Discover Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Yes, Discover offers a secured credit card for people with bad credit or those who are building or rebuilding their credit. The current option is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back card, which requires a refundable security deposit and offers cash back rewards while you work to establish or rebuild your credit history.
Affiliate Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review and recommend. If you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened, we may earn a commission. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
Discover it® Secured Cash Back for Bad Credit
The Discover it® Secured Cash Back card is designed for people who are building or rebuilding their credit. It requires a refundable security deposit as low as $49, which can provide a minimum $200 credit line. The deposit amount of $49, $99, or $200 is based on creditworthiness, and Discover assigns a maximum credit limit of up to $3,000 based on creditworthiness.
The card has a $0 annual fee and offers cash back rewards. You can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, plus 1% cash back on other purchases. Discover also provides an unlimited dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match at the end of your first year.
Discover reports your card status to the three major credit bureaus. This allows the account to be used to establish or rebuild your credit history through responsible use.
➤ See the Discover it Secured Cash Back Card on Discover.com
Does the Discover Secured Card Guarantee Approval?
No. Having enough money for the security deposit does not guarantee that Discover will approve your application. Discover specifically states that an application for the Discover it Secured Cash Back card can be declined if certain conditions are not met.
The security deposit provides collateral for the account after you are approved, but it does not replace Discover's approval process. Discover also says that the deposit amount and maximum credit limit are based on creditworthiness.
This is an important distinction if you have bad credit. A secured credit card can be easier to qualify for than many unsecured cards, but secured does not mean guaranteed approval.
Can the Discover Secured Card Become Unsecured?
Yes, potentially. Discover says that after you establish a positive track record, you may qualify to have your security deposit returned and upgrade to an unsecured Discover card. However, the previously advertised automatic monthly account reviews beginning after seven months are being discontinued as Discover transitions its card accounts to Capital One systems. Capital One says it will continue to periodically review secured card accounts for eligibility to graduate, but there is no longer a specific seven-month review timetable to rely on.
If you qualify for graduation, your security deposit is returned and the account becomes unsecured. Discover says the other card terms and features remain the same.
For a more detailed explanation of how the Discover secured-to-unsecured process works, see our How Discover Secured Cards Graduate to Unsecured Credit Cards page.
How Does Discover Help You Build Credit?
The Discover it Secured Cash Back card reports your card status to the three major credit bureaus. Discover says responsible use, including making payments on time and keeping balances low, can help you build your credit history.
Unlike a prepaid card, the Discover it Secured Cash Back is an actual credit card. You make monthly payments on purchases, and your account activity is reported to the credit bureaus.
What If You Don't Want a Security Deposit?
If you have bad credit but specifically want an unsecured credit card with no security deposit, the Discover it Secured Cash Back card will not meet that requirement. There are other unsecured credit cards designed for people with less-than-perfect credit that do not require a security deposit.
You can see five options on our Bad Credit Credit Cards With No Deposit page.
What Are the Best Pre-Approved Credit Cards for Bad Credit?
If you specifically want a pre-approved credit card for bad credit and would like to check for an offer before submitting a full application, see our Best Pre-Approved Credit Cards for Bad Credit page.
That page focuses on two credit cards that offer pre-approval options and are available to peop
Found this guide helpful? Save this for later as you continue your financial journey!
Compare a variety of credit card offers.
FICO® Credit Scores
A FICO® Score is a proprietary credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). About 90% of top U.S. lenders use it to make lending decisions.
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
FICO categorizes scores as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number (300–850) predicting your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to evaluate risk and determine rates and terms for credit.
Why it matters: A higher score can help you qualify for loans and lower interest rates. A lower score can lead to higher borrowing costs or application denials.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
- Range: 300–850; higher scores = lower risk.
- Data Source: Uses your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
Note: Credit scores reflect your creditworthiness but do not guarantee approval for any credit product.
Security Notice: All participating issuers use secure application systems protected by Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to help protect your information.
*See the online credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of credit card offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Now " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.
Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.