Partially Secured Credit Cards

Credit cards have become an essential part of everyday life for most people.

Another advantage is that using a credit card will often help you quickly increase your credit score.

But what does it mean when a credit card is partially secured?

It means that, unlike an unsecured credit card, you will have to give a deposit to the card issuer.

However, unlike a secured credit card, the deposit will be less than the credit limit.

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Different types of credit cards

There are different types of credit cards. They include:

Partially secured credit cards
Secured credit cards
Small business credit cards
Store credit cards
Credit cards for students
Regular credit cards/charge cards

What Are Partially Secured Credit Cards?

Partially secured credit cards feature a higher credit limit than the refundable security deposit the issuer holds as collateral.

A good example is the Secured MasterCard from Capital One, which can be classified as partially secure.

It requires a minimum deposit as low as $49 while having a credit limit starting at $200.

Having a partially secured credit card means that the credit card company cannot fully guarantee that the cardholder will pay if they reach the credit limit on the card.

It is common for most secured credit cards to become partially secured after a while. For example, this often happens when the credit card issuer gives the cardholder a credit limit increase.

Other credit card issuers may deposit a reward to the credit cardholder for always paying on time.

How Do You Qualify for a Partially Secured Credit Card?

If you are approved for a secured credit card, the initial security deposit, in most cases, is the same as your credit limit amount. If you miss payments, the credit card company will use the deposit as collateral.

If you consistently use the secured credit card while making your payments on time, your credit card company will, in most cases, upgrade you.

Your card becomes partially secured by the company increasing your credit limit while not raising your initial deposit. This is how your credit card becomes partially secured.

In most cases, you will only qualify for a partially secured credit card after having an excellent track record with the secured credit card.

It is possible to start with a partially secured credit card, but it is not common. However, you will need an excellent credit score to qualify for one.

How Do You Build Credit with a Credit Card?

Wallet with credit cards and coins — Credit cards are by far becoming the most common way to make purchases.

If you are looking to improve bad credit or build your credit profile, credit cards are the most effective tool available.

If you use your credit card diligently, you will build your credit effortlessly and quickly.

Here are a few tips you can use to build up some credit using the credit card you have in your wallet:

Pay Your Bills On Time

When you pay your bills late or miss payments, it hurts your credit. So make sure you pay your bills on time or before they are due.

If you tend to forget about due dates, make sure you set up auto-pay or have reminders on your calendar always to pay at least the minimum payment on a schedule.

Make Sure Your Balance Is Always Low

Keeping your balance low positively affects your credit standing, referred to as the Credit Utilization Ratio.

The credit utilization ratio is the percentage amount you use from your card.

It is advised to use less than 30% of the total credit limit available for your credit score not to suffer. Make sure your negative balance is kept to a minimum to encourage a strong high score.

Keep Your Accounts Active

Part of your credit history is how long you’ve had your bank accounts and their standing. For example, if you get a card and keep using it while making payments on time for many years, it will increase your credit score.

In addition, it is wiser to have your credit card partially secured in most cases because it has more favorable terms when compared to a secured credit card.

What Are Other Ways of Building Credit?

Partially secured credit cards are a great way to build your credit, but they are not the only way. Here are other great ways to build your credit:

Get a Fully Secured Credit Card

If you need to build your credit, getting a fully secured credit card is the best route. It is important to note that any card you get provides a credit report of your payments to either of the three major credit reporting bureaus.

This will assist you with building good credit.

These bureaus include:

TransUnion
Experian
Equifax

Your credit score will rise once you consistently build a great reputation with either major credit bureau.

Get Added as An Authorized User

If you have a close friend or relative with excellent credit, they can have you added as an authorized user on their credit cards.

You will get another credit card linked to their account, where the primary cardholder will review your card activity and be responsible for the payments.

It is important to note that not all credit card issuers or credit reporting agencies include authorized users in their credit reports to the bureaus.

If they do, it is a great chance to use the card activity to build your credit score.

If there is any negative activity with any cardholders, it will look bad on both of you, so make sure if you do make such an arrangement, then you make it with a person you trust.

Get a Credit Builder Loan

A credit builder loan is another great way to create a good credit history. Getting this loan is also a great way to save some money.

A credit builder loan is usually available through a credit union or small bank with no initial deposit.

Once your loan is approved, the lender does a balance transfer from your loan payments into your savings account.

You repay your loan increments, and the credit bureaus receive a credit report of these payments to help improve your credit rating and any bad credit.

You will receive your total amount at the end of the loan term, plus the interest accrued in the savings account.

The Best Partially Secured Credit Cards Available

Here is a list of some of the best partially secured credit cards on the market:

The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is ideal because of its low fees. It comes with no annual fee, late payment, returned payment, or other fees.

This is a great feature for any card, especially for a partially secured card.

However, it is important to note that The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card might not have any fees, but it still charges a variable APR.

Deserve Pro Mastercard

The Deserve Pro Mastercard is a great restaurant and travel reward card. You will get 3% on any travel purchases and 2% cashback on any dining purchases.

It is important to note that this cashback only applies to the first $500 of the purchases made for any billing cycle.

You also get a 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

With the Capital One® Platinum Credit Card, you get an increased credit limit in just six months. The fast credit limit increase is a great motivation to pay your bills on time.

In addition, if you keep spending at the same rate after getting the higher credit limit, your credit utilization rate will improve, which will help improve your credit score.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card does not have annual or foreign transaction fees. In addition, you will get extra benefits such as travel accident insurance and extended warranty coverage on some purchases.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

With the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, you will get unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases.

This is a very impressive card available for applicants that have a fair credit score.

Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit

The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit is ideal for directly improving a bad credit score through the Credit One Bank website. In addition, the issuer offers you the chance to see if you prequalify for the card before you even apply.