Are there credit cards for 16 year olds?
William Jenkins
Updated on January 20, 2026
All of the major credit card issuers allow authorized users who are 16. Many of them have no minimum age requirements whatsoever, meaning you could become an authorized user as soon as your parents decide you’re ready. As an authorized user, you’ll receive your own credit card—with your name on it and everything!
How can a 14 year old get a credit card?
You can get a credit card at 14 as an authorized user, but you have to be at least 18 years old to open a credit card account in your own name. When you turn 18 years old, you’ll also need to show that you have your own independent income in order to qualify for your first credit card account.
How can I get a credit card at 13?
How Can a Teenager Get a Credit Card?
- Add your teen as an authorized user on one of your current accounts.
- Open a separate low-limit credit card for your teen (to use as an authorized user) if you’d rather not have her on an account you use regularly.
- Help your teen pick her own starter credit card once she’s 18.
Can I get my 16 year old a secured credit card?
The good news: Teens can access credit via student credit cards, secured cards and even some unsecured cards (if they have a steady income), as well as cosigned credit cards and authorized-user accounts. Credit cards may help teens learn to manage money.
What prepaid card can a 16 year old get?
Visa Buxx is a prepaid, reloadable Visa card created especially for teens. Visa Buxx makes it easy for parents to teach teens how to create a budget, manage money, and shop wisely. The card can be used everywhere that accepts Visa debit cards – that’s millions of locations worldwide.
Can a 12 year old have a credit card?
Legally, no one can get a credit card on their own unless they’re at least 18 years old. However, a minor can be an authorized user on someone else’s account.
Can I get a credit card at 15?
No, you cannot get a credit card at 15. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering into a legally binding contract such as a credit card agreement. But there are some credit cards that permit minors to become authorized users on a parent or other adult’s credit card account.
Which is the best credit card for teens?
2. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card This card is great for those with no or low credit, like teens. It helps teens build credit. As a secured credit card, it requires a security deposit, which acts as the card’s credit line. That deposit if fully refundable and can range from $200 all the way up to $3,000.
Are there any stores that have rewards programs?
J. Crew is one of many retailers with a rewards program too few shoppers use. No matter how logical they are, rewards programs always seem like one big loophole someone higher up will eventually discover and close forever.
Are there any stores that accept bad credit?
Even store cards aren’t guaranteed to accept everyone, however, so apply with caution. In the list below, we present our experts’ choices for some of the best store credit cards for bad credit, including online stores, department stores, clothing stores, and big-box stores.
How can I Help my Teen build credit?
That doesn’t mean you can’t help your teenager learn how to manage plastic; you can make your teen an authorized user on one of your credit cards or, if that sounds like trouble, get them their very own prepaid card. One of the easiest ways to help your teen start building credit is to make them an authorized user on a credit card in your name.