Unique Credit Cards for Students and Secured Options

If you're a student, you're probably no stranger to living on a tight budget. One way to build credit while managing your expenses is with a student credit card, which often comes with lower spending limits and no annual fee.

Some student credit cards offer rewards programs, such as cash back or points that can be redeemed for gift cards or travel. For example, the Discover it Student Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year.

As a student, you may not have a long credit history, but that doesn't mean you can't get a credit card. Secured credit cards, which require a security deposit, can be a great option for building credit.

Secured credit cards often have lower credit limits, but they can help you establish a positive credit history. The Capital One Secured Mastercard, for instance, requires a security deposit and reports payments to the three major credit bureaus.

See what others are reading: Secured Credit Card Credit Union

Rewards credit cards can be a great way to earn perks and savings on your spending. Many credit cards offer users the opportunity to earn rewards for meeting certain criteria.

The Platinum card has an annual fee of over $500, but it can pay for itself in savings on a single trip. This card offers a $200 Uber credit, a $200 hotel credit, and a $200 flight credit.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Wells Fargo Active Cash rewards card has some cool benefits, including a waiver for damage caused by a collision with a rental car.

The Citi Diamond Preferred card is a great option for those who want to pay off high-interest debt or make large purchases without incurring interest charges. It offers 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer.

This card also comes with a 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.24% - 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness.

For another approach, see: How Is Interest Calculated for Credit Cards

The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. This fee is applied to each transfer, so be sure to factor it into your calculation.

If you're planning to make a balance transfer, you'll need to do it within 4 months of account opening. After that, the introductory APR offer expires.

Here's a summary of the key benefits of the Citi Diamond Preferred card:

Overall, the Citi Diamond Preferred card is a solid choice for those who want to save money on interest charges and pay off debt quickly.

Credit card rewards can be a game-changer for your spending habits and savings. Many credit cards offer users the opportunity to earn rewards for spending a certain amount or meeting another set of criteria.

The annual fee for some credit cards can be steep, with the Platinum card's fee exceeding $500. However, the benefits can make up for the cost, like the $200 Uber credit, $200 hotel credit, and $200 flight credit offered by the Platinum Card.

Some credit cards offer unique perks, such as the waiver for damage caused by a collision with a rental car, which is included with the Wells Fargo Active Cash rewards.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Is Credit One Platinum a Good Credit Card

Secured credit cards are a great option for those who need to build or rebuild their credit. No credit score is required to apply for these cards.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card stands out for its straightforward approach, with no annual or hidden fees. You can see if you're approved in seconds.

Another option is the Discover it Secured Credit Card, which offers a refundable security deposit. This deposit amount will equal your credit line, starting at $200.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card also comes with a variable APR of 27.24% and 1% - 2% cash back rewards. Bank information is required when submitting your deposit.

Here's a comparison of the two cards:

Student credit cards are designed for young adults, typically those in college or university, to help them build credit while earning rewards.

These cards often have lower credit limits, around $500 to $1,000, and may require a co-signer, usually a parent or guardian.

Many student credit cards offer cashback rewards or sign-up bonuses, such as 1% to 2% cashback on all purchases or a $100 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

Some student credit cards also have no annual fee, making them a more attractive option for young adults on a budget.

Check this out: Ally Bank Rewards

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a great option for students looking for a cash back rewards program. You can earn up to 10% cash back on your purchases.

One of the best things about the Petal 2 is that it has no annual fee, and no fees of any kind. This means you can use the card without worrying about extra charges.

The card offers up to 1.5% cash back on unlimited everyday purchases. To get the maximum cash back rate, you need to make 6 monthly on-time payments, and then another 6 months of on-time payments.

Here's a breakdown of the cash back rates:

Overall, the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a solid choice for students who want to earn cash back rewards without breaking the bank.

The Discover It Student Cash Back card is a great option for students who want to earn cash back on their everyday purchases. It offers 1% - 5% cash back on various purchases.

One of the standout features of this card is the intro offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. This means that Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards.

Here's how it works: you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. This can add up quickly, especially if you're a frequent shopper at grocery stores, restaurants, or gas stations.

In addition to the 5% cash back, you also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. This means you'll earn cash back on everything you buy, not just the specific categories mentioned earlier.

To give you a better idea of the cash back potential, consider this example: if you earn $50 cash back, Discover will match it, turning your $50 into $100. Or, if you earn $100 cash back, Discover will match it, turning your $100 into $200.

Take a look at this: Discover Virtual Card Number

Travel credit cards offer a range of benefits that can save you money and enhance your travel experience.

If you're a frequent traveler, look for cards that offer rewards on travel purchases, such as the Capital One Venture X, which earns 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is another option, offering 5 points on flights and 10 points on hotels and car rentals when you use your card through Chase Travel.

Some cards also offer free airport lounge access, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which grants you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card is unique in that it offers lucrative travel credits for potentially nothing, with a $0 annual fee if you meet certain requirements.

To qualify for this card, you must be a PenFed Credit Union member, and to qualify for the $0 annual fee, you'll need to be a PenFed Honors Advantage member, which can be achieved by opening and maintaining a PenFed Access America checking account or being a current or previous member of the military.

Here's a comparison of some popular travel credit cards:

Consider your travel habits and expenses when choosing a travel credit card, and look for rewards that align with your needs.

A fresh viewpoint: Chase Travel Credit Cards

The Capital One Venture is a top-notch travel credit card that offers a range of benefits to make your travels more enjoyable and cost-effective. It has a $395 annual fee, but you get a $300 credit for travel purchases each year, plus 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights, and 2 miles on all other charges.

One of the standout features of the Capital One Venture is its generous rewards program, which includes 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary. This can be redeemed for $100 toward travel. You'll also get up to a $100 credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and unlimited access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide from Priority Pass, Plaza Premium Group, and Capital One.

Here are some key benefits of the Capital One Venture:

If you're a culture lover, you'll appreciate the perks that come with certain travel credit cards.

The Citi Custom Cash Card gives 5 percent back on live entertainment purchases, including concerts, live sporting events, and theatrical productions, with no annual fee. You can earn up to $6,000 back a year.

Capital One's SavorOne card offers unlimited 3 percent cash back on entertainment purchases, including ticket buys at movie theaters, sporting events, and live theater.

Cardholders of the Capital One Savor card get 4 percent cash back on entertainment charges, but only if they're willing to pay the $95 annual fee.

Some credit cards, like those from American Express, offer presale access to live events, including concerts and sporting events, as a perk.

For your interest: Are Credit One Cards Good

Cashback credit cards can be a great way to earn rewards on your everyday purchases. The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card stands out with its best-in-class cash-back rate of 2.5% back on every purchase, capping at $10,000 of eligible purchases per billing cycle.

Some credit cards offer a flat rate of cash back, such as the Citi Double Cash Card, which earns 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Others offer a higher rate for specific categories, like the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, which pays 6 percent cash back annually on up to $6,000 worth of groceries.

If you're a student, you might be interested in the Discover it Student Cash Back card, which offers an unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. This means they'll automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, potentially doubling your rewards.

Here are some key features of popular cashback credit cards:

The Citi Double Cash card is a popular choice for those looking to earn cash back on their purchases. It offers a simple and straightforward rewards structure.

You can earn 2% cash back on every purchase, with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This is a great option for those who want to maximize their rewards without having to keep track of complex categories or spending limits.

One of the best features of the Citi Double Cash card is its sign-up bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This can be a great way to kick-start your rewards earnings.

The card's cash back rewards are earned in the form of ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash back. The points can also be redeemed for other rewards, such as travel or gift cards.

The Citi Double Cash card has a relatively low annual fee, ranging from $49 to $200, depending on the specific card product. This fee is refundable, making it a great option for those who want to try out the card without committing to a high annual fee.

Here are the key benefits of the Citi Double Cash card:

Overall, the Citi Double Cash card is a solid choice for those who want to earn cash back on their purchases without having to worry about complex rewards structures or high annual fees.

The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card stands out for its best-in-class cash-back rate: you can earn 2.5% back on every purchase if you meet requirements.

There's a cap on this high rate, though - it's capped at $10,000 of eligible purchases per billing cycle, after which the rewards rate falls to 1.5%. This is still a very high spending bar, and a great rate for those who can meet it.

To put this in perspective, the industry standard among flat-rate cards has long been 1.5%, and while more cards are beginning to feature a lucrative 2% flat rate, few if any can top 2.5% back on everything you buy.

This card is a great option for those who want to earn a high cash-back rate on all their purchases, but it's essential to keep in mind the cap on this rate.

Explore further: High Limit Credit Cards for 650 Credit Score

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa is a unique card that earns bonus rewards in hard-to-find categories like home, auto, and health. It's a nontraditional card that can function as either a credit card or a personal loan.

If you use it as a credit card and don't pay your bill in full, the balance becomes a fixed-rate loan you pay back monthly in equal installments. This can be a helpful option if you need to finance a large expense.

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa earns rewards automatically, which means you don't have the choice to decide what to do with your cash back or when to use it. This can be a benefit if you tend to forget to redeem your rewards.

Here are some key features of the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa:

Overall, the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa is a card that can offer flexibility and rewards in unique categories.

Credit cards are offering more unique features than ever before, making it easier to earn rewards and save money. Some cards offer automatic yearly Companion Fares, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card, which can cover a flying buddy's ticket for as little as $122.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card allows you to earn bonus cash back in a category of your choice, including home improvement, which can cover everything from hardware stores to roof contractors.

The Citi Custom Cash Card automates the eligible category for you based on your spending habits, so you don't need to remember a quarterly bonus calendar or activate categories each month. This card earns 5% back in one eligible spend category and an unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.

Here are some unique credit card features:

The Citi Simplicity card offers a 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, but you must complete the transfer within 4 months of account opening.

This card has no late fees, no penalty rate, and no annual fee, ever.

No Foreign Transaction Fees can be a game-changer for frequent travelers.

Foreign transaction fees typically range from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount, adding up quickly.

Many top travel rewards credit cards, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred, come with no foreign transaction fees.

These fees can save you thousands of dollars in currency conversion fees over the years, as I can attest from my own experience.

Long lines at the airport are a nightmare for many travelers. Some credit cards offer to reimburse the application fee for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, usually up to $120 every four years.

This perk can also be applied towards NEXUS, which is designed for those who frequently travel between the U.S. and Canada.

With this perk, you can save on the TSA PreCheck application fee and enjoy a smoother and faster travel experience through security checkpoints.

For your interest: Citibank Travel Credit Cards

Virtual Service is a great feature to have, especially for online transactions. It provides an added layer of protection by generating a temporary card number for purchases.

Credit card issuers like Capital One and Citi offer virtual card services. These services ensure that your primary card details remain safe from potential fraud.

You can create virtual card numbers for all your cards, just like I do with my Capital One cards. They can be turned on and off at will, or scheduled to deactivate at a specific time.

It's ideal for software trials, streaming service memberships, or anything that renews annually. I usually keep my virtual card deactivated and activate it during checkout using the Capital One web browser extension, Eno.

Here's an interesting read: Credit One Credit Cards Review

Some credit cards have features that set them apart from the rest. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card, for example, offers a Companion Fare perk that can save you up to $122 on a flying buddy's ticket.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is another great option. It lets you earn bonus cash back in a category of your choice, including home improvement.

The Citi Custom Cash Card is also worth considering. It automatically adjusts the eligible spend category based on your spending habits, so you don't need to remember to activate it each month.

If you're a foodie, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is a great choice. It earns 4 points per $1 spent on dining, which is a best-in-class rate.

Other cards with unique features include the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card and the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. The U.S. Bank Cash+ Card earns 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter in two categories you choose, plus 2% back in one everyday category. The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a higher-than-standard 2% back on everything, plus a sign-up bonus and 0% intro APR period.

If this caught your attention, see: Visa Credit Cards for No Credit

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is also a standout. It offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, which can save you a lot of money on interest payments.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card holders can earn up to 2.62 points per dollar spent, making it a great option for frequent travelers.

Here are some of the unique features of these cards: