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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Discover it Secured Credit Card review: Earn rewards while building credit
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
February 28, 2025 • 7 min read
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A secured card can help those with limited or poor credit history build or rebuild their credit.
This product requires a refundable security deposit, which sets your initial credit limit.
Cardholders can earn cash-back rewards, including bonus rates at certain merchants, and may receive a deposit refund after meeting specific criteria.
It offers a welcome bonus that matches all cash back earned in the first year, a feature uncommon among secured cards.
What to consider
A security deposit of at least $200 is required, and your credit limit equals your deposit.
The deposit may be refunded after six consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good credit status for six months.
Earning rates are lower than many nonsecured cash-back cards, and the card lacks some premium benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of alternative secured and unsecured cards, including those with lower deposit requirements or higher cash-back rates.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Discover it Secured Credit Card is a good option for people with limited or poor credit history. It has no required credit score and gives cardholders a chance to have their security deposit refunded. This card also earns cash-back rewards, making it a good choice for any credit card beginner. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
If you're building (or rebuilding) your credit, a secured credit card is an excellent option. You can be approved with a low (or sometimes no) credit score. Typically, secured cards require a deposit — which becomes your credit limit at the start.
While these can be a great option, they typically lack the benefits we expect from our top rewards cards — like a welcome bonus and solid earning rates.
The Discover it Secured Credit Card, however, offers more than just an opportunity to build credit. Cardholders can earn a refund on their security deposit, making this card a strong contender if you're looking to build credit. On top of that, you'll earn rewards on your purchases.
This card has no annual fee and no required credit score, but it does require a security deposit of at least $200 — and your deposit amount is what your credit limit will be.
Let's dig into the card details to see if it's a good fit for you.
The information for the Discover it Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Discover it Secured Credit Card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
No annual fee
No credit score required
Security deposit is refundable
Earns cash-back rewards
Lower earning rates than other rewards cards
Requires a security deposit
Discover it Secured Credit Card welcome offer
New Discover it Secured cardholders will earn a cash-back match at the end of the first cardholder year. There is no limit to the amount of cash back the cardholder can earn in this match.
The value of this welcome offer will depend on how much you spend on the card in the first cardholder year. Still, many secured cards don't offer a welcome bonus at all, so the opportunity to earn an unlimited cash-back match is a valuable perk.
As with most secured cards, the primary benefit of the Discover it Secured Credit Card is the ability to improve your credit score. However, this card also offers some additional perks that make it stand out against other secured cards on the market, such as a welcome offer and the chance to earn bonus rewards in some categories.
Additionally, cardholders can get their security deposit refunded after six consecutive on-time payments and six months of good status on all their credit accounts.
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The card also comes with standard benefits like fraud protection and the ability to track your credit score.
These benefits fall short of what you'll find on our favorite travel rewards cards, but they're pretty standard for a card with no annual fee. Plus, the ability to get your security deposit refunded is a unique benefit that may sway you to choose this over other secured credit cards.
Earning cash back on the Discover it Secured Credit Card
The Discover it Secured Credit Card earns 2% cash back on the first $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
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These earning rates pale in comparison to our favorite travel rewards and cash-back credit cards, but they're solid for a secured card. Many secured cards don't earn any rewards, so the ability to earn cash back at all is an asset on this card, and earning bonus cash back on bonus categories is even better.
Redeeming cash back on the Discover it Secured Credit Card
You can redeem your rewards as cash back in the form of a deposit to your bank account or a statement credit to your account. Additionally, you can pay directly with your rewards through Amazon, Apple Pay and PayPal.
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You can also redeem your rewards for gift cards, or use them to make a charitable donation. This is a decent range of redemption options, given that this isn't a lucrative travel rewards card.
If you don't need a secured card: The (see rates and fees) allows you to earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% as you buy and another 1% as you pay), making it a better option if you don't need a secured card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
The Discover it Secured Credit Card is a strong option for those building credit. It has no required credit score and allows you to earn rewards on all your purchases — including bonus rewards on dining and gas station purchases. Still, its earning rates are lower than many nonsecured cash-back cards, so you'll want to explore other options if you don't need a secured card.
Bottom line
The Discover it Secured Credit Card is a good way for cardholders to earn cash-back rewards while building credit. However, if you want different earning rates or a lower security deposit requirement, you'll want to research other secured credit cards before deciding on this one.
