Eric Rosenberg
11 min
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After 20 hours of research evaluating 85 products, we picked Discover it® Secured Card as our top choice.
Finding the perfect starter credit card isn’t easy. Finding the best starter credit card is even more challenging.
You typically have fewer options than someone with an established credit history, so it’s easy to get snowballed with hefty interest rates and sidetracked by confusing points programs. It’s also tempting to go crazy and apply for more credit cards than you actually need.
Put that stack of credit card applications away. We’re here to help. Our list of the best starter credit cards will make your decision a lot easier.
But first, we've got to tell you something: NerdWallet warns that first-time credit card users may have to start with a secured credit card. This is often true, but it’s not always the case for everyone. Capital One and Credit One are known for giving credit card newbies a chance.
If you’re a student who has college loans or a car note - and you actually pay on time - you may have a decent credit score. That means you have a shot at getting the Discover It for Students or the Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students.
But how do you know which card you should get? We've got info about interest rates, fees, rewards programs, and benefits to help you make an informed choice. Here’s to building your credit history!
Editorial Note: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and 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 October 24, 2018 but some terms and conditions may have changed or are no longer available. For the most accurate and up to date information please consult the terms and conditions found on the issuer website.
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Application Process: Apply online and get a response in 60 seconds.
Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories such as Amazon.com, transportation, restaurants and more, for up to $1,500 spending per quarter with 1% cash back on all other categories.
Bonus Offers: Discover will match all the cash back you earn in your first year dollar for dollar. You'll also get $20 cash back each year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for the next five years.
Annual Fee: None.
Details:Discover it® for Students »Application Process: Get pre-qualified online then apply. Approval is typically instant.
Rewards: You may or may not get approved to earn rewards. If you do, you'll earn 1% cash back on eligible gas and groceries plus mobile phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV services.
Bonus Offers: None.
Annual Fee: Annual fees range from $0 to $99.
Details:Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card »Application Process: Apply online or visit your local Bank of America branch. Some applicants receive an instant decision online.
Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter.
Bonus Offers: Online $150 cash rewards bonus after making at least $500 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Annual Fee: None.
Details:Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students »Application Process: Apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.
Rewards: None.
Bonus Offers: None.
Annual Fee: None.
Details:Capital One® Platinum Credit Card »Application Process: Apply online and pay the required security deposit - either $49, $99, or $200. This is a refundable deposit based on your credit history.
Rewards: No rewards - this is just a basic credit card designed to help you repair or establish credit.
Bonus offers: There are no bonus offers, but cardholders have the chance to increase their credit line after 5 consecutive on-time payments.
Annual fee: None.
Details:Capital One Secured Credit Card »Application Process: Apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.
Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your rewards rate to 1.25%.
Bonus Offers: None
Annual Fee: None.
Details:Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® »
Application Process: Apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.
Rewards: The card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Bonus Offers: Discover matches the cash-back rewards you accumulate during your first year, with no limits.
Annual Fee: None.
Details:Discover it® Secured Card »Vote to enter our $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.
Missy Nolan is a single mom who is too sleep-deprived to come up with a clever bio at the moment. She has been a professional writer for more than 10 years and loves staying home with her 3 kids. Well, most of the time. Missy rocks at parenting, baking, cooking, saving cute outfits she'll never wear on Pinterest, and sipping her beloved secret-menu Starbucks Pink Drink while strolling through Target.
She's your go-to girl for advice or feedback on any of the things listed above, as well as tips on healthy living, bargain hunting, marketing, and finances. Connect with Missy here or at MakeItWithMissy.com, a food blog that features healthy recipes and grocery deals.
You can also find Missy on Legit Lender, Health.com, The Nest, Catalogs.com, and OneSpace.
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7 Best Starter Credit Cards
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