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The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top pick for the best teen credit card because you don’t need a credit score to apply, it’s designed to help you build credit and you can earn a higher rate of rewards than on many beginner cards.
Building a solid credit history at an early age is important. A good credit score can help you qualify for a car loan, get an apartment and sometimes may be required to apply for a job.
Teens who are 18 and above can apply for credit cards on their own, but may need a parent to co-sign with them to get an unsecured credit card if their income is too low. Teens who are in college may qualify for student credit cards geared toward applicants with limited credit histories. Another option to consider is putting down a deposit for a secured credit card.
The best credit cards for teens are ones that don’t require a credit score and have little to no fees.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
1% - 2% cash back
| Match all cash back
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
| 27.24% Variable APR |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card*
|
Fair credit
|
1% - 10% cash back
| N/A | 28.99% - 30.99% | |
Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card*
|
No credit
|
2% - 10% cash back
Earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
| N/A | 28.99% - 33.99% Variable | |
Amazon Secured Card*
|
Low APR
|
2% cash back
2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
| N/A | 10.00% non-variable | |
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
No credit
|
1% - 5% cash back
| Unlimited Cashback Match
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
| 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*
|
Student travel
|
1.5X points
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. | 25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
| 18.24% to 28.24% Variable APR | |
Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card*
|
Chase
|
1.5% cash back
| $25 statement credit
Earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and remain enrolled for at least 90 days.
| 25.99% Variable |
Most teens will need a credit building card, starter credit card, or student credit card. We use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
For ranking these types of cards, we devote a large part of the score to features that help build credit — we want to help you locate cards that don’t cost a lot to own and get help you upgrade to better card offers.
We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it is a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and $300 in monthly spending (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
We give points for features that help build credit, including reports to all three credit bureaus, regular account reviews for card upgrades and free credit score access. We detract points for features that can be costly to cardholders trying to build credit, such as security deposits, penalty APRs and late payment fees.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best credit card for building credit. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Rewards rate: 1% - 2% cash back
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great choice for a teen just getting started with building credit. You don’t need a credit score to apply since your security deposit acts as your credit line. After seven months, Discover will start conducting automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify for an unsecured card and a refund of your deposit. If this happens, you may get to transition to the unsecured version of this card, the Discover it® Chrome.
This secured credit card for teens is available to both college students and non-students, so it’s a good option if you don’t meet the requirements for a student credit card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards rate: 1% - 10% cash back
The Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card makes an ideal credit card for teens with limited credit histories because it requires no credit history to apply. But you may still need a bank account as Petal makes credit decisions based on a “Cash Score” created by looking at your account.
This card has a rewards program and, though you don’t earn a high rate initially, many credit cards for building credit don’t offer rewards at all. With this card, you start out at 1% cash back and, with on-time payments over a year, can earn up to 1.5%. The card has virtually no fees of any kind and you may be able to get a much higher credit limit than many other starter cards offer.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards rate: 2% - 10% cash back
If you’re a teen with damaged credit or with a credit history that’s too limited to qualify for the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card, the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card is another good option for building credit from scratch. Like the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card, you can use your bill payment history in lieu of a credit history to apply. It has a $0 annual fee, and it also lets you earn cash back on some purchases. You’ll earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards rate: 2% cash back
With a large percentage of the U.S. population making purchases on Amazon, the Amazon Secured Card is a good choice for building credit on those purchases. Its best feature is that — unlike the typical store card — it happens to include an extremely low 10.00% non-variable APR. It also features a low minimum deposit of $100 and a $0 annual fee. Plus, you can earn 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, 1% back on other purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Rewards rate: 1% - 5% cash back
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers teens who are college students a chance to build credit while earning rewards on their purchases. No credit score is required to apply, and there is a $0 annual fee and a generous rewards program and welcome offer.
You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. Cardholders even get a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then an ongoing 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR. That makes this teen credit card helpful for financing a new laptop, textbooks or dorm room furniture. The card also comes with a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, then an 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards rate: 1.5X points
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases.
Cardholders of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students earn points that can be used for statement credits towards travel purchases including flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars and baggage fees.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is an ideal card for students who study abroad, as it has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
There’s a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, after which a regular 18.24% to 28.24% Variable APR applies. The intro offer is helpful in financing large purchases, like plane tickets or furniture for your new apartment. There is also an introductory offer for balance transfers.
Cardholders can earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. Plus, the card offers 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards rate: 1.5% cash back
The Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card is a natural choice for teens who have an account with Chase and want to keep their banking all in one place. The $0 annual fee, rewards program and potential credit limit increase make it a very appealing first card.
You have better odds of qualifying for the card if you have a Chase checking account with a balance of at least $250. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Earn a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and remain enrolled for at least 90 days. And the card offers both travel insurance and purchase protection, a rare find in a teen credit card.
Cardholders can track their credit score through the mobile app and may be evaluated for a credit line increase in as little as six months.
You have to be at least 18 years old to get a credit card on your own. Young adults under age 21 will need a co-signer on their application unless they can show they have a job or other way to independently pay their bills.
But a teen as young as 13 who wants to build credit early may be added as an authorized user to a credit card account owned by a parent or other trusted adult. The adult can choose to give the teen their own card to carry for emergencies or agreed-upon purchases. Or they can simply put the teen on their account to build credit without giving them access to a card.
When considering making a teen an authorized user to boost credit, the primary cardholder should be sure they will pay on time, avoid late fees, and pay in full when possible, so they have a positive impact on the teen’s credit score and history.
Teens can get a teen credit card by applying on their own if they qualify or by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card. Those who don’t meet the requirements for an unsecured credit card may get a secured credit card by putting down a security deposit.
The ability to get a teen credit card depends on a variety of factors including age, credit history or lack of it, job status and in some cases being a college student.
There are several types of credit cards that teens and young adults can consider starting to build credit, and there are different rules for each type of card and issuer about who qualifies to get one.
It reports to the three credit bureaus
Building good credit is key to a bright financial future, so make sure any teen credit card you’re considering reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This ensures you get “credit” for responsible use of your card.
It has few fees
Keep more money in your pocket by looking for a teen credit card that has limited fees. Many credit cards charge annual fees, foreign transaction fees, over-limit fees, late fees and other fees. Some secured cards even charge monthly fees.
You should also make sure to choose a card that’s a good fit for you in terms of fees. For example, if you plan to study abroad or even go on an international spring break trip, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.
It’s normal to have reservations about allowing teens to use a credit card. But, just like learning to drive, using credit is an important part of growing up and provides an opportunity for learning and developing good financial habits.
Credit cards are not necessary for teens and, while they are useful, they do come with risks that parents and teens may prefer to avoid. The following alternative payment methods may be good options for teens, but it’s important to remember that they typically can’t help you build credit.
Banks and credit card issuers readily sell prepaid cards that resemble a mashup of a credit card and a gift card. They can be used almost anywhere cards are accepted, including online and in stores, and aren’t tied to a certain retailer. Prepaid cards generally are issued by Visa or Mastercard. They may have some security features, but it’s best to treat them like cash: if you lose a prepaid card, your money is gone.
A debit card is linked to your checking account, which means your own money is withdrawn from your account whenever you use it. A debit card gives you the convenience of paying with a card without the risk of building up debt from overspending. However, if your debit card gets into the wrong hands, you may not be able to recover all the money that was stolen. If you do get reimbursed for some or all unauthorized charges, it may take 10 to 20 business days for the bank to investigate and issue a refund.
Cash is a great initial teaching tool to help teens and kids understand how money works. Unlike a card, which looks and feels the same no matter how much you use it, you can see the amount of cash in your wallet dwindle as you spend. However, cash can be easily lost or stolen and won’t work for online purchases.
Whatever payment method you choose, have a frank talk with your teen about whether and how they’re allowed to use your card. A LendingTree survey found 46% of parents said their child used their debit or credit card without permission, racking up charges. Talking with your teen, and setting up limits or alerts for purchases, may help avoid unwelcome surprises.
→ Discover LendingTree’s picks for best student credit cards
If you want to improve your credit score to help increase your chances of being approved for credit cards or loans, the following steps can help:
These steps, if followed diligently, can help you get on the path to a better score.
A secured card requires a refundable deposit, which typically serves as your line of credit. The deposit is used as collateral in case you don’t pay off the purchases charged to the card. It’s generally refunded if you close your account in good standing or if the card issuer upgrades you to an unsecured card.
An unsecured card doesn’t require a deposit. Unsecured cards are typically reserved for those with good credit to excellent credit, but some unsecured cards are open to applicants with fair credit.
No, you cannot build credit with most debit cards because paying with debit takes money from your checking account, rather than a line of credit from your credit card issuer. However, there are new debit cards designed to help you build credit by reporting certain bill payments to the credit bureaus. But generally, to build credit, you need to use a credit card. Personal loans, auto loans and mortgages are other financial tools that help you build credit.
While the requirements vary based on the issuer and card, student credit cards may require the applicant to show proof of enrollment, either full-time or part-time, at a two-year or four-year college. They will also typically need to be 18 years or older and able to show proof of income.
A teenager over the age of 18 with an independent source of income can get a credit card on their own.
The information related to the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card, Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card, Amazon Secured Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
