Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

First Credit Card Guide: These Are the Best Credit Cards for First-Timers

Lori Zaino

Lori is a freelance writer and credit cards and travel rewards expert. Her work has appeared in publications like Forbes, CNN, NBC, The Points Guy, Insider, Upgraded Points, The Infatuation and many others. An avid traveler, she’s bilingual in English and Spanish and currently resides in Madrid, Spain.

Read Lori Zaino's full bio

Reviewed By

Claire Dickey

Claire is a senior editor at Newsweek focused on credit cards, loans and banking. Her top priority is providing unbiased, in-depth personal finance content to ensure readers are well-equipped with knowledge when making financial decisions.

Prior to Newsweek, Claire spent five years at Bankrate as a lead credit cards editor. You can find her jogging through Austin, TX, or playing tourist in her free time.

Read Claire Dickey's full bio

Getting your first credit can be scary and exciting all at the same time. Whether you’re 15 or 55, credit cards require a certain amount of responsibility and consequence. You’re at the helm for charging purchases and paying off your card—otherwise, you could end up in debt.

Applying for your first credit card isn’t always cut-and-dry, as you usually need an income and some credit to be approved for certain cards. However, some specific cards are geared toward first-time users and don’t require too much (or any) credit to get approved. Just know that first credit cards are usually best for building credit and don’t offer as many perks. Once you begin to build solid credit, you can get approved for more premium cards in the future that feature lucrative rewards and benefits.

Here’s what you need to know about how to get your first credit card and our top picks for the best first credit cards.

Our Methodology

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Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.

Vault’s Viewpoint

You can get a first credit card without credit. Certain cards are geared toward first-time credit card holders. Opt for secured cards or student cards for near-guaranteed approval (or cards that don’t require a credit score to apply). If you’re still in your teens, consider becoming an authorized user on a family member’s account to start building credit.
Understand the basics of credit and the fine print on your card. If you don’t know what an APR is, it may be hard to stay out of debt. Understanding the basics of credit is important, and you should know all the details of your card, like its fees, rewards and rules, before you apply or begin spending.
Stay out of debt. Pay off your bill in full each month to avoid getting into debt and paying high interest and additional fees. Set up autopay to ensure you won’t forget.

How Do I Get My First Credit Card?

So, you’re wondering how to get a credit card for the first time. Starting your credit card journey means understanding the basics and doing a few things to make sure your first credit card experience is a success. Here’s how to go about it.

Understand the Basics

First, familiarize yourself with the basics. If you know how credit scores and interest work, it’ll be much easier for you to immediately get into a routine of spending, paying off your bill and taking advantage of any perks, benefits or rewards the card features.

Just remember that you’ll have to pay off whatever charges you make on your card—and those interest charges can add up if you don’t. Only charging what you can afford to pay off each month is a good rule of thumb to start building credit and stay out of debt.

Make Sure You Qualify

You have to be at least 18 years old to get a credit card, though it’s much easier if you’re 21, especially for unsecured credit cards. If you’re underage, we recommend first becoming an authorized user on a family member or guardian’s credit card. This is an excellent way to build credit and learn how to responsibly use a credit card. Then, once you turn 18 (or 21), you can try your luck at applying for your own.

Having a steady and secure income is another way to ensure you’ll get approved for a credit card. Be ready to fill out personal data and income information when you apply.

Choose the Right Card

You probably won’t get approved for a luxury credit card as your first credit card. Unless you’ve built up lots of credit thanks to being an authorized user or through other ways, like taking out a mortgage or loans and consistently making on-time payments, getting approved for premium cards will be tough. For now, you might have to forgo top-notch rewards rates and benefits, but don’t worry—once you build good credit, it’s easier to get approved for premier cards.

Instead, pick a beginner card, secured card or student card—we’ll dig into that more below and share our top picks. Read all the fine print associated with your card, such as information on the fees, rates, rewards and any other relevant information, before applying. This includes details like annual fees, security deposits, late payment fees, foreign transaction fees and the variable APR range.

Things To Know Before Applying

Above, we spoke about understanding the basics to ensure you use your card responsibly and don’t end up in debt. Here’s what you need to know:

Credit scores: This is a numerical value calculated based on your credit behavior. You have various credit scores (the two most popular models being FICO Score and VantageScore), and most use a scale of up to 850. If you’ve never had a credit card or taken out a loan, you may not have any credit, and that’s fine—that’s what beginner credit cards are for. Staying out of debt is fundamental to keeping your credit score in the good to excellent range (or a FICO Score between 670 and 850).
APR: Your card’s annual percentage rate (APR) is the amount of interest you’ll be charged if you don’t pay off your bill each month. If you have a 0% introductory APR, you won’t be charged interest for a select period of time, which is the only time you may want to consider making a purchase and not paying it off right away. The best way to stay out of debt and keep your credit score high is to pay your bill in full each month.
Secured credit cards vs. unsecured credit cards: A secured credit card requires the cardholder to make a deposit before using the card, which is used as a guarantee in case you don’t pay your bill. Secured cards are often used as first credit cards when cardholders don’t yet have credit, and they’re much easier to get approved for. An unsecured credit card is a standard card that doesn’t need a security deposit.
Maintaining credit history: The length of your credit history makes up 15% of your FICO Score. Plan to keep your first card open as long as you can—the longer your accounts have been open, the better your score.

How to Apply for Your First Credit Card

Once you’ve decided on the right credit card and have read through and understand all the fine print, it’s time to apply. Here’s how to do so online.

Fill out an application with your personal info: Fill out your personal information as asked on the card’s website (such as your name, address, phone number and Social Security number). You’ll probably be asked about your income and expenses as well, such as how much you pay in rent or for your mortgage. Your income includes things like employment, investments, retirement, financial aid or public assistance. If you’re 21 and older, you can use household income, but 18- to 20-year-olds can only include personal income, assets or allowance.
Wait for approval: Sometimes, approval (or rejection) is instantaneous, and other times, you may have to wait several days or a week. If you get approved, your card will be mailed to you. You’ll probably have to activate it before using it too.
Start spending: Once you get your credit card and it’s activated, you can start spending. Note that most cards have an assigned credit limit, and you should keep this in mind while spending. Credit utilization, or the amount you spend divided by your credit limit, makes up 30% of your FICO Score. The lower your credit utilization ratio, the better your credit score will be. We recommend aiming for a ratio of 30% or lower (ideally close to 10% or lower).
Pay your bill: We hate to state the obvious yet again, but paying off your bill is key in order to build a great credit score and avoid debt. If you aren’t sure you can remember, set up autopay so your bill will be paid automatically each month.

Best First-Time Credit Cards

With so many credit cards on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for you. Here are some of the best first-time credit cards for anyone just starting their credit card journey.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Secured cards are ideal first-time credit cards because they’re typically easier to get approved for. This particular card has no annual fee but requires users to make a refundable minimum security deposit of $49, $99 or $200. It’s easy to raise your credit limit by opting to deposit more. Just know this card has a high APR, so it’s best to pay your bill in full each month.

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card

This new starter card from Chase doesn’t require a credit history to apply, has no annual fee and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Plus, your likelihood of approval is higher if you hold a Chase Checking account with at least $250 in it before you apply. You can also earn a $25 statement credit by signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of account opening, and Chase will review your account after six months to see if you qualify for a credit limit increase.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Students should opt for the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which has no annual fee and doesn’t require a credit history to apply. Most notably, you can earn 5% cash back on activated, rotating bonus categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1% back), and Discover will match all the cash back you earn in your first year. This student card also features an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Credit Cards Overview

What Is Credit Card Interest?

Credit card interest is what you’ll have to pay if you don’t pay your bill in full each month. The easiest way to avoid interest charges is to simply pay your bill in full instead of just your minimum payment or a portion of what you owe.

A credit card’s interest rate is usually expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR), and it’s typically variable, meaning it can change based on market fluctuations or even your credit card usage. Sometimes APRs can differ for balance transfers, purchases or cash advances.

What Happens if I Pay My Credit Card Balance Late?

If you pay your credit card balance late, you may be charged late fees, and your APR may rise even higher. As soon as you realize you’re late paying your balance, pay it immediately. If it’s your first time paying late, try calling your credit card issuer and asking if they’ll waive the fee. Setting up autopay can also help you avoid late payments.

Can I Get Approved for Credit Cards if I Have No Credit?

You can still be approved for certain credit cards if you have no credit. Many credit cards cater to beginners looking to open their first card or further build credit. The easiest cards to get approved for are secured credit cards, student cards and cards tailored to those without a credit history.

How Can I Get a Credit Card for the First Time?

Getting a credit card for the first time is relatively easy. First, familiarize yourself with the basics of credit. Then, make sure you meet the requirements, like being over 18 and having a personal income. Next, research available credit cards (such as the ones listed in this article) and apply. Once you get your card, you can activate it and start spending. Don’t forget to set up autopay so you won’t have to worry about remembering to pay your bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Credit Do You Have at 18?

Unless you’ve been an authorized user on a family member’s credit card or already have loans or other financial products that report to credit agencies, you probably won’t have much or any credit at 18.

Should I Get a Credit Card at 18?

Getting your first credit card at 18 is a good plan as long as you feel responsible enough to pay off your bill each month. Building credit and learning responsible spending habits is essential, and getting a credit card can help you do just that.

How Long Does It Take To Build Credit?

Building credit from zero can take time. Assuming you’re spending responsibly and paying off your credit card bills in full each month, you can expect to see a difference after about six months. However, boosting your score from good to excellent can take some time. It’s best not to worry about having a perfect score and instead focus on establishing proper credit-building habits that will help you improve and maintain your creditworthiness for years to come.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.