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Getting a credit card is usually viewed as the first and most important step to building a credit history. Americans aged 21 and older have an easier chance of getting a credit card with decent rewards offers as long as they already have a credit history. Parents can also opt to sign up teenagers younger than 18 as authorized users depending on the card issuer.
The legal age for someone to sign up for his or her own credit card is 18 years old in the U.S., but parents can opt to sign up teenagers younger than 18 as authorized users, depending on the card issuer. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires that 18-to-20-year-olds must either have a cosigner or provide proof of income or regular allowances in order to be approved for a first credit card.
As empowering as a first credit card can be, don’t forget that with power comes responsibility. First-time cardholders should be extra cautious when making purchases with a credit card. Don’t buy something that can’t be paid for in cash. Pay off the entire balance every month to avoid paying interest. Pay the bill on time every month to avoid late fees and protect credit history. Avoid allowing a credit card to levy fees on its convenience and security with responsible use.
How to Get a Credit Card If You’re 18 to 20 Years Old
First-time cardholders at this age may be college students, in trade school or already working for a living. Having a credit card handy is useful not only for making everyday purchases but also for earning rewards like cash back. First-time cardholders should look for cards like student credit cards, secured cards or cards designed for people with little to no credit history—these will be easier to be approved for.
Get a Secured Credit Card
Secured credit cards are a good option when no cosigner is available. Applicants will have to pay a security deposit to the issuer (usually at least $500) which becomes the card’s credit limit. A secured card works much the same as a regular credit card—the cardholder can use it to make purchases up to the credit limit and must pay off the balance each month. Once the cardholder closes the account and pays off the entire balance (including interest and fees), the security deposit will be returned.
Featured Partner Offer
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
No Rewards
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card does not earn rewards on purchases.
Regular APR
19.64% (variable)
Credit Score
No credit check
Editorial Review
OpenSky offers a solid path to rebuilding credit, with no credit check or bank account required. However, you'll have to come up with a minimum of $200 for the security deposit.
Pros & Cons
- No credit check
- Relatively low APR for a “bad credit” card
- No bank account required
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Has annual fee
Card Details
- No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved
- OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
- Get considered for a credit line increase after 6 months, with no additional deposit required
- You could be eligible for the OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after as few as 6 months
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly, unlike a prepaid or debit card
- View your FICO® Score through your OpenSky account, an easy way to stay on top of your credit
- Nearly half of OpenSky cardholders who make on-time payments improve their FICO score 30+ points in the first 3 months
- Your refundable* deposit, as low as $200, becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
- Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
- Offer flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
- * View the cardholder agreement
Become an Authorized User
Becoming an authorized user is an easy way to get a credit card quickly without having to fill out a lengthy application. An authorized user often gets his or her own credit card with the authorized user’s name on it. Ask a parent, guardian, friend or other family member who might be comfortable adding someone to his or her account to add you as an authorized user. Some card issuers charge a small fee to add authorized users.
Remember that the primary cardholder is responsible for paying off both cards. Be sure to make a spending and payment plan with the primary cardholder in order to avoid overspending and late payments. Make sure the card issuer reports authorized user activity to credit bureaus before taking on the risk—remember, a main goal for young credit card users is to build credit toward better cards.
Get a Student Credit Card
Student credit cards are designed specifically for the 18 to 22 year-old range who likely have little to no credit history. Discover it® Student Cash Back is a solid option for college students looking to snag a first credit card. This card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 15.99% - 24.99% applies, 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when paying with PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum once activated. Plus, automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and $0 annual fee.
Get a Cosigner
Applicants aged 18 to 20 must have one of two things in order to be approved for a credit card: a cosigner (like a parent, guardian or other family members) or proof of employment or income. This information guarantees to the issuer that the cardholder will be able to pay their bills on time and determines what the new cardholder’s credit limit will be.
Make sure the cosigner has a decent credit history with a good chance of approval. Remember that a cosigner has equal legal and financial responsibility to pay off the balance of any card. If the cardholder falls into debt, it will negatively affect the credit score for both the cardholder and cosigner, so both parties need to be responsible and avoid overspending. Not all banks allow cosigners on credit cards.
How to Get a Credit Card If You’re At Least 21 Years Old
Prospective cardholders at least 21 years old can apply for a credit card on their own regardless of income status. These older applicants have better credit card options as well, especially those who spent their early years building credit through a student credit card or by being an authorized user on a parent’s account. Cosigners are not necessary but could still be a helpful addition to an application if the applicant has a low credit score or wants a high-end card with extra benefits, perks and reward potential, if the bank allows.
The best credit card options typically have the best rewards. Try looking for a card that has no annual fee and generous cash back rewards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Chase offers 1.5% back in points that you can redeem for cash or travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all otherRead More
Welcome Bonus
Up to $300 cash back
Regular APR
17.24% - 25.99% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
A good overall spending card that allows you to hold a balance on new purchases with a low introductory APR, pay no annual fee, and still earn at least 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card
- Unlimited 1.5% minimum earn rate for cash back rewards
- No minimum redemption amount
- Foreign transaction fee
- Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
- Requires a companion card to transfer points to travel partners
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24% – 25.99%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
How to Get a Credit Card If You’re Younger than 18 Years Old
Parents who want to start building their children’s credit history early can add their teenagers as authorized users. Parents should call the number on the back of their card or check the card’s terms to find out whether there is an age minimum for authorized users. For example, Discover allows authorized users as young as 15 years old with no extra charge to the account holder.
Having an emergency card available at a young age can be useful in a pinch. Be sure to discuss a responsible spending plan to avoid any issues.
Bottom Line
It’s possible to get a first credit card at a young age by becoming an authorized user on a parent’s account, but the legal age to apply for your own credit card is 18. Eighteen to twenty year-olds must apply with a cosigner (which not all banks allow) or with proof of income. Applicants over the age of 21 can apply for a card on their own without any help.
Always enter the correct information on a credit card application. Personal information like social security numbers, annual income, mailing addresses and more are typically required for every application. Misrepresenting critical information like income is punishable by fines or prison time.
Having a credit card comes with responsibility. If new cardholders don’t overspend and pay off the balance on time every month, they’re nearly guaranteed to build a great credit score.