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How Can I Get Credit Cards With No Deposit?

Last Updated: May 31, 2024

3 min read

Table of contents

Key points about: credit cards with no security deposit

Student credit cards can be a great way for those with no or limited credit to build a credit history, no deposit required.
If you can’t qualify for a no-deposit credit card, a secured credit card may be an alternative.
Authorized users on someone else’s account don’t need to put down a deposit.

If you have an income and a good credit score, you may be approved for most credit cards with no deposit, including cash back, travel, and student credit cards. But what if your credit isn’t great? Are there other ways to get credit cards with no deposit?

How to access credit cards with no security deposit

If you have limited credit history or no credit history, there are several ways to get a credit card with no deposit.

Authorized users on someone else’s credit card don’t need to make a deposit

Becoming an authorized user on a credit card account allows you to use someone else’s credit card account as if it were your own, even if you can’t qualify for a card on your own.

As an authorized user, you don’t have all the account capabilities of a primary account holder, but you can get a card and make purchases against the account’s credit limit.

If the primary account holder is responsible managing their account, you reap some of the benefits on your own credit as an authorized user. Many—but not all—issuers report authorized user activity to the credit bureaus, which means you can essentially piggyback off a primary account holder’s good management of the account.

So, a friend or family member can help you build a credit history with responsible card use by adding you as an authorized user to their credit card account. On the other hand, if the primary account holder misses credit card payments or keeps a high credit balance—both which may negatively impact credit—you risk damaging your credit score by becoming an authorized user on the account.

Secured credit cards may be an alternative to no-deposit credit cards

If you can’t find a no-deposit credit card that works for you, an alternative could be to start with a secured card. A secured credit card like the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card helps you build your credit history with responsible use,¹ but will require a security deposit that is used as collateral. With the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.² You can get your deposit back after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.³ You may want to learn more about how a secured card works before deciding if it’s the right option for you.

Did you know?

Some student cards don’t require a security deposit. If you’re a student, there's no credit score required to apply for Discover Student credit cards.⁴ Some student credit cards also may offer cash back rewards and can help you build a credit history, among several other benefits.

See if you’re pre-approved

If you’re interested in applying for a student card, you’ll want to make sure you have the right information to apply and get the right card for you.

Improve your credit score so you don’t need to worry about applying for credit cards with no deposit down

Educating yourself on what type of behavior leads to a higher credit score should come before completing any applications. Review your credit report and see if there are steps you can take now that may help your credit score, which may make it easier to apply for credit cards that don’t require a security deposit, according to Experian^®.

With a bit of preparation and a commitment to good credit habits, you can find a credit card with no deposit that can help you create a brighter financial future.

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