Best Secured Credit Cards

Green Dot Visa Secured Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Online Security Deposit from Green Dot

Card Details

Regular APR:	19.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	$39
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
No processing or application fees
No minimum credit score requirements. Low fixed interest rates with no penalty rate
Reports to all three nationwide credit bureaus
Whether you put down $200 or $5000, your credit limit is equal to the amount of the refundable security deposit
Not a prepaid or debit card – spend within your credit limit, then pay your balance monthly, just like a regular credit card. Use everywhere Visa Credit is accepted in the U.S.
Relax, good credit or a bank account is not needed to get a card. And, since there?s no credit check, there’s no effect on your credit when you apply
Be sure to make on-time payments and keep your card balance low. Your payment and usage history gets reported to the three major credit bureaus, which can help you build a positive credit file over time
Make your security deposit and monthly payments online for free or at thousands of retailers nationwide for $4.95

Is Green Dot Visa Secured worth it?

Green Dot Visa Secured is a solid card for people looking to build credit. Compared to popular secured cards, like Citi Secured Mastercard, Discover it Secured, and Capital One Secured Mastercard, Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured has the same $200 initial credit line and an APR that is slightly lower.

However, it does have a $39 annual fee and a $29 additional card fee, while the other cards have no annual fee. Green Dot Visa? Secured offers the option to make your security deposit online and make monthly payments online for free or at thousands of retailers nationwide for $4.95.

If you are anticipating the possibility of carrying a balance, it would be better to choose another Green Dot card, which has lower APR. However, if having the ability to make payments at retailers will help you and you can pay the annual fee, Green Dot Visa Secured is a solid card to get to build credit.

Pros

Make your security deposit and monthly payments online for free or at thousands of retailers nationwide for $4.95
Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
APR is lower than secured cards from Citi, Discover, and Capital One

Cons

$39 annual fee

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	No Balance Transfers Allowed
Cash Advance Fee	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Baggage Delay Insurance

Concierge Service

Extended Warranty Program

Travel Accident Insurance

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Purchase Protection

Roadside Assistance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with Green Dot Visa Secured

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinion, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author?s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.

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Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit with the Lowest APR

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	9.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	$49
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
No processing or application fees
No minimum credit score requirements
Low fixed interest rates with no penalty rate
Reports to all three nationwide credit bureaus

Is Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured worth it?

Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured is a solid card for people looking to build credit. Compared to popular secured cards, like Citi Secured Mastercard, Discover it Secured, and Capital One Secured Mastercard, Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured has the same $200 initial credit line and an APR that is impressively low. Only Applied Bank Secured Visa Gold Preferred Credit Card has an APR this low, even secured cards from credit unions like State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum and Navy Federal nRewards Secured have higher APRs.

However, it does have a $49 annual fee and a $29 additional card fee, while the other cards have no annual fee, except for Applied Bank Secured Visa Gold Preferred, which has a $48 annual fee. The cost of an extremely low APR is apparently covered in the annual fee in the case of these two 9.99% APR secured cards.

If you are anticipating the possibility of carrying a balance and can pay the annual fee, Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured is a solid card to get, because the APR is the lowest of secured card APRs.

Pros

Impressively low APR
Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
APR is lower than secured cards from Citi, Discover, and Capital One

Cons

$49 annual fee
$49 credit limit increase fee

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	No Balance Transfers Allowed
Cash Advance Fee	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Baggage Delay Insurance

Concierge Service

Extended Warranty Program

Travel Accident Insurance

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Purchase Protection

Roadside Assistance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured

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Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured Credit Card Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit with Low APR

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	13.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	$39
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
No processing or application fees
No minimum credit score requirements
Low fixed interest rates with no penalty rate
Reports to all three nationwide credit bureaus

Is Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured Credit Card worth it?

Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured is a solid card for people looking to build credit. Compared to popular secured cards, like Citi Secured Mastercard, Discover it Secured, and Capital One Secured Mastercard, Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured has the same $200 initial credit line and a much lower APR.

However, it does have a $39 annual fee and a $29 additional card fee, while the other cards have no annual fee. If you are anticipating the possibility of carrying a balance and can pay the annual fee, Green Dot primor? Visa? Classic Secured is the right card to get, because the APR is significantly lower than the other cards.

Pros

Low APR
$200 minimum security deposit is on the low end for secured cards
Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
APR is lower than secured cards from Citi, Discover, and Capital One

Cons

$39 annual fee
$49 credit limit increase fee

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	No Balance Transfers Allowed
Cash Advance Fee	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Baggage Delay Insurance

Concierge Service

Extended Warranty Program

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Purchase Protection

Roadside Assistance

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with Green Dot primor Visa Classic Secured Credit Card

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Capital One Secured Mastercard Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit With No Annual Fee Or Penalty APR

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	26.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(580-669) Average/Fair
Annual Fee:	$0
Card Brand:	Mastercard

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
No annual fee, and all the credit building benefits with responsible card use
Unlike a prepaid card, it builds credit when used responsibly, with regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
You will get an initial $200 credit line after making a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200
Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time with no additional deposit needed
Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
It’s a credit card accepted at millions of locations worldwide
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use

Is Capital One Secured Mastercard Credit Card worth it?

Capital One Secured Mastercard is a solid card for people looking to improve their credit score – It requires a security deposit but reports to the credit bureaus like a traditional credit card does. It also provides a higher credit limit after you make on time payments for the first five months.

Pros

Build your credit
Reports to the three major credit bureaus each month
No annual fee
No penalty APR

Cons

Higher than average APR

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

4 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

5 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	$0
Balance Transfer Fee	$0
Cash Advance Fee	3% of transaction amount or $10, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Extended Warranty Program

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with Capital One Secured Mastercard

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Unity Visa Secured Credit Card Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Will Help You Build Credit

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	17.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	9.95% for 6 months
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/Fair
Annual Fee:	$39
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
More than just another credit card
With the UNITY Visa Secured Card you get reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus, the How to Rebuild Credit Program, and so much more
Maybe you want to buy a house, or a car in the future. Using the UNITY Visa Secured Card can help strengthen your credit history, bringing your dreams closer to reality

Is Unity Visa? Secured Credit Card worth it?

Unity Visa Secured is a solid card for people looking to build credit. A secured card can help you build your credit and even allow you to rent a car from some car rental companies.

Unfortunately, consumers have reported that applying and making payments with OneUnited Bank, the issuer of Unity, is very slow. While you get a lower APR than secured cards from Citi, Discover, and Capital One, if you’re interested in making fast, seamless online payments, Unity Visa Secured is not the card for you.

If you’ve been denied applying for credit cards from other banks and are willing to send your payments in very early, Unity Visa? Secured is worth applying for and will help you build credit.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus
$250 minimum security deposit is on the low end for secured cards

Cons

$39 fee

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater (maximum fee: $150)
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater (maximum fee: $150)
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Get Started with Unity Visa Secured Credit Card

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U.S. Bank Secured Visa Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit With Low APR

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	20.49% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(670 – 850) Good/Excellent
Annual Fee:	$29
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Help build or re-establish your credit history with the U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card. This secured credit card can be used like any other credit card, and is accepted worldwide
Enroll in Online Banking and get your TransUnion Credit Score at no cost and receive email alerts when there are big changes to your credit report
Everyone?s schedule is different. So it’s handy to be able to pick your credit card due date

Is U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card worth it?

U.S. Bank Secured Visa is a solid card for people looking to build credit. Compared to popular secured cards, like Citi Secured Mastercard, Discover it Secured, and Capital One Secured Mastercard, U.S. Bank Secured Visa, U.S. Bank Secured Visa has an annual fee while they have none, but U.S. Bank Secured Visa has a lower APR.

U.S. Bank Secured Visa also requires a higher security deposit. The minimum and maximum credit limits are $300 and $5000 respectively, and your credit limit is equal to the value that you choose to deposit. It?s common to want to increase a line of credit, but note that if you would like a credit limit increase, the only way to notify U.S. Bank for this situation is through a letter in the mail.

U.S. Bank will also receive inquiries for credit limit decreases, for a fee of $15, although this is not something that makes financial sense, because your credit score increases when you have more credit available to you. The only time you might lower your credit limit for good reason is in order to match the starting credit limit of a new card you are applying for from the same bank. For example, let?s say you have a $2000 limit on a card from the bank, you might lower it to match the starting credit limit of the new card you applying for, which could be $1000, so that they if they see you have a credit limit of $1000 on another of their cards, they are likely to accept you for the new card with $1000 as well. For most people building or re-building credit with this card, this will not be something they need to be aware of unless they also carry unsecured cards.

While U.S. Bank Secured Visa’s $300 minimum security deposit might seem like a lot of money, if you do decide to close your account, the security deposit will be returned to you within 7-10 days of submitting an account closure form.

Despite having a slightly higher security deposit than average and a $29 annual fee, U.S. Bank Secured Visa is a solid card for people looking for a safe way to build credit.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
APR is lower than secured cards from Citi, Discover, and Capital One

Cons

Minimum deposit of $300 is slightly above average for secured cards
$29 annual fee

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	2%
Balance Transfer Fee	Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee	Either 4% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Extended Warranty Program

Purchase Protection

Travel and Emergency Assistance

Get Started with U.S. Bank Secured Visa

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SunTrust Secured Credit Card Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit with Gas and Grocery Cash Back

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	21.74 (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	2% Cash Back on up to $6,000 spent annually on gas and grocery qualifying purchases 1% Unlimited Cash Back on all other qualifying purchases
Credit Needed:	(670 – 850) Good/Excellent
Annual Fee:	$32
Card Brand:	Mastercard

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
2% Cash Back on up to $6,000 spent annually on gas and grocery qualifying purchases
1% Unlimited Cash Back on all other qualifying purchases
Build your credit
Tip: Maximize your cash back earnings with recurring payments such as cable, internet, phone and more

Is SunTrust Secured Credit Card worth it?

SunTrust Secured Credit Card is a great card or people looking to build credit by putting down a deposit and earn cash back. The rewards structure is similar to SunTrust Cash Rewards Credit Card. SunTrust Secured Credit Card cardholders earn 2% cash back on the first $6,000 spent annually on gas and groceries. You get 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

Note that you may be denied for SunTrust Secured if you are coming out of bankruptcy.

Pros

No foreign transaction fee
2% Cash Back on up to $6,000 spent annually on gas and grocery qualifying purchases

Cons

$32 annual fee

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

5 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Balance Transfer Fee	$10.00 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee	$10.00 or 4% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Baggage Delay Insurance

Extended Warranty Program

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Mastercard ID Theft Protection

Purchase Protection

Roadside Assistance

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Assistance

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Get Started with SunTrust Secured Credit Card

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State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit and Earn Rewards

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	13.74 (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	Earn Flexpoints Rewards – 1 point for every $1 spent
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Limited/No
Annual Fee:	None
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Credit line starts at $500 and goes up to $100,000
Competitive low rate
Earn Flexpoints Rewards – 1 point for every $1 spent
Use card responsibly and you can be automatically graduated to a Visa Platinum Credit Card
Visa Platinum benefits like Travel and Emergency Assistance Services and Lost Luggage Reimbursement
25-day grace period on purchases
ATM cash advance fee of $3.00 (no cost at teller)
Ability to join SDFCU and apply at the same time

Is State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum worth it?

State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum is a great card for people looking to build credit who are State Department Federal Credit Union Members. The minimum deposit is $250, and the rewards program offers 1 point for every $1 spent, which is good for a secured card.

Through the redemption portal, cardholders can redeem rewards for airfare, merchandise, gift cards, gift certificates and repaid cards. Most gift cards or gift certificates are delivered within 7-10 business days. The prepaid cards, issued by Visa, may take up to 4-6 weeks for delivery and can only be shipped within the United States.

State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum also comes with several benefits that can be found on travel cards. With a low APR, this is a great card for people looking to put down a deposit to build credit.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all three credit bureaus
A security deposit is required for this product: minimum of $250 is on the low-average end for secured cards. The security deposit is always equal to your credit limit
Low APR

Cons

Need to be eligible to join SDFCU either via employment in the Department of State, as a family member of a State Department employee, or as a member of an SDFCU organizational affiliate association. On the SDFCU website, they list American Consumer Council members as eligible, and you can become a member for $8 if you have made a large purchase as a consumer in the last 12 months. The purchase categories are very general, but if you don’t think you qualify you can pay $15 for lifetime membership.

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

5 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Balance Transfer Fee	None
Cash Advance Fee	Over the Counter: None; ATM: $3.00
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Extended Warranty Program

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Travel and Emergency Assistance

Get Started with State Department EMV Savings Secured Visa Platinum

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Navy Federal nRewards Secured Review

Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
For Armed Forces Members and Their Families to Build Credit

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	11.65 – 18.00% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	1X point per dollar spent
Credit Needed:	(300 – 850) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	None
Card Brand:	Mastercard

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
No rewards limit
Starting at 6 months, we’ll review your account monthly to see if you’re eligible to have your hold removed and be upgraded to a cashRewards unsecured card
1X point per dollar spent
Points redeemed for cash, statement credit, gift cards and merchandise

Is Navy Federal nRewards Secured worth it?

Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card is a great card for Navy supporters and members of all branches of the armed forces as well as their families looking to build credit by putting down a deposit. You deposit at least $200 into your savings account, before submitting your application, to back your spending. Once approved, the deposit will determine your card?s credit limit and be held.

You?ll earn rewards like any other credit card, and you’ll earn dividends on your hold, just like any other savings account. This is a great secured card for members of the armed forces and their families.

Pros

Minimum security deposit of $200 is on the low end for secured cards
Earn dividends on your security deposit

Cons

Cash redemptions are deposited directly into your bank account at one cent per point, but for gift cards reward points are sometimes worth less than one cent

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

5 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Balance Transfer Fee	None
Cash Advance Fee	None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction
Penalty APR	18.00%

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Cell phone protection

Get Started with Navy Federal nRewards Secured

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Merrick Bank Secured Visa Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit with Bad Credit

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	19.20% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(300 – 669) Bad/Average/Fair
Annual Fee:	$36 the first year, then $3 per month
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Unsecured credit line increases – After the first year, your account will be regularly reviewed for credit line increases with no additional security deposit required
Flexible credit line – the amount of your deposit determines your initial credit line – up to $3,000 and increase your credit line anytime with additional deposits
Build or Rebuild your Credit Today with the Merrick Bank Secured Visa Card
Get your updated FICO Score each month when it is provided to us by the credit bureau
$0 Fraud Liability protects you from unauthorized charges
Online and Mobile Account Access
No Penalty Rates or Over Limit Fee
Quick, easy application – apply online today!

Is Merrick Bank Secured Visa worth it?

Merrick Bank Secured Visa Card is a solid card for people with bad credit looking to build credit by making a deposit. The annual fee is $36 the first year, then $3 per month. Other secured cards have no annual fee.

Pros

Build your credit
Minimum security deposit of $200 is on the low end for secured cards

Cons

Security deposit must be received with application for approval. Other cards determine your credit limit after you submit your application, and then require you to submit a security deposit of that amount. The money is FDIC-insured and refunded if you are denied, but it will take 4-6 weeks
$36 annual fee, then $3 per month

Why 4 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	2%
Balance Transfer Fee	No Balance Transfers Allowed
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Get Started with Merrick Bank Secured Visa

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LATAM Visa Secured Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit and Earn LATAM Rewards

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	17.74% – 24.74% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	Earn 1 point for every $1 in eligible net purchases
Credit Needed:	(670 – 850) Good/Excellent
Annual Fee:	None for first year, then $25
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Earn 1 point for every $1 in eligible net purchases
Earn 5,000 bonus points after your first card use
Earn 5,000 bonus points with your annual credit card renewal
$0 intro annual fee the first year; $25 thereafter
10% discount on first LATAM Airlines purchase (up to $500) 1 time per year
When you’ve managed all of your credit obligations responsibly consistently for 12 months, you’ll be well on your way to a strong credit standing, and we may be able to move you to an unsecured credit card product

Is LATAM Visa Secured worth it?

LATAM Visa Secured is a solid card for LATAM travelers looking to build credit. LATAM was formed from the merger of LAN and TAM airlines and most of LATAM’s destinations are in South America. The LATAM Visa Secured Card offers a 10% discount on your first LATAM Airlines purchase – up to $500 – one time per year, you earn 1 point for every $1 in eligible net purchases, and you can also transfer your points to oneworld airline alliance partners.

With LATAM Visa Secured, you can earn rewards with LATAM and build your credit at the same time, for an annual fee of $0 the first year, then $25. After you make on-time payments for 12 months or more, it would be smart to apply for an unsecured card.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish credit history
10% discount on first LATAM Airlines purchase (up to $500) 1 time per year
Oneworld transfer parterns include American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines and more than 5 more
$0 annual fee the first year, then $25

Cons

Security deposit must be $300 at a minimum
To transfer miles you must pay a fee of $5.60 per 500 miles transferred
No more than 2 transfers can be completed in one year

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

4 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

5 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee	Either 4% of the amount of each advance or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Extended Warranty Program

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with LATAM Visa Secured

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Korean Air SKYPASS Visa Secured Card Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit and Earn Korean Air SKYPASS Rewards

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	17.99% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	Earn 1 mile for every $1 you spend in eligible net purchases
Credit Needed:	(300-669) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	$50
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
5,000 SKYPASS Bonus Miles after your first purchase
1,000 Bonus Miles at renewal
SKYPASS Visa card purchases help you reach and maintain Morning Calm Club Membership
Redeem miles for award travel and upgrades on Korean Air and SkyTeam partners
Credit limit based on your deposit, from $300 to $5,000
Is a Secured Credit Card for me? Yes, if you haven’t had the chance to establish credit in the United States yet.
Get your VantageScore – at no cost

Is Korean Air SKYPASS Visa? Secured worth it?

Korean Air SKYPASS Visa? Secured Card is a great card for Korean Air travelers looking to build credit. With this card, you can earn SKYPASS rewards with Korean Air and build your credit at the same time, for an annual fee of $50. After you make on-time payments for 12 months or more, it would be safe to apply for an unsecured card. Cardholders earn 1 mile for every $1 you spend in eligible net purchases. This rewards rate is below average, but on the other hand Korean Air miles are worth more than miles from the average travel rewards program. For example, the 5,000 point sign up bonus is worth enough to get you a one way domestic Korean Air flight.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish credit history
5,000 SKYPASS Bonus Miles after your first purchase
Get your VantageScore – at no cost: this is your credit score from TransUnion, one of the 3 major credit bureaus

Cons

Security deposit of up to $500 may be required
Other secured cards offer no annual fee or a higher rewards rate

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

5 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	2%
Balance Transfer Fee	Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee	Either 4% of the amount of each advance or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Purchase Protection

Roadside Assistance

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Assistance

Get Started with Korean Air SKYPASS Visa Secured

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Discover it Secured Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit and Earn Rewards on Gas and Restaurants

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	24.74% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	0% for 6 months
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	After January 10, 2020 you no longer get: 10.99% intro APR for 6 months from the date of your first balance transfer
Rewards Rate:	Earn 2% Cash Back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in purchases each quarter Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases Discover will match all the cash back you?ve earned at the end of your first year, so your cash back gets doubled
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	None
Card Brand:	Discover

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
It’s a Real Credit Card: unlike a prepaid or debit card, this is a real credit card that lets you build your credit history with the three major credit bureaus.
Refundable Deposit: your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit. You choose the deposit amount up to the credit line approved
Earn 2% Cash Back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically
We?ll match all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically
Easily view your FICO Credit Score on monthly statements, mobile and online for free

Is Discover it Secured worth it?

Discover it Secured is a great card for people looking to build credit and earn cash back on gas and restaurants purchases. Cardholders earn 2% Cash Back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, and Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year so your cash back gets doubled.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to 3 major credit bureaus
No annual fee
Option to upgrade to an unsecured Discover card, where you don’t make a deposit – it’s recommended you make on-time payments for Discover it Secured for 8 months first
Minimum security deposit of $200 is on the low end for secured cards

Cons

High regular APR for a secured card: you would be paying interest at 24.74% APR on a loan you gave yourself

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

4 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

5 Stars

Perks

5 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Balance Transfer Fee	Starting January 10, 2020, you no longer get an intro fee of 3% of the amount of each balance transfer that has posted to your account. It then becomes 5% of the amount of each transfer
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	None

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Get Started with Discover it Secured

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Digital Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum Secured Review

Digital-Federal-Credit-Union-Visa-Platinum-Secured-Credit-Card

Rating: 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit For DCU Members But A High Minimum Deposit

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	13.25% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(580 – 669) Average/Fair/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	None
Card Brand:	Visa

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Embedded EMV chip – this tiny chip protects your information in a big way
Mobile Wallet Compatible – works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Optional overdraft protection – We’ll transfer the balance of any overdrafts from your DCU checking account to your DCU Visa Platinum account up to your available limit
No annual fee

Is Digital Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum Secured worth it?

Digital Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum Secured is a great card for building credit. The minimum deposit is high – $500. As with other credit card applications, approval is reliant on not only your credit score but also your income and payment history. If you have a high number of past due, or delinquent, accounts, it will be harder to get approved. Users of this card have reported that they were denied with bad credit, so if you do have bad credit, it would be wise to only apply if you have a good income and solid payment history.

Pros

No fee on cash advances and balance transfers
Low regular APR
No annual fee

Cons

$500 minimum deposit
Must be a DCU member – simple and as low as $15 to join through a participating organization or through a charitable donation
No rewards

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

5 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

5 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

5 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Balance Transfer Fee	None
Cash Advance Fee	None
Penalty APR	18.00%

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Extended Warranty Program

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Purchase Protection

Travel Accident Insurance

Get Started with Digital Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum Secured

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Citi Secured Mastercard Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Bottom Line:
Build Credit Without An Annual Fee

Apply Now

Card Details

Regular APR:	24.24% (Variable)
Intro APR (Purchases):	None
Intro APR (Balance transfers):	None
Rewards Rate:	None
Credit Needed:	(0 – 300) Bad/Limited/No
Annual Fee:	None
Card Brand:	Mastercard

*See online credit card application for details on the terms and conditions.

Offer Highlights

Click APPLY NOW to apply online
Help build your credit history by using your card responsibly
A security deposit is required for this product (minimum of $200). The security deposit is always equal to your credit limit
If you are approved and you deposit $200, your credit limit (the maximum amount you can spend) is $200
Use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted with $0 liability on unauthorized charges
No Annual Fee

Is Citi Secured Mastercard worth it?

Citi Secured Mastercard is a great card for people looking to build their credit by putting down a deposit. By using this card and making on-time payments – 18 months recommended – you can increase your credit limit and increase your credit score. You are ineligible for this card if your credit shows any bankruptcy history within the last two years.

Pros

Build your credit
Monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
Minimum security deposit of $200 is on the low end for secured cards
No annual fee

Cons

No rewards
Requires credit check
High regular APR for a secured card: you would be paying interest at 24.24% APR on a loan you gave yourself

Why 5 Stars?

Regular APR

4 Stars

Intro APR

4 Stars

Fees

4 Stars

Perks

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Balance Transfer Fee	Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Penalty APR	Up to 29.99%

Benefits

$0 Fraud Liability

Get Started with Citi Secured Mastercard

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