Parents can opt to add their kids as authorized users as a way to establish credit early. But getting your own credit card is usually viewed as the first and most important step to building a credit history. It’s true that anyone over the age of 18 can hold a credit card, but that doesnt mean an 18 year old will be approved for every card. Americans 21 and older stand a much better chance of being approved for mid-range and premium cards as they have an established credit history (assuming they always pay their balance in full every month).
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Credit Card?
To get a credit card in the U.S., you generally need to be 18 or older. However, some card issuers allow parents to add teenagers as authorized users. If you’re between 18 and 20, you’ll need either a co-signer or proof of income or regular allowances to be approved for your first credit card, as required by the Credit CARD Act of 2009.
How To Get a Credit Card If You’re 18 to 20 Years Old
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.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
No Rewards
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not earn rewards on purchases.
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$35
Regular APR
25.64% (variable)
Credit Score
No credit check
OpenSky offers a solid path to rebuilding credit, with no credit check or bank account required. However, you’ll have to come up with a minimum of $200 for the security deposit.
- No credit check
- Relatively low APR for a “bad credit” card
- No bank account required
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Has annual fee
- New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- No credit check to apply. Zero credit risk to apply!
- Looking to build or rebuild your credit? 2 out of 3 OpenSky cardholders increase their credit score by an average of 41 points in just 3 months
- Get free monthly access to your FICO score in our mobile application
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
- Fund your card with a low $200 refundable security deposit to get a $200 credit line
- Apply in less than 5 minutes with our mobile first application
- Choose the due date that fits your schedule with flexible payment dates
- Fund your security deposit over 60 days with the option to make partial payments
- Over 1.4 Million Cardholders Have Used OpenSky Secured Credit Card To Improve Their Credit
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
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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
- 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
- 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 that lets 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 expire as 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
How To Get a Credit Card If You’re Younger than 18 Years Old
Parents who want to start building their children’s credit history early can add their teenagers as authorized users. Parents should call the number on the back of their card or check the card’s terms to find out whether there is an age minimum for authorized users. For example, Discover allows authorized users as young as 15 years old with no extra charge to the account holder.
Having an emergency card available at a young age can be useful in a pinch. Be sure to discuss a responsible spending plan to avoid any issues.
How To Build Credit
As empowering as a first credit card can be, don’t forget that with power comes responsibility. First-time cardholders should be extra cautious when making purchases with a credit card and fully understand how the card’s terms operate. The best goal to have with a first credit card is to build credit—a first credit card is unlikely to provide you the reward potential of the best credit cards, so treat it instead as a stepping stone toward better benefits, terms and rewards.
The best ways to build credit are often also the best ways to avoid falling into debt: Don’t buy something that can’t be paid for in cash. Pay off the entire balance every month to avoid paying interest. Pay the bill on time every month to avoid late fees and protect credit history. Avoid allowing a credit card issuer to levy fees on the card’s convenience and security by using the card responsibly. Don’t apply for too many cards—stick with the first one for at least six months to a year before applying for another and be clear about your financial and credit goals when you apply for another card.
Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Bottom Line
It’s possible to get a first credit card at a young age by becoming an authorized user on a parent’s account, but the legal age to apply for your own credit card is 18. 18- to 20-year-olds must apply with a co-signer (which not all banks allow) or with proof of income. Applicants over the age of 21 can apply for a card on their own without any help.
Always enter the correct information on a credit card application. Personal information like Social Security Numbers, annual income, mailing addresses and more are typically required for every application. Misrepresenting critical information like income is punishable by fines or prison time.
Having a credit card comes with responsibility. If new cardholders don’t overspend and pay off the balance on time every month, they’re nearly guaranteed to build a great credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At what age can you get an unsecured credit card?
Though secured cards require deposits and may typically be marketed toward those with little or no credit, they are still considered credit cards. Under the 2009 CARD Act, even secured cards require applicants 18 to 21 years old apply with a co-signer or source of independent income. Applicants under the age of 18 are not eligible to become primary account holders on secured cards.
Is it illegal to have a credit card under 18?
Children under the age of 18 may not act as the primary card holder on a credit card account. They may, however, become authorized users, depending on the specific issuer’s terms and conditions.
Can you get a credit card at 17?
Credit card primary account holders must be at least 18 years of age before applying for a credit card. Younger teens may become authorized users on cards, which may be the only way a 17-year-old can obtain a credit card without committing fraud.
How do I know my child is ready for a credit card?
Like hammers, credit cards are tools—they can be incredibly helpful for the specific tasks they’re designed to help with, but can cause immense damage when used for just about anything else. Though swinging a hammer is a different task entirely than making responsible financial decisions, consider carefully your child’s readiness to handle what is a powerful financial tool. Consider specific conversations about what a card should and shouldn’t be used for and ensure your teenager fully understands how a card works.
Can my teenager get a credit card?
You may add your child as an authorized user to many credit cards, depending on the issuer’s rules. Many issuers provide parents an option to add children as authorized users, but whether you believe your child is ready for the responsibility—and whether you’re prepared to handle the consequences if they aren’t—is not a decision to take lightly.
Which credit card is best for teenagers?
The best credit card for a teenager will depend on the goals associated with the card. Parents may want teens to develop healthy spending habits and financial responsibility by making them an authorized user on an existing card. Teenagers must be 18 or 19 years old to become a primary account holder and may only do so with either proof of independent income or a co-signer. In those cases, a best first credit card will depend on the individual’s personal financial and credit goals.
