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The card will soon no longer offer automatic reviews at the seven-month mark to determine a cardholder's eligibility to transition to an unsecured line of credit and have their deposit returned. It's the latest credit card-related domino to fall in the wake of Capital One's acquisition of Discover in May 2025.It doesn't mean there won't be any opportunities for account upgrades. But the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has long been the only secured card from a major issuer that advertised specifics as to how and when decisions on upgrading an account are made. With this change, the card loses that transparency."As we continue on our integration journey and move Discover consumer cards to Capital One systems, there may be some changes to certain policies," said a Capital One spokesperson in an email. "Capital One periodically reviews secured card accounts to see whether they’re eligible for graduation to an unsecured card. Our goal is to integrate Capital One’s full-spectrum credit expertise into the Discover product suite, which allows us to give more access to credit while ensuring our Secured Card remains a competitive entry point with a path to graduation. As always, we will communicate any changes to our customers."
Here’s more about the change and what it means.
What cardholders can expect
It's unclear when exactly automatic account reviews will cease, as Discover hasn't shared an official date for the change. But cardholders who apply for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card before the change takes place will still have those terms honored.
The card's other benefits will remain unchanged. It's keeping its $0 annual fee and its $200 minimum deposit requirement. It will also retain its rewards structure, earning 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases.
The issuer will continue reporting card payments to all three major credit bureaus, which is key to establishing credit. And as noted above, there will still be potential opportunities to upgrade to an unsecured credit card. It's just that the timeline will no longer be as definitive and straightforward.How the card will compare after the change
Among secured credit cards, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card will remain a top choice, thanks to its affordability, accessibility, comprehensive credit reporting, and relatively robust rewards for cards in this class. And for now, new cardholders remain eligible for a fairly generous welcome offer, which Discover phrases this way: "INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards."
But the removal of automatic account reviews on a specific timetable means the card loses some of its distinctive edge. Yes, you can find other secured cards that offer upgrade paths, including cards from Discover's new owner. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, for instance, offer a chance to get your deposit back and graduate to the unsecured versions of those cards with responsible use and on-time payments.But those options don't promise reviews, nor do they specify how long you might have to wait for one.