Without a perfect credit score, there are few certainties when it comes to guaranteed credit card approvals. The one exception is a secured credit card. Secured credit cards require that you make a security deposit. That security amount minus processing fees is then set as your credit limit. The great thing about secured credit cards is that they are guaranteed approval credit cards. The not so great thing is that they can come with hefty fees and low credit limits.
If you have poor credit and want to start rebuilding your credit, a secured credit card is a great way to begin with guaranteed approval. Below are some of our favorite secured credit cards with guaranteed approval.
Why we recommend it...
Capital One’s Secured MasterCard helps you build credit without breaking the bank, with no set up or processing fees, a hard-to-beat annual fee of $24, and a security deposit requirement starting at $200. Capital One reports to all three major credit bureaus and also provides extra tools to help you monitor your credit. After continued smart and responsible credit use, Capital One rewards eligible cardholders with a credit line increase without additional security deposits.
A secured card is one of the best ways to turn around poor credit or start good credit history, and Capital One’s Secured MasterCard helps you do it easily and affordably.
Pros:
Cons:
Average Credit Score Approved for this Card
Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card
Why we recommend it...
The Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard is consistently the highest rated secured credit card by Credit Karma users. The annual fee is waived the first year. It has been reported that Orchard Bank has good customer service. Members have also reported healthy credit limit increases and upgrades to unsecured cards with responsible payment history.
It is important to note that Orchard Bank does have a unique application process. When you apply, Orchard Bank will perform a soft credit inquiry (does not lower credit score) to determine the best product for you. If you have strong credit, they will provide an unsecured card. The secured MasterCard has an APR of 7.90%-19.90%, an annual fee of $0 - $60 for the first year and $35 - $79 per year thereafter, and no processing fee for people with poor or no credit. The minimum security deposit is $200
Pros:
Cons:
Average Credit Score Approved for this Card
Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card
* See the online Provider's credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Take Offer" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the provider's website.
† Credit Karma members have received approvals with these TransUnion New Account credit scores. These approval metrics are only guidelines and approval is not guaranteed. You can learn more about credit card approval through our in-depth article.
Our FREE service is made possible in part with the support of our sponsors and partners.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Closing Old Accounts
September 25, 2008
500 Comments
Understanding Credit Score Differences
February 27, 2008
405 Comments
Top 5 Credit Misconceptions
September 25, 2008
379 Comments
Copyright© 2007-2012 Credit Karma™, Inc. Credit Karma is a registered trademark of Credit Karma, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Credit Karma are the property of their respective trademark holders. This site may be compensated through third party advertisers.