When you’re ready to get your first credit card, knowing which card to choose can be a challenge. The best first credit card for you depends on a variety of factors, including whether you’re just starting your credit journey, whether you already have some credit history, and other attributes like whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee and your employment status.
No matter which category you fall into, your goal should be the same: find the best first credit card for your unique needs and financial situation that will help you build good credit card habits from the start.
Even if you don’t have a credit card, you probably have some credit history. As an authorized user on someone else’s card, having a bank account, cell phone account or streaming service in your name may affect your overall credit score. A car loan or student loan can also help foster responsible payment behavior.
Best first credit card
Petal® 1 Visa® “No Annual Fee” Credit Card.
The Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card, issued by FDIC member WebBank, is one of the best credit cards for those who have little or no credit history and rely on your other financial data to determine creditworthiness. There are no annual fees or deposits, and you can even get some bonuses. The card also offers 2% to 10% cash back rewards at select retailers through Petal Offers.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: No annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, no late fees, no overage fees, and no credit history required. The Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card may require you to connect to your bank account to approve your use of the card, which may not appeal to some people.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
For some borrowers, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard may be a good preferred credit card option. It is suitable for U.S. college students and international students who do not have academic credits or who may be starting to build a profile. Deserve uses alternative data, including bank history, grants or grants, to determine creditworthiness. Receive 1% cash back on all purchases and there is no annual fee.
Annual fee: $0
Credit check required: US citizens can, international students do not
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: International students do not need a Social Security number to apply. Deserve EDU offers protections like cell phone insurance and rental car insurance. But only students are eligible to apply, and other student-focused cards may offer higher rewards. Although it offers a one-year Amazon Student Prime membership for $59, you’ll need to spend $500 or more in the first three billing cycles of opening an account.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
If you don’t have any credit history at all—no loans, no bank account, and no utilities in your name—starting borrowing may seem almost impossible. Secured cards are a great way to gain a foothold, and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the best. Your credit limit is equal to your deposited deposit, with a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $2,500.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit Required: Yes
Other pros and cons: The card earns 2% cash back quarterly at gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also offers unlimited cashback matching – Discover will automatically match any cashback earned at the end of the first year. From 7 months onwards, Discover will review your account to determine if you are eligible for a deposit refund.
AYRICA BAKINIZ!
- American Express Centurion Siyah Kart İncelemesi
- X1 Kredi Kartı – Nasıl başvurulacağını kontrol edin.
- Destiny Kredi Kartı – Çevrimiçi sipariş nasıl verilir.
- Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Kart İncelemesi – Daha fazlasını görün.
- American Express, yeni çek hesabı ve yeniden tasarlanan uygulamasıyla müşteri deneyimine odaklanıyor
- Discover it® Rewards kartı ödüllerinin nasıl çalıştığını görün
Petal® 2 Cash Back, Free Visa® Credit Card
Anyone with no balance but a solid history on a checking account is advised to consider the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card (issued by WebBank, FDIC Member). Petal may ask you to connect to your bank account, and your decision is not based solely on your credit history. It’s one of the few annual-fee-free cards for the credit-starved, with the potential to earn impressive returns, making it a rare sample among unsecured credit-building credit cards. Cardholders earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases immediately and up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after 12 on-time monthly payments. Plus, earn 2% – 10% cash back at select retailers.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Need a deposit? Do not
Other pros and cons: Other cards earn you 1.5% cash up front, but they don’t have special deals like Petal that give you 2% to 10% cash at select retailers. Petal may require access to your bank history to ensure you are eligible for the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card. Individuals without sufficient cash flow may consider using the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card (also issued by WebBank).
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Student Credit Card*
Designed for people with limited credit histories, the card is a boon for students studying abroad as it has no foreign transaction fees (nor annual fees) and $1.50 per dollar on all purchases anywhere and everywhere Points can be earned anywhere in time without expiring.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: Your greatest value lies in redeeming rewards for credit on eligible travel purchases. The card also comes with an introductory 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases. Thereafter, a standard APR of 14.24% – 24.24% applies, with variable purchases and balance transfers. The transfer fee is $10 per transaction or 3%, whichever is greater. This type of offer is rare for student cards, and it’s a useful option when you need the extra time to pay for a large purchase.
Chasing Freedom Flex℠
If you’re looking for the first credit card that offers great rewards in a variety of categories, you’ll find no better option than the Chase Freedom Flex℠. With no annual fee, Chase Freedom Flex offers great rewards for travel booked through Chase at prices that rival more expensive options and top-notch rewards in other areas of spending.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories (activation required) up to $1,500, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% at restaurants and pharmacies, all other purchases 1%.
Discover It® Cash Back
For those who already have some credit, a basic cash back card is a great way to start using your credit card responsibly, and Discover it® Cash Back is the first choice. It reports to all three major credit bureaus and makes money. At the end of your first year, Discover automatically reconciles all of your earnings, effectively doubling your rewards in your first year.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: 5% cash back on everyday purchases at various locations each quarter, up to $1,500 per quarter when enabled. Plus, all other purchases automatically receive 1% unlimited cash back.
Citi® Double Cash Card
If you’re new to credit cards and ready to take the plunge, the idea of earning rewards for your spending can be tempting. But if the idea of tracking categories or earning different rewards for different fees is a bit overwhelming at first, a cashback card with great rewards is an easy option. The Citi® Double Cash Card with no annual fee earns 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% on purchases and another 1% on redemptions.
Annual fee: $0
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: The same rewards rate on eligible purchases, and you can also redeem your earnings for travel, gift cards, and merchandise. The card also comes with foreign transaction fees, making it a poor choice for traveling abroad or making international purchases.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option for those looking to build their credit and easily earn cash back rewards along the way. While it has an annual fee of $39, it offers 1.5% unlimited cash back rewards on every purchase and the opportunity to add credit for as little as six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $39
Credit Check Required: Yes
Deposit required: No
Other pros and cons: While there’s an annual fee, you’ll get that back after you spend $2,600 a year on the card thanks to a 1.5% unlimited cash back bonus. Your reward potential is unlimited and your earnings never expire.
Method
Eragoncred analyzes dozens of credit cards for newbies and those just starting out with their first credit card to help you decide which one is best for your needs. We primarily focus on credit cards that offer the opportunity to build stronger credit by connecting with the major credit bureaus. Some cards are best for people with average or moderate credit, while others are for people with poor or no credit history. Earn rewards on credit card purchases and earn bonus points with no annual fee.
AYRICA BAKINIZ!
- American Express Centurion Siyah Kart İncelemesi
- X1 Kredi Kartı – Nasıl başvurulacağını kontrol edin.
- Destiny Kredi Kartı – Çevrimiçi sipariş nasıl verilir.
- Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Kart İncelemesi – Daha fazlasını görün.
- American Express, yeni çek hesabı ve yeniden tasarlanan uygulamasıyla müşteri deneyimine odaklanıyor
- Discover it® Rewards kartı ödüllerinin nasıl çalıştığını görün