- Best Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards For 18 Year Olds
22+ Best Credit Cards for 18 Year Olds (With No Credit History)
Getting a credit card at 18 is exciting! But what do you get? We've got the top options.

Derek Sall

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Kacper Kozicki

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Deepti Nickam

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We reviewed dozens of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds and graded them based on the annual fee, APR, intro bonus offer, and the cash back rate. Below are truly the best of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds with no credit history.
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Summary
- Tomo credit card: For rebuilding credit with no credit history
- Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® credit card: Best for cash back with no fees
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards credit card: Cash back card for students
- Discover it® Student Cash Back: Cash back card for students
- Sable ONE Secured card: Top secured card
- Discover it® Secured credit card: Top secured card
- BankAmericard Secured credit card: Top secured card
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Top secured card
- Citi® Secured Mastercard®: Top secured card
- Opensky® Secured Visa® card: Top secured card

Tomo Credit Card
72 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
0% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
0% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
0% |
Cash advance fees |
0% |
Foreign transaction fees |
0% |
Late payment fees |
0% |
Regular APR |
0% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
0% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
0% |
Cash advance fees |
0% |
Foreign transaction fees |
0% |
Late payment fees |
0% |
Why we like it
Tomo credit card has no annual fee and a 0% APR (forever).
It accepts folks with no credit score, and has some teen-approved benefits (like free DoorDash for three months, ShopRunner membership, or cellphone protection).
You can’t carry a balance on the card, but your spending power is totally up to you. All you need to do is link your bank accounts and Tomo will establish your credit line based on them—you’ll get a credit limit that works for you.
Pros
- 0% APR (forever)
- World Elite Mastercard® benefits
- No security deposit
Cons
- Checking account required
- Cash back only for brand ambassadors
117 people chose this
Details
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
Petal 2 Visa® is called “cash back, no fees” for a reason.
To use the card you don’t have to pay any annual, monthly or penalty fees.
It’s a great teen credit card to build credit—there’s no credit check to apply and no security deposit.
You can also make some extra cash on your way to good credit scores—from 1% to 1.5% on everyday purchases, up to 10% at chosen merchants.
Pros
- No fees
- No credit check to apply
- Cash back on everyday purchases
Cons
- Potentially high APR

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
102 people chose this
Earn $50 when you spend just $100 in the first 3 months.
Details
Regular APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
19.99%, 25.99% or 29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
No transfer fee with 19.99%–29.99% APR |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
19.99%, 25.99% or 29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
No transfer fee with 19.99%–29.99% APR |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
This card was made with students in mind.
It doesn’t charge an annual fee, and lets you earn up to 3% cash back on using streaming services, dining out, or buying groceries.
You can also buy stuff online from wherever you want—there’s no foreign transaction fee.
On top of that, you get a bonus of $50 if you spend $100 in the first three months.
Pros
- 1%–3% cash back
- No credit check to apply
- No annual and no foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Potentially high APR
34 people chose this
Discover matches all the cash back you've earned in the first year.
Details
Regular APR |
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Intro APR |
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Cash advance APR |
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Annual fees |
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Balance transfer fees |
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Cash advance fees |
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Foreign transaction fees |
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Late payment fees |
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Regular APR |
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Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
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Cash advance APR |
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Annual fees |
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Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
If you’re looking for a student credit card, one without an annual fee and with a cash back program is the one to go.
Discover It Student Cash Back checks these boxes, giving you 5% cash back on purchases at restaurants and wholesale clubs.
Additional perk is Discover-only unlimited cash back match—whatever you earn in rewards during first twelve months is doubled.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 5% cash back.
- Unlimited cash back match in the first year.
Cons
- Confusing cash back plan.

Sable ONE Secured Credit Card
61 people chose this card
Dollar-for-dollar cashback match in the first year.
Details
Regular APR |
15.24% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
2% |
Late payment fees |
None |
Regular APR |
15.24% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
2% |
Late payment fees |
None |
Why we like it
Sable offers a new take on credit cards. With this card, you set your credit limit. Sounds crazy, but with a Sable card, you set a budget with the size of the security deposit you want to make. The really good part is there’s no minimum amount, so you can start wherever you’re comfortable and work your way up.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 2% cash back at selected merchants and 1% on all other purchases.
- Report to all three major credit bureaus.
Cons
- No intro APR period.
- You need a Sable debit account to get this card.
22 people chose this
Details
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
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Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
What if you don’t even have average credit—but have bad credit instead? Then what do you do for a travel credit card? Not going to lie to you—your options are limited.
Based on our research, the best travel credit card for bad credit is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. It’s a secured card, so you’ll need to load it with funds (at least $200) before you can start swiping—but it does come with benefits and rewards!
Pros
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter).
- annual_fees
- First-year Cashback Match (whatever bonus you earn, Discover will double it with a match of their own).
Cons
- Limited perks vs. unsecured cards.
- No flight or hotel rewards.
- You need a secured deposit to get started.

BankAmericard Secured Credit Card
81 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
25.74% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
25.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
28.74%–29.74% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
$40 |
Regular APR |
25.74% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
25.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
28.74%–29.74% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
$40 |
Why we like it
Bank of America’s secured card can be a good place to start for anyone with bad credit. Your credit limit is determined by your security deposit, making this an affordable way to build credit without worrying about missed payments. As with some other cards, you can view your FICO score for free too.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- A moderate APR.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Cons
- $200 deposit required.
- No rewards program.
- 3% foreign transaction fee.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
72 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
30.49% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
30.49% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
30.49% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
30.49% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
30.49% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
30.49% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
A pretty standard credit card to build credit. It has no annual, monthly, or foreign transaction fees.
It’s a safe bet to apply for it, as it doesn’t pull your credit records.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No credit check to apply
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- High APR

Citi® Secured Mastercard®
28 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
27.49% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
27.49%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
$5 or 5% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Regular APR |
27.49% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
27.49%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
$5 or 5% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Why we like it
Another take at a secured credit card for a teenager to build credit is a Citi® Secured Mastercard®.
It doesn’t have a fancy rewards program, but it’s a solid option to build credit from scratch. There’s no annual fee, and the card can be used worldwide.
Some reviewers claim it’s hard to increase the credit line on the card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Accepted worldwide
- Free FICO scores online
Cons
- High APR

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card
17 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
22.64% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
22.64% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $38 |
Regular APR |
22.64% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
22.64% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $38 |
Why we like it
OpenSky® Secured Visa® is another choice for teens wanting to build credit.
You’ll need a refundable security deposit of $200 which will become your credit limit—allowing you to build your score fast and move on to unsecured credit cards.
Pros
- Approval rate of 87.4%
- No credit check to apply
- No credit score or history to qualify
Cons
- 22.64% variable APR

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
137 people chose this
Earn $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Details
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
0% Intro, Regular APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
0% Intro, Regular APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card—it’s all in the title.
bonus_miles_full
Also, the card has no annual or monthly fee. And you get 0% introductory APR for the first fifteen months and earn from 1.5% to 5% in cash back.
Pros
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
- Generous cash back and bonus offer
- DashPass for 3 or 9 months
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- 3% foreign transaction fee

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students
32 people chose this card
$200 cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Details
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students is another starter card that will help you build credit while also earning some rewards along the way.
For the first $2,500 spent, you can choose the category that will bring you the most rewards (3%). At the same time, you earn 1% or 2% buying groceries.
If you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, you’ll also get a $200 bonus.
Pros
- Welcome bonus
- 0% intro APR for the first 18 months
- Cash back in the category of choice
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- 3% foreign transaction fee

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card
11 people chose this card
Details
Regular APR |
28.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–28.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum |
Cash advance fees |
5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Regular APR |
28.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–28.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum |
Cash advance fees |
5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Why we like it
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card is another option for those with fair credit score.
It doesn’t charge an annual fee and you can earn points while doing everyday activities, like dining out or using Netflix.
You can redeem the points you collect as gift cards, cash back, merchandise, and more.
The card is secured, which means you have to put a $300–$5,000 security deposit upfront.
Pros
- $15 streaming credit
- Points earned on everyday purchases
- No annual fee
Cons
- Requires security deposit.
51 people chose this card
Earn $200 after you spend $2,000 in the first six months.
Details
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
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reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
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Cash advance APR |
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annual_fees |
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Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
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Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
Yet another card that does all the talking for itself.
It has no annual fee, and earns you cash back on everyday purchases.
It also offers bonus intro deals, including one-time $200, Disney Bundle credit, and Home Chef credit—a stellar option for a 19-year-old.
Pros
- No annual fee and bonus offer
- $0 Buy Now, Pay Later intro Plan It for the first 15 months
- Up to $84 in the Disney Bundle Credit annually and up to $180 Home Chef Credit annually
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
42 people chose this card
$50 bonus after first purchase is made in the first 3 months.
Details
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
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Cash advance APR |
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Cash advance fees |
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Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
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Cash advance APR |
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Cash advance fees |
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Late payment fees |
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Why we like it
Not content with a $50 bonus? Chase is offering an extra $20 every year for five years if your account is in good standing. Students can easily earn an increase in their limit, too, just by making five on-time payments in the first ten months.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- $50 bonus after the first purchase within three months
Cons
- No bonus categories.

Sallie Mae Ignite Mastercard®
8 people chose this card
Get a 25% bonus on your cash back rewards when you make 6 consecutive on-time payments.
Details
Regular APR |
17.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for six months. |
Balance transfer rate |
17.99%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 6 months. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% or $5, whichever is higher. |
Cash advance fees |
5% or $10, whichever is higher. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $39 |
Regular APR |
17.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for six months. |
Balance transfer rate |
17.99%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 6 months. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% or $5, whichever is higher. |
Cash advance fees |
5% or $10, whichever is higher. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $39 |
Why we like it
The Ignite card doesn’t just encourage you to keep up your payments, it rewards you for it. As well as the bonus offers, you can earn 1% cash back on every purchase. It’s a little on the low side, but Sallie Mae is tailored toward helping students reach financial goals.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 6 months.
- 25% cash back bonus after six on-time payments.
Cons
- High APR.
43 people chose this card
Unlimited cashback match in the first year.
Details
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Intro APR |
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Cash advance APR |
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Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
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Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
As with other Discover cards, the major benefit here is in the rewards. If you’re often the designated driver on the way to the game, take the chance to earn some rewards at the pump.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations.
- Unlimited cashback match in the first year.
Cons
- Complicated rewards.

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
36 people chose this card
$200 bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Details
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 months. |
Balance transfer rate |
0% intro APR, then 17.99%–27.99% when the intro period ends. |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 18 months if you transfer funds in the first 60 days of opening your account. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% for direct deposit and check cash advances. 5% for ATM, over the counter, and same-day online advances. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 months. |
Balance transfer rate |
0% intro APR, then 17.99%–27.99% when the intro period ends. |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 18 months if you transfer funds in the first 60 days of opening your account. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% for direct deposit and check cash advances. 5% for ATM, over the counter, and same-day online advances. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
Spending $1,000 in your first three months of school will be terrifyingly easy, so why not make the most of it and earn some bonus cash? You can earn unlimited cash back, but at 1.5% it’s lower than other providers are offering. Still, with free access to your FICO score, you can ramp up your credit score and have access to better deals in no time.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro for 18 billing cycles.
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus offer after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Cons
- The best rewards are limited to certain customers.
31 people chose this card
Unlimited cashback match in the first year.
Details
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Why we like it
If you want to go further, this is the card. Discover guarantees to match your reward miles at the end of your first year, and you can redeem these against a ton of travel purchases, from hotel rooms to airline tickets. If you don’t have a license yet, you can even use them to pay for public transport.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months.
- Earn 1.5 miles for every dollar you spend.
- Double your miles with Unlimited Mile Match.
Cons
- Lower acceptance overseas.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
21 people chose this card
25,000 online bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Details
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why we like it
Want to travel, study, and earn some extra cash while doing so? Then go for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students.
It earns you 1.5 points for every dollar you spend. And you get 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 within first three months of account opening.
Plus, with Better Money Habits® you can learn a lot about how to keep your credit health in check.
Pros
- No annual, monthly, or foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend
- 0% intro APR for the first 18 months
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- 3% balance transfer fee
Details
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Why we like it
While this card can be tougher to get (since it’s catered more toward those with average credit), it might be worth a shot considering all the positives.
Pros
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Cons
- High APR.
- annual_fees
149 people chose this card
$200 bonus after spending $500 within the first 90 days.
Details
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Why we like it
You need an excellent credit score to apply, but this is an excellent flat rate cash back credit card at 1.5%. And if traveling is your thing, this is a very good card to have in your pocket. With travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance, you can jet off with peace of mind. Add to that the complimentary concierge service for personalized help wherever you are, and this is a great second credit card after you’ve built up your score.
Pros
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months of opening account.
Cons
- No bonus categories.
Details
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Why we like it
The Citi® Double Cash Card was one of the first to offer a 2% cash back reward—1% when you charge a purchase, and the other 1% when you pay the bill. This card is still among the leaders in the cash back space.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Cons
- foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee.
- balance_transfer_fees
25 people chose this card
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Details
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Why we like it
This is Chase Sapphire Reserve’s more sensible sister. (Not quite as costly, but still comes with benefits.) The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card is just $95, but has quite a few perks.
Pros
- Can qualify with a good credit score.
- Great introductory offer.
- 5x points on travel bought through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Cons
- No intro APR offer.
- Best travel earning rates are only through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
23 people chose this card
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Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
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late_payment_fee |
Why we like it
This has to be the most basic card on our list, but it’s one of the most interesting too. As well as a long 0% intro APR period, this card promises no late fees or penalties, ever. This is a no-frills card, with no rewards on offer. If your biggest concern is saving money and having peace of mind as you build credit, this might be a good choice.
Pros
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers.
Cons
- No rewards.
Top 10 Credit Cards for 18 Year Olds
- Tomo credit card: For rebuilding credit with no credit history
- Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® credit card: Best for cash back with no fees
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards credit card: Cash back card for students
- Discover it® Student Cash Back: Cash back card for students
- Sable ONE Secured card: Top secured card
- Discover it® Secured credit card: Top secured card
- BankAmericard Secured credit card: Top secured card
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Top secured card
- Citi® Secured Mastercard®: Top secured card
- Opensky® Secured Visa® card: Top secured card
Best Credit Card for Building Your Credit Score With No Credit History
And here's the detailed reviews for all of our top credit cards for 18-year-olds—currently 22 of them that made our top list. It's a mixture of student cards, secured cards, and a few alternative cards that dance to the beat of their own drum.
Top Pick–Tomo Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
0% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
0% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
0% |
Cash advance fees |
0% |
Foreign transaction fees |
0% |
Late payment fees |
0% |
Why We Love It
You can apply for a Tomo card with no credit history, or with a low score. After linking your bank accounts, you’ll get a credit limit that you can afford and that works for you.
A nifty Auto-pay feature means you don’t have to worry about missing any payments—which is a huge plus if you’re trying to build credit. A lot of cards offer these features, and it’s something to look out for. A big difference with Tomo, though, is its offers of great rewards through partners like DoorDash, HelloFresh, and Lyft.
Before we show you our next pick, we need a quick explainer. You’re about to see a bunch of cards with "secured" in the title, but you may not have heard that term before.
What is a Secured Credit Card?
Secured credit cards use a security deposit as a basis for providing credit. The provider asks you to provide a lump sum before approving their card. Your credit limit is determined by the size of that deposit.
That means you can’t spend more than you can afford.
Great idea, right? It takes a lot of worry out of using credit for the first time. And, using a secured card counts toward building your credit history, like any other card. If that’s your goal, check out other ways of building your credit before committing to a card.
Now that’s out the way, let’s jump back in with the best credit cards for 18-year-olds with no credit history.
Sable ONE Secured Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
15.24% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
2% |
Late payment fees |
None |
Why We Like It
Like Tomo, Sable offers a new take on credit cards.
With this card, you set your credit limit. Sounds crazy, but with a Sable card, you set a budget with the size of the security deposit you want to make. The really good part is there’s no minimum amount, so you can start wherever you’re comfortable and work your way up.
You can apply with no credit, and with Sable’s Graduation Program you could level up to an unsecured card in as little as four months. They promise a unique take on data reporting, which can help eighteen-year-olds build their credit score quickly. Sable has some great cash-back rewards with selected merchants like Spotify, Netflix, and Uber. Did I mention their card glows in the dark too?
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
27.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
10.99%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
10.99% intro APR for 6 months from date of first transfer, for transfers that post to your account by July 10, 2023 |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3%–5% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
None the first time, then up to $41 |
Why We Like It
Unlike other secured cards, Discover offers some good cash-back rewards. It has a higher APR, but that’s an issue with secured cards across the board. With Discover, you can view your FICO score for free, useful for keeping an eye on your credit score.
You’ll have to make a security deposit, but with an automatic review after seven months you could move to an unsecured card if you keep up with your payments.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–31.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
N/A |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
N/A |
Why We Like It
The Petal 2 was designed to help young people who are new to credit. Perfect for eighteen-year-olds. It has features that let you set a budget and track your spending and a great app that easily allows you to view your credit score, keep an eye on payments and find nearby cash-back opportunities.
BankAmericard Secured Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
25.74% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
25.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
28.74%–29.74% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
$40 |
Why We Like It
Bank of America’s secured card can be a good place to start for anyone with bad credit.
Your credit limit is determined by your security deposit, making this an affordable way to build credit without worrying about missed payments. As with some other cards, you can view your FICO score for free too.
If you’re starting out, you can take advantage of Bank of America’s credit education program to learn how to manage your finances. Trust me, a little learning can go a long way here.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
29.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
With one of the lowest security deposits, this card can be great for eighteen-year-olds on a tight budget who want to build their credit. You can start with a $200 credit limit, or boost that up to $1,000. Like other cards for building credit, you can keep track of your score for free, this time by using Capital One’s own CreditWise.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
27.24% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
27.24%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
$5 or 5% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Why We Like It
Citi has designed this card to suit those trying to rebuild their credit. This includes young people with no credit history.
It’s more basic than some of the other cards we’ve featured, but it can be great for young people wanting to build their credit score without worrying about creating unmanageable debt. That’s down to the $2,500 credit limit, a good idea for people not used to using credit cards who might overspend.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
21.89% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
N/A |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
21.89% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
N/A |
Cash advance fees |
N/A |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $38 |
Why We Like It
You can apply for an OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card without a credit check, meaning that as long as you can afford the $200 minimum deposit, you’re much more likely to be accepted with a bad or limited credit history.
You can view your FICO score for free, and the flexible payment dates make this card a good choice for eighteen-year-olds who want to build credit with no credit history.
Best Credit Cards for Cash Back and Rewards
Top Pick–Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
19.99%, 25.99% or 29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
19.99%–29.99% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
No transfer fee with 19.99%–29.99% APR |
Cash advance fees |
$3 or 3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Love It
With great cash-back offers on ticket and seat prices through Capital One, this student card can help you make the most of college. There’s the option to redeem your cash back for cash, which makes this card one of the most flexible.
To qualify, you’ll have to prove you’re enrolled, but after the college application process that should be a piece of cake.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–26.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 6 months on purchases |
Balance transfer rate |
10.99%–26.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
10.99% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3%–5% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
None the first time, then up to $41 |
Why We Like It
Discover’s Unlimited cash back Match means that you’ll end your first year with double the number of rewards that you’ve earned, and you can also redeem your rewards for hard cash.
You don’t need a credit score to apply, so it’s a good choice for students looking to build credit and earn rewards at the same time.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card®
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
19.99%–28.74% |
Intro APR |
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–28.74% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
$5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
This Chase credit card will give your teenage coffers a big boost. That’s not to mention the great cash-back rewards you could earn (an extra 1.5% on everything you buy, on up to $20,000 the first year—worth up to $300 cash back; 6.5% on travel when purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, 3% on all other purchases).
This card offers good cash back at gas stations and on takeout, a pretty impressive combination if you’re 18 (or 19 or 20).
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
Choosing how you earn cash back is a great idea and can maximize your rewards. Pick between categories like gas, dining, and drug store spending and earn 3% on your purchases.
Perfect for new students who want to dine off campus, or face a long drive home at Thanksgiving.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
28.99% |
Intro APR |
N/A |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–28.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
N/A |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum |
Cash advance fees |
5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $41 |
Why We Like It
The Altitude Go lets you build your credit while earning redeemable points, so it’s a little different. Unlike straight cash back, these points can be traded in for offers in travel, merchandise, or even as cash off your purchases.
If you’re eighteen and without a credit history, this card offers a bit more variety in rewards than the standard secured card, but it has a higher deposit and APR that can’t match some others in that category.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
18.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
0% on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
$5 or 3% |
Cash advance fees |
$10 or 5% |
Foreign transaction fees |
2.7% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
If you’re an avid streamer (and what eighteen-year-old isn’t?) getting this card can net you $7 back each month after using card to spend $12.99 or more each month on eligible subscription to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (enrollment required).
The everyday spending rewards are pretty great too, with opportunities to earn in lots of places. Even better, you don’t have to be a student to apply.
Best Credit Cards for Going to College
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
Not content with a $50 bonus, Chase is offering an extra $20 every year for five years if your account is in good standing. Students can easily earn an increase in their limit, too, just by making five on-time payments in the first ten months.
Sallie Mae Ignite Mastercard
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–29.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for six months. |
Balance transfer rate |
17.99%–29.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 6 months. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% or $5, whichever is higher. |
Cash advance fees |
5% or $10, whichever is higher. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $39 |
Why We Like It
The Ignite card doesn’t just encourage you to keep up your payments, it rewards you for it. As well as the bonus offers, you can earn 1% cash back on every purchase. It’s a little on the low side, but Sallie Mae is tailored toward helping students reach financial goals.
For all you eighteen-year-old freshmen, it’s a bit like having an extra mom to monitor your finances.
Discover it® Student chrome
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
As with other Discover cards, the major benefit here is in the rewards. If you’re often the designated driver on the way to the game, take the chance to earn some rewards at the pump.
You won’t need a credit score or history to apply, which might be why this card is popular with students looking to build credit.
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 months. |
Balance transfer rate |
0% intro APR, then 17.99%–27.99% when the intro period ends. |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% for 18 months if you transfer funds in the first 60 days of opening your account. |
Cash advance APR |
29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% for direct deposit and check cash advances. 5% for ATM, over the counter, and same-day online advances. |
Foreign transaction fees |
3% |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
Spending $1,000 in your first three months of school will be terrifyingly easy, so why not make the most of it and earn some bonus cash? You can earn unlimited cash back, but at 1.5% it’s lower than other providers are offering. Still, with free access to your FICO score, you can ramp up your credit score and have access to better deals in no time.
Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards
This… is a little trickier. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many travel reward cards geared toward eighteen-year-olds or even students. Unless it’s something that you need, we suggest looking above for some better deals on first-time credit cards.
Top Pick–Discover it® Miles
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Love It
If you want to go further, this is the card. Discover guarantees to match your reward miles at the end of your first year, and you can redeem these against a ton of travel purchases, from hotel rooms to airline tickets. If you don’t have a license yet, you can even use them to pay for public transport.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
17.99%–27.99% |
Intro APR |
0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account) |
Balance transfer rate |
0%–27.99% |
Balance transfer intro APR |
0% |
Cash advance APR |
20.99%–29.99% |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
$0 |
Balance transfer fees |
3% |
Cash advance fees |
3% |
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
Late payment fees |
Up to $40 |
Why We Like It
How do 25,000 bonus points sound? Well, if you spend $1,000 in your first three months you’ll earn enough points to get a $250 statement credit toward travel.
With students in mind, eighteen-year-olds will have a great chance to qualify, and no foreign transaction fees make this card ideal for that summer vacation to Europe.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
If you’re planning on traveling a lot, then you want to consider the Quicksilver One card. It doesn’t have the travel perks offered by the Quicksilver card, but once you’ve built your credit score, leveling up will be a lot easier. Until then, you can make use of Capital One Travel’s promise of cheap hotel rooms, and earn some cashback at the same time.
Best Credit Cards for 19-Year-Olds and 20-Year-Olds
If you’re older (or planning ahead) you might already want to know what the best second credit cards are (as long as you’ve paid off your first). Most of our recommendations above would suit you, but there are some extra credit cards to think about if you’ve already built a good credit score.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
The big brother to our recommended Quicksilver One card.
You need an excellent credit score to apply, but if traveling is your thing, this is a very good card to have in your pocket. With travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance, you can jet off with peace of mind.
Add to that the complimentary concierge service for personalized help wherever you are, and this is a great second credit card after you’ve built up your score.
Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
You don’t have to pick a category or plan your spending to earn with this card from Citi.
A lot of cards offer 1% cash back on purchases, but with the Double Cash card, you earn 1% on buying and another 1% when you pay your bill. That gives you plenty of motivation to keep paying on time and improve your credit further.
You can even get your rewards back as cash, either by check or direct deposit. If you’re looking for a second credit card and to boost your balance, this is a good choice.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
Another card that uses points rather than cashback. If you have a very good credit score, and you’re a big spender, upgrading to this card might work out great. You can earn in a lot of categories that you might spend a lot on already.
You get travel insurance benefits too, and the 60,000 bonus welcome points can be redeemed for hotels and airfare. A drawback is the high annual fee, but you can offset this by strategically using all those points.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Rates/APR
Type |
Description |
Regular APR |
reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
Intro APR |
intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration |
Balance transfer rate |
balance_transfer_rate |
Balance transfer intro APR |
balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration |
Cash advance APR |
cash_advance_apr |
Fees
Type |
Description |
Annual fees |
annual_fees |
Balance transfer fees |
balance_transfer_fees |
Cash advance fees |
cash_advance_fee |
Foreign transaction fees |
foreign_transaction_fee |
Late payment fees |
late_payment_fee |
Why We Like It
This has to be the most basic card on our list, but it’s one of the most interesting too. As well as a long 0% intro APR period, this card promises no late fees or penalties, ever.
This is a no-frills card, with no rewards on offer. If your biggest concern is saving money and having peace of mind as you build credit, this might be a good choice.
The Best Credit Cards For 18 Year Olds—The More You Know
Whether you want to build credit, are seeking financial independence, or just like the convenience of paying with plastic, there are dozens of credit cards for 18-year-olds. If you’re just starting, take a look at our quick-start credit card guide for the basics.
This article will show you:
- More than 20 of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds
- Tips on getting the most out of each card
- How to get a credit card at 18
Similar articles:
- Best Credit Cards (For Travel, Transfer Balance, Students, +More)
- 10+ Second Chance Credit Cards With No Security Deposit
- 20 Top Travel Credit Cards of 2023 (With No Annual Fee Options)
- 22 Best Cashback Credit Cards in 2023 (6% Back on Groceries)
- 12 Best Credit Cards for Bad or No Credit in 2023: Guaranteed Approval With No Deposit
How to Get a Credit Card at 18
Now that we’ve shown you the best cards out there, it’s time to learn how to get them. The Credit CARD Act (2009)i (the fun Congress has with acronyms) has a clause that stops anyone under twenty-one from solely applying for a credit card. It’s a measure designed to make sure young consumers don’t put themselves into debt they can’t afford, and a way to make sure card companies can get their money back.
So how do you get approved for a credit card at 18?
1. Get a co-signer
Having a ‘co-signer’ means asking someone that’s twenty-one or older to accept liability if you don’t pay your bill.
The card will be yours alone, and you’ll get all the nice credit-building perks and rewards. However, if you don’t pay, your co-signer will have to—and it’ll still have an adverse effect on your credit history.
2. Become an authorized user
A different route from getting a co-signer.
As an authorized user, you can join a card that someone else already has. You’ll be named separately on the account and aren’t solely liable for the bills. You’d still have access to the rewards if you get permission from the main account holder and call the provider.
If you want to go this route, make sure that the card reports data separately for different users. That way you’ll build your credit.
3. Fill in your application
Applying online is as simple as clicking the "apply now" button on your chosen card’s webpage. That’ll open up your application form. To fill it in, you’re going to want a few documents ready. These will be:
- Your monthly income and expenses
- Your Social Security number
- Your mailing address and phone number
- Employment details
- Details for your co-signer
After that, you wait. And probably wait some more. The checks and process can take a little while, but you’ll know if you’re approved or not soon.
Read more:
- What’s the minimum age for a credit card? (Is It 18?)
- 22 of the Best Credit Cards for 18 Year Olds in 2023
What to Look For in Your First Credit Card
Pay attention to the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
APRi is a form of interest you’ll pay if you carry a balance from month to month. The lower, the better. Most of the cards we’ve selected have a 0% APR for at least the first year.
Be sure to look for any annual fees
We’ve made sure most of the cards below have no fees attached, but if you aren’t careful, you could be adding more to your bill than you need to.
Have a look at your credit report.
If you’ve already been making payments for a cell phone or on a student loan, you’ll have a credit score that might help you get a card. If not, you might need to build credit first or think about getting a secured credit card.
Dig into cash-back and rewards.
This can be anything from money off gas to offers on dining out. Cards designed for younger people and students can offer some great rewards when spending. Shop around and find the best deals to suit your lifestyle.
Getting a Credit Card at 18 - My Closing Note
There is no right card out there, but there is a right card for you. Consider what your primary goal is: build credit, get money from cash back, or take a reliable card to college. Most likely, it’ll be a mixture of those reasons and more.
Once you’ve picked your card, got your co-signer lined up, filled in your application, and you’re ready to spend, take one last piece of advice.
Do not go into debt. Don’t spend more than you can afford, always make your payments on time, and pay down your credit card well before you hit your limits. If you find you're going down that road, take a look at our guides to pay card debt off before it gets too bad. There’s also this handy (and free) credit card pay-off calculator, in case you need it now or in the future.
Okay, I’ll put the lecturing voice away. Now get out there and (responsibly) spend!
Editorial note: For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please see the table of rates & fees.
Editorial disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Sources
See all
Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. (2009). PUBLIC LAW, 156. https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/statutes/credit-card-accountability-responsibility-and-disclosure-act-2009-credit-card-act/credit-card-pub-l-111-24_0.pdf
Ways to build credit at 18 | Chase. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/build-credit/how-to-build-credit-at-18
What is a credit card interest rate? What does APR mean? (2020, August 26). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-card-interest-rate-what-does-apr-mean-en-44/