March 1, 2023
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated March 1, 2023 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
For teens starting out on their credit journey, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top overall pick, thanks to its minimal credit requirements, cash back offer, $0 annual fee and access to Discover benefits.
Building credit at an early age is important. We rely on it for so many life activities, such as qualifying for a car loan, obtaining an apartment and sometimes even applying for a job. So if you’re a parent who wants to help your teenager get a jump-start on establishing credit, or simply want your child to have access to a line of credit for everyday purchases or emergencies, signing up for a credit card is a great option.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured card — meaning, it requires a security deposit ranging from $200 to $2,500, which serves as your credit line.
Discover it® Secured Credit Cardholders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. Plus, the card offers the following sign-up bonus: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee. But if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you’ll be subject to a 27.49% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is ideal for teens looking to establish credit. After you’ve had the card for 7 months, Discover will begin conducting monthly account reviews to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded.
If this happens, your card will transition to a Discover it® chrome. Note, Discover will evaluate your behavior across your credit cards and loans from Discover, as well as those from other issuers or lenders. You can also get your deposit back if you choose to close your account and pay any remaining balance.
In addition to offering a $0 annual fee, the card doesn’t charge a fee the first time you pay late; after that, the late fee will be up to $41. But beware, it’s important to pay your bill on time when trying to establish a good credit history.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a secured card — meaning, it requires a security deposit ranging from $200 to $2,500, which serves as your credit line.
Discover it® Secured Credit Cardholders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. Plus, the card offers the following sign-up bonus: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee. But if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you’ll be subject to a 27.49% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is ideal for teens looking to establish credit. After you’ve had the card for 7 months, Discover will begin conducting monthly account reviews to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded.
If this happens, your card will transition to a Discover it® chrome. Note, Discover will evaluate your behavior across your credit cards and loans from Discover, as well as those from other issuers or lenders. You can also get your deposit back if you choose to close your account and pay any remaining balance.
In addition to offering a $0 annual fee, the card doesn’t charge a fee the first time you pay late; after that, the late fee will be up to $41. But beware, it’s important to pay your bill on time when trying to establish a good credit history.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a no-frills card that can help teenagers build credit.
Along with charging a $0 annual fee, the card reports your credit usage to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Plus, cardholders will automatically be considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
In addition, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card has a regular APR of 29.99% (variable).
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is intended for individuals with fair/limited credit, which Capital One describes as those who have defaulted on a loan in the past five years or those who have had a credit card or other credit for less than three years.
And while the Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer a rewards program, keep in mind that it’s best to focus on paying your bill on time, rather than racking up points when trying to build credit.
In addition, after demonstrating responsible card usage, you may be able to request a product change to a Capital One card that does — such as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a no-frills card that can help teenagers build credit.
Along with charging a $0 annual fee, the card reports your credit usage to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Plus, cardholders will automatically be considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
In addition, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card has a regular APR of 29.99% (variable).
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is intended for individuals with fair/limited credit, which Capital One describes as those who have defaulted on a loan in the past five years or those who have had a credit card or other credit for less than three years.
And while the Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer a rewards program, keep in mind that it’s best to focus on paying your bill on time, rather than racking up points when trying to build credit.
In addition, after demonstrating responsible card usage, you may be able to request a product change to a Capital One card that does — such as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
While most secured cards require your deposit to match the amount of your desired credit limit, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is unique in that Capital One might allow a smaller deposit than your starting credit limit.
The card requires a minimum refundable deposit of $49, $99 or $200 — which will get you an initial credit line of $200. Plus, you can get a higher credit line if you deposit more money before your account opens.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t offer a rewards program. However, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card comes with a regular APR of 29.99% (variable).
If you’re a teen looking for a secured card to help boost your credit profile — but you don’t want to put down a large security deposit — the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good option.
Just know that you’ll have to apply and be approved before your minimum deposit is determined, and you’re not guaranteed to get one of the lower deposits. Still, this is a unique opportunity to deposit a low amount to secure a $200 credit line.
Capital One also allows your deposit to be paid over time, as long as you pay the full amount within 35 days of being approved for the card. Note, though, that each payment must be at least $20 and must be in whole dollar increments.
While most secured cards require your deposit to match the amount of your desired credit limit, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is unique in that Capital One might allow a smaller deposit than your starting credit limit.
The card requires a minimum refundable deposit of $49, $99 or $200 — which will get you an initial credit line of $200. Plus, you can get a higher credit line if you deposit more money before your account opens.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t offer a rewards program. However, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card comes with a regular APR of 29.99% (variable).
If you’re a teen looking for a secured card to help boost your credit profile — but you don’t want to put down a large security deposit — the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good option.
Just know that you’ll have to apply and be approved before your minimum deposit is determined, and you’re not guaranteed to get one of the lower deposits. Still, this is a unique opportunity to deposit a low amount to secure a $200 credit line.
Capital One also allows your deposit to be paid over time, as long as you pay the full amount within 35 days of being approved for the card. Note, though, that each payment must be at least $20 and must be in whole dollar increments.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires no credit check to apply, allowing those with no credit to easily get approved for this card. Your payment history will be reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, making this a great card to start building a credit history.
While many secured credit cards require a high minimum deposit, The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires a minimum deposit of only $200. The card also comes with a reasonable APR of 21.89% (variable).
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a great first credit card for teens who do not have any established credit because it does not require a credit check to be approved.
Although the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not provide an option to graduate to an unsecured card, the credit you build with this card through responsible credit use will allow you to apply for an unsecured card through a different issuer with rewards and benefits. To get your deposit refunded, you must pay the card off in full and close the account.
This card does come with a $35 annual fee, however, avoiding a credit check when applying might make this fee worth it.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires no credit check to apply, allowing those with no credit to easily get approved for this card. Your payment history will be reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, making this a great card to start building a credit history.
While many secured credit cards require a high minimum deposit, The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires a minimum deposit of only $200. The card also comes with a reasonable APR of 21.89% (variable).
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a great first credit card for teens who do not have any established credit because it does not require a credit check to be approved.
Although the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not provide an option to graduate to an unsecured card, the credit you build with this card through responsible credit use will allow you to apply for an unsecured card through a different issuer with rewards and benefits. To get your deposit refunded, you must pay the card off in full and close the account.
This card does come with a $35 annual fee, however, avoiding a credit check when applying might make this fee worth it.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back can help students build positive credit history, while also allowing them to earn rewards in popular spending categories like groceries and gas.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically
In addition, the card comes with the following sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back charges a $0 annual fee.
Along with offering cash back on every purchase, the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. After that, an ongoing 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR applies.
This means that if you need to make a large purchase — like a laptop or apartment furniture — you’ve got some extra time to pay it off without incurring interest charges.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back also offers a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, then a 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back can help students build positive credit history, while also allowing them to earn rewards in popular spending categories like groceries and gas.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically
In addition, the card comes with the following sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back charges a $0 annual fee.
Along with offering cash back on every purchase, the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. After that, an ongoing 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR applies.
This means that if you need to make a large purchase — like a laptop or apartment furniture — you’ve got some extra time to pay it off without incurring interest charges.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back also offers a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, then a 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students lets cardholders 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. In addition, the $0 annual fee 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.
The card offers a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. After that, a regular APR of 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR applies.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students could be a good for students who travel. The card offers points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees.
As for foreign transaction fees, there are none. This means you won’t incur additional fees when you use your Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students outside of the U.S.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students lets cardholders 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. In addition, the $0 annual fee 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.
The card offers a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. After that, a regular APR of 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR applies.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students could be a good for students who travel. The card offers points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees.
As for foreign transaction fees, there are none. This means you won’t incur additional fees when you use your Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students outside of the U.S.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students offers 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases. It also offers reimbursement for one year of Amazon Student Prime membership (specifically, $59 for the annual plan or $6.49 per month for the monthly plan, up to a lifetime total of $59).
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students comes with a $0 annual fee and an ongoing APR of 22.99% variable. As for foreign transaction fees — there are none.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a great financial tool for international students studying at U.S. colleges.
While most credit cards require a Social Security number to apply, international students can apply for the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students without one. Just know, if you’re an international student studying in the U.S., you’ll need to add your SSN to have the most accurate information presented on your credit report.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students offers 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases. It also offers reimbursement for one year of Amazon Student Prime membership (specifically, $59 for the annual plan or $6.49 per month for the monthly plan, up to a lifetime total of $59).
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students comes with a $0 annual fee and an ongoing APR of 22.99% variable. As for foreign transaction fees — there are none.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a great financial tool for international students studying at U.S. colleges.
While most credit cards require a Social Security number to apply, international students can apply for the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students without one. Just know, if you’re an international student studying in the U.S., you’ll need to add your SSN to have the most accurate information presented on your credit report.
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Intro Purchase APR | Regular APR | Intro Balance Transfer Rate | Regular Balance Transfer Rate | Balance Transfer Fee | Recommended Credit | Card Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
|
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | $0 | N/A | 27.49% Variable APR | 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months | 27.49% Variable APR | 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)* | Poor/Limited | Discover it® Secured Credit Card Review |
|
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
|
No bonus | Non-rewards Card | $0 | N/A | 29.99% (Variable) | N/A | 29.99% (Variable) | $0 at this Transfer APR | Fair/Limited | Capital One Platinum Credit Card Review |
|
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
|
No bonus | Non-rewards Card | $0 | N/A | 29.99% (Variable) | N/A | 29.99% (Variable) | $0 at this Transfer APR | Poor/Limited | Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Review |
|
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
|
N/A | None | $35 | N/A | 21.89% (variable) | N/A | N/A | N/A | Poor/Limited | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card Review |
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back
|
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically | $0 | 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases | 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR | 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months | 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR | 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)* | Fair/Limited | Discover it® Student Cash Back Review |
|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
|
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 | 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases | $0 | 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases | 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR | 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days | 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on balance transfers | 3% of the amount of each transaction. | Excellent/Good | Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students Review |
|
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
|
up to $69 in statement credits for Amazon Prime Student when you use your card to sign up for a subscription | 1% unlimited cash back on ALL purchases | $0 | N/A | 22.99% variable | N/A | N/A (Balance Transfers are not available) | N/A (Balance Transfers are not available) | Excellent/Good/Limited | Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students Review |
Opening a credit card account at an early age can be beneficial — but only if your teen uses the card responsibly. “Before anyone even applies for that first card, parents should sit down with their teens and help them understand what responsible card use looks like and what can happen if mistakes are made,” says Schulz.
This includes explaining the importance of paying your balance in full each month — or, when that’s not possible, at least paying the minimum amount due. Parents should also stress the seriousness of paying the credit card bill on time every month.
“A single late payment can knock 50 to 100 points off your credit score, and the damage can last for years,” Schulz notes. “That mistake can then lead to you paying higher rates for car loans, credit cards and mortgages.”
If a traditional credit card or secured card isn’t the right fit for your teen, there are other options. For example, you can add your teen (especially those under 18 who can’t qualify for a card on their own) as an authorized user to one of the credit cards in your wallet. Along with building their credit, you’ll be able to earn rewards for the purchases they make. That said, your credit card company may charge additional fees for authorized users, and you will ultimately be responsible for any charges made by the user.
The best card to add your child to is one with a low or no balance that you’ve had a long time, as the history of that card will be reflected on your child’s credit report. If you tend to make late payments or max out your card, it’s better not to add an authorized user to that account.
Your teen can also sign up for a debit or prepaid card instead. While these cards won’t help establish or build credit, they will provide funds for everyday purchases or emergencies without the liability of taking out a line of credit.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The primary difference between these cards is that a secured card requires a refundable deposit, which typically serves as your line of credit. The deposit is used as collateral in case the card user doesn’t pay off the purchases charged to the card.
While the requirements may vary based on the issuer, student credit cards generally 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, a U.S. citizen or resident and able to show proof of income.
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:
To select the best card for each of these categories, our credit card experts compared student, secured and unsecured credit cards designed for individuals with limited or nonexistent credit on LendingTree.com and issuer sites.
We chose our top picks based on a variety of factors, including the value of the card’s rewards program, the annual fee and the interest rate. Other factors that come into play when making our selection include the benefits offered by the card, as well as the opportunity to increase your credit line or improve your credit score.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
