Table of Contents
- What is a secured card and how does it work?
- Why are secured cards easier to get?
- How to build credit with a secured credit card
- Secured vs. unsecured credit cards
- Pros and cons of a secured credit card
- Who is a secured card best for?
- FAQs
Money Credit Cards
Article updated on Dec 15, 2023
You’ll typically have to pay a deposit upfront, but these cards can help you build your credit.
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Written by Sandy John Contributor Sandy John has extensive experience writing about personal finance, residential real estate, and all things related to owning a home. Her work has appeared on websites such as Inverse, HomeLight, HouseMethod, and in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She enjoys the outdoors, including camping, hiking and kayaking. Holly Johnson Contributor Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."
Edited by Evan Zimmer Staff Writer Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statementOur Experts
Written by Sandy John Contributor Sandy John has extensive experience writing about personal finance, residential real estate, and all things related to owning a home. Her work has appeared on websites such as Inverse, HomeLight, HouseMethod, and in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She enjoys the outdoors, including camping, hiking and kayaking. Holly Johnson Contributor Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."
Edited by Evan Zimmer Staff Writer Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statementWhy You Can Trust CNET Money
Table of Contents
- What is a secured card and how does it work?
- Why are secured cards easier to get?
- How to build credit with a secured credit card
- Secured vs. unsecured credit cards
- Pros and cons of a secured credit card
- Who is a secured card best for?
- FAQs
Written by
Sandy John
Contributor
Read more from Sandy
Sandy John has extensive experience writing about personal finance, residential real estate, and all things related to owning a home. Her work has appeared on websites such as Inverse, HomeLight, HouseMethod, and in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She enjoys the outdoors, including camping, hiking and kayaking.
Written by
Holly Johnson
Contributor
Read more from Holly
Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."
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