8 Best Credit Cards For Teens Right Now

In no particular order, here are the top credit cards available for teens.

Lender	Scholaroorating	Our view	APR Rate %	Minimum Credit Score	Learn more
Discover it® Student Cash Back Visit website	4.8/5	Best Choice Overall	13.99% – 22.99%	640	Visit website
Capital One Platinum Mastercard Visit website	4.4/5	Low Interest Rates	11.49% – 26.99%	590	Visit website
Discover it® Secured Visit website	4.7/5	Best for a Secured Credit Card	27.99%	Not Required	Visit website
Capital One Journey Student Card Visit website	4.7/5	Good Cash Back Rewards	15.99% – 24.99%	590	Visit website
Citi® Secured Mastercard® Visit website	4.3/5	Best Choice for No Credit History	18.24%	N/A	Visit website
Blue Cash Everyday® Visit website	4.4/5	Good for low interest rates	15.24% – 25.24%	600	Visit website
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Visit website	4.6/5	Best for Travel Benefits	15.49% – 23.49%	650	Visit website
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Visit website	4.0/5	No Credit Check to Apply	29.49%	Not required	Visit website

This card offers cash back on popular categories such as gas and groceries, making it a great choice for teens who are just starting to build their credit score and want to take advantage of rewards. 

Benefits and Rewards:
5% cash back on everyday purchases, 1% cash back on all other purchases, no annual fee.

Fees and Interest Rates:
0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) for 6 months, after that variable 13.99% – 22.99%, no balance transfer fees. 

Co-signing Requirements:
No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements:
Good/Excellent credit score (670 or higher) is recommended for this card. 

Ideal for teens who have a limited credit history or a low credit score, this card has no annual fee and offers competitive interest rates.

Benefits and Rewards:
This card has a competitive APR, and 0% intro APR for the first 15 months.

Fees and Interest Rates:
The standard APR starts at 11.49% – 26.99%, no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee. 

Co-signing Requirements:
No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements:
Good/Excellent credit score (670 or higher) is recommended for this card. 

It is one of the best secured cards available to teens upon submitting a security deposit of a minimum of $200. This card comes with various cashback benefits and rewards for its user.

Benefits and Rewards:
No annual fee, no credit score required to apply, unlimited cashback match equalling all cashbacks at the end of the first year.

Fees and Interest Rates:
The standard variable APR rate of 29.99%, balance transfer fees of 3% initially then 5%, and no annual fee, Cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% (whichever is greater)

Co-signing Requirements:
No co-signer is required to apply. 

Credit Score Requirements:
No credit required to apply.

This is another one of the best credit cards for teens. If you’re looking to start earning rewards on your purchases with no annual fee, a low interest rate, and even higher cash-back rewards in certain categories, then this is the card for you.

Benefits and Rewards: 

This card offers 1% cash back on all purchases and various rewards programs for different types of spending. 

Fees and Interest Rates: 

The standard APR starts at 15.99% – 24.99%, with no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee. 

Co-signing Requirements: 

No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements: 

Good/Excellent credit score (670 or higher) is recommended for this card. 

This card is perfect for teens with no credit history or a low credit score, as it offers competitive interest rates and rewards, and requires a security deposit. This deposit is used as collateral in case payments aren’t made on time.   

Benefits and Rewards: 

No annual fee, 1% cash back on some purchases, and a flexible payment schedule. 

Fees and Interest Rates: 

The standard APR starts at 18.24%, no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee. 

Co-signing Requirements: 

No co-signer is required.  

Credit Score Requirements: 

No credit check is required for this card. 

For teens who want to start earning cash-back rewards on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and flexible financing options – this card is a great option. Having said that, if the teen isn’t at least 18 years old, then they can be added to their parent’s credit card account as an additional card member (otherwise known as an authorized user).

Benefits and Rewards: 

This card offers a 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 

Fees and Interest Rates: 

The standard APR starts at 15.24% – 25.24%, no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee. 

Co-signing Requirements: 

No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements: 

Good/Excellent credit score (670 or higher) is recommended for this card.

This card is one of the best credit cards for teens who want to earn travel rewards while building their credit score, as it offers competitive rates and no annual fee. 

Benefits and Rewards: 

This card offers no annual fee, 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases, and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. 

Fees and Interest Rates: 

The standard APR starts at 15.49% – 23.49%, no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee. 

Co-signing Requirements: 

No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements: 

Good/Excellent credit score (670 or higher) is recommended for this card. 

If you’re looking for options for credit cards that do not require a credit check to apply then OpenSky® Secured Visa® is another good option to consider. It is a great starting card to build your credit with as it is easy to get even if you do not have a credit history. However, if your looking for a card with rewards and cashback then this might not be the best option. 

Benefits and Rewards: 

Can qualify with poor credit, allows a credit limit of up to $3000

Fees and Interest Rates: 

Annual fee of $35, Variable APR rates of 29.49%

Co-signing Requirements: 

No co-signer is required. 

Credit Score Requirements: 

Not required

Before choosing a credit card as a teen, it’s important to be the types of credit cards available. Being aware of the pros and cons involved as well as the factors to consider before making a decision is also helpful. Consider the following to help you determine which credit card is right for you:

Being mindful of the following will put you in the best position to choose a credit card that fits your needs as a teen and beyond. 

Type of Card

Knowing the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards is important so you can make the right decision when choosing the best credit cards for teens.

Secured cards are typically backed by a security deposit and offer lower credit limits to teens with little or no credit history. Unsecured cards, on the other hand, require no security deposit but may have higher interest rates and fees for those who don’t maintain a good credit score.

Credit Score

Teens should consider their own credit history and score when selecting a card, as this will determine the interest rate they are offered. Those who are added to their parent or guardian’s credit card as authorized users will likely have a credit score so make sure to check this.

Interest Rates and Fees

Make sure to research each card’s interest rate and fees before signing up for one, to ensure that it is the best fit for you financially.

Credit Limit

Teens should consider how much money they will need to borrow on the credit card when selecting their ideal limit, as this could affect their credit score if not managed responsibly.

Rewards and Benefits

Familiarise yourself with each card’s rewards and benefits before signing up for one – this will help make sure that you’re getting the best deal for your money.

Co-signing Requirements

Some credit cards require a co-signer if a teen does not have enough of a financial history or credit score to qualify on their own. Take this into consideration when selecting a card and make sure that your co-signer of choice is comfortable with the agreement.

Level of Responsibility Required

It’s important to consider how much responsibility you can handle when managing your own credit card, as well as any tools or resources that will help to better manage your finances. Doing this will ensure that you are getting the most out of your credit card and not running up debt. 

To apply for a credit card, teens will need to provide proof of identity (usually by providing a valid driver’s license or state ID card), proof of income (such as recent pay stubs or bank statements), and the parent’s contact information. Additionally, some credit cards may require additional documentation such as a Social Security number. 

Co-signer

In some cases, teens may need a co-signer (such as a parent or guardian) to apply for a credit card. A co-signer is an adult who will take legal responsibility over the account if necessary and can be listed as a joint applicant on the application. Co-signers must meet certain requirements, such as having good credit and being willing to take on the responsibility of the account. 

Teens Under 18

In the event that the teen is under 18, they can still establish credit by being added as an authorized user on someone else’s account – provided that the credit card in question has that option available. This means that the adult and teen are both responsible for any charges made with the card. Having said that, the teen will not be liable for any of the debt, and the credit history of that account will show up on the teen’s credit report, helping the teen to build a positive score. 

Take note of the following requirements in order to apply for a credit card as a teen.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid government-issued ID or Social Security Number  
• Have an income (which can include a part-time job, allowance from parents, or student loan)
• Demonstrate responsible use of credit 

Here are the benefits and potential drawbacks associated with teens getting a credit card.

Pros

• Establishes credit history
• Allows you to manage expenses responsibly and build good financial habits
• Can help with emergencies or major purchases
• Offers rewards, such as cashback, discounts, or travel points

Cons

• Potential of high interest rates if payments are not made on time
• Can lead to debt if not used responsibly
• Potentially high annual fees 

Responsible credit card use is a great way for teens to get started building financial security and a good credit score. By following the tips mentioned below, teens can stay on track and take advantage of the benefits that come with using credit cards. 

Set a budget and stick to it

Establishing a budget and tracking spending will help teens stay within their means while they learn the responsibilities of credit card use.

Make timely payments

It is important for young people to understand the importance of making payments on time as it helps build positive credit history and keep interest rates low.

Avoid carrying a balance

It’s best to pay off the entire balance each month, as carrying a balance can incur costly interest fees and damage credit scores.

Monitor your credit score regularly

By staying informed of their credit score, teens can keep track of their progress in managing credit cards and learn how to improve it. 

Here are some frequently asked questions:

No, typically individuals must be 18 or older to open a credit card account.

No, American Express does not offer cards to those under 18. Having said that, if your credit card has an option for an authorized user, you may be able to add your child to it. 

Yes, by being an authorized user on an adult’s account, a teen may benefit from their parent’s payment history, thus improving their credit score. 

Student credit cards are the best options for teens studying in college as they are specifically designed for students and young adults. However, in case you are not enrolled in a college and are not a student, then you won’t be able to apply for student cards.

In such a case, teens can opt for secured credit cards that they can get by putting up a security deposit.

Understanding financial responsibility at a young age is critical to secure one’s financial future. By setting a budget, making timely payments, avoiding carrying balances, and monitoring their credit score regularly, teens can benefit from responsible credit card use while learning valuable lessons in money management. Ultimately, the choice regarding the best credit card for a teen will depend on one’s individual needs and preferences. By weighing all the factors and doing research, teens can make an informed decision that helps them build a strong credit history and get started on the path to financial success.