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OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card review
A solid secured card with no credit check and with a low annual fee.
finder.com’s rating: 3.8 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Get this card if you had credit difficulties in the past or if you have no credit history.
- Pick something else if you want an unsecured card or you don’t want to pay an annual fee.
- Apply with no or poor credit.
$35
Annual fee
19.64%
Purchase APR (variable)
300
Recommended credit score
Details
| Product Name | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Card type | Visa |
| Annual fee | $35 |
| Purchase APR | 19.64% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Cash advance rate | 19.64% variable |
| Cash advance fee | $6 or 5% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% of the transaction value |
| Interest free period | Up to 25 days |
| Late payment fee | Up to $38 |
| Returned payment fee | Up to $25 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
The basics
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a good choice for people who need a simple credit card to help them build credit. Apply in about 10 minutes online, with no credit check or credit history necessary.
As with most secured cards, your credit line depends on the cash you put down as a security deposit. So, if you default on payments, the bank uses that security deposit as collateral. As long as you pay on time, you’ll get your deposit back when you close the account. Stick to a responsible spending plan and pay off your balance each month and you’ll be able to graduate to an unsecured card.
The perks
Build your credit.
Your card activity is reported monthly to the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. This means you can quickly improve your credit score when you spend responsibly and pay your balance in full each month.
No credit check.
There’s no pull on your credit when you apply, so you don’t have to worry about it affecting your credit score. The issuing bank, Capital Bank, only uses your ID during your application to confirm you are who you say you are.
Credit limit.
Your deposit sets your credit line, which can be from $200 up to $3,000.
FDIC insured deposit.
Get peace of mind, knowing your security deposit is FDIC insured.
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Visa card.
Get all of the standard Visa benefits, such as fraud protection and acceptance worldwide.
Email alerts.
Sign up for alerts to get notified when payments are due or set up automatic payments online.
What to watch out for
Annual fee.
The card comes with a $35 annual fee, charged to your balance as soon as you receive the card. This reduces your available credit limit until the fee is paid.
Foreign transaction fee.
Every time you use your card when traveling abroad, you’ll pay an additional 3% of the transaction. That means $1,000 worth of purchases cost $30 in fees — nearly the cost of your annual fee.
Expedited shipping fee.
If you want to get the card as fast as possible, be ready to pay a one-time $50 fee.
Compare similar secured cards
What should I know before I apply?
To apply for the card, you must be at least 18 years old and a US resident.
When you fill out the application, you’ll need to provide information such as:
- Your name and contact details.
- Social Security number and date of birth.
- Your annual income and monthly housing payment.
- An ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.
- Deposit information.
What credit score do I need?
You can apply with a poor credit score or with no credit history. Capital Bank won’t do a credit pull, but you’re not guaranteed approval just by applying.
What do customers say about the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card?
Customers happy with this card claim their credit score increased in just a few months. Some customers warn that it takes up to five days for your monthly payment to register, so give yourself a buffer between when you pay and your due date.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates OpenSky with an F. This is in part because many of complaints on the BBB website weren’t resolved by OpenSky.
How to apply for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Click apply now.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Read through and accept the terms and conditions. Click Submit.
- You will be notified via email that your application has been sent.
How long will it take to get my OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card?
You’ll get a decision on your application within a few minutes. Once approved, expect your card to arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
I got the card. Now what?
- Download the OpenSky Mobile app. You can use it to set up automatic payments, monitor your transactions and more.
- Avoid interest. Pay your balance on time and in full monthly to avoid interest and to build your credit. With timely payments, you’ll also avoid late payment fees.
- Customer service. You can reach OpenSky’s customer service by calling 800‑859‑6412 or through the OpenSky® mobile app.
How can I increase my credit score?
Aside from making on-time payments, credit utilization is another major factor that determines your credit score. Usually, utilization levels of less than 30% are considered good, but the lower you keep your utilization the better.
Let’s say you have a credit line of $200. The annual fee of $35 is deducted from your credit line and that’s 17% utilization straight away. To make the most of your card with a low credit line, use your card to pay for small recurring costs like your phone bill or Netflix and always try to pay your balance in full before it’s due.
You can learn more about how to build your credit score with secured cards using our comprehensive guide.
Bottom line
This is a strong card for people with very little credit who want to rebuild their credit score. Since there’s no pull on your credit, the chances are high that you’ll be approved if you can show that you can afford the payments. Pay on time and watch your utilization levels and you’ll build your credit, letting you apply for an unsecured card with no deposit.
If you’re still unsure if this is the card for you, be sure to compare other secured credit card options and find the right one for you.
Frequently asked questions
Credit-building cards and secured card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
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