Getting a secured card from Capital One was my absolute best credit decision to date. Like most people who get a secured credit card, my credit history is not the best. However, proper maintenance of my Capital One account has turned it around.

First off, I have to say that I am extremely pleased in my experience with Capital One. I was able to get a $200 credit limit after submitting only a $49 security deposit. I used it sparingly, charging about a $100 each month. They must have started submitting positive reports about me because within three months I was receiving offers from Providian for an unsecured card (I didn't take because I was afraid of what I might do with it).

The positive report was a result of my paying my balance in full every month. That way I able to keep my 25 day grace period. Within another three months I was receiving offers from several other companies for both secured and unsecured cards (I was still afraid of myself).

After nine months, Capital One sent me notification that they were increasing my credit limit to $500. I was pleasantly surprised (and still scared). A month later the sent me an offer for an unsecured card with substantial limit which I accepted.

I have had to call customer service on a few occasions, sometimes with a simple question, other times to address a problem. In all instances, I was pleased with the customer service I received and got my problem resolved.

I only have two complaints. One, every call that I make to customer service is ended with an offer for credit report monitoring or similar sales pitch. Two, they allow borrowers a little room to go over the credit limit. They say it is for my benefit in case of an emergency. However, it would have cost me $29 and possibly some other penalties if I had not found out about it by chance. A word to the wise, call your financial institution and find out if your account is set up that way as well because most are. I am however, glad to say that they promptly disabled the feature.

In any case, I feel that I have greatly benefitted from my relationship with Capital One, in part because I properly maintained my account. For more advice on properly maintaining your account see my opinion on secured credit cards("Secure in my decision": http://looknforward.epinions.com/content_1135648900).

For now Capital One has a loyal customer who will sing their praises. Now, if I could just get them to lower my interest rate....Any one got any suggestions.

Recommended: Yes