Capital One
Quicksilver Secured from Capital One
Build credit with unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards, no annual fee, and a refundable security deposit. Perfect for those starting their credit journey.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
1.5x everything else
Quick look
1.5% Cash Back + No Annual Fee
Earn rewards while building your credit history
3.3
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Applicants with limited or damaged credit history who can commit to paying their balance in full monthly and want to build credit while earning modest rewards.
The verdict
The Quicksilver Secured is a straightforward choice for credit builders: unlimited 1.5% cash back with no annual fee and a discretionary path to upgrade after six months of responsible use. It ranks middle-of-pack on rewards but beats most secured-card peers on fee structure. The catch is the 28.99% APR—it's punitive if you carry a balance, so this card only works if you pay in full monthly. Capital One's periodic reviews for automatic credit-line increases without additional deposits are a thoughtful touch.
For someone genuinely committed to building credit, it's a solid foundation. For someone primarily chasing rewards, it's outmatched by unsecured cards with better rates and welcome bonuses.
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no bonus categories to track
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees, plus automatic credit-line reviews every 6 months
- Refundable security deposit ($200–$3,000) sets your credit limit and can grow without additional deposits
Cons
- 28.99% variable APR—any balance carried will quickly exceed the rewards value
- Credit limit capped at $3,000 maximum, even with the largest deposit
- Upgrade to unsecured Quicksilver is discretionary; no guarantee despite perfect payment history
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Everything else | 1.5x | Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day |
Your 1.5% rate ranks 28th in our catalog among 142 cards earning unlimited rewards. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card (unsecured) earns the same 1.5% with no deposit required, making it worth targeting once your credit improves. VentureOne Rewards from Capital One reaches 5% cash back on all purchases, but requires stronger credit to qualify.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
Zero annual fee is standard among the 98 no-fee cards in our database, but it's especially valuable on a secured card since you're already committing $200 as a deposit. That deposit is fully refundable and sets your credit limit. Capital One reviews your account every six months for potential automatic credit-line increases without requiring you to put up additional money.
Similar cards
Same 1.5% rewards and no annual fee but without the security deposit requirement—available if your credit improves
Direct competitor: also 1.5% cash back with no fee and a refundable deposit, but BofA has a similar upgrade path
Frequently asked questions
Will my security deposit earn interest or be held in escrow?
Your deposit is held as collateral but does not earn interest. What matters more is that Capital One reports your account to all three credit bureaus monthly, which helps build your credit score through timely payments and low utilization.
When can I upgrade to the unsecured Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card?
Capital One reviews your account every six months for potential upgrades, but conversion to an unsecured card is discretionary. There's no guarantee even with perfect payment history. The timeline varies based on creditworthiness and account activity.
What happens if I carry a balance on this card?
At 28.99% APR, any carried balance will accrue interest far faster than your 1.5% cash back can offset. This card only makes sense if you pay your full statement balance every month.
Are there any benefits or protections beyond cash back?
Yes. The card includes identity theft protection, purchase security, price protection, and travel accident insurance—benefits typical of unsecured cards but less common on secured products. However, these are standard protections; the Quicksilver Secured doesn't include premium perks like trip delay reimbursement or concierge services.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 11, 2026