Best Credit Cards
Best Credit Cards for Teens

16 of the Best Credit Cards for Teens in 2023

Q: What is the youngest age to get a credit card?

The youngest age to get a credit card is 18 years old . If you’re younger than that, you can’t get a credit card in your name alone. You can only get a credit card with a co-signer who’s at least 21 years old. It’s important to wait until you’re 18 to get a credit card because it’s illegal for credit card companies to give credit cards to minors. Getting a credit card at a young age can lead to financial trouble if you’re not responsible. It’s important to understand how credit works and to use credit cards responsibly to avoid debt and build good credit .

Q: Can a 16-year-old build credit with a credit card?

Yes, a 16-year-old can build credit with a credit card , but only if they are an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. It’s important to make sure the primary cardholder has a good credit history and pays their bills on time. The authorized user should use the card responsibly and pay off the balance in full each month. This will help establish a positive credit history for the authorized user, which will be beneficial when they apply for credit in the future. Being an authorized user doesn’t give the same level of credit-building benefits as being the primary cardholder.

Q: At what age can you build credit?

As a rule, you can start building credit at 18 . To do so, you can apply for a credit card by yourself (if you have income) or have a co-signer. It’s important to use credit responsibly by making on-time payments and keeping your credit utilization low. This matters because a good credit score can help you qualify for loans, apartments, and even jobs. Remember to check your credit report regularly to ensure accuracy and dispute any errors. Before turning 18, you can become an authorised user of someone’s credit card and build credit that way. It doesn’t give you the same credit-building benefits, but it’s a start.

See our top picks for teen credit cards and choose the best one for you.

Written by

Halina Grześkiewicz

Written by

Halina Grześkiewicz

Finance Writer

Content writer with nearly 5 years of experience. Halina has written about several topics, including human resources, technology, Forex, cryptocurrencies, and personal finance.

Learn more about our editorial process

Reviewed by

Derek Sall

Verified by an expert

Reviewed by

Derek Sall

Personal Finance Expert

Derek has a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master's in Business. As a finance manager in the corporate world, he regularly identified and solved problems at the C-suite level. Today, Derek isn't interested in helping big companies. Instead, he's helping individuals win financially—one email, one article, one person at a time.

Learn more about our editorial process

Edited by

Kacper Kozicki

Edited by

Kacper Kozicki

Editor

Editor, copywriter, and multilingual translator with expertise in producing tailored content for global online brands. When not editing articles for LifeAndMyFinances.com, he enjoys rummaging through paper dictionaries, walking in nature, and making travel plans.

Learn more about our editorial process

Fact-checking

Deepti Nickam

Fact-checking

Deepti Nickam

Finance Writer

Content writing and marketing professional with 4+ years of experience in the B2B and B2C sectors. Deepti has written about several subjects, including finance, project management, human resources, and more.

Learn more about our editorial process

June, 06 2023

23 min

We reviewed dozens of the best credit cards for teens 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 teenagers.

Summary

Step Visa® card—Best teen credit card for minors under 18
OpenSky® Secured Visa®—Best secured credit card for teens (without credit check)
Discover it® Secured Visa®—Best credit card for teenagers to build credit
Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card—Best credit card with no annual fee
Discover it® Student Cash Back—Best student credit card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students—Best teen credit card for traveling students
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card—Best credit card for teens on a tight budget
Tomo Credit Card—Best for 18-year-olds with no credit history
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card—Best for cash back and rewards
Sable ONE Secured Credit Card—Best secured card without a security deposit

For minors under 18

Step Visa Card

4.2

Annual Fee

Reward rate

To qualify, you must receive at least $200 via direct deposit into your Step Account from an employer or payroll provider.

Intro offer

N/A

No interest

Build credit before you turn 18

Card with secured deposits

32 people chose this

Learn more

Earn 1% cashback on purchases with a linked direct deposit.

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	N/A, Bank card that builds credit
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	N/A

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	N/A
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Regular APR	N/A, Bank card that builds credit
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	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Why we like it

Step Visa® card is a hybrid, meaning it works like a credit card and a debit card.

It’s processed like a debit card, but in reality, you pay straight from your Step account. It’s accepted in all places Visa® is (so, basically everywhere). And you can’t overdraft it.

Pros

No annual fee
Rewards for eligible purchases
Lets you buy and sell Bitcoin

Cons

A unique phone number required

Secured card to build credit

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card

3.4

Annual Fee

$35

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Secured credit card

Score needed: bad to fair (300–600)

24 people chose this

Learn more

87% approval rate.

Details

Rates/APR

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

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	21.89%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	21.89%

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

21.89% variable APR

Cash back card for students

Discover it® Student Cash Back

4.6

Annual Fee

annual_fees

Reward rate

1%–5%

You'll earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter (like Amazon), grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum. Plus, 1% cash back on all other purchases is unlimited.

Intro offer

N/A

intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration

reg_apr,reg_apr_type

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

34 people chose this

Learn more

Discover matches all the cash back you've earned in the first year.

Details

Rates/APR

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

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

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.

Cash back card with no fees

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–10%

You'll earn up to 1.5% on everyday purchases and up to 10% at selected merchants (if you qualify).

Intro offer

N/A

17.74%–31.74% APR

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	17.74%–31.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	N/A

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	N/A
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Regular APR	17.74%–31.74%
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	None
Late payment fees	N/A

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

Rewards card to build credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–2%

You'll earn a full 2% Cashback Bonus® on your first $1,000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. You'll earn 1% on all other purchases.

Intro offer

N/A

10.99% intro APR for balance transfers for 6 months from the date of first transfer, for transfers that post to your account by July 10, 2023

27.74% standard variable purchase APR

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	27.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	10.99%–27.74%
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	29.74%

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

Regular APR	27.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	10.99%–27.74%
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	29.74%

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 It Secured Credit Card is our top pick to get you started with building credit.

No credit score is required to apply. And with no annual or monthly fees and reporting to all three credit bureaus, you’ll build credit in no time.

Pros

No credit score required to apply
Automatic upgrade checks after 6 months
Cash back and Cashback Match

Cons

High APR

Travel cash back card for students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1.5x

You'll earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases.

Intro offer

N/A

Intro APR of 0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account)

17.74%–27.74% APR

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	3%
Cash advance fees	3%
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	Up to $40

Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

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

Credit card to build credit

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

29.99% variable APR

Score needed: Fair (500–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

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

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	29.99%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	29.99%
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	29.99%

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

Best card for 18-year-olds with no credit history

Tomo Credit Card

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

0% APR (forever)

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	0%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	0%

Fees

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

Cash back card for students

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–10%

You'll earn 10% back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, 8% on entertainment with the Capital One Entertainmen), 3% on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores), and 1% on all other purchases.

Intro offer

$50

You'll earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months

19.74%–29.74% APR

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	19.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	19.74%, 25.74% or 29.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	19.74%–29.74%
Cash advance APR	29.74%

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	No transfer fee with 19.74%–29.74% APR
Cash advance fees	$3 or 3%
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	Up to $40

Regular APR	19.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	19.74%, 25.74% or 29.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	19.74%–29.74%
Cash advance APR	29.74%

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	No transfer fee with 19.74%–29.74% 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

Cash back card

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

4.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–3%

You'll earn 3% on the Home, auto, and health categories, and 1% on everything else.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn $200 bonus when you open a Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions.

14.99%–29.99% APR

Score needed: Good (600+)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	14.99%–29.99%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	N/A

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	$5 or 3%
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Regular APR	14.99%–29.99%
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	$5 or 3%
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Why we like it

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® is a great option for beginners with 580–700 credit scores. It doesn’t charge annual, monthly, or penalty fees and has a good cash-back guarantee.

You’ll receive $200 intro offer if you open Rewards Checking account and make three debit card transactions.

Pros

3% cash back on home, auto, and health purchases
1% cash back on everything else
No annual or penalty fees

Cons

Requires a 600+ credit score

Cash back card for students

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students

4.4

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–3%

You’ll earn 3% and 2% on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn an online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

Intro APR of 0% for 18 billing cycles (applies to purchases and to any balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account)

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	3%
Cash advance fees	3%
Foreign transaction fees	3%
Late payment fees	Up to $40

Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

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

Cash back and rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card®

4.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1.5%–5%

You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel purchased through Chase.

Intro offer

bonus_miles

bonus_miles_full

intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration

reg_apr,reg_apr_type

Score needed: Good to excellent (700–850)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

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

Fees

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

Secured card to build credit

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card

3.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1x–4x

You'll earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations, and 1X point on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

N/A

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

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%

Fees

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.

Cash back card

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

4.2

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1–3%

You'll earn 3% on groceries at US supermarkets, US Online Retail Purchases, and gas at US gas stations (up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)). Plus, 1% on all other purchases.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $200 back in the form of a statement credit.

Intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening

Score needed: Good to excellent (700–850)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	18.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	0% on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer rate	0%–29.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	29.99%

Fees

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

Regular APR	18.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	0% on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer rate	0%–29.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	29.99%

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

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

Best credit builder card

chime-credit-builder-secured-visa-credit-card

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card

3.5

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

Regular APR	0%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	N/A
Balance transfer intro APR	N/A
Cash advance APR	N/A

Fees

Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	N/A
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	N/A
Late payment fees	N/A

Regular APR	0%
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	N/A
Late payment fees	N/A

Why we like it

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a great option for teenagers on a budget.

All you need is a $200 deposit, and you can start using the card. As you’re literally using your own money, Chime doesn’t charge you any fees—and there’s no APR at all.

What’s good for building credit is that the issuer doesn’t report your credit utilization ratio—which means that even if you use 100% of your balance (instead of the recommended 30%), you’ll be fine.

Pros

Low security deposit
No annual, monthly, or penalty fees
0% APR

Cons

No intro bonus or rewards program

Secured card to build credit

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Score needed: Bad to fair (300–600)

Learn more

Details

Rates/APR

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

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	27.24%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	27.24%–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

Table of contents:

Getting a credit card for a teen may be tricky—but it’s not impossible. There are ways to start using a card before turning 18 or 21. And there are some good credit card options to choose from, too.

Why Trust Us

Advertiser Disclosure

The best part? We did all the research so you don’t have to.

This article will show you:

How old you need to be to get a credit card.
15+ of the best credit cards for teens.
Tips on getting the most out of each card.
How to pick and use a teen credit card.

If you’re looking for a credit card, check out these articles as well:

Can you get a credit card at 16, 17, or younger?

The real question is—how old do you have to be to get a credit card?

This one is a bit tricky, because technically you can have credit cards no matter your age. But in reality, to be a sole cardholder and sign a credit card contract you have to be—

18 with a source of income
18 with a co-signer
21+

So, can a 17-year-old get a credit card?

The short answer is no, but—

You can have and use one by becoming an authorized user of your parent’s or other trusted adult’s credit card.

In fact, nearly 20% of American teenagers (ages 13 to 17) have a credit card as authorized users of their parents’ or guardians’ cards.

And yes, being an authorized user of someone’s credit card is convenient, but do keep in mind it can have a negative (or positive) impact on your future—some card issuers report card behavior to credit bureaus (both of the card owner and all its authorized users).

Can you build credit at 17?

Yes, you can—but not by yourself.

If you want to establish a credit history before getting a card of your own, you need to become an authorized user of someone’s credit card.

Remember to check if the issuer reports to all credit bureaus—otherwise all the on-time payments and good credit behaviour will be for nothing.

How to get a credit card under 18?

So you’re not quite 18 yet, and are eager to use a credit card.

Again, your only choice right now is to make your parent trust you with theirs.

See the table below to learn at what age that can happen:

Card issuer	Minors allowed?	Minimum age	Number of users allowed	Fee for adding user
American Express	Yes	13	Not specified	$0–$175
Bank of America	Yes	None	Up to 5	Free
Barclays	Yes	13	Unlimited	Free
Capital One	Yes	None	Unlimited	Free
Citi	Yes	None	Unlimited	Free
Chase	Yes	None	Unlimited	$0–$75
Discover	Yes	15	Up to 5	Free
Synchrony	Yes	None	3 to 6	Free
U.S. Bank	Yes	16	Up to 7	Free
Wells Fargo	Yes	None	Unlimited	Free

Source: What’s the minimum age for a credit card?

How old do you have to be to get a secured credit card?

It doesn’t matter if it’s a secured or unsecured credit card—you need to meet the above criteria to get it.

Now that we have all the theory out of the way, let’s see what the best credit cards for teens are (we chose one or more for each category):

Best Teen Credit Cards—Our Top Ten

Step Visa® card—Best teen credit card for minors under 18
OpenSky® Secured Visa®—Best secured credit card for teens (without credit check)
Discover it® Secured Credit Card—Best credit card for teenagers to build credit
Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card—Best credit card with no annual fee
Discover it® Student Cash Back—Best student credit card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students—Best teen credit card for traveling students
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card—Best credit card for teens on a tight budget
Tomo Credit Card—Best for 18-year-olds with no credit history
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card—Best for cash back and rewards
Sable ONE Secured Credit Card—Best secured card without a security deposit

Credit cards for 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 year olds

Are you looking for a credit card for minors under 18?

Here is our top pick:

Step Visa® card for kids, teens, and young adults

For minors under 18

Step Visa Card

4.2

Annual Fee

Reward rate

To qualify, you must receive at least $200 via direct deposit into your Step Account from an employer or payroll provider.

Intro offer

N/A

Earn 1% cashback on purchases with a linked direct deposit.

32 people chose this

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	N/A
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

Step Visa® card is a hybrid, meaning it works like a credit card and a debit card.

It’s processed like a debit card, but in reality, you pay straight from your Step account. It’s accepted in all places Visa® is (so, basically everywhere). And you can’t overdraft it.

Why we love it

No annual fee
Rewards for eligible purchases
Lets you buy and sell Bitcoin

What to watch out for

A unique phone number required

If worse comes to worst and you can’t yet get a credit card—there are always money apps like Cash App or Venmo to help you out.

Best credit cards for 18-year-olds with credit history

Already have credit history? Now you can apply for credit cards for fair to excellent credit scores.

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Cash back card

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

4.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–3%

You'll earn 3% on the Home, auto, and health categories, and 1% on everything else.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn $200 bonus when you open a Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions.

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	14.99%–29.99%
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	$5 or 3%
Cash advance fees	N/A
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	N/A

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® is a great option for beginners with 580–700 credit scores. It doesn’t charge annual, monthly, or penalty fees and has a good cash-back guarantee.

You’ll receive $200 intro offer if you open Rewards Checking account and make three debit card transactions.

Why we love it

3% cash back on home, auto, and health purchases
1% cash back on everything else
No annual fee
No penalty fees

What to watch out for

14.99%–29.99% APR

Best credit cards for 18-year-olds with no credit

No credit history yet? Don’t worry. You can go for one of the so-called starter credit cards.

Tomo Credit Card

Best card for 18-year-olds with no credit history

Tomo Credit Card

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

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%

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).

Why we love it

No annual fee
0% APR (forever)
No credit score needed
No credit check when applying
World Elite Mastercard® benefits
No security deposit

What to watch out for

Checking account required
Cash back only for brand ambassadors

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students

Cash back card for students

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students

4.4

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–3%

You’ll earn 3% and 2% on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn an online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

Fees

Type	Description
Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	3%
Cash advance fees	3%
Foreign transaction fees	3%
Late payment fees	Up to $40

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
Welcome bonus
0% intro APR for the first 18 months
Cash back in the category of choice

What to watch out for

A variable APR of 17.74%–27.74%
3% foreign transaction fee

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Credit card to build credit

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

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

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.

Why we like it

No annual fee
No credit check to apply
No foreign transaction fee

What to watch out for

29.99% variable APR

Credit cards for 19 year olds

Counting the days till you turn 21 and can freely decide which credit card suits you best?

In the meantime, if you don’t have a steady income, you’ll need a co-signer.

Here are the best credit cards for 19-year-olds and the details necessary to convince just about anyone to be your co-signer.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card®

Cash back and rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card®

4.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1.5%–5%

You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel purchased through Chase.

Intro offer

bonus_miles

bonus_miles_full

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	19.74%–28.49%
Intro APR	0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer rate	0%–28.49%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	29.74%

Fees

Type	Description
Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	19.74%–28.49%
Cash advance fees	$10 or 5%
Foreign transaction fees	3%
Late payment fees	Up to $40

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card—it’s all in the title.

The card has no annual or monthly fee, and it lets you earn a $200 bonus by spending only $500 in the first three months.

You also get 0% introductory APR for the first fifteen months and earn from 1.5% to 5% in cash back.

Chase gives you a Credit Journey with insights and credit score monitoring—an easy way to ensure your credit health.

Why we love it

No annual fee
0% intro APR for 15 months
Generous cash back
Bonus offer
DashPass for 3 or 9 months

What to watch out for

19.74% to 28.49% APR
3% foreign transaction fee

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card

Secured card to build credit

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Card

3.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1x–4x

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
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%

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

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
$15 streaming credit
Points earned on everyday purchases

What to watch out for

28.99% variable APR

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Cash back card

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

4.2

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1–3%

You'll earn 3% on groceries at US supermarkets, US Online Retail Purchases, and gas at US gas stations (up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)). Plus, 1% on all other purchases.

Intro offer

$200

You'll earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $200 back in the form of a statement credit.

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	18.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	0% on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening
Balance transfer rate	0%–29.74%
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

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
$200 welcome bonus
No credit score required to apply
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
$0 Buy Now, Pay Later intro Plan It for the first 15 months
Up to $84 in the Disney Bundle Credit annually
Up to $180 Home Chef Credit annually

What to watch out for

18.74%–29.74% APR
2.7% foreign transaction fee

Best credit cards for teenagers to build credit—our picks

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Rewards card to build credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–2%

You'll earn a full 2% Cashback Bonus® on your first $1,000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. You'll earn 1% on all other purchases.

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	27.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	10.99%–27.74%
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	29.74%

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

Discover It Secured Credit Card is our top pick to get you started with building credit.

No credit score is required to apply. And with no annual or monthly fees and reporting to all three credit bureaus, you’ll build credit in no time.

On top of that, the card allows you to earn 2% cash back on what you spend at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases.

It does require a security deposit of $200, but after the first six months the issuer automatically runs checks on your credit behaviour to see if you qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured line of credit. If that’s the case, you’ll get your deposit back.

Why we love it

No annual fee
No credit score required to apply
Cash back and Cashback Match
99% nationwide acceptance
Automatic upgrade checks after 6 months

What to watch out for

27.74% standard variable purchase APR

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card

Best credit builder card

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card

3.5

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	0%
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	N/A
Late payment fees	N/A

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a great option for teenagers on a budget.

All you need is a $200 deposit, and you can start using the card. As you’re literally using your own money, Chime doesn’t charge you any fees—and there’s no APR at all.

Why we love it

No credit check to apply
Low security deposit
No annual, monthly, or penalty fees
0% APR

What to watch out for

No intro bonus or rewards program

Read our full review of Chime Credit Builder Visa®.

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®

Cash back card with no fees

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa®

3.8

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–10%

You'll earn up to 1.5% on everyday purchases and up to 10% at selected merchants (if you qualify).

Intro offer

N/A

17.74%–31.74% APR

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	17.74%–31.74%
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

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.

Why we love it

No fees
No credit check to apply
Cash back on everyday purchases

What to watch out for

17.74%–31.74% APR

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Secured card to build credit

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card

3.4

Annual Fee

$35

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

87% approval rate.

24 people chose this

Learn more

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

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.

Why we love it

Approval rate of 87.4%
No credit check to apply
No credit score or history to qualify
No checking account required

What to watch out for

21.89% variable APR

Best student credit cards

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Cash back card for students

Discover it® Student Cash Back

4.6

Annual Fee

annual_fees

Reward rate

1%–5%

Intro offer

N/A

Discover matches all the cash back you've earned in the first year.

34 people chose this

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	17.74%–26.74%
Intro APR	0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance transfer rate	10.99%–26.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	10.99%
Cash advance APR	29.74%

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

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
5% cash back
Unlimited cash back match
0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases

What to watch out for

17.74%–26.74% APR

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Cash back card for students

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.6

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1%–10%

Intro offer

$50

You'll earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	19.74%–29.74%
Intro APR	N/A
Balance transfer rate	19.74%, 25.74% or 29.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	19.74%–29.74%
Cash advance APR	29.74%

Fees

Type	Description
Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	No transfer fee with 19.74%–29.74% APR
Cash advance fees	$3 or 3%
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	Up to $40

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
1%–3% cash back
No credit check to apply
No foreign transaction fee

What to watch out for

19.74%–29.74% APR

Other considerations: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students (see above) and Discover it® Student Chrome

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Secured card to build credit

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Annual Fee

Reward rate

N/A

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

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

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.

Why we love it

No annual fee
Accepted worldwide
Free FICO scores online

What to watch out for

27.24% variable purchase APR

Best credit cards for traveling students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Travel cash back card for students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Annual Fee

Reward rate

1.5x

You'll earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases.

Intro offer

N/A

Learn more

Rates/APR

Type	Description
Regular APR	17.74%–27.74%
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%–27.74%
Balance transfer intro APR	0%
Cash advance APR	20.74%–29.74%

Fees

Type	Description
Annual fees	$0
Balance transfer fees	3%
Cash advance fees	3%
Foreign transaction fees	None
Late payment fees	Up to $40

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.

Why we love it

No annual, monthly, or foreign transaction fees
Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend
0% intro APR for the first 18 months
Better Money Habits®

What to watch out for

17.74%–27.74%
3% balance transfer fee

Picking a Teen Credit Card and Using It Responsibly

How to choose the best credit card for a teenager? And, even more importantly, how to use it responsibly?

Tim Doman, founder and CEO of TopMobileBanks, offers this advice:

A protected credit card is an option

A security deposit is required for secured credit cards, which act as a protection for the credit limit. This can be a good choice for teenagers who are just beginning to establish credit because it enables them to do so without taking on too much risk. Some secured credit cards also have rewards programs, which is an excellent way to learn how to use a credit card responsibly.

Pay attention to costs and interest rates

When selecting a teen credit card, look for one with cheap fees and interest rates—they can add up quickly and make it challenging to pay the amount in full. My advice is to find a credit card with low APR and no annual fees.

Limit your expenses

Together with your parent or guardian, set spending restrictions on the chosen credit card to prevent excess. You can do that by establishing a clear credit limit or by keeping tabs on the expenses to avoid overspend.

Learn the proper use of credit cards

Learn how to use a credit card responsibly. Some basics include settling the balance in full each month, refraining from making unnecessary purchases, and never using the card to cover an emergency expense. That way, you escape debt and establish a good credit history.

Check your credit report

It's important to frequently check your credit score once you begin using your credit card. This will allow you to spot any mistakes or problems as they arise and guarantee you create a good credit background.

FAQ

Can a teenager get a credit card?

Yes, a teenager can get a credit card, but only if they are at least 18 years old and have a source of income, such as a part-time job.

It’s important for teenagers to understand the responsibility that comes with having a credit card and to use it wisely.

They should aim to make timely payments and avoid carrying a high balance, as this can negatively impact their credit score. Parents can help by setting spending limits and monitoring their child's credit card activity.

What credit card can a 16-year-old get?

As a minor, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a credit card on your own, but you can become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account. This means that you’ll have a card with your name on it, but the primary account holder will make payments.

It’s important to choose a responsible primary account holder who will make payments on time and not exceed the credit limit.

Being an authorized user can help you build credit and learn how to manage credit responsibly. Remember to monitor your spending and only charge what you can afford to pay back.

What is the youngest age to get a credit card?

The youngest age to get a credit card is 18 years old.

If you’re younger than that, you can’t get a credit card in your name alone. You can only get a credit card with a co-signer who’s at least 21 years old.

It’s important to wait until you’re 18 to get a credit card because it’s illegal for credit card companies to give credit cards to minors.

Getting a credit card at a young age can lead to financial trouble if you’re not responsible. It’s important to understand how credit works and to use credit cards responsibly to avoid debt and build good credit.

How to get a card at 15?

Visit your local bank or credit union with a parent or legal guardian to open a joint checking account. Then request a debit card linked to the account.

Use the card responsibly by only spending what is available in the account and keeping track of transactions. This will help establish a positive credit history and prepare for future financial responsibilities.

Can a 16-year-old build credit with a credit card?

Yes, a 16-year-old can build credit with a credit card, but only if they are an authorized user on someone else's credit card account.

It’s important to make sure the primary cardholder has a good credit history and pays their bills on time. The authorized user should use the card responsibly and pay off the balance in full each month.

This will help establish a positive credit history for the authorized user, which will be beneficial when they apply for credit in the future. Being an authorized user doesn’t give the same level of credit-building benefits as being the primary cardholder.

At what age can you build credit?

As a rule, you can start building credit at 18. To do so, you can apply for a credit card by yourself (if you have income) or have a co-signer. It’s important to use credit responsibly by making on-time payments and keeping your credit utilization low.

This matters because a good credit score can help you qualify for loans, apartments, and even jobs. Remember to check your credit report regularly to ensure accuracy and dispute any errors.

Before turning 18, you can become an authorised user of someone’s credit card and build credit that way. It doesn’t give you the same credit-building benefits, but it’s a start.

Should a 16-year-old have a debit or credit card?

Yes, a 16-year-old should have a debit card. A debit card allows the teen to spend only the money they have in their account, which helps them learn to budget and financial responsibility. It also lets parents to monitor their child's spending and set limits if necessary.

In some cases, a credit card may not be a good idea as it can lead to debt and high interest rates. It’s important to teach teens about responsible spending and saving habits early on—encourage them to track their expenses and savings, and set financial goals.

Note: All the rewards and bonus programs mentioned here can be subject to change. Terms and conditions are available from the issuers’ websites.

Sources

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