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Getting a first credit card is a key part of being an independent adult. But getting a credit card as a young adult with a limited credit history can be challenging; you may not be eligible for some of the best-known rewards cards.
However, there are cards specifically designed for credit card beginners that can help you establish your credit and build good credit habits. Some of them even earn rewards.
I know the prospect of accumulating debt is scary when you're first entering the world of credit cards. But using a credit card (responsibly) is a vital part of building credit in the first place, so you may as well take that leap and apply for a card that feels right for you.e
What to look for in your first credit card
My parents believed all debt, particularly credit cards, was to be avoided at all costs. When I moved out and was living on my own for the first time, I had no idea what to look for in a card, and I applied for the first card that I saw.
That was a mistake that led to me paying unnecessary fees. As you shop for a credit card as a young adult, consider these key factors.
- Credit requirements: Some credit cards are specifically for those with good to excellent credit. With a limited credit history, you're unlikely to qualify, so look for a card that caters to people without credit histories or to those rebuilding their credit.
- Annual or monthly fees: Since you're new to credit cards, you want a card without an annual or monthly fee so there isn't a charge for just possessing the card.
- Credit limits: The best credit cards for young adults will automatically review your activity over several months and, if you maintain good habits, increase your credit limit.
- Rewards: There are cards for new credit card users that offer rewards on your routine purchases, such as cash back on gas or groceries.
The difference between secured and unsecured cards
If you're new to credit cards, you may be eligible for a secured or unsecured card. An unsecured card is a traditional credit card. The credit card company gives you a credit limit, and you can spend up to that limit.
With secured credit cards, you have to make a security deposit, and that deposit serves as your credit limit. A secured card is best for those who have bad credit and need to rebuild their credit histories or those who are afraid of racking up credit card debt and want more limits to control their spending.
Compare the best first credit cards for young adults
| Type | Annual/monthly Fee | Credit check required | Benefits and features | ||
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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Unsecured Student |
$0 annual fee | Yes | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel | Learn more |
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Discover it® Student Cash Back(Rates and fees) |
Unsecured Student |
$0 annual fee | Yes | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Apply now |
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Chase Freedom Rise®(Rates and fees) |
Unsecured | $0 annual fee | Yes | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | Apply now |
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Indigo Mastercard® |
Unsecured |
|
Yes | None | Learn more |
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OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card |
Secured | $35 annual fee | No | Rewards on select purchases | Learn more |
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Student credit cards are great options for building credit. If you're in college, you can often qualify for an unsecured card without a security deposit. The Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card is excellent for credit card newbies because it doesn't have an annual fee, and you can earn a flat 1.5% cash back rewards rate on every purchase you make.
On average, college students at public, four-year institutions spend $1,330 per year on textbooks and supplies, according to The College Board. If you used the Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card to pay for that amount, you'd earn $19.95 in rewards. As long as you paid off your statement balance in full by the payment due date, you'd earn those rewards without having to pay extra fees and interest.
- Flat cashback rate
- New cardmembers can earn a welcome offer
- No annual fee
- Must be a college student to qualify
- No introductory APR
Learn more in our Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards review.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
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- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
If you're a college student looking to maximize your rewards, the Discover it® Student Cash Back could help you earn a higher rewards rate. With the Discover it Student Cash Back card, you can earn earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases..
However, you must activate the spending category to earn the highest rewards rate. For a busy college student with a lot on their plate, it may be challenging to remember to activate the category.
- No annual fee
- up to 5% cash back
- No credit score required to apply
- Rotating quarterly category rewards require activation
- Only available to college students
Apply now | Learn more in our Discover it® Student Cash Back review
Chase Freedom Rise®
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- Increase your approval chances - Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
- Earn Cash Back - With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can establish credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
- Credit Limit Increase - As a Freedom Rise® cardmember, you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
- Free Credit Score - Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
- No Annual Fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® Card.
- Member FDIC
If you have a Chase checking or savings account and a balance of at least $250, you have an increased chance of qualifying for the Chase Freedom Rise card, an unsecured card for students and those new to credit cards. This card allows you to earn up to 1.5% cash back, and you can qualify for a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of account opening.
- No annual fee
- Having a Chase checking or savings account (with at least $250) increases likelihood of approval
- Flat cashback rate
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- May be more difficult for non-Chase customers to qualify
Apply now | Learn more in our Chase Freedom Rise review
Indigo Mastercard®
For those with less-than-stellar credit, your options are usually student credit cards or secured cards. If you aren't a college student and want a card without a security deposit, the Indigo Mastercard could be a good fit. It's available to adults with less-than-perfect credit and reports your payment activity to the three credit bureaus, setting you up to potentially boost your credit score as you go.
The Indigo Mastercard does charge monthly maintenance fees and annual fees, though, so I would only recommend this card if you don't qualify for other options and want to avoid secured cards.
- Unsecured credit card
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
- No impact to your credit if you're not approved
- Higher-than-average APR
- Charges monthly fee
- Charges annual fee
Learn more in our Indigo Mastercard review.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
If you have no credit or have made poor credit decisions in the past, such as skipping credit card payments or defaulting on a loan, qualifying for a traditional credit card can be challenging. The OpenSky Secured Visa is a secured credit card you can qualify for without a credit check, so it may be a useful credit card option for teens and young adults, including recent college graduates (though you must be 18+ to get it on your own).
As one of the best secured credit cards, OpenSky reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus, so using the card responsibly and paying your bill on time could help you build your credit.
- No credit check
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Could be eligible for credit limit increases in as little as six months
- Annual fee
- Limited rewards
Learn more in our OpenSky Secured Visa review.
How to use credit cards responsibly
A credit card can be a useful tool, but there is the risk of accruing debt. And with credit card annual percentage rates (APRs) being well into the double digits, interest can build rapidly. To avoid unnecessary debt and interest, follow these tips.
Set up payment reminders
Your payment history, or how often you make your payments on time, is one of the biggest factors affecting your credit score. With a credit card, you have to pay a minimum amount each statement period. Set reminders on your calendar for the due date or sign up for automatic payments to ensure you never miss a payment.
Stick to a budget
With a credit card, you can charge up to the credit limit. While that feature can be helpful when you have a financial emergency, such as an unexpected car repair, it can be tempting to splurge on unnecessary purchases, such as dinners out or travel.
To avoid debt, create a budget and stick to it. Track your spending to make sure you stay within your budget.
Pay the statement balance in full
Most credit cards have a grace period — a period between when your billing cycle ends and your payment is due. If you pay the statement balance in full by the payment due date, you can avoid interest charges, so you can earn rewards without paying extra.
FAQs
What is the best credit card to get for a 20 year old?
If you're 20 and in college, a student credit card like the Discover it Student Cash Back card may be the best option. If you're not a student, a secured card like the OpenSky Secured Visa could be a useful alternative.
Which credit card is good for a first-time user?
For new credit card users, the best cards are typically student credit cards and secured cards. These cards usually are more accessible for those without credit histories, and they tend to have low fees. In most cases, student credit cards are only available to current college students, while secured cards are available to non-students as well.
What is the 15/3 credit card rule?
The 15/3 rule is a strategy some financial experts recommend. With this approach, you split your credit card payment into two each month: one 15 days ahead of your payment due date and the second payment three days before the payment due date. In theory, this strategy keeps your balance consistently lower, which could boost your credit.
My take? The 15/3 rule could help you improve your credit by a few points, but it's better to focus more on paying your bill in full each month. Making timely payments of the full statement balance will help you establish your credit and avoid interest.
Bottom line
As a young adult, now is a great time to start building your credit and establishing habits that will help you throughout your life.
Opening a credit card account and using it responsibly — making your payments on time, sticking to a budget, and limiting your spending — will typically allow you to develop a strong credit score. Some cards, like the Discover it® Student Cash Back and the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards, have no annual fees and earn rewards as well.
As your credit improves, you may be eligible for cards with more substantial rewards programs and benefits, like airport lounge access or nearly free hotel stays. Check out the best rewards credit cards to explore your options.
To choose the best credit cards for young adults, we looked at a range of features that would make a card useful for teenagers and young adults just starting on their credit journey. We prioritized cards that included pathways to higher credit limits with responsible credit use. Features considered include: Learn more about how FinanceBuzz rates credit cards.
How we chose the best credit cards for young adults
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Current Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.