OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card Review: A Top Choice for Building Credit With No Credit Check

The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is a good card if you have bad credit, no credit or have been denied other cards. With no credit check to apply, a $0 annual fee and reporting to all three major credit bureaus, it offers a low-risk path to building credit. There’s also potential to graduate to an unsecured card or receive a credit limit increase after just six months of on-time payments.

However, it’s not the best fit if you’re looking for broad rewards or a low deposit requirement. You’ll need at least $300 to get started, and the cash back is limited to select merchants. It also charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not the best for international use. Still, if credit-building is your main goal, it delivers solid value with minimal barriers.

Annual fee: $0

Security deposit amount: $300 to $3,000

Regular purchase APR: 28.99% (variable)

Sign-up bonus: N/A

Rewards: Up to 10% cash back rewards

Foreign transaction fee: See terms

Late payment fee: Up to $41

Other benefits:

• Chance for credit limit increases and to graduate to an unsecured card
• Monthly reporting to all three credit bureaus
• Free FICO score tracking

Recommended credit: Limited / Poor / Fair

→ See our picks for the best credit cards to build credit.

• $0 annual fee

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card stands out as the only OpenSky card with a $0 annual fee. While it does require a refundable security deposit, you won’t pay anything annually to keep the card active.

  The $0 annual fee is comparable to other secured credit cards designed for building credit, which is why secured cards can be useful tools. However, be aware that some cards that accept applicants with poor or limited credit also charge excessive fees, making secured cards a more affordable path to rebuilding credit.

• No credit check or bank account required to apply

  One of the standout perks of the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is that there’s no credit check required to apply for the card. You’ll just need to provide some personal information like your name, address and date of birth. This makes it a great option for those who have bad credit, limited credit history or no credit at all.

  Avoiding a hard inquiry on your credit report is also beneficial since these checks can usually cause your credit score to drop by up to five points and can stay on your credit report for up to two years.

  → The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is our pick for the best no-credit-check credit card because of its limited fees, reasonable APR, credit-building tools and potential for a credit limit increase.

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card also doesn’t require a bank account to apply. Instead, you can choose to pay your security deposit at a later date on your application.

  Some Reddit users say that not requiring a credit check is this card’s biggest appeal. Several also point out that, unlike other no-credit-check cards, the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card has a straightforward fee structure and avoids the “scammy junk fees” that can be common with subprime options.

• Chance to graduate to an unsecured credit card

  With the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card, you could be eligible for an upgrade to the unsecured OpenSky Visa® Gold Card after demonstrating responsible card usage for six months. There’s no separate application, credit check or additional deposit required. This seamless transition avoids a hard inquiry, helping you maintain your credit score.

  However, while the OpenSky Visa® Gold Card offers a convenient upgrade path, it’s not the most competitive unsecured card on the market. As your credit improves, you may want to explore other credit cards that offer lower fees, better terms and stronger rewards programs like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

   Many Reddit users have shared personal success stories with OpenSky, but generally recommend using it as a temporary stepping stone. Several suggest moving on to more rewarding cards once your credit improves.

• Possibility for credit limit increases

  After you’ve used your OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card for six months and made on-time payments each month, OpenSky may automatically review your account to see if you’re eligible for a credit limit increase. There are two types of credit limit increases you could receive:

  1. Partially unsecured increase: OpenSky may raise your credit limit without an additional deposit, based on your payment history. It’s automatic — no action needed.
  2. Secured increase (apply anytime): You can also request to raise your limit anytime by adding more money to your security deposit. Your new credit limit will match your updated deposit.

  Example: Let’s say you start with a $300 deposit. After six months of on-time payments, OpenSky increases your limit to $500 without asking for more money. That’s a partially unsecured increase.Alternatively, if you choose to add $200 to your deposit, raising it to $500, that would be considered a secured increase.

• Up to 10% cash back rewards

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card offers up to 10% cash back rewards at select grocery, dining, streaming and shopping merchants. This is an uncommon perk among secured credit cards.

  To earn rewards, just use your card at participating retailers. There’s no enrollment or extra fees required. You can browse available offers and track your earnings directly in your OpenSky account. Cash back is automatically applied as a statement credit, making it easy to redeem without any extra steps.

  Tip: Rewards programs can tempt you to overspend, so make sure you can keep your spending in check if you get this card. The best way to build credit with a secured card is to use less than 30% of the card’s credit limit and pay it off on time and in full every month.

• Reports to all three major credit bureaus

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card reports your credit history to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This means that with consistent, on-time payments and responsible card use, you have the opportunity to build or improve your credit score over time.

  → The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card also offers free access to your FICO score, so you can monitor your progress. You can also check your credit score for free without negatively impacting your credit by using LendingTree Spring.

• $300 minimum security deposit

  Because the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is a secured card, you’ll need to provide a refundable security deposit between $300 and $3,000, which acts as your credit limit. You can get your deposit back when you either pay off your balance and close the account or if OpenSky upgrades you to an unsecured card.

  While secured credit cards require a deposit upfront, they’re often a smarter option for those with poor or limited credit. They’re easier to qualify for and typically have fewer hidden fees than unsecured credit cards aimed at bad credit, which often include high annual fees, setup charges and confusing terms.

  → If you’re looking for a card with a lower deposit requirement, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card may be worth considering. Depending on your credit profile, you might qualify to pay just $49, $99 or $200 for a $200 starting limit, but a credit check is required for approval.

• Cash back available only through participating merchants

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card offers up to 10% cash back rewards, but only at select participating merchants. While this is still a valuable perk — especially for a secured card with a $0 annual fee — it means you’ll need to check the available offers in your OpenSky account to know where you can earn rewards. Purchases made outside of these offers won’t earn cash back, which may limit your overall rewards potential.

  → By contrast, with the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, you can earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
  → Or, with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

• Few additional perks

  The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is designed primarily for credit building, so it doesn’t offer many of the extra benefits or protections that come with other credit cards. You won’t find features like travel insurance, extended warranty coverage, purchase protection or access to premium cardholder experiences. While it does include basic Visa benefits such as fraud protection, these are standard and not unique to this card.

• Foreign transaction fees

  If you’re planning to travel internationally, this may not be the best card to bring along since it charges foreign transaction fees. If you’re looking for a card to take with you on your next trip outside of the U.S., try the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card or Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card, all of which don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

  Additionally, some Reddit users have reported mixed experiences with OpenSky’s customer service, including accidental multiple account openings and other support-related issues.

OpenSky offers a few secured credit card options, all designed to help you build or rebuild credit — without a credit check to apply. Each card also includes access to up to 10% cash back rewards at select merchants. However, the cards differ when it comes to annual fees, interest rates (APRs), deposit requirements and upgrade potential. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the best fit for your financial goals.

	What is the card best for?	Security deposit	Annual fee	Regular purchase APR
OpenSky® Launch Secured Visa® Credit Card	Building credit on a budget	$100 to $1,000*	$24 the first year (paid in monthly $2 installments), then $36 (paid in monthly $3 installments)	28.99% (variable)
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	Rebuilding credit	$200 to $3,000*	$35 annual fee	24.64% (variable)
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card	Building credit with a $0 annual fee	$300 to $3,000*	$0 annual fee	28.99% (variable)

→ OpenSky also has the OpenSky Visa® Gold Card, an unsecured card with a $59 annual fee, available by invitation or as an upgrade from a secured OpenSky card.

OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card vs. Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is a better option than the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card if you’re looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases. While it does require a credit check, it offers added benefits like no penalty APR and a lower minimum security deposit.

It also provides a clear path to graduate to an unsecured card. Like the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card, it reports to all three major credit bureaus and charges a $0 annual fee, making it an effective tool for building credit.

→ Explore LendingTree’s expert take on the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card.

OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card vs. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a stronger option than the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card for many users because it offers cash back on all purchases. There’s also no foreign transaction fees and a clear path to an unsecured card — all with a $0 annual fee.

It also has a lower minimum security deposit, making it more accessible for those with limited funds. However, it does require a credit check to apply, which could be a barrier for those with poor or no credit history.

→ Explore LendingTree’s expert take on the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card vs. Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card

If flexibility is your priority, the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card might be a better option. It has no minimum deposit¹ and charges no interest², making it ideal for those who want to build credit³ without added costs. However, you’ll need a Chime checking account with direct deposit to qualify.

Like the OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card, it has no credit check and reports to all three major credit bureaus, but it lacks a rewards program and doesn’t offer a path to an unsecured card.

→ Explore LendingTree’s expert take on the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card.

The OpenSky^® Plus Secured Visa^® Credit Card is right for you if you’re looking to build credit with no credit check, want to avoid an annual fee and need a card that’s easy to qualify for, even without a bank account. However, if you’d prefer a card with broader cash back rewards or a lower deposit requirement, consider the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card or Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card instead. Each offers strong credit-building tools with added perks.

We use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. We devote a large part of the score to features that help build credit — we want to help you locate cards that don’t cost a lot to own and help you upgrade to better card offers.

• Annual savings (50% of rating): We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it’s a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and $300 in monthly spending (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
• Credit-building features (50% of rating): We give points for features that help build credit, including reports to all three credit bureaus, regular account reviews for card upgrades and free credit score access. We take away points for features that can be costly to cardholders trying to build credit, such as security deposits, penalty APRs and late payment fees.