Bogdan Roberts, Credit Cards Moderator
@bogdan_roberts
The best credit card for people under 21 years old is the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card because it offers 1 - 1.5% cash back on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. In addition, it accepts people with limited credit and reports to the major credit bureaus, so you can build credit by using it responsibly.
Usually, the best credit cards for people under 21 are those that accept applicants with no credit or those designed for college students. On that note, if you’re still in school, you should also consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. It too has great rewards and no annual fee.
Best Credit Cards for People Under 21
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, up to 1.25% back after 6 months of on-time payments, and 1.5% cash back after 12 consecutive months of paying on time
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Limited History
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $39
Credit Score: Limited History
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: N/A
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Limited History
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, credited when you pay your bill
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Fair
Initial Bonus: $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months
Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, along with 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases)
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Limited History
Initial Bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash rewards on purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Types of Credit Cards for People Under 21
Most people under 21 will have no credit score and will begin their credit building journey with a starter credit card. Not everyone will be in that boat, however.
If you're under 21 but you’ve still managed to build good credit or better, you'll have access to some of the best credit cards on the market. If, on the other hand, you have bad credit, some of the best secured credit cards will allow you to rebuild your credit, while even offering some rewards from time to time. Also, their fees tend to be considerably lower than their unsecured counterparts.
Keep in mind that you need to be at least 18 years old to get a credit card account. If you're any younger than that, you have the option of becoming an authorized user on an adult's credit card. This will allow you to start building credit.
2025's Best Credit Cards for Young Adults
Popular Credit Cards for Young Adults from Our Partners
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Cash Back
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Students
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Good Credit
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People also ask
How do you get a credit card under 18?
The only way to get a credit card when you’re under 18 years old is to become an authorized user on an adult’s credit card account. You cannot get your own credit card account until you turn 18 and you’re able to demonstrate enough independent income to make monthly bill payments.
However, being an authorized user will help you build credit in the meantime, as long as the primary accountholder pay the bills by the due date.
... read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyCan you get a credit card at 17?
You can get a credit card at 17 as an authorized user, but you have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name. When you turn 18 years old, you’ll also need to show that you have your own independent income in order to qualify for your first credit card account. In the meantime, you can begin to build credit as an authorized user, and you can always...
read full answer by Adam McCann, Financial WriterCan I get a credit card for my teenager?
Yes, you can get a credit card for your teenager by making them an authorized user on one of your credit card accounts, or by helping them apply for their own credit card if they are 18 or older. For teens under the age of 18, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account is the only way to get a credit card.
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read full answer by John S Kiernan, Managing EditorDid we answer your question?
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