Best Credit Cards for Teens

Are you a teen looking to kickstart your financial journey? Or maybe a parent searching for the best credit card to help your teen learn responsible spending? Finding the perfect first credit card can feel like decoding a financial enigma. Credit cards for teens can unlock perks like building credit early, earning rewards, and learning the art of budgeting. 

Here are the top picks that combine practicality, affordability, and a little sprinkle of fun.

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Ready to explore your credit card options? MoneyLion offers tools and resources to help you find a card that suits your needs—whether you’re a teen building credit or a parent guiding the way. With personalized recommendations and credit score tracking, we’re here to make the process simple and empowering.

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8 Best credit cards for teens 

Choosing a first credit card can be overwhelming. Here are the top 8 options tailored for young adult teens, with something for every financial need.

1. Best for Students: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

For students who live on coffee, textbooks, and takeout, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a no-brainer. With up to 8% cash back on select purchases, you’re essentially getting paid to eat pizza and binge-watch your favorite shows. No annual fee? That’s just extra cheese on the metaphorical pie. Plus, this card helps you build credit while making school life a little sweeter. Remember, you’re not just a student—you’re a cash-back-earning machine.

Credit score needed: Fair or limited	Purchases intro APR:None
Intro bonus: $50 after spending $100 in the first three months	Cash advance fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $0	Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you
Regular APR: 19.74% – 29.74%	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• High cash-back rates (1%-8%)
• No annual fee
• Reports to major credit bureaus

Cons

• High regular APR
• Requires a school email address for application
• Limited for students only

2. Best for No Credit: Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card

Starting with no credit history doesn’t mean starting at zero—at least not with the Petal® 2 Visa®. This card is like a kind friend who believes in your potential, offering cash-back rewards that grow as your financial habits improve. It’s perfect for teens who need a clean slate but still want perks like no fees and simple rewards. Think of it as the credit card version of training wheels, but cooler.

Credit score needed: Excellent, Good, Fair, Limited	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: 1% cash back, increases to 1.5% with on-time payments	Cash advance fee: None
Annual fee: $0	Balance transfer fee: None
Regular APR: 27.99% – 31.49%	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• No fees whatsoever
• Encourages on-time payments with increased rewards
• No credit history required

Cons

• High APR
• Limited bonus rewards initially
• No intro APR

3. Best for Simplicity: Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Let’s face it: sometimes less is more. The Capital One Platinum doesn’t promise bells and whistles—it promises simplicity. No rewards, no annual fee, no frills. Just a straightforward way to dip your toes into the credit world. If you’re a teen who values ease over extras, this card is your steady companion on the road to credit confidence.

Credit score needed: Fair, Limited	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: None	Cash advance fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $0	Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you
Regular APR: 29.99%	Foreign transaction fee: 1%-3%

Pros

• No annual fee
• Easy approval process
• Reports to major credit bureaus

Cons

• No rewards or bonuses
• High APR
• No intro APR

4. Best for Rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

If rewards are your jam, the Quicksilver Student card lets you cash in big time. With 1.5%-5% back on everyday purchases, it’s like finding money in your couch cushions—every time you swipe. Travel perks and a $50 bonus? It’s like the universe telling you to go on that weekend trip. 

Credit score needed: Fair, Limited	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day	Cash advance fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $39	Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you
Regular APR: 19.74%, 25.74% or 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• Solid rewards structure
• No annual fee
• Includes travel perks

Cons

• High regular APR
• Best suited for students
• Requires timely payments for maximum benefits

5. Best for Secured Option: Discover it® Secured Credit Card

When you’re starting from scratch—or rebuilding after some bumps—this card is your ticket to redemption. Unlike other secured cards that make you feel like you’re paying to play, Discover it® Secured Credit Card actually rewards you with cash back. Plus, it’s the only card that throws in a first-year cashback match. That’s right—get rewarded for proving you’re responsible. Who said building credit couldn’t be rewarding?

Credit score needed: Limited, Bad	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: 1 – 2% Cash Back	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $0	Balance transfer fee: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by February 10, 2025 with the 10.99% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer
Regular APR: 27.74% Variable	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• Rewards on purchases
• No annual fee
• Builds credit fast

Cons

• Requires a deposit
• High APR
• Limited credit line tied to the deposit

6. Best for Low Credit: OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card

No credit check? No problem. The OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card skips the awkward interrogation and lets you build credit without a traditional approval process. It’s perfect for teens who need to establish credit but don’t have a long financial history. Plus, it reports to all three major credit bureaus, meaning every responsible swipe helps you get closer to a brighter financial future. No annual fee is just the cherry on top.

Credit score needed: Limited, Bad	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases	Cash advance fee: None
Annual fee: None	Balance transfer fee: None
Regular APR: 29.49% Variable	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• No credit check for approval
• Reports to major credit bureaus
• No annual fee

Cons

• High APR
• Requires a deposit
• Limited rewards

7. Best for Bonus Rewards: Citi Double Cash® Card

For teens ready to level up, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers double the fun—literally. Earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), which is like getting a standing ovation for paying your bills. With a generous 0% intro APR on balance transfers, it’s a smart pick for anyone wanting rewards and flexibility. It’s a little extra effort for a lot of extra benefits.

Credit score needed: Excellent, Good, Fair	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: 2% unlimited cash back	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: None	Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, introductory fee for transfers made within 4 months of account opening
Regular APR: 18.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness	Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars

Pros

• No annual fee
• Generous rewards
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers

Cons

• High regular APR
• No specific teen-oriented perks
• Requires fair credit

8. Best for Empowerment: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card screams “you got this!” with rewards on every purchase and easy approval for teens with fair credit. It’s perfect for those who want a little encouragement while learning the ropes. The $39 annual fee is a small price to pay for unlimited 1.5%-5% cash back, which makes it a solid stepping stone for teens ready to earn while they learn.

Credit score needed: Fair, Limited	Purchases intro APR: None
Intro bonus: 1.5 – 5% Cash Back	Cash advance fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $39	Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR.
Regular APR: 29.99% Variable	Foreign transaction fee: None

Pros

• Straightforward rewards
• Builds credit history
• Reports to all credit bureaus

Cons

• Annual fee
• High APR
• Limited bonus perks

Important facts about credit cards

A credit card can be great finance tool. They offer fraud protection and rewards and help improve your credit. If you find yourself in an emergency, a credit card can save the day. As alluring as they sound, knowing how to responsibly use a credit card is most important. 

Using your card frivolously can bring on a heap of debt with no end in sight. 

Understand how credit is calculated

Below we broke down the five categories of how your credit score is calculated.

• 35% – Payment history 
• 30% – Credit utilization (Debts owed vs. Total Available Credit)
• 15% – Length of credit history 
• 10% – Credit mix 
• 10% – New credit

Start with one line of credit

A line of credit is a loan you can pull from in increments and only pay interest on what you borrow. As you pay back what you borrow, you’re able to pull from the line of credit again. Assuming you’re in good standing with loan terms and making timely payments and that your draw period hasn’t ended.

You might have to get a secured card

If you have bad or no credit, a secured credit card might be a good option to help you improve your credit score. 

A secured card works just like a regular credit card except you’re required to put down a cash deposit, usually equal to the credit limit. This is to reduce the risk that a creditor takes by lending to you. If you don’t pay off your credit card, they’ll use your deposit to pay it off. If you decide to close your secured credit card account or upgrade to an unsecured card, you’ll get your deposit back. 

Never max out your card

Stick to your budget and only borrow what you can afford to pay off in a timely manner. Maxing out your credit card increases your credit utilization, which is the second largest contributor to your credit score. If you max out your credit card, chances are that you’ll go over the limit with interests being added on. 

Your credit score can open doors

Having a high credit score increases your odds for mortgages or being approved for a new apartment rental. More lenders will trust you to pay back borrowed money when you have a better credit rating. Not to mention, you’ll get better interest rates on credit cards, leased or bought vehicles and student loans. 

Some employers are running credit checks to see how their prospective employees would fare when handling company finances. 

Building credit takes time – credit score drops can happen instantly

Improving or rebuilding your credit takes time and effort. You must prioritize on-time payments, paying more than the minimum, and spending wisely. Try setting up automatic payments and reminders to keep you on track. If you do all of these things, you can help improve your credit, however, one late or missed payment can drop your credit score up to 100 points almost instantly! 

What to look for in a credit credit card as a teen

When applying for a credit card as a teen, know that you’ll need to be 18 years or older. Minors are unable to apply for credit cards on their own and  need look for a few keys factors such as:

Zero interest period: Many credit cards offer an introductory 0% interest rate for a certain period of time. Shop around and see what’s being offered. Read the fine print so you know what happens AFTER the intro period too.

Rewards: Some cards offer airline frequent flyer rewards, hotel discounts and no annual fees. Look for a card that best suits your needs. 

Cash back: Charges like grocery shopping, gas stations and online shopping often earn you cash back points. Use the card like cash and pay it back in full as soon as the bill is due – you’ll bypass interest charges and get paid for using it!

Credit tips: Credit score monitoring and tips often come with your account. These services are helpful when improving your credit score and tracking your progress. Often, they will allow you to check your credit score at any time.  

A bright financial future

Selecting the right credit card is a big step toward financial independence for teens. The key is to choose a card that aligns with your needs and promotes healthy habits. Whether you’re after rewards, low fees, or credit-building opportunities, there’s a perfect card out there for you. Start building your financial legacy today!

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