Does Discover Offer an Unsecured Credit Card for Bad Credit?
No, Discover does not currently offer an unsecured credit card specifically designed for people with bad credit. Discover's credit-building option is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back card, which requires a refundable security deposit. The card is designed for people who are building or rebuilding their credit, and Discover reports account activity to the three major credit bureaus.
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Does Discover Have an Unsecured Credit Card for Bad Credit?
Discover does not currently have an unsecured credit card specifically marketed to people with bad credit. Instead, Discover offers the Discover it® Secured Cash Back card for people who are building or rebuilding their credit. The card requires a refundable security deposit, with deposits starting at $49 and a minimum credit line of $200.
The Discover it Secured Cash Back card also offers cash back rewards, making it different from a basic secured card that is primarily designed for credit building. The card has a $0 annual fee and reports account activity to the three major credit bureaus.
If you want to see more information about Discover credit cards for bad credit, including the secured card's deposit requirements, credit limits, rewards, and other features, see our Discover Credit Cards for Bad Credit page.
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 people with less-than-perfect credit.
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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.
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