How To Convert Secured Credit Card To Unsecured

Do Any Secured Credit Cards Offer Higher Credit Limits

While most secured credit cards have a minimum deposit — and credit limit — in the $200 to $300 range, some allow a higher credit limit. The Citi® Secured Mastercard® has credit limits as high as $2,500, and the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card* provides limits up to $4,900, for example.;

However, remember that your credit limit must be backed by funds on deposit, so you’ll need to be able to fund the credit limit you’d like. There are a few exceptions. The Secured Mastercard® from Capital One*, for instance, offers a $200 credit limit, but your deposit may only be $49 or $99.

Secured Vs Unsecured Credit Cards

Generally speaking, unsecured credit cards are a better deal for consumers. When a card is unsecured, this means you dont have to put down a deposit as collateral. Unsecured credit cards also tend to come with better perks and rewards, lower fees and lower interest rates.

The following chart explains some of the biggest differences between secured versus unsecured credit cards:

Heed The 30 Percent Rule

To maintain good credit and perhaps;increase your credit score;even more keep your overall balances below 30 percent of your total lines. Once you exceed the optimal debt utilization ratio, your credit score may be negatively affected.;To make sure you keep your balances in check, set up account balance alerts and automatic payments.

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How To Choose The Best Secured Credit Card

Youll need to take into account four things when choosing a secured card to ensure that it works effectively toward establishing or restoring your credit.

;;Reasonable fees. Look out for ;fees. A secured card should definitely not be expensive: as a rule, it comes with no rewards and valuable benefits that could justify a high annual fee. It only helps you to work toward raising your score so you can later qualify for a regular card without a deposit.

;;Acceptable APR. The same applies to APR for purchases: you should avoid a card with a high interest rate. Though high APR isnt uncommon among secured cards, it isnt difficult to find one with a lower one, thus preventing yourself from incurring extra interest in case you cannot pay the balance in full.

;;Deposit. Remember that using a secured card requires you to pay a deposit. Besides acting as a collateral, the deposit you put down to open a account also determines your credit limit. It starts from as low as $200 and can go up to several thousand dollars.

;;Reporting to credit bureaus. The last but not least important point to keep in mind is that without reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, your secured card turns into a debit card, which means you cant contribute to your credit history. Therefore, you should make sure you have allowed reporting to these bureaus.

How Do Secured Cards Differ From Unsecured Credit Cards

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit. These funds are not utilized when purchases are made using the secured card unless the account balance is not paid. Essentially, if charges are paid on time, the money you provided for security is not depleted. But if you do not pay the balance on your credit card, the balance will be taken from your security deposit to cover the unpaid charges.

In the case of an unsecured card, a security deposit is not required. Instead of money being taken from a security deposit, the cardholder is extended a line of credit and charged interest and fees for balances that are paid late.

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Secured Credit Cards: How They Work And Why They’re Easier To Get

A stepping stone to better credit cards.

If you have a limited credit history or a low credit score, getting approved for a credit card can be a challenge. There is, however, an entire category of credit cards designed for people in this situation: secured credit cards, which can actually help you build or repair your credit score.;

A secured credit card simply means that it’s backed by something else of value. In the case of a secured credit card, it’s your cash — in the form of a security deposit — which is used to pay your bill if you default. When you put cash up in advance, it’s easier for an issuer to overlook a checkered financial track record and grant you a secured credit card with a modest credit limit. Read on to learn more.

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Wells Fargo Secured To Unsecured Approval

Just received a letter in the mail “Good news from Wells Fargo” envelope. Inside it said you’re getting an upgrade and that they will be upgrading my account to a platinum card on august 21st. And that my security deposit will be returned by September 19th, same terms except no annual fee anymore, lower minimum payment, same interest rate 19.74, account number remains the same. I opened this account in december of 2016. Just just barely over 6 months and i got unsecured. only reason i wanted a card with wells fargo is because i bank with them. I wonder if they will give me a credit limit increase too. anyone had a graduation with wells fargo and did you get an increase? my fico scores are efx 718, tu 737, experian 735.

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What Is An Unsecured Credit Card

If your score is good or excellent, you can qualify for an unsecured card. You dont need to pay a security deposit to get it. Moreover, it often goes with various rewards like cashback, rewards points and airline miles, which make it possible to travel for free and save on your regular shopping.

Though the issuer trusts you with its money and offers various perks along with that, terms and conditions are often strict. Creditors risk lending you money. So they implement various deterrents like fees and penalties to make you responsible for your debt. But your reasonable attitude to the deal may help you avoid any forfeitures.

Secured Credit Card Offers

A secured credit card can provide you with the following offers:

• Reward points and cashback on purchases.

• Access to complimentary lounge facilities at airports.

• Entertainment, dining and movie offer.

• Discounts and free vouchers on offline and online purchases.

• Waivers such as those on fuel surcharge.

• Welcome benefits.

• Extensions on credit repayments.

• Facility to receive add-on cards for your family members.

• Conversion of purchases up to the specified limit into EMIs.

• Nominal joining and annual fees.

• Free credit facility up to a specified period.

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Why Make The Switch To An Unsecured Card

The main reason for using a secured card is to increase your credit score. After youve built your credit score to at least 650, you could be ready for an unsecured card.

Unlike a secured card, unsecured credit cards dont require a deposit as collateral. They also typically come with fewer fees and higher credit limits than secured cards. Many unsecured cards also offer great perks for responsible spending, like cash back rewards, points per dollar spent and competitive interest rates.

Where do I begin?

First, look into whether your credit card provider offers an unsecured option. Upgrading to an unsecured version of your secured card can be the easiest way to transition into a better credit card, sometimes allowing you to transfer your account number to the new card. You can also expect to get your deposit back once you pay off your secured credit card balance in full.

• If your secured credit card doesnt offer the option to upgrade, or youre simply in a better position to pick a stronger card elsewhere, start by looking for an unsecured card with no annual feeor a low interest rate.

How long should I wait until switching to an unsecured card?

• When your credit score reaches at least 650, look into an upgrade to an unsecured option you can even consider an unsecured card that offers rewards.

What are the advantages when switching to an unsecured card?

How is my credit score affected by a switch?

Apply For Secured Cards

Once youve researched cards, youre ready to apply. To get a credit card, youll need to provide some personal information, including your Social Security number and your employment status and income. Most, but not all, will also require you to have a bank account.

Applying for a credit card usually results in a hard inquiry to your credit report. If you have a credit score, this will probably cause your score to drop by a few points. No worries, though: Its completely normal, and its also temporary.

Based on the criteria we spelled out above, here are some good secured credit card options. All information is current as of March 1, 2021. Terms and conditions can change frequently, so read the fine print before you apply.

Discover it Secured Card

• Minimum refundable deposit of $200.
• Reports to all three credit bureaus.
• After eight months, Discover will automatically review your account each month to determine whether youre eligible to have your deposit refunded and switch to an unsecured line of credit.

• $200 minimum deposit.
• Reports to all three credit bureaus.
• OpenSky doesnt require a credit check or a bank account, making it appealing to people with especially poor scores who have been rejected for other secured credit cards. Youll still need to provide your annual income and your monthly housing payment.

Secured Mastercard from Capital One

Apply here.

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Why Get A Secured Credit Card

With a secured card in hand, you can:

Build your credit from scratch. Without a credit score its difficult to get a decent regular credit card or a loan, or even to make a big purchase such as a car or rent an apartment. The best, most affordable tool for building a credit history is arguably a secured card, which is available even for those with no credit score.

Improve your existing score. If you are among those with a credit rating below 680, and want to raise your score, getting a secured card is the best way to do it. Just follow a few rules of effective card management, such as keeping a balance on your card and using no more than one third of your credit limit.

Rebuild your credit history. If youve experienced financial difficulties, such as bankruptcy or foreclosure, theres little chance that a bank will approve you for a decent regular credit card. However, with a secured card, you have ;the opportunity to bring your credit back to life without undergoing a credit check for approval.

How Does A Secured Credit Card Work

A secured credit card functions similarly to a debit card. Youre essentially relying on your cash deposit, which is what translates to your secured line of credit, to make purchases.

Lets take a closer look at how secured credit cards work.

To get a secured credit card, you can apply for one at a bank, credit union or credit card company. The financial institution youre working with may check your credit history during the approval process.

If approved, youll need to make a deposit that acts as collateral. This is often at least $200 and can be as high as $2,000 to $3,000. In some cases, your deposit amount will act as your credit limit, although your limit may also be less than the deposit amount. After making the initial deposit, you can use the card to make purchases in-person or online up to your credit limit amount.

Once you pay off your balance for any recent purchases, you can then use the card again to make more purchases. If you dont pay off your balance in full each month, you will start to incur interest on the carried balance.

The secured credit card provider should report information about your account to the three main credit bureaus, which can help build your credit score.

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Other Ways To Help Your Credit On Your Way To Discover It Secured Credit Card Graduation

There are other habits you can start that may help your credit score as you work to make the switch from a secured credit card to an unsecured card.

In addition to regularly meeting your minimum monthly payment, there are several other ways to help your credit score on the path to making a secured Discover card upgrade. Your payment history is the most important factor as it makes up about 35% of your FICO® Score.

Paying down credit card debt, or making more than the minimum monthly payment, can further help your credit score. Your amounts owed, including your revolving utilization ratio is the second-biggest factor of your FICO® Score, making up about 30%.

Opening new credit accounts only when needed can positively impact the length of your credit history, which makes up about 15% of your FICO® Score.

New credit and credit mix each account for about 10% of your FICO® Score. Limiting the number of accounts you open in a short period can help your credit score as every hard credit inquiry can cause your credit score to decrease. Having a balance between installment debt, like loans, and revolving debt, like credit cards, can help your credit score.

Following these tips can help you become a secured credit card graduate.

If you prefer not to receive your FICO® Credit Score just call us at 1-800-DISCOVER . Please give us two billing cycles to process your request. To learn more, visit Discover.com/FICO.

What’s The Difference Between A Secured And Unsecured Credit Card

Unlike regular credit cards, secured credit cards require a one-time, refundable deposit before you are approved for the card. That secured card deposit is held by the bank to cover purchases made with the card in case the cardholder stops making payments on the account. Think of it as an insurance policy for the bank.

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Secured Cards That Graduate

Some credit card issuers will re-evaluate your credit history to determine if you qualify for an unsecured product. If this assessment is favorable, the account will transition and youll get your deposit back. If not, it remains secured.

Your secured card offers a credit limit equal to the amount of your refundable deposit until you get approved to graduate to an unsecured credit card. The next step is getting an unsecured card with a credit line.

The amount of time to wait before graduating to an unsecured credit card can vary by issuer. You can expect to wait up to one year, but some lenders consider an upgrade to an unsecured card in as little as five or six months.

When transitioning to an unsecured card, it is customary for lenders to be conservative with a credit limit. As your credit score increases, you may be able to request a higher credit limit.

Heres a sampling of secured cards and whats required to upgrade to an unsecured card:

Watch Your Fico Score

Your FICO® Score is one of the factors that many credit card issuers may look at when deciding whether youre ready to graduate from your secured credit card. Hopefully, your secured credit card usage has made a positive impact on your credit.

Your FICO® Score is determined by evaluating five categories, weighted in the following percentages for the general population:

• Payment History, approximately 35 percent: How long a track record you have of paying your past credit accounts on time
• Amounts Owed, approximately 30 percent: How much total debt you owe and the amount of available credit you are using
• Length of Credit History, approximately 15 percent: How long you have been borrowing money.
• New Credit, approximately 10 percent: How recently you have applied for new loans or credit cards

If you are building credit for the first time, you probably do not have a lengthy credit history or much of a credit mix, so this means that the other factors like your payment history are even more important to your FICO® Score.

Since your payment history carries the most weight in calculating your FICO® Score, being late with credit payments can be a big problem. Paying your bills on time during every month that you have your secured credit card, and managing your secured credit card account responsibly, can help keep your FICO® Score under control and qualifying to graduate to your next credit card. See more details and terms about FICO®;Scores at the bottom of this article.

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Bajaj Finserv Rbl Bank Supercard:

Among the best secured , it provides you with the power of four cards in one. It can be used globally and you stand to receive the best deals on entertainment, travel, online shopping, making purchases at stores, and so on. Besides, receiving reward points on every purchase, you have the option of converting your purchases above Rs. 3,000 into convenient EMIs.