Credit Cards for 18 Year Olds: Top Options and Reviews

As an 18-year-old, getting your first credit card can be a huge milestone. It's a great way to start building credit and learning how to manage debt responsibly.

The Discover it Student Cash Back credit card offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations and grocery stores.

Having a credit card can also help you earn rewards and cash back on your purchases. For example, the Capital One Journey Student Rewards credit card offers unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.

Some credit cards are specifically designed for students, like the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card, which doesn't require a security deposit.

As an 18-year-old, getting your first credit card can be a big step towards building your credit history. This can help you qualify for loans and credit cards with better interest rates in the future.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a great option for young adults looking to build their credit. It has no annual or monthly fees, which is a huge plus.

One thing to keep in mind is that this card has a higher-than-average interest rate, so it's essential to make your payments on time to avoid any extra charges.

If you're looking to start small, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has a starting credit line of $200, which is a good starting point for building your credit.

Here are some key features to consider:

However, this card doesn't offer any rewards, so you won't earn points or cash back on your purchases.

For young adults, having a credit card can be a game-changer for building credit and learning financial responsibility. One of the best ways to get a credit card at 18 is to become an authorized user on a parent's credit card, which can help establish a credit history and qualify for a student credit card later on.

You can also consider applying for a secured credit card, such as the OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Credit Card, which doesn't require a credit check and only needs a $300 refundable deposit. Other options include the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome cards, which offer cashback rewards and no annual fee.

Some popular credit cards for young adults include the Discover it Student Chrome, which offers 2% cashback on gas station and restaurant purchases, and the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers a flat cashback rate of 1.5% on every purchase. If you're looking for a card with no annual fee, consider the Discover it Student Cash Back, which matches all the cashback earned at the end of the first year.

Here are some key features to consider when choosing a credit card for young adults:

Comparing credit cards can be overwhelming, especially for young adults who are new to credit.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option for students, offering a flat cash back rate of 1.5% on every purchase.

To compare credit cards effectively, consider the following factors: annual fee, APR, rewards, credit score requirements, credit-building features, sign-up bonuses, and issuer reputation.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card matches all the cashback earned at the end of the first year, making it a fantastic boost for young adults.

Here are some key factors to consider when comparing credit cards for young adults:

Some credit cards, like the Discover it Student Chrome, offer cashback rewards on specific categories, such as gas stations and restaurants.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is designed for those with limited or fair credit who want to build or rebuild their credit.

You can add your teen as an authorized user on your credit card, and this can be done before they even enter high school. In fact, 17% of children aged 8 to 14 already have a credit card.

As an authorized user, your teen can begin to establish a credit history, which can help them qualify for a student credit card or other financing in the future.

You can apply for a new credit card with a low credit limit to give your teen access to a credit card without risking your full credit limit. This way, you can still teach them responsible credit habits.

As the parent or guardian, you can remove your teen as an authorized user at any time if they don't handle their credit card responsibly.

If you're an 18-year-old looking for a credit card, Discover is a great option to consider. They offer several cards designed specifically for young adults.

One of the best things about Discover credit cards is that they don't require a credit score to apply. This makes them a great choice for students who are just starting to build their credit history.

The Discover it Student Chrome card offers 2% cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases, and all other purchases earn 1% cash back. This can be a great way to earn rewards on everyday purchases.

Discover also offers a Cashback Match program, which doubles your rewards at the end of your first year. This means you can earn even more cash back on your purchases.

Another option is the Discover it Secured card, which is designed for young adults with no credit history. This card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so you can start building your credit score right away.

Here are some key features of the Discover it Secured card:

Keep in mind that the Discover it Secured card has a relatively high regular APR, so be sure to make your payments on time to avoid interest charges.

OpenSky credit cards are a great option for 18-year-olds who want to start building their credit history. They offer a range of cards with different features.

One of the benefits of OpenSky credit cards is that they don't require a credit check when you apply. You can qualify with limited or no credit history, making it easier to get approved.

The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Credit Card has no membership fees, which can be a big plus. However, it also comes with a high regular APR and foreign fee.

Another option is the OpenSky Visa Secured Card, which has a high approval rate and doesn't undertake credit checks. You'll need to pay a $35 annual fee, but it's lower than some other credit cards.

Here are the key features of the OpenSky Visa Secured Card:

The Petal Credit Cards are a great option for 18-year-olds who want to start building their credit history.

You can get approved for a Petal Credit Card without a credit score, which is a big plus for young adults who may not have a credit history yet.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is one of the best options for 18-year-olds, offering 1 to 1.5% cashback on purchases and no annual fee.

To apply, you'll need to be at least 18 years old and a legal US resident with a TIN or Social Security Number.

The Petal 2 Visa Card has a relatively new issuer, WebBank, which operates out of Utah.

The card has a high-interest rate, but paying your debts in full quickly can help you avoid the worst of it.

You can earn between 1-1.5% cash back on your eligible purchases with the Petal 2 Visa Card.

Here are some key features of the Petal Credit Cards:

Keep in mind that the APR and credit limit will depend on your credit history, credit score, and income each month.