Turning 18 is often the ideal time to open a first credit card, but choosing one isn’t just about earning rewards. The right first card should be easy to qualify for, help build a positive credit history and ideally remain useful for years to come.
Whether your teenager is heading to college, starting their first full-time job or simply learning how to manage money, here are the best credit cards for different types of first-time cardholders.
(Keep in mind that simply turning 18 doesn’t guarantee approval. If you’re under 21, you’ll generally need to show independent income or otherwise meet the requirements of the Credit CARD Act to qualify for a credit card on your own.)
Best credit cards for an 18-year-old
The information for the Discover it Cash Back card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best cards for 18-year-olds
| Card | Best for | Annual fee | Rewards rate |
|---|---|---|---|
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Building credit with a secured card |
$0 |
Earn:
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Common bonus categories |
$0 |
Earn:
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Building credit from scratch |
$0 |
Earn:
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Flat-rate cash back |
$0 |
Earn:
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Rotating cash-back categories |
$0 |
Earn:
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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards
Welcome bonus: None
Rewards rates:
- 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Who it’s for: Someone who doesn’t yet qualify for a traditional unsecured credit card and is comfortable providing a refundable security deposit while earning rewards and building positive credit.
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To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards
Welcome bonus: Earn $100 cash back after spending $300 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards rates:
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and on dining, entertainment and select streaming services
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Who it’s for: College students who spend a lot on dining, entertainment, groceries and streaming services and want to earn elevated cash back in the categories they’re most likely to use.
Learn more: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Rise
Welcome bonus: Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeouts and eligible delivery services) on up to $6,000 spent on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
Rewards rates:
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Who it’s for: Someone with little or no credit history who wants a straightforward, no-annual-fee card they can keep for years while building credit. Cardholders who use the card responsibly and build a positive payment history may be eligible to upgrade to another Chase Freedom card. That makes it an excellent long-term starting point for anyone looking to establish credit.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Rise.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Rise
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards rates:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Who it’s for: Someone with some credit history or strong approval odds who wants a simple, everyday rewards card. It’s also a good fit for anyone interested in pairing it with a Chase Sapphire card later on to unlock more value with Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Discover it Cash Back
Welcome bonus: Discover will match all cash back earned in your first year.
Rewards rates:
- 5% cash back on purchases in select rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter; when you activate)
- 1% cash back on everything else
Who it’s for: Someone who doesn’t mind activating rotating bonus categories each quarter in exchange for the opportunity to maximize cash back on everyday purchases.
To learn more, read our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
How to choose the right credit card for an 18-year-old
When comparing first credit cards, don’t focus only on rewards. The best choice is one that your 18-year-old can qualify for today and continue using as they build credit.
As you compare cards, consider these questions:
- How much credit history do they have? If they’re starting from scratch, a beginner-friendly or secured card may be easier to qualify for.
- Are they a college student? Student cards are designed specifically for applicants with limited credit history and often reward common student spending.
- How do they spend their money? A flat-rate cash-back card is simple and flexible, while bonus-category cards can provide more value if their spending aligns with those categories.
- Will they keep the card long term? Since the length of your credit history affects your credit score, a no-annual-fee card that they’ll be happy to keep for years can be a smart choice.
- Are they building credit or chasing rewards? A first credit card should primarily be a tool for establishing responsible credit habits. Better rewards cards often become available as their credit history grows.
Should you add your child as an authorized user first?
Opening a credit card isn’t the only way for an 18-year-old to begin building credit. In many cases, becoming an authorized user on a parent’s credit card can provide a valuable head start.
As an authorized user, your child receives a card linked to your account, and the account’s payment history may be reported on their credit report. If you consistently pay your bill on time and keep your balances low, those positive habits can help your child establish credit before they’re ready to qualify for a card on their own.
Of course, there’s a tradeoff. As the primary cardholder, you’re responsible for any purchases made on the card. Some parents choose to keep the authorized user card for emergencies only, while others use it as a teaching tool by allowing small purchases that are paid off each month.
Many major issuers allow authorized users under age 18 (although minimum ages vary by issuer), meaning you don’t necessarily have to wait until your child becomes a legal adult to start helping them build credit.
Related: Best credit cards for authorized users
Help your 18-year-old build good credit habits
Choosing the right first credit card is important, but how your 18-year-old uses it will have a much bigger impact on their financial future than which rewards program they choose.
Encourage them to:
- Pay their statement balance in full every month to avoid interest charges.
- Always make at least the minimum payment by the due date, since payment history is one of the biggest factors that affect a credit score.
- Keep their oldest credit card open whenever possible, since the length of their credit history also plays an important role in their score.
- Avoid applying for multiple credit cards at once, as this can result in multiple hard inquiries and make it harder to qualify for future accounts.
- Treat their credit card like a debit card by only charging purchases they can afford to pay off.
Building excellent credit takes time, but developing these habits early can make it easier to qualify for better rewards cards, lower loan rates and other financial products later in life.
Bottom line
The best card for your 18-year-old depends on where they’re starting. Some will benefit from a student card with elevated cash back, while others may be better off with a beginner-friendly or secured card as they establish credit.
Whichever card you choose, encourage your 18-year-old to pay their balance in full and on time each month. Those habits will do far more to set them up for future financial success than any welcome bonus or rewards rate.
Related: College students: How to use your credit card responsibly
