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OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card for Secured Credit Cards With No Annual Fee Review

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card is a conditional good fit for consumers seeking a no-annual-fee secured credit card, but only if the buyer selects the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa variant. Four of seven AI platforms named the card during ranking discovery, and four of seven rated it "good" for this use.

Published by Credit Consensus Index Research TeamReviewed by Mark B. Huntley, J.D.

Published Updated

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card for Secured Credit Cards With No Annual Fee Review

Answer Capsule

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card is a conditional good fit for consumers seeking a no-annual-fee secured credit card, but only if the buyer selects the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa variant. Four of seven AI platforms named the card during ranking discovery, and four of seven rated it "good" for this use case. The strongest reason to consider it: the OpenSky Plus version charges $0 annual fee and reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus without requiring a credit check. The main limitation: the product line is confusing—the standard OpenSky Secured Visa charges a $35 annual fee, and the no-fee Plus version carries a high variable APR (approximately 28.24%) and requires a $300 minimum deposit. Buyers must verify which product they are applying for before committing.

Research Snapshot

MetricValue
Platform mentions in ranking stage4 of 7 platforms
Share of included platform responses4 of 7 platforms (57%)
Average listed rank6.5
Best listed rank3 (Anthropic)
Relevant product/model/planOpenSky Plus Secured Visa (no annual fee); standard OpenSky Secured Visa has $35 annual fee
Overall use-case fitGood (conditional on selecting the Plus variant)
Research date2026-09-07

Why OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card Qualified for This Study

The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card qualified because four of seven AI platforms named it during the ranking stage for No-Annual-Fee Secured Credit Cards. The platforms that named it were Anthropic (rank 3), OpenAI (rank 6), Perplexity (rank 8), and DeepSeek (rank 9). Three platforms—Google, Grok, and Kimi—evaluated the card for fit but did not name it during ranking discovery. The card's qualification stems from its positioning as a credit-building product with reported three-bureau reporting and a no-annual-fee variant [1].

The Product, Model, Plan, or Service Most Relevant to No-Annual-Fee Secured Credit Cards

The relevant product is the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa, not the standard OpenSky Secured Visa. Four of seven platforms identified OpenSky Plus as the no-annual-fee product, while the standard card carries a $35 annual fee [3]. One platform (Anthropic) treated the standard OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card as the no-fee product, reporting a variable APR of 18.9% and a $200 minimum deposit [6]. This discrepancy is significant and discussed below.

What the AI Platforms Agreed About

Strong Agreement: The No-Fee Product Is OpenSky Plus, Not the Standard Card

Four of seven platforms (OpenAI, Grok, Perplexity, Google) agreed that the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa is the no-annual-fee product, while the standard OpenSky Secured Visa charges a $35 annual fee [7]. Perplexity's review of OpenSky's FAQ confirmed this split: "the standard secured card has a $35 annual fee, the Plus secured card has no annual fee" [9]. Google's review of OpenSky's application options showed the same structure, with the standard card at $35 annually and the Plus variant at $0 [11].

Strong Agreement: Three-Bureau Reporting

All platforms that assessed reporting agreed that OpenSky reports monthly to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion [7]. This is directly relevant to credit rebuilding. However, as OpenAI noted, "Company claims about credit-bureau reporting are not independent evidence of a particular consumer's credit-score improvement" [7].

Majority Agreement: No Credit Check Required

Three platforms (DeepSeek, Kimi, Google) confirmed that OpenSky does not run a credit check on applicants [17]. Google reported an advertised approval rate of approximately 89% [19]. This makes the card accessible to consumers with severely damaged or no credit history.

Majority Agreement: High APR Is a Limitation

Five platforms flagged the APR as a limitation for anyone carrying a balance. Reported APRs varied: Anthropic cited 18.9% [12], DeepSeek and Kimi cited 23.89% for the standard card [17], and Grok, Perplexity, and Google cited approximately 28.24% for the Plus version [8]. Google noted some sources report 28.99% [16]. The no-fee Plus version carries the higher APR.

Majority Agreement: No Clear Automatic Graduation Path

Five platforms noted that a clearly documented automatic graduation policy was not verified [20]. Grok and Google found partial evidence of a request-based path to an unsecured OpenSky Gold card after six or more months of on-time payments [22]. Google noted that "graduation terms and fees for the unsecured card are not transparently detailed upfront" [24].

Where the AI Platforms Disagreed or Were Uncertain

Conflict: Which Product Has No Annual Fee

Anthropic treated the standard OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card as the no-fee product, reporting a variable APR of 18.9% and a $200 minimum deposit [25]. Four other platforms (OpenAI, Grok, Perplexity, Google) stated the standard card carries a $35 annual fee and the Plus variant is the no-fee option [26]. This is a material conflict. Anthropic's research date was 2026-01-15, while the other platforms researched on 2026-09-07, which may explain the discrepancy—but buyers must verify the current product lineup directly.

Conflict: Minimum Deposit Amounts

Platforms disagreed on the minimum deposit. Anthropic reported $200 [25]. Grok and Perplexity reported $300 for the Plus version [27]. Google confirmed the $300 minimum for Plus but noted the standard card has a $200 minimum [31]. Perplexity found conflicting public pages showing both $200 and $300 for the standard card [32]. DeepSeek and Kimi reported $200 based on third-party reviews [33].

Conflict: APR Figures

Anthropic reported 18.9% variable APR [25]. DeepSeek and Kimi reported 23.89% for the standard card [33]. Grok, Perplexity, and Google reported 28.24% for the Plus version [27]. Google noted some sources list 28.99% [35]. These figures may reflect different products and different research dates.

Conflict: Fit Ratings

Platform fit ratings split: Anthropic, OpenAI, Grok, and Google rated the card "good"; Perplexity rated it "mixed"; DeepSeek and Kimi rated it "weak" (based on the standard card's $35 annual fee). The weak ratings came from platforms that evaluated the standard OpenSky Secured Visa rather than the Plus variant.

Uncertainty: Fee Schedule

Late-payment and returned-payment fee amounts were not consistently disclosed. Grok reported a late fee up to $40 [27], Google reported up to $41 [35], and Anthropic noted amounts were "unclear in public sources" [25]. Foreign transaction fees also varied: Anthropic reported none [25], while Grok and Google reported 3% [27].

Use-Case-Specific Features and Capabilities

No Annual Fee (Core Requirement)

The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa charges $0 annual fee [36]. The standard OpenSky Secured Visa charges $35 annually and does not qualify for this use case [37]. OpenAI cautioned: "The standard OpenSky Secured Visa should not be treated as a no-annual-fee option unless the current offer terms confirm otherwise" [39].

Security Deposit and Credit Limit

The OpenSky Plus requires a minimum refundable deposit of $300, with a maximum of $3,000 [36]. The deposit generally establishes the credit limit [39]. Google noted a flexible funding option allowing the deposit to be paid over 60 days via layaway [40]. Perplexity noted the deposit is held in a pledged, FDIC-insured deposit account and does not earn interest [41].

Three-Bureau Reporting

OpenSky states it reports monthly to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion [39]. This was the most consistently cited advantage across platforms.

No Credit Check

The card does not require a credit check, with an advertised approval rate of approximately 89% [45]. This protects the applicant's credit score from hard inquiries.

No Bank Account Required

DeepSeek and Kimi noted that applicants can fund the deposit and pay bills via money order or money transfer without a traditional checking account [46]. This is a niche advantage for unbanked consumers.

Account Management

Anthropic reported limited mobile app functionality and a basic online portal compared to mainstream issuers [48]. OpenAI noted online account management exists but did not establish that tools are as extensive as larger issuers' [39].

Graduation Potential

A clear automatic graduation path was not verified by most platforms [49]. Grok and Google found references to a request-based path to the unsecured OpenSky Gold card after six or more months of on-time payments [51]. Google cautioned that graduation terms and fees for the unsecured product are not transparently disclosed [53].

Pricing, Fees, Contracts, and Ongoing Costs

Known Costs for OpenSky Plus Secured Visa

Cost ItemAmountSource
Annual fee$0[54]
Minimum security deposit$300 (refundable)[54]
Maximum security deposit$3,000[54]
Variable purchase APR~28.24% (some sources: 28.99%)[54]
Foreign transaction fee3%[54]
Late payment feeUp to $40–$41[54]
Cash advance fee5% ($6 min) per Grok; $10 or 3% per Google[54]

Known Costs for Standard OpenSky Secured Visa (Not the No-Fee Product)

Cost ItemAmountSource
Annual fee$35[55]
Minimum security deposit$200 (some pages show $300)[60]
Variable purchase APR23.89%[62]

Contract and Cancellation Terms

The security deposit is generally refundable upon account closure in good standing with a $0 balance [64]. Grok reported the refund typically takes 4–8 weeks [54]. Perplexity noted the deposit is held in a pledged account and does not earn interest [58]. No platform verified an automatic graduation commitment [65].

Pricing Confidence

Pricing confidence varied by platform: Grok and Google rated confidence "high" [54], OpenAI and Perplexity rated it "moderate" [64], and Anthropic rated it "moderate" with noted gaps [67]. The conflicts described above mean buyers should verify all figures against the current application and card agreement.

Best Suited For

The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa is best suited for:

  • Consumers with poor, damaged, or no credit history who cannot pass a standard credit check and want to avoid hard inquiries [68]
  • Credit rebuilders who prioritize no annual fee and three-bureau reporting over rewards and low APR [71]
  • Applicants without a traditional bank account who need to fund a deposit and pay bills via money order or money transfer [69]
  • Consumers who can fund a $300 minimum deposit and intend to pay balances in full each month to avoid the high variable APR [73]
  • Applicants wanting a straightforward secured card without complex tiers or conditions [72]

Probably Not Best Suited For

The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa is probably not best for:

  • Consumers who may carry monthly balances, given the approximately 28.24% variable APR [75]
  • Buyers seeking a low minimum deposit, since competitors offer $100 or even $49 minimums [78]
  • Consumers who want a documented automatic graduation path to an unsecured card [79]
  • International travelers, due to the 3% foreign transaction fee [75]
  • Buyers wanting robust mobile app and account-management tools [81]
  • Consumers seeking rewards, as the card offers no meaningful rewards program [82]

When Another Option May Be Better

Multiple platforms identified alternatives that may better serve specific buyer priorities:

  • Lower APR: DCU Visa Platinum Secured offers a 15.25% variable APR with no annual fee [83]. Anthropic noted competitors may offer 15–18% variable rates [84].
  • Lower minimum deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured can require as little as $49 for a $200 credit limit [85]. Some competitors offer $100 minimums [84].
  • Rewards: Discover it® Secured offers 2% cash back on gas and restaurants and 1% elsewhere, with Cashback Match [83].
  • Automatic payment features: Chime Credit Builder includes Safer Credit Building, which automatically pays the balance [83].
  • Documented graduation: Buyers seeking a clear, published graduation policy should compare issuers like Capital One or Discover, which more prominently document upgrade paths [86].

Questions to Verify Before Buying

Before applying, buyers should confirm the following with the issuer:

  1. Which exact product is being offered: OpenSky Plus Secured Visa ($0 annual fee) or the standard OpenSky Secured Visa ($35 annual fee)? [88]
  2. What is the current minimum and maximum security deposit for the specific card being offered? [90]
  3. What is the exact current variable APR in the Schumer box? Sources conflict between 23.89%, 28.24%, and 28.99% depending on product and date [92].
  4. What are the exact late-payment, returned-payment, foreign-transaction, and cash-advance fees in the current pricing schedule? [94]
  5. Does the card report every payment to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion monthly? [95]
  6. Is there a documented graduation or upgrade policy, and if so, what are the timeline and criteria? [94]
  7. When and how is the security deposit refunded after account closure? [95]
  8. Does the deposit earn interest, and is it held in a separate account? [98]
  9. Can the credit line be increased with an additional deposit, and are there limits or fees? [95]
  10. What online and mobile account-management features are currently available? [99]

Final AI Consensus Verdict

The AI platforms reached a conditional consensus that the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card—specifically the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa variant—is a good fit for consumers rebuilding credit who prioritize no annual fee and three-bureau reporting. Four of seven platforms rated the card "good" for this use case, one rated it "mixed," and two rated it "weak" based on the standard card's $35 annual fee.

The strongest case for the card: it is one of the few secured cards that combines a $0 annual fee, no credit check, and monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus, making it accessible to consumers who cannot qualify elsewhere. The main caveats: the no-fee version requires a $300 minimum deposit, carries a high variable APR around 28.24%, and lacks a clearly documented automatic graduation path.

The most important takeaway is product confusion. Buyers who apply for the standard OpenSky Secured Visa will face a $35 annual fee that directly contradicts the no-annual-fee requirement. The card is a good fit only if the buyer confirms they are selecting the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa and reviews the current pricing disclosure before applying.

For a broader comparison of no-annual-fee secured cards, see the No-Annual-Fee Secured Credit Cards consensus index. You can also explore other options in the credit building rebuilding category directory.

How This Review Was Produced

This review synthesizes fit-research responses from seven AI platforms: Anthropic, DeepSeek, Google, Grok, Kimi, OpenAI, and Perplexity. Each platform evaluated the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card against the use case of no-annual-fee secured credit cards for consumers rebuilding credit. The authoritative research date is 2026-09-07. Platform responses drew on 19 deduplicated sources: 9 company-owned (OpenSky domains and application pages) and 10 independent (NerdWallet, Credit Karma, Experian, Bankrate, CreditBooster, Credit-Land, and Visa directory pages).

Methodology Limitations

  • Platform research dates differ: Anthropic's research date was 2026-01-15, while all other platforms researched on 2026-09-07. This may explain discrepancies in reported APR and product structure.
  • Official-site retrieval failures: The normalization notes indicate that official-site retrieval failed for one or more mentions. Reported identity details should be verified against the live application and card agreement.
  • Product-name conflicts: Platforms referenced different OpenSky products (standard vs. Plus vs. Launch), and some platform responses may have evaluated the wrong variant for this use case.
  • Pricing conflicts unresolved: APR figures ranged from 18.9% to 28.99% across platforms and products. These conflicts could not be resolved from the supplied evidence.
  • No independent verification: The supplied URLs were collected from platform responses and were not independently validated. AI-platform agreement does not prove product quality.
  • No personal testing: This review does not reflect personal card testing, customer experience, or guaranteed credit-score outcomes.
  • Company claims vs. independent evidence: Statements about three-bureau reporting and no-credit-check approval come primarily from company-owned sources and should be treated as issuer claims unless independently confirmed.

Sources

Company-Owned Sources

Independent Sources

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Review the study details behind this page or download the public machine-readable verification record.

Study date
Sep 7, 2026
Platforms analyzed
7
Source records
19
Ranking mentions
4 of 7
Platform share
57%
Final consensus rank
#6

Research trail and source mix

Platforms

openai, anthropic, deepseek, grok, perplexity, kimi, google

Source mix

10 independent · 9 company-owned

Evidence support

12 direct · 6 partial

Important limitation

Use the run research_date as the study date. Platform-reported dates are provenance metadata and do not independently prove freshness.

Source snapshot SHA-256 407353b2d52d47757d1bc191321df75d0dcb11fe881bc8e67f4442950196162e

Human reviewed

Mark B. Huntley, J.D.

Mark co-founded CreditKnocks.com and authored hundreds of articles covering consumer credit, credit repair, credit scores, reports, collections, loans, debt, and credit-building strategies before the publication was later sold to FinMasters.

Mark holds a Juris Doctor degree and previously practiced law. He is not currently a practicing attorney and does not provide legal advice through Credit Consensus Index.

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