Note: Sign-up bonuses and APRs aren't listed because they change so often (based on what the overall market's doing). But they're easy to look up for each card if you're curious.
Boring Bitch Card For When You Just Need Someone To Say Yes #1
Bankamericard Secured
Security deposit: $200 - $5,000
When you get the deposit back: when they find your account “qualified” during one of their periodic reviews
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Rewards: none
Notes: The name might sound generic, but this card's from Bank of America. Not much else to know about it really. Pretty basic.
Boring Bitch Card For When You Just Need Someone To Say Yes #2
U.S. Bank Visa Secured
Security deposit: $300 - $5,000
When you get the deposit back: when the account's upgraded or closed
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Rewards: none
Notes: none, lol. Another basic one.
The Forgiving Softie That Might Discount Your Deposit
Capital One Platinum Secured
Security deposit: $49 or $99 or $200 (depending on your credit history) - $1,000 and you can make partial payments as long as you've paid the minimum within 35 days of being approved (And don't worry, the credit limit will be at least $200 even if you paid less than that for your deposit.)
When you get the deposit back: you earn it back as a statement credit “by using your card responsibly” (their words) or it gets refunded when you close your account and pay the full balance
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: none
Rewards: none
Notes: You don't actually have to have a credit score to apply for this one. They check income and existing debt instead. If you get it, you're automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as 6 months, with a chance to upgrade to the unsecured Platinum card if you've made your payments on time.
The Steady Friend With Reasonable Rewards
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards
Security deposit: $200 – between $1,000 and $3,000 (based on credit worthiness) and you can make partial payments as long as you've paid the minimum within 35 days of being approved
When you get the deposit back: you earn it back as a statement credit “by using your card responsibly” with on-time payments or it gets refunded when you close your account and pay the full balance
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: none
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on everything
Notes: Another one where you don't actually need a credit score to apply because they check income and existing debt instead. If you get it, you're automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as 6 months, with a chance to upgrade to the unsecured Quicksilver card if you've made your payments on time.
The Guardian Angel That's Got You Covered
Chase Freedom Rise
Security deposit: none
When you get the deposit back: no deposit required
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on everything, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection against damage and theft, and sometimes lyft and dashpass bonuses. Plus there's usually a bonus for setting up autopay in the first 3 months ($25 statement credit) and you can get Chase merchant offers if you're eligible.
Notes: Your chances of approval are better if you've got an open Chase checking account containing at least the minimum deposit ($250 as of writing this) and/or if you have prior credit history, but neither of those things are required. You can also get a higher credit limit in as few as 6 months, and they automatically evaluate each year to see if you qualify for an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Your Fun-Loving Companion For Eating Out And Streaming In
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa
Security deposit: $300 - $5,000
When you get the deposit back: when you graduate to the regular Altitude Go card
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Rewards: 4% cash back on restaurants (including delivery) for the first $2,000 each quarter, 2% on groceries + streaming + gas stations + EV charging, 1% on everything else. Also an automatic $15 credit for each annual streaming service including netflix, hulu, and spotify.
Notes: You can automatically graduate to the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature card if you keep spending within your limit and paying your bill by its due date. Also, there's sometimes a 0% APR balance transfer for the first year.
The Muscle Who Does Whatever You Ask
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card
Security deposit: $300 - $5,000
When you get the deposit back: when you graduate to the regular Cash+ Visa card
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $2,000 per quarter (combined spending) in 2 categories you choose (examples: fast food, utilities, cell phone providers, tv + internet + streaming), 2% cash back on one everyday category you choose (choices: grocery stores + grocery deliveries, restaurants, or gas stations + EV charging stations), 1% on everything else
Notes: You can automatically graduate to the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card if you keep spending within your limit and paying your bill by its due date. Also, reward redemptions have a $25 minimum.
And as a special addition, this card holds a special place in my heart because it was my first one!
The Hookup Who's Always Giving You Extra Goodies
Discover It Cash Back
Security deposit: none
When you get the deposit back: no deposit required
Annual fee: none
Foreign transaction fee: none
Rewards: For the first year, it's 10% cash back on the first $1,500 in a different category each quarter and 2% on everything else (because they do a limitless cashback match)! After that, it's 5% on the first $1,500 in quarterly categories and 1% on everything else.
Notes: You click a button in your account once every 3 months to activate the higher rewards in the new quarterly category. There's a ton of card designs to choose from and usually a 0% APR deal for the first 15 months.
Right now, you can get $100 as a statement credit through the affiliate button below just for using the card any time in the first 3 months!
Get the card with$100 credit!
P.S. There's also student and secured versions of the It card! Both have no annual fee and get the first year cashback match. (Student = the same rewards as the regular) (Secured = 2% at gas stations + restaurants up to $1,000 combined each quarter and 1% on everything else, deposit between $200 and $2,500) Use Discover's pre-approval tool for an indication of which versions you'll qualify for.
BEGINNER CARD GRAVEYARD (REMOVED FROM THE LIST)
Tomo Credit Card
Explanation Note: As of August 2024, Tomo credit lines have stopped showing up in data from all three of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). The bureaus appear to have terminated their business relationships with Tomo entirely, so using this card will no longer build your credit or improve your credit score.
The Tomo card doesn't require a deposit to open. Instead of checking your credit score, they choose how much your credit line will be by reviewing the bank information that you're required to submit upon application. If you're approved, you won't be charged interest, but there is a monthly fee of $2.99 that this card charges in place of an annual fee. The most unique thing about this card is the way it functions: instead of behaving like a normal credit card, this one acts more like a charge card where you're required to pay the full balance every seven days. This requirement is enforced by autopay, which you're required to sign up for when you get the Tomo card. Despite this, it still reports to the bureaus monthly, just like a credit card. As far as rewards, it does give 1% cash back on all purchases. After three months have passed, you can extend your autopay to trigger at intervals longer than a week, but this is only after your relationship with them has been established.
Petal 1 Visa Card
Explanation Note: Petal cards company got sold and they don't seem to be taking applications anymore.
When you submit an application for the Petal 1 card, you'll automatically get considered for both the Petal 1 and Petal 2. Credit score and bank info are both considered after you apply. This card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. The credit limit will be between $300 and $5,000 and it requires no security deposit. The only thing offered in terms of rewards are select merchant offers of 2% to 10% cash back, which are specific store or restaurants that are chosen by the card and not by you.
Petal 2 Visa Card
Explanation Note: Petal cards company got sold and they don't seem to be taking applications anymore.
The Petal 2 has no annual fee and requires no deposit. The credit limit offered is between $300 and $10,000. Like the other Petal card, there are select merchant offers that give 2% to 10% cash back. However, this one has more cash back available. You'll receive 1% cash back on all purchases, and after 6 on-time monthly payments, this will be increased to 1.25% cash back. After 12 on-time monthly payments, you'll get bumped up to 1.5% cash back.
Avant Card
Explanation Note: Avant got customers reporting problems both with logging in and with getting their cards declined.
This card requires an annual fee of $29 to $59, but doesn't have other hidden fees or require a deposit. Your limit will be between $300 and $1,000 and will be determined by credit check. There are no rewards offered with this card.
OpenSky Secured Visa Card
Explanation Note: Some users have reported problems with the app and the way their payments have been posted, or have problems with never having their card sent to them.
This one has a $35 annual fee, but only requires a $200 deposit. It doesn't do a credit check. It also doesn't have any rewards available.
OpenSky Plus Secured Card
Explanation Note: Some users have reported problems with the app and the way their payments have been posted, or have problems with never having their card sent to them.
This card has no annual fee, but does require a $300 minimum deposit. It also doesn't do a credit check. It does not offer any rewards.
