What kind of card should a teenager get?
Daniel Santos
Updated on January 31, 2026
Best credit cards for teens 2021
| Recommended cards | Best for… |
|---|---|
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card Credit Card | Secured card |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back Card | Cash back |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | Travel rewards |
| Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students | Free Amazon Prime Student membership |
Should a 15 year old have a credit card?
You won’t be able to get one in your own name until you’re 18. And even then, you might need to start out with a secured card until you’ve built up your credit history. The law prohibits minors from getting credit cards and requires anyone under 21 to show that they have their own income when they apply for a card.
Is it good to have a credit card as a teenager?
Teenagers can learn from carrying credit cards. They can learn about credit scores, paying bills on time, staying out of debt and much more. It can teach your child that credit cards can be a helpful tool if used properly and responsibly. You don’t have to ask for money or carry cash if you have a credit card.
How old does your child have to be to add them to your credit card?
18
Becoming an authorized user has looser age requirements than if your kid opened their own card, since the minimum age to open a credit card as the primary account holder is 18.
When to get a credit card for a teen?
Teens can apply for their own credit cards when they turn 18. The best credit cards for teens have low credit requirements and keep costs to a minimum. You can help teens under 18 build credit by adding them as an authorized user on one of your credit cards.
How can I choose the right credit card?
Before you choose a credit card, get the answers to a few key questions. The answers to most of these questions can be found in the disclosure included with the credit card application. There are many different types of credit cards to choose from: regular credit cards, rewards credit cards, and student credit cards, to name a few.
Which is the best credit card for a college student?
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard is one of the best credit cards for international students since it doesn’t require them to have a Social Security number to apply. But any teen who’s in college could find value in this card. It offers some nice card member perks in addition to its low credit requirements.
What should I tell my child about credit cards?
Explain what the credit card should be used for exactly, and who is responsible for the payments. You want your child to use this tool responsibly, so it should be clear that they need to keep up with the payments. Take the time to educate your child at a young age so they can establish credit in a responsible manner.
