Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Review

If you’re looking for a credit card to help you improve your credit or build a new credit profile, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good option.

One of the main benefits of this card is that it offers a potentially lower security deposit ($49, $99 or $200) than most secured credit cards. That’s a great feature, since you could end up with a credit limit that’s higher than your required deposit. Plus, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit after six months of responsibly using the card — which not every secured credit card does.

It works just like a normal, unsecured credit card. It also has one other major advantage over most cards geared to consumers with low credit scores: It doesn’t charge an annual fee.

The main downside to this card, however, is that it doesn’t offer cash back rewards. If you’d rather earn cash back than qualify for a potentially lower security deposit, the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card or Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a better fit.

• Flexible security deposit

  Most secured credit cards require applicants to submit a security deposit equal to the credit limit desired. Capital One’s minimum security deposit with this card can be either $49, $99 or $200 — in any case, you’ll be granted an initial credit limit of $200.

  Note that you have to apply and be approved before your minimum deposit is determined, and you’re not guaranteed to get one of the lower deposits. Still, this is a unique feature that gives you the chance to pay less than $200 to secure a credit line.

• Deposit is refundable

  You can get your security deposit back if your balance is paid in full and you close your account. Plus, Capital One may also review your account for on-time payments and decide that you’re eligible to upgrade to an unsecured card and have your deposit refunded. However, be aware that there’s no set time frame for that review.

• Chance for a credit line increase

  Capital One will automatically review your account for a higher credit line in as little as six months. Since the minimum credit limit is only $200, a credit limit increase offers you more flexibility — and can help lower your credit utilization ratio, which increases your credit score.

• Chance to upgrade to an unsecured card

  If you use the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card responsibly, your card may be upgraded to the Capital One Platinum Credit Card. The terms and features will be the same as the secured version, except your credit limit will no longer be tied to a security deposit.

• $0 annual fee

  Another great reason to apply for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is that it doesn’t charge an annual fee (see rates & fees). Credit cards for people with bad credit can charge expensive fees, like maintenance and annual fees. These can add up to $100 or more — which is high, especially for cards that don’t earn attractive rewards and sign-up bonuses. Plus, these cards typically require you to close the card when you’re done with it, which hurts your credit score.

• Lower deposit not guaranteed

  If you’re approved for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, the issuer will set your minimum deposit at $49, $99 or $200. That means you could have to deposit the full $200 to get the card.

• Credit limit is low

  With an initial $200 credit limit, you won’t be able to use this card for large purchases, though you do have the option of depositing more money to boost your credit line. But since you should keep your balance low for maximum credit score improvement, we recommend only using this card for small recurring purchases every month that you pay off in full by the due date.

• High interest rate

  This card has a 29.74% (Variable) APR (see rates & fees). While that’s in line with many secured cards, it is still high. Make sure to pay your balance off in full each month so you don’t incur interest charges, and the APR shouldn’t be a problem.

• No rewards rate

  The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t offer cash back rewards. And while most secured credit cards don’t, there are a few that do. For example, the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card lets cardholders 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.

  Another secured credit card that offers cash back is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is one of the best secured credit cards because it offers a cash back rewards program: 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.

Discover also conducts monthly reviews of your account starting at seven months to see if you’re eligible to transition to an unsecured card. However, the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card does require a minimum deposit of $200 — so if you’re looking for the chance to qualify for a lower security deposit, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card may offer the opportunity to do that.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card has many of the same perks as the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card — plus, it earns cash back: Earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). That could be a huge benefit if you’re trying to save money; however, the card does require you to make at least a $200 security deposit.

If you use the card responsibly, you can eventually graduate to the unsecured version of the card, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, which has a $0 annual fee and also earns cash back (see rates & fees).

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card

The OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card can help you build credit and doesn’t require a credit check to apply. So if you’re worried about getting rejected for a credit card, this card may be a good option for you.

Like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, you can receive credit line reviews every six months. However, the minimum security deposit is $200 — and there’s also an annual fee of $35, so you may have more upfront costs than you would with the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (see rates & fees).

Like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, the OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card also lets you upgrade to its unsecured credit card. You can qualify for the OpenSky® Gold Visa® Unsecured Credit Card after six months of responsible credit card usage — and it too doesn’t require a credit check.

The OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card‘s APR is 24.64% (variable), which is much lower than the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card‘s 29.74% (Variable) APR (see rates & fees). So if you expect to carry a balance some months, then the OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card may be a better choice to avoid more interest.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is right for people who want to build their credit and are looking for a potentially lower security deposit than the typical $200. But if you don’t mind a $200 security deposit, the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card might be a better card for you, since it allows you to earn cash back.

And if you’re concerned that something in your credit history might prevent you from being qualified for either of these secured cards, you might want to look at the OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card. It’s also a secured card — but unlike the two previously mentioned cards, it doesn’t require a credit check when you apply (you will need to enter financial information, like your annual income and monthly housing payment). However, the downside is that it has an annual fee of $35.