How Old Do You Have To Be To Get A Credit Card? (2024)

First-time cardholders at this age may be college students, in trade school or already working for a living. Having a credit card handy is useful not only for making everyday purchases but also for earning rewards like cash back. First-time cardholders should look for cards like student credit cards, secured cards or cards designed for people with little to no credit history—these will be easier to be approved for.

Get a Secured Credit Card

Secured credit cards are a useful option when no co-signer is available. Applicants will have to pay a security deposit to the issuer (fees as low as $49, but usually at least $200) which becomes the card’s credit limit. A secured card works much the same as a regular credit card—the cardholder can use it to make purchases up to the credit limit and must pay off the balance each month. Once the cardholder closes the account and pays off the entire balance (including interest and fees), the security deposit will be returned. Alternatively, the bank may review your history for unsecured credit eligibility after a record of making payments, then upon graduation to an unsecured card you’ll get your deposit back.

Become an Authorized User

Becoming an authorized user is an easy way to get a credit card quickly without having to fill out a lengthy application. An authorized user usually gets his or her own credit card with the authorized user’s name on it. Ask a parent, guardian, friend or other family member who might be comfortable adding someone to his or her account to add you as an authorized user. Some card issuers charge a fee to add authorized users.

The primary cardholder is responsible for paying off any cards linked to the account. Be sure to make a spending and payment plan with the primary cardholder to avoid overspending and late payments. Make sure the card issuer reports authorized user activity to credit bureaus before taking on the risk—remember, a main goal for young credit card users is to build credit toward better cards.

Get a Student Credit Card

Student credit cards are designed specifically for the 18- to 22-year-old range who likely have little-to-no credit history. Discover it® Student Cash Back is a solid option for college students looking to snag a first credit card. This card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies, 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and more, up to the quarterly maximum once activated. Plus, automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and an annual fee of $0.

Get a Co-Signer

Applicants aged 18 to 20 must have one of two things to be approved for a credit card: a co-signer (like a parent, guardian or other family member) or proof of employment or income. This information guarantees to the issuer that the cardholder can pay their bills on time and determines what the cardholder’s credit limit will be.

Make sure the co-signer has a decent credit history with a good chance of approval. Remember that a co-signer has equal legal and financial responsibility to pay off the balance of any card. If the cardholder falls into debt, it will negatively affect the credit score for both the cardholder and co-signer, so both parties need to be responsible and avoid overspending. Not all banks allow co-signers on credit cards.

How To Get a Credit Card if You’re at Least 21 Years Old

Prospective cardholders at least 21 years old can apply for a credit card on their own regardless of income status. These older applicants have better credit card options, especially those who spent their early years building credit through a student card or by being an authorized user on a parent’s account. Co-signers are not necessary but could still be a helpful addition to an application if the applicant has a low credit score or wants a high-end card with extra benefits, perks and reward potential, if the bank allows.

The best credit card options typically have the best rewards. Try looking for a card with no annual fee and generous cash-back rewards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. The card offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus an additional 1.5% cash back on the first $20,000 in purchases the first year

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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4.1

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

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Up to 6.5X Reward Rate

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, after that 5% on ChaseRead More

Welcome Bonus

Up to $300 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

A good overall spending card that allows you to hold a balance on new purchases with a low introductory APR, pay no annual fee, and still earn at least 1.5% cashback on all purchases

Pros & Cons

• Generous welcome offer for a no annual fee card
• Unlimited 1.5% minimum earn rate for cash-back rewards
• No minimum redemption amount

• Foreign transaction fee
• Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
• Requires a companion card to transfer points to travel partners

Card Details

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program thatlets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back.You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expireas long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
• No annual fee –You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.