Compare Student Credit Cards

No, American Express does not have a student credit card. American Express does not offer any other credit cards for people with limited credit history, either, which means students and other applicants with no credit will need to build their credit score before applying for a American Express card.

If you’re hoping to get a student card, consider checking out the best student credit cards currently being offered by other issuers. Student credit cards usually offer better rates and rewards than regular credit cards for limited credit.

The main difference between a student credit card and a regular credit card is that student credit cards offer better rewards, rates, and fees than other credit cards for people with limited or no credit. Student credit cards are also meant for college and graduate students, while other cards don’t have the same requirement. Otherwise, student credit cards work the same way as most other credit cards.

Student credit cards usually offer better terms than other starter credit cards because students tend to be young and have above-average earning potential. Credit card issuers want to attract them for future business and might offer a better deal than a student may deserve based solely on their current income and experience.

Student Credit Card vs. Regular Credit Card

While student and regular credit cards are similar to one another in most respects, student cards are better for people with limited credit history than most other credit cards for no credit. To see great options in both categories, check out WalletHub’s picks for the best student cards and the best starter cards currently on the market.

Yes, Chase does have a student credit card available to new applicants right now: the Chase Freedom® Student credit card. It has a $0 annual fee, a $50 initial bonus, an annual $20 bonus, and a below-average APR. The Freedom Student can also help responsible new cardholders build credit history, with monthly reporting to the major credit bureaus.

It’s just unclear exactly who is eligible for approval. Most student-branded credit cards are available to applicants with limited or no credit history. But it’s not unheard of for a student card to require good credit or better, and Chase has recommended that students apply for a good-credit credit card before. Prior to the new Chase student credit card hitting the market this summer, Chase.com suggested that students apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

That being said, it’s best to compare credit card offers from multiple banks and credit unions to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Chase’s student credit card is only one offer among many, and some issuers actually have more than one student card to choose from. 

The best international credit card for students is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. It belongs to the Visa network so you can use it extensively outside of the United States, whether you’re traveling or studying abroad. It also features a 0% foreign transaction fee, which means you will not be charged extra for purchases made in another country. Its travel-oriented rewards also make it an attractive international credit card for students. It offers 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you earn 1.5 - 3 points per $1 on purchases.

The card’s global acceptance should be taken into account. Not all credit cards are accepted everywhere, and cards from some networks are accepted in more countries than others. Mastercard is in the lead, with over 210 countries and territories, followed closely by Visa (over 200) and Discover (200). American Express cards can be used in over 160 countries and territories.

Best international credit cards for students:

The  Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students credit card has an online offer of 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you can earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card also comes with a 0% foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee. It accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).

The Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students credit card offers $200 for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you can earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 spent on these categories combined per quarter), and 1% on all other purchases. The card also offers an introductory purchase APR of 0% for 18 months (18.24% - 28.24% (V), based on creditworthiness, thereafter). It has a 3% foreign transaction fee. The card’s annual fee is $0. It accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).

The Capital One Platinum Secured credit card has a $0 foreign transaction fee. The card’s annual fee is also $0.

The Deserve EDU credit card has no SSN requirement. So, students with a passport, a U.S. bank account along with some other documentation are eligible to apply. The card offers 1% cash back on all purchases. Plus, it has a $0 foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee.

It’s also important to note the difference between international credit cards for students and credit cards for international students. They’re basically the same in terms of functionality, but cards for international students aren’t just for U.S. citizens or people with a Social Security number.

What You Should Know Before Applying for a Student Credit Card

Student credit card issuers do have different requirements. Some cards may require an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Others may accept just a student ID and/or a passport.

If you are a student who has managed to build good credit or better, you’ll have access to more than just student credit cards. So, make sure to check out our editors’ picks for the best credit cards for international travel. If, on the other hand, you have bad credit and need help rebuilding it, the best secured credit cards will help you do just that.

The best credit cards for unemployed people are secured credit cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card. You don’t need a job to get a credit card, but credit card companies are required to make sure you have enough income to pay your monthly bills. And most people’s income takes a big hit when unemployed. So it makes sense to go for secured cards, since they offer the easiest approval of all credit cards.

It’s important to note, though, that if you’re receiving any kind of unemployment pay, you can report that as income on your credit card application. The same goes for money that comes from other non-job sources, like gifts, trust fund distributions and scholarships/grants. If you’ve built up good credit and still have a reliable source of income without a job, you can apply for a cash back credit card like the Citi Double Cash Card.

Here are the best credit cards for unemployed people:

• Best with no credit check - OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card: No rewards. $200 minimum deposit. $35 annual fee.
• Best for students – Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students: 1.5% cash back on all purchases. $0 annual fee. Accessible to those with limited credit.
• Best for bad credit – Capital One Quicksilver Secured: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. $200 minimum deposit. $0 annual fee.
• Best Unsecured – Credit One Platinum: 1% cash back on gas and grocery purchases, as well as 1% back on mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. $39 annual fee.
• Best for fair credit and limited credit - Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. $39 annual fee.
• Best for good credit or better – Citi Double Cash Card: 2% cash back on all purchases – half when you make purchases and the other half as you pay for those purchases. 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, with a balance transfer fee of 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer. $0 annual fee.

Remember to include any form of income you do have when filling out an application. Just because you don’t have a job doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not bringing in any money. If your income is slim, go for a secured card.

Student credit cards work like other credit cards, except they’re designed for college students with limited credit who are at least 18 years old. Student credit cards are the best starter credit cards for eligible applicants, giving students the opportunity to build credit while enjoying surprisingly good terms.

Student cards typically have $0 annual fees and good rewards because banks and credit unions want to get in early with potentially profitable, long-term customers. Plus, student credit cards are unsecured cards, meaning they don’t require a security deposit to open the account.

How Student Credit Cards Work

Student credit cards build credit just like non-student credit cards

Like any other credit card, student cards report account details to the credit bureaus every month. The key to building credit with any credit card is to pay the bill on time, and preferably in full, every month while maintaining a low credit utilization ratio.

Students must meet an issuer’s standard eligibility requirements for approval

Credit card issuers are more inclined to approve student applicants than others with limited credit because of students’ presumed higher earning potential. As a student, you still must meet eligibility requirements common to all credit cards, though.

For example, you must be at least 18 years old, and if you’re under 21, you’ll need to provide a verifiable independent source of income. Any documentation needed to verify that you’re a student, such as an official transcript or college e-mail address, will likely be listed on the application.

Student credit cards may offer better features than other starter cards

Student credit cards tend to offer $0 annual fees and rewards on purchases, perks which aren’t available on all credit cards for people with less-than-good credit. Some student credit cards even give bonus rewards for timely payments or good grades.

Not all student credit cards are created equal, so check out our editors’ picks for the best credit cards for students to help narrow your search.

To qualify for a student credit card, an applicant must be a student, at least 18 years old, and capable of affording monthly credit card payments. Proof of enrollment at a college or university may be needed, too, though specific documentation requirements vary by card issuer.

What's Needed to Qualify for a Student Credit Card?

Minimum age requirement of 18 years.

You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal resident to apply for a student credit card. A Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required in most cases, although international students who do not have an SSN might still qualify for a card such as Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students if they meet the issuer's other requirements.

Proof of independent income.

Applicants under 21 years old must demonstrate an ability to pay the monthly credit card bill with their own source of income. Savings or wages from a part-time job would meet this requirement. Another option, if you can find an issuer that still allows it, is to have a co-signer who is at least 21 years old guarantee payment on the account.

Limited or no credit history.

Student credit cards are designed for people with limited or no credit, so if you have a bad credit score of 639 or less, your application will likely be rejected. Before you apply, you can sign up for a free WalletHub account to check if you have a credit score yet.

Verification of enrollment.

Most issuers will request some proof that you're a student, such as a college e-mail address. Though not all student credit cards require specific documentation, you should still be truthful when you apply.

Avoid too many recent credit inquiries.

It's important to minimize the number of times you apply for credit in a short period of time, particularly if you have limited or no credit. When you apply for a student credit card, issuers will perform a hard pull of your credit report, and if your credit history turns up frequent credit inquiries, or hard pulls, an issuer may view you as a credit risk and reject the application. So, don't apply for a bunch of cards all at once.