Lawrence, Wallethub Credit Card Analyst
@lawrence50
A good APR for a first credit card is anything below 20%. Most first-timers have no credit history, so they need to prove themselves as responsible borrowers before getting a really low APR. However, there are some exceptions. Student cards also give lower rates, but you have to be a student to get one. Another way to get a good APR for a first credit card is to apply for a secured card.
It’s worth pointing out that carrying a balance on a secured card doesn’t make much sense anyways. You can’t buy anything that you wouldn’t be able to afford without the secured card. That’s because your spending limit is equal to the amount of your deposit.
Notable First-Time Credit Cards with Good APRs
- Rewards: First Command Bank Classic Visa® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rewards: First Command Bank Classic Visa® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rewards: First Command Bank Classic Visa® CardLearn MoreLearn More
Regular APR: 10.99% (V)
Ongoing Rewards: 1.5 points for exchange and commissary purchases, and 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Minimum Credit Required: Limited History
- Best for Bad Credit: Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Bad Credit: Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Best for Bad Credit: Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Bad Credit:
Regular APR: 9.99%
Annual Fee: $48
Minimum Credit Required: Bad credit
- Best for Amazon Purchases: Amazon Secured Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Amazon Purchases: Amazon Secured Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Best for Amazon Purchases: Amazon Secured Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Amazon Purchases:
Regular APR: 10%
Annual Fee: $0
Minimum Credit Required: Bad
- Best for Students: BankAmericard® credit card for StudentsLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Students: BankAmericard® credit card for StudentsLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Best for Students: BankAmericard® credit card for StudentsLearn MoreLearn More
- Best for Students:
Intro APR: 0% for 18 billing cycles on both new purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening. Balance transfers are subject to a fee of 3%.
Regular APR: 14.74% - 24.74% Variable
Annual Fee: $0
Minimum Credit Required: Excellent
If you’re in the market for your first credit card, you probably don’t have much credit history, unless you’ve been able to build some as an authorized user on someone else’s card. This means you may not get a low APR, as these cards are usually reserved for people with at least good credit.
As a result, your aim should be to find a card with no annual fee that you can get approved for. Then, pay in full every month by the due date to avoid interest. Paying your bill on time will also help you build credit and get to a card with a lower APR.
Popular First Credit Cards from Our Partners
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Students
Stella Murphy, Member
@stella_m_dsg
Nunya…literally, the APR should be nunya business. You’re not going to get a low APR with your first card, but you can avoid interest charges by paying your bill in full by the due date every month. That’s the move.
People also ask
Is 12% a good credit card APR?
Yes, a 12% APR is a good credit card interest rate because it is cheaper than the average interest rate for new credit card offers. Very few credit cards offer a 12% regular APR, and applicants must usually have good or excellent credit to be eligible. People with credit scores that good typically can qualify for cards with 0% introductory APRs, however, so paying interest at a 12% rate isn’t ideal.
Average APR for Credit Cards...
read full answer by John S Kiernan, Managing EditorWhat's the best introductory credit card?
The best introductory credit cards is Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee, offers 1 - 1.5% cash back on purchases, and accepts people with no credit history. It also reports monthly to the three major credit bureaus, giving you the chance to build credit with responsible use.
Generally, introductory credit cards are meant for beginners to credit, offering good approval odds to people with limited or no credit history. There are several types of introductory credit...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyDid we answer your question?
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