Best Credit Cards for Teens in 2025

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.

Best types of credit cards for teens

Beginner credit cards: Credit cards for beginners have low credit score requirements, if any. Some even allow you to get a credit card without a Social Security number (SSN). The downside is that they are generally low-frills when it comes to sign-up bonuses and intro APR offers.

Student credit cards: The best student credit cards come with no annual fee and allow you to apply even if you have no credit history, but some may require you to show you’re enrolled in a two-year or four-year college. You may earn rewards but remember to charge only what you can afford to pay when your balance comes due.

Secured credit cards: For young people who don’t qualify for an unsecured credit card, a secured card may be an option. You generally need to put down a security deposit to act as your line of credit. It’s refundable if you close your account in good standing or move up to an unsecured card from the same issuer.

• 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.

• Teens can develop responsible financial habits with credit cards.

  If you help your teen manage their first credit card, you can teach them to handle credit responsibly. Setting a spending limit for an authorized user, if your bank offers this option, is a good way to ensure teens don’t overspend. Make sure to also involve them in checking the balance and paying the bill so they can see how you use your card responsibly.

• Credit cards help establish a credit history for big purchases down the road.

  A strong credit history helps get better interest rates when it comes to getting a car loan or a mortgage. A LendingTree study found that those who have very good credit save over $16,000 in interest on a mortgage compared to those with fair credit.

• Credit cards can be useful in an emergency.

  A credit card can also come in handy for emergencies like getting stranded on a trip home and having to pay for a hotel room or unexpected car repair.

• Credit cards can be more useful and safer than cash.

  A credit card is a convenient payment option that comes with useful protections such as zero liability for unauthorized purchases. This can make using credit cards a safer bet than using cash or debit cards. If your teen goes on an overnight trip and takes a handful of $20 bills and loses them, the money’s gone for good. But if they lose a credit card, you likely won’t be out any money as long as you report the loss of the card.

• You can earn rewards with credit cards.

  Everyone loves rewards, and many teen credit cards are also rewards credit cards. Cardholders earn rewards from their spending in the form of points, miles or cash back. Points and miles come with a variety of redemption options, including cash, statement credits or gift cards.

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.

Prepaid card

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.

Debit card

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

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.