What's the best way to get credit cards for minors?

The best way to get credit cards for minors is to add them as an authorized user on your account. A minor cannot get their own credit card account. You must be at least 18 years old to do so. However, all major credit card companies allow customers to get authorized-user credit cards for minors. Many don’t even have a minimum age for authorized users.

An authorized user is granted access to another person’s credit card account. The user can make purchases on the account and build credit. However, they will not have to make monthly payments. The primary cardholder is responsible for all transactions charged to the card, including those made by an authorized user.

How to Get Credit Cards for Minors & Make the Most of Them:

Add the minor as an authorized user

Becoming an authorized user is the best way to get credit cards for minors. Legally, minors are unable to get their own credit card.

Check age requirements

Most issuers don’t have an age restriction for authorized users. Amex has a minimum age of 13 years old. Barclays also sets its minimum age at 13 years old. Citibank, on the other hand, has no age requirement for authorized users.

Keep transactions separate

Consider adding an authorized user to a credit card you don’t use all that often. That makes it easier to monitor the minor’s spending.

Monitor credit activity

When an authorized user gets added to a credit card account, the card activity goes on their credit reports. If the minor has no previous credit history, their first credit score will be generated within the first six months. The score depends on how responsibly the card is used.

Don’t miss payments or pay late

Missed payments cause credit score damage for both the primary cardholder and the authorized user. However, authorized users can dispute accounts with negative information to have them removed from their credit reports.

When Should You Get Your Child a Credit Card?

A parent can add their child as an authorized user as soon as they think the child is ready to learn about financial responsibility. Or, they could add them even earlier than that and just not allow them to use the card. That way, even an infant could build credit history. Plus, once the minor does get spending access, the primary cardholder can usually set limits on the user’s spending.

Adding a minor as an authorized user is simple. You’ll need only the minor’s name, birthdate, and in some cases, Social Security number. Make sure you and the minor you’re thinking of adding to your account are aware of the potential benefits and risks of authorized users before you add them.

Limits to the Authorized Use of a Credit Card

• An authorized user is limited to making purchases on the account.
• They typically are unable to do balance transfers.
• Only the primary cardholder can make changes to the account, like requesting a credit limit increase or adding additional users.
• The primary cardholder can call the issuer’s customer service department to remove an authorized user from their account. In fact, an authorized can be removed for any reason.

Becoming an authorized user is the only way to get credit cards for minors in order to establish credit. Once an authorized user is no longer a minor, they can add their own credit card account to the mix.

Therefore, they should get a card with high approval odds and a low annual fee. People applying for their first credit card at age 18 should consider cards for no credit or secured cards if they don’t already have credit history. College students can also consider student cards, which give better terms because of students’ higher earning potential.

I was an authorized user for years as a minor. It really helped me out when I got my first credit card on my own.

If your kid isn’t already an AU, you’re the reason they’ll fail. I, of course, have already secured their financial dynasty.

The only way to get a real credit card before 18 is as an authorized user on a parent’s account. My teen’s been on my Capital One card since 16 - now she’s got a 720 score at 19! Just monitor spending through the app (and yes, freeze it if they go wild at Sephora).

Minors can't get real credit cards on their own. The only legitimate way is becoming an authorized user (AU) on a parent's account. It’s very easy to add your child to your account, and they’ll build credit with you. Pick a card with no missed payments ever.

Minors can’t open credit cards on their own - it’s illegal due to contract laws. The only real option is becoming an authorized user on a parent’s account. Some issuers (like Capital One) even let you set spending limits, so it’s safe.

Agree with others here. Making your kid an authorized user will give them a leg up when they leave the nest. 
You don’t even need to give them an actual card if you don’t want to. They could practice with a debit card while you hook them up for the future.  
Just pick a card that reports to the bureaus and doesn’t charge for authorized users.

The best way is not to. Let your child decide, when the time comes, let them learn and experience these things. This will benefit child in ways you probably would have never thought.