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Credit Cards to Build Credit

Start your credit history or rebuild your credit

See if you’re pre-approved with no harm to your credit score.8

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No annual fee, no credit score required to apply1

A card to build credit and earn rewards

2%
Cash Back

Earn 2% Cashback Bonus® at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.††

1%
Cash Back

Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Unlimited
Cashback Match
Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. If you earn $20 cash back, we’ll give you another $20. If you earn $50 cash back, we’ll give you another $50. If you earn $150 cash back, we’ll give you another $150.4
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Credit cards to build credit FAQs

Your credit score is based on your credit history, which includes the length of time you've had credit and how you manage your credit. Opening a credit card account can establish your credit history if you don't have one, and using the card responsibly by paying bills on time can help your credit score.

Yes, any credit line or type of credit card can help you build credit history by influencing the factors that affect your credit score. But you're responsible for managing your credit well if you want a good credit score. If you spend more on it than you repay, you'll accumulate credit card debt which can contribute to poor credit and a bad credit history.

A new credit card account usually needs to be open and used for at least six months before it's considered for your credit score by the major credit bureaus. To use your credit cards to build credit, make sure your credit utilization remains low, don't charge above your credit limit, and make sure you pay every statement on time. 

Authorized users can build their credit history if the primary cardmember uses their card responsibly, like paying their bill on time and keeping a low credit utilization. If the credit card issuer allows authorized users, you’ll want to make sure the issuer reports both the primary and the authorized user’s credit activity to credit bureaus.

 

But be aware of the risks involved too. An authorized user’s credit history could be negatively impacted if the primary account holder makes late payments or maintains a high balance on the account.

You only need one credit card account to start building a credit history. By making on-time payments and keeping your balance low, you can demonstrate responsible use of your credit card account and help improve your credit score.

Building credit and achieving a high credit score can help you meet both near- and long-term financial goals. A good credit score may help you qualify for credit cards with exceptional rewards and a lower interest rate, or even help with renting an apartment or landing a job if your credit history is reviewed during the application process. A high credit score may also help you secure better terms and lower interest rates on other types of loans in the future, like a mortgage or auto loan. Better terms could end up saving you money over the duration of the loan.

Getting approved for a credit card isn’t guaranteed. Depending on the type of card you’re applying for, requirements may vary for approval.​

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A Discover it® Secured Credit Card requires you to be at least 18, have a Social Security number, U.S. address, and U.S. bank account, and provide all required application information. If approved, you need to put down a refundable security deposit, which will equal your credit line, of at least $200.2 For a Discover student credit card, you’ll need to be 18 years old, have a U.S. address and Social Security number, show proof of education, and provide any required information requested in your Discover application.​

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If you’re not sure which credit card you may qualify for, use the Discover pre-approval tool to check your eligibility. Checking to see if you’re pre-approved is fast, easy and won’t impact your credit score.8

The best credit card to build credit history will depend on your specific financial needs and situation. If you’re a student, a Discover student credit card may be best, but if you can’t get approved for one, the Discover Secured Card may still be an option. If your credit has recently taken a hit and you’re looking to rebuild your credit history3, the Discover it® Secured Card may be the best option for you.​
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College student? See how to build credit and earn cash back

Explore the different cash back cards designed specifically for students with no credit history to earn rewards.

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Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card

What to look for in a credit building credit card

A man sits on a bench as he smiles at a young boy with a red backpack standing next to him.
A man sits on a bench as he smiles at a young boy with a red backpack standing next to him.

To build your credit history, make sure your credit activity is being reported to the credit bureaus. Discover reports your credit history to the 3 major credit bureaus, and every Discover® Cardmember has access to their Credit Scorecard to help monitor their credit score. 

Two women sit together in an open cafe window. They both look at a laptop in front of them.
Two women sit together in an open cafe window. They both look at a laptop in front of them.

When building credit history, you don’t want anything that could negatively impact your score. With Discover, see if you’re pre-approved without a hard credit inquiry.8 Hard inquiries typically impact your credit score.

A woman sits at a table looking outside through a bright window. She has a fork in one hand and a bite of food in the other.
A woman sits at a table looking outside through a bright window. She has a fork in one hand and a bite of food in the other.

The best credit card to build credit history may be one that lets you seamlessly upgrade to a better card with more perks. With Discover, upgrade to an unsecured card after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.9

A family shops together in a supermarket. A young child reaches for a product on a shelf.
A family shops together in a supermarket. A young child reaches for a product on a shelf.

Consider any fees your credit card issuer may charge and compare them to the rewards you can earn. If the fees, like an annual fee, cost more than you can earn in rewards, there may be better options for you that won’t cost you money. Discover cards have no annual fee.

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Discover it® Secured Credit Card

There are lots of benefits if you're ready to build your credit history

Build your credit with responsible use.3 Use it for everyday purchases, pay your bills on time and in full, and stay within your credit limit.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Credit history isn’t just for credit cards
Although building credit may help you get new credit or a higher credit line, other things that need a credit check (like renting an apartment or getting a cell phone) may deny you if you have no credit history or a poor credit score.
Good credit can predict behavior

A card issuer sees a good credit score as proof that you have a history of responsible credit use. A credit card issuer expects a borrower with good credit to repay their credit; this is why good credit and a higher credit score often means lower interest rates.

A longer credit history can help your credit score

Your credit score includes credit utilization ratio, overall credit limit, and credit account age. Your oldest credit account starts your credit history and will continue to appear on your credit report for at least as long as the account is open. Open a credit card account early and keep it open to help your credit score.

Benefits beyond building credit

Discover provides cardmembers with online privcy protection.
Online Privacy Protection.

Discover gives you more control over your personal information online by regularly helping you to remove it from select people-search sites. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.5

Activate Social Security Alerts and Discover will send you an alert if your Social Security number is found on any Dark Web sites.
Free Social Security number alerts
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.6 Activate for free.
Freeze your account to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
Turn your account on/off with Freeze it®

If you misplace your card, you can prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers in seconds with the Freeze it® on/off switch on our mobile app and website.7

See if you're pre-approved

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is not a prepaid card or a debit card

It’s a real credit card that gives rewards with no annual fee.

Your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200.2

Build your credit with responsible use.3 Use it for everyday purchases, pay at least the minimum amount due, and stay within your credit limit.

We'll report your payment history, credit utilization and other habits to the 3 major credit bureaus that calculate your credit scores.

Learn how to build credit with credit cards

Can I Build My Credit History With The Discover It® Secured Credit Card?

Learn more about the Discover it® Secured credit card and how it can help you build your credit history.1

How to Start Building Credit with a Credit Card

Learn about the best ways to build credit with a credit card, including how to get a secured credit card or student card with little to no credit history.

Your Path to Building Credit With a Secured Credit Card

Follow the path to learn more about secured credit cards and how they may be able to help you start building credit.

View all Credit Building Articles View all Secured Credit Card Articles
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