Best Credit Cards for Teenagers

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.

Best Credit Cards for Teenagers

• Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
• Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
• Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Ways to Get a Credit Card for Your Teenager

Make your child an authorized user on one of your credit card accounts.

Adding a teenager as an authorized user on your credit card account is the easiest way to help your teen build their credit. It’s easy to do, and usually it’s free, too. Your child will get their own credit card with their name on it, and purchases made with their card will come out of your account’s credit limit. All the bills will have your name on them, too, and you’re the only person who will be responsible for paying them.

As long as you pay your credit card bills on time, your child’s credit score will benefit from the card, even if they never use it. If you don’t pay your bills on time, your child will be able to successfully dispute the account and get it removed from their credit report.

Help your teenager apply for their own credit card if they are 18 or older.

If your teen is old enough and has the independent income required to make monthly bill payments, you can help them pick the best credit card to apply for. In most cases, this will be a student credit card, but there are plenty of other good starter credit cards to choose from as well.

It’s important to note that applicants who are under 21 years old can only list independent income on a credit card application. For example, they cannot include income from their parents, unless the money is in a shared account that the teen has access to.

Yes, you can get a credit card at 14, but only as an authorized user on someone else’s account. 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 use a debit card for everyday purchases.

Most 14-year-old authorized users won’t have much of a choice when it comes to which card they use, but if a young person’s parents happen to have one of the following credit cards, the arrangement could lead to outsized savings.

Notable Credit Cards for 14-Year-Old Authorized Users

So, keep in mind that you can’t get a credit card at 14, at least not one of your own. But if you find someone to back you, then you can start building credit right away. And in just four years, you’ll be eligible for student credit cards, secured credit cards, and other options for people new to credit.

No, you can’t get your own credit card account at 16 because the law prohibits issuers from offering credit cards to anyone under 18 years old. The only way to get access to a credit card at 16 years old is if a friend or family member makes you an authorized user on their account. You won’t be responsible for bill payments as an authorized user, but you will build credit as long as the primary cardholder pays on time.

Alternatives to Getting a Credit Card at 16

• Become an authorized user: There’s generally no minimum age requirement for authorized users. You may get your own card that’s connected to the cardholder’s account, and any purchases you make will show up on your credit card statement.
   
  The primary cardholder is the one responsible for paying. This is a great way to build credit. However, you won’t build it as quickly as you would with your own card.

• Cards to consider: You can get your own credit card account when you’re 18, as long as you have enough independent income for monthly bill payments. You should get a student credit card if you go to college, as they tend to have much better terms than other starter credit cards. A secured credit card is a good backup plan, too.
• Get a debit card: This won’t help you build credit, and you won’t be able to borrow money. But a debit card linked to your checking account will free you from having to carry cash all the time.

You can get a credit card at 16. You just can’t get an account in your own name. But if someone is willing to add you as an authorized user, you can start learning about, using, and building credit. And in a couple years, you’ll be able to get your first card.

No, you cannot get your own credit card at 15. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering into a legally binding contract such as a credit card agreement. But there are some credit cards that permit minors to become authorized users on a parent or other adult’s credit card account.

Nearly all credit card issuers allow minors to become authorized issuers (with Synchrony, it varies by card), but some have minimum age requirements. Barclays, American Express, and U.S. Bank require an authorized user to be at least 13 years old. Bank of America, Capital One, and Chase are some of the major issuers with no age limitations.

Here’s what you should know about getting a credit card at 15:

• The only way to get a credit card at 15 years old is as an authorized user on someone else’s account.
• An authorized user can get a credit card, if the primary accountholder allows it. However, the primary cardholder, not the authorized user, is ultimately responsible for paying the bill.
• Reloadable debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards won’t give you a loan or help you build credit, but they can be useful to have for emergency spending purposes.

Discuss the basics of personal finances and credit cards with any minor you are considering adding as an authorized user. That way, they will better understand the rules and purpose of having a credit card.

No, a 12 year old cannot have a credit card of their own. Legally, you have to be at least 18 years old to be able to get a credit card.

There is, however, the option to become an authorized user on someone else's account.

Some cards without age restrictions for authorized users are:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card
• Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card

By becoming an authorized user you'll have the the possibility to learn how to use a credit card responsibly, but you can also start building credit early.

Yes, you can get a credit card at 17 as an authorized user on someone else’s account. But you have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name. And when you turn 18, you’ll need to show that you have your own independent income to qualify. In the meantime, you can begin to build credit as an authorized user, and you can always use a debit card for everyday purchases.

Alternatives to getting a credit card if you’re 17:

• Become an authorized user: If someone makes you an authorized user on their card, the account will be added to your credit report. And if the main accountholder pays the monthly bills on time, your credit score will improve. The main accountholder may or may not decide to give you a card that you can use to charge purchases to the account. But you won’t be responsible for making payments either way.
• Get a debit card: Most banks will give you a debit card connected to your checking account. You’ll be spending your own cash, not borrowing money. So, you don’t need to be 18 to get one. Different banks have different rules, but most require you to be 13 or 14 years old. You won’t build credit with a debit card, but having one can make life more convenient until you turn 18.

So, keep in mind that you can’t get a credit card at 17, at least not one of your own. But if you find someone to back you, then you can start building credit right away. And in just a year, you’ll be eligible for student credit cards, secured credit cards, and other options for people new to credit.

One of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds is the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card because it rewards cardholders with up to 1.5% cash back on purchases. The card also has a $0 annual fee and is intended for beginners with limited. There’s no security deposit required to open the account, either.

Best Credit Cards for 18-Year-Olds

As you can see, the best card depends a lot on your financial situation and spending habits. For example, the best credit card for 18-year-old students is the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students. This card comes with a $0 annual fee and a high rewards rate. A student’s age and earning potential are an attractive prospect for credit card issuers, so they’re willing to extend offers not readily available to non-students.

In addition, some of the other best credit cards for 18-year-olds are secured credit cards, which offer the easiest approval. They require a security deposit, typically around $200 or $300. The security deposit sets the credit limit and serves as collateral for the lender. It’s fully refundable after closing the account in good standing. The Capital One Platinum Secured is one of the best secured credit cards for 18-year-olds.

Best Ways for 18-Year-Olds to Access Credit

Keep in mind that the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 places limits on credit cards for 18-year-olds. Under the law, consumers younger than 21 years old must have either a co-signer or proof of a steady income to be a credit card’s primary accountholder. If you can meet one of these two requirements, you’ll have a pool of cards to choose from that will help you establish credit.

Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. You can become an authorized user on any type of credit card, and you’ll enjoy any benefits the card offers while you establish your credit. The primary cardholder is financially responsible for the account, and his or her card activity will also be reflected on your credit report. However, any negative information such as late or missed payments will cause a drop in both of your credit scores.