You can move to an unsecured card once you've built enough history with a secured card
An unsecured credit card doesn't require a cash deposit backing your credit limit. You get approved based on your credit score, income, and payment history instead. If you've been using a secured card for six months to two years and have made on-time payments, you're usually ready to request a transition — either to an unsecured version of the same card or to a different card altogether.
The path forward depends on which card you hold now. Some issuers (like Capital One and Discover) have automatic upgrade paths built in. Others require you to apply for a new unsecured card. A few will convert your secured card to unsecured if you ask, returning your deposit. The timing and your credit score at the moment you apply both matter.
Key Takeaways
- Most issuers review secured cardholders for automatic upgrade after six to eighteen months of on-time payments, though you can request one sooner if your credit score has improved.
- Capital One and Discover often upgrade automatically without a hard inquiry; other issuers require you to apply for a new unsecured card, which triggers a hard pull on your credit.
- Your deposit gets returned once the upgrade is complete, but timing varies — some issuers return it immediately, others take one to two billing cycles.
- If your current issuer won't upgrade you, you can apply for an unsecured card from a different lender once your credit score reaches the range they target (usually 620 or higher).
- Applying for multiple unsecured cards in a short window will lower your score temporarily, so space applications at least three months apart if you're building from a low score.
Check whether your issuer has an automatic upgrade process
Capital One and Discover both monitor secured cardholders and send upgrade offers without you having to ask. Capital One typically reviews accounts after six months of on-time payments; Discover after eight months. When they send the offer, it comes as a letter or appears in your online account. The upgrade happens without a hard inquiry, meaning your credit score doesn't take a hit.
Other issuers — including Chime, LendingClub, and Citi — don't have automatic processes. You have to contact them or apply for a new card yourself. Call the number on the back of your card and ask whether they offer a secured-to-unsecured upgrade path. If they do, they'll tell you what they need to see (usually six months of on-time payments and a credit score above a certain threshold). If they don't, you'll need to apply for an unsecured card elsewhere.
Request an upgrade if you meet the issuer's requirements
Once you've made six to twelve on-time payments and your credit score has moved up, call your card issuer's customer service line. Ask directly: "Do you offer an upgrade from a secured card to an unsecured card?" Have your account number ready. They'll tell you whether you meet their requirements and what happens next.
If the issuer says yes, they may upgrade you on the spot or send you an application to complete. If they upgrade you immediately, your deposit will be returned according to their timeline — usually within one to three billing cycles. If they ask you to apply, that application will trigger a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The tradeoff is worth it if you're moving to a card with better rewards or lower fees.
Apply for an unsecured card from a different issuer if needed
If your current issuer won't upgrade you or you want to move to a different card, you can apply for an unsecured card once your credit score reaches the range the issuer targets. Most cards aimed at people rebuilding credit require a score of 620 to 660. Cards with rewards typically want 700 or higher. Check the issuer's website or call their customer service to ask what score range they look for.
When you apply, the issuer will do a hard inquiry, which stays on your credit report for two years but only affects your score for about three to six months. If you're denied, ask why — it may be because your score is still too low, your income is below their threshold, or you have too many recent inquiries. You can reapply after three to six months if you've improved your score or reduced other recent applications.
Understand what happens to your deposit
Your cash deposit is held in a separate account and is not used to pay your bill. When you upgrade to an unsecured card, the issuer releases that deposit back to you. The timing varies: some issuers return it within days, others within one to three billing cycles. A few require you to request the return in writing.
Before you close your secured card account, confirm that your deposit has been returned. If you close the account before the deposit is released, the issuer may hold it longer or require additional steps to get it back. Once the deposit is in your hands, you can decide whether to keep the secured card open (which helps your credit history length) or close it.
Space multiple applications if you're applying to several cards
Each application for a new card triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points. If you apply for three cards in one month, you'll see a bigger dip than if you space them out. If you're building from a low score, apply for one card, wait three months, then apply for the next one. This gives your score time to recover between inquiries.
If you're already at a score of 700 or higher, the impact is smaller and lenders are less concerned about multiple inquiries in a short window. But spacing applications is still the safer approach if you're uncertain about your approval odds. One approval is better than three denials in quick succession.
Know what to expect after you're approved for an unsecured card
Once you're approved, you'll receive the card in the mail within seven to ten business days. Your credit limit may be lower than you'd like — issuers often start people at $500 to $1,500 when they're moving from a secured card. You can request a higher limit after six months of on-time payments, and many issuers will grant it without a hard inquiry.
Keep using the card for regular purchases and paying the full balance or at least the minimum on time. Your payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score, so consistency matters more than the size of your purchases. After twelve to eighteen months of on-time payments on an unsecured card, you'll be in position to apply for cards with better rewards or lower interest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will upgrading to an unsecured card hurt my credit score?
If your issuer upgrades you automatically (like Capital One or Discover), there's no hard inquiry and no score impact. If you have to apply for a new unsecured card, the application triggers a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact fades within three to six months, and the new account history helps your score in the long run.
What if I've been using my secured card for only three months?
Most issuers want to see six months of on-time payments before they'll upgrade you. Calling to ask won't hurt, but you're unlikely to be approved yet. Focus on making on-time payments for the next few months, and your score will improve in the meantime. After six months, your odds are much better.
Can I keep my secured card open after I get an unsecured card?
Yes, and it's often a good idea. Keeping the secured card open helps your credit history length and your available credit ratio, both of which help your score. You don't have to use it, but don't close it immediately after upgrading. Wait at least six months, and only close it if the annual fee is high or you genuinely don't need it.
What if the issuer returns my deposit but I want to keep the secured card?
You can't keep a secured card without a deposit — that's what makes it secured. Once your deposit is returned, the account either converts to an unsecured card or closes. If it converts, you now have an unsecured card with that issuer. If it closes, you'll need to apply for a new card if you want to keep an account with them.
How long does it take to go from secured to unsecured?
If your issuer upgrades you automatically, it happens within days or weeks. If you have to apply for a new card, approval takes three to five business days, and the card arrives in seven to ten business days. Your deposit is returned separately, usually within one to three billing cycles. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks from start to finish.