit Works
Your deposit is not spending money, it is collateral that Discover holds against your credit line, and it earns no interest while it sits there.
- Deposit amount is $49, $99, or $200, set by Discover based on your creditworthiness
- You have 35 days after approval to pay it, all at once or in parts
- Whatever tier you land in, your starting credit line is at least $200
- Depositing more than your minimum before you activate the card raises your starting line, up to a max between $1,000 and $3,000
How You Earn
Earning mirrors Discover's unsecured it Cash Back card: activate a rotating category each quarter for 5%, everything else defaults to 1%.
- Activation is free, done in the app or online, once per quarter
- Discover does not publish an exact dollar cap for the quarterly 5% category on this card's page, confirm it in your account after approval
- Purchases in the category before you activate, or after you hit the cap, still earn 1%
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Rotating quarterly categories, activated | 5%, up to the quarterly maximum |
| Rotating categories, not activated or over cap | 1% |
| All other purchases | 1% |
How You Redeem, and How You Graduate
Cash back posts as Cashback Bonus, and the first year match lands in your rewards account within two billing periods of your 365th day. Build a positive payment record and Discover reviews your account for an upgrade.
- The Cashback Match covers every dollar earned in year one, with no ceiling
- When you graduate, Discover refunds your deposit and moves you to the unsecured Discover it Cash Back Credit Card, same account
- If the upgrade happens inside your first 365 days, your Cashback Match keeps running on the new card
What This Card Is, and Is Not
It is a credit card. It is not a debit card, and it is not a loan. Discover reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month, which is what lets responsible use build your credit file.
- Not a prepaid or debit card: your deposit is collateral, not a preloaded balance you spend down
- Not a loan: there is no fixed repayment schedule beyond your normal statement
- $0 fraud liability, free Social Security number alerts, and in app card lock come standard
Who This Card Is For
This fits people who need a first or second real credit card and can part with a small refundable deposit for a while. It is a weaker fit for anyone who already qualifies for an unsecured no annual fee card.
- Best for building or rebuilding credit with a clear graduation path
- Good for category aware spenders who will remember to activate each quarter
- Skip it if you already have good to excellent credit, an unsecured card gets you the same rewards without tying up a deposit
Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Secured Cash Back | Citi Double Cash | Wells Fargo Active Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Credit Needed | Limited or No Credit | Good to Excellent (670-850) | Good to Excellent (670-850) |
| Refundable Deposit | $49 to $200, based on creditworthiness | None, unsecured card | None, unsecured card |
| Welcome Offer | Cashback Match, first year | $200 after $1,500 in 6 months | $100 after $500 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 5% rotating categories, capped, plus 1% | 2% on everything, 1% on purchase, 1% on payment | Unlimited 2% cash rewards |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See issuer terms | 3% of each transaction | 3% of each transaction |
| Best For | Building credit from scratch | Flat rate simplicity, once qualified | Flat rate simplicity, once qualified |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Secured Cash Back | Discover it Cash Back | Discover it Chrome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Credit Needed | Limited or No Credit | Good to Excellent (670-850) | Good to Excellent (670-850) |
| Deposit Required | $49 to $200, refundable | None | None |
| Welcome Offer | Cashback Match, first year | Cashback Match, first year | Cashback Match, first year |
| Rewards Rate | 5% rotating categories, capped, plus 1% | 5% rotating categories, capped, plus 1% | 2% gas and restaurants, capped quarterly, plus 1% |
| Best For | Starting or rebuilding credit | Category maximizers with good credit | Simple gas and dining spenders |
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