Do you have good credit? Get our recommendations for upgrading your rewards card or obtaining a cash sign-up bonus. Are you new to credit? Find the best first credit card to help you build your credit. “What are the best credit cards for young adults?” is one of the most frequently asked questions. Alternatively:
- I recently graduated from college, what is the best first-time credit card for me?
- What is the best first credit card to apply for?
- I’m a recent graduate with a credit history. What credit card should I get for business travel?
- What is a good credit card to start out with? What is the best credit card for new users?
I’m happy to answer those questions, but I’d also like to explain why I recommend the cards that I do.
20 Best Credit Cards for Young Adults in 2022
1. Chase Freedom FlexSM
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
3. Bank of America® Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
5. Discover it® Cash Back
6. Discover it® Chrome
7. Bank of America® Student Travel Rewards Credit Card
8. Discover it® Student Cash Back
9. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
10. Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
11. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
12. Citi® Double Cash Card
13. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
14. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
15. Capital One Platinum Credit Card
16. Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
17. Fit Mastercard® Credit Card
18. Milestone® Mastercard®
19. Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred®
20. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
1. Chase Freedom FlexSM
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in rotating bonus categories that you activate each quarter. You will also get 5% back on Chase travel purchases, 3% back at drugstores and restaurants (including takeout and delivery), and 1% back on all other purchases year-round. Furthermore, you can earn up to $12,000 in cash back on grocery store purchases (excluding Target(R) and Walmart(R) purchases) in the first year. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: There is no annual fee for Chase Freedom Unlimited. The card earns 5% cashback on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cashback on all other purchases. In addition, you can earn 5% cashback on grocery store purchases (excluding Target(R) and Walmart(R) purchases) up to $12,000 in the first year.
However, you must have good to excellent credit. You can earn a $200 bonus if you get a card and spend $500 within three months of opening it. This is one of the best credit cards for first timers and the best first credit card for young adults.
3. Bank of America® Student Credit Card for Cash Rewards
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: You can earn rewards with this card in a variety of ways, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, and home improvement and furnishings. Grocery and wholesale club purchases earn 2% cashback, while all other purchases earn 1% cashback. The 3% and 2% cashback rewards apply to the first $2,500 in combined card purchases each quarter; after that, you will earn 1% back until the next quarter.
There is no annual fee for cardholders. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
4. Discover it® Student Chrome
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: This card is intended for students who spend the majority of their money on gas and dining out. Each quarter, cardmembers earn 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases. All other purchases are eligible for an unlimited 1% cashback. After your first year, Discover will match all cash back you’ve earned. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
5. Discover it® Cash Back
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: The Discover it Cash Back program provides 5% cashback in rotating categories such as Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and when you pay with PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cashback. There is no yearly fee. Discover will match all cash back earned during your first year as a card member. This is one of the best credit cards for first timers and among the best first credit card for young adults.
6. Discover it® Chrome
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: This card is designed for customers who want to earn cashback on their gas and dining purchases. Every quarter, you will receive a 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants on your first $1,000 in combined purchases. Following that, you will earn 1% back on all subsequent purchases, as well as an unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases. There is no annual fee, and rewards are never lost. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
7. Bank of America® Student Credit Card for Travel Rewards
The following are some of the benefits of having one of the best credit cards for young adults: With no spending limits, young adults can earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases. Points can be redeemed for statement credits toward flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and other travel expenses, with no blackout dates or restrictions. If you make at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening an account, you can earn 25,000 bonus points.
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee with this card. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
8. Discover it® Student Cash Back
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best student credit cards: The Discover it Student Cash Back Card is ideal for students who want to save money on everyday purchases. Each quarter, students have the opportunity to earn 5% cashback on everyday purchases made at various locations such as Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and when paying with PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when they activate.
The card provides unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases. After your first year, Discover will match all cash back you’ve earned. There is no annual fee and no late fee on the first late payment. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
9. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you will earn two points for every dollar spent on travel and restaurants and one point for every dollar spent on everything else. Spend $4,000 within three months of opening the card to earn 100,000 bonus points worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
10. Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
The following are the reasons why this is one of the best credit cards for young adults: College students who are new to credit can earn 3% cashback on up to $2,500 in gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases made with this card in the first six months. Other purchases earn 1% cashback, and the card has no annual fee. Students can also use Wells Fargo’s online credit management tools for free. This is one of the best credit cards for first timers and among the best first credit card for young adults.
11. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Credit Card
First Progress offers a secured Mastercard, which is an excellent first credit card for young people with no credit history. What makes this First Progress offer stand out is the low APR and the quick path to a better credit score it provides. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
12. Citi® Double Cash Card – BT offer for 18 months
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 Month BT offer includes one of the best cashback rewards rates for cardholders available. You will earn 2% cashback on all purchases; you will earn an unlimited 1% cashback when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. You can transfer your old credit card balance for a low fee and 0% APR for 18 months with the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, which has no annual fee. Plus, while you’re paying it off, you will get 2% cashback on all purchases. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
13. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
In a nutshell, apply for the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card now on the secure website.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is ideal for any small business. Cardholders can earn rewards without worrying about an annual fee, thanks to a large upfront bonus and an all-around excellent rewards program. On each account anniversary, you can earn 5% cashback on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, as well as internet, cable, and phone services, with the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. This is one of the best credit cards for first timers and among the best first credit card for young adults.
14. Capital One QuicksilverOne Credit Card
Consider the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card if you don’t have the excellent credit required to receive some of the bonuses offered by other Capital One credit cards. It’s an excellent card for people with average credit, and you can still earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases with a $39 annual fee. If you’re just starting to build credit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has a high approval rate, a low annual fee (which is waived the first year), and a generous 1.5% cashback. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
15. Capital One Platinum Credit Card
It can be difficult to find an unsecured credit card with average credit, but the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is eager to earn your business. There aren’t many benefits to having this credit card, but it’s a good first card for young people looking to build a strong credit history, and there’s no annual fee. If you have a small credit history (or a fair one that you want to improve), the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is an excellent first credit card. This card does not earn rewards, but there is no annual fee to worry about. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
16. Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card
The Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card is an excellent no-fee card with a solid rewards system for people with poor or no credit. It reports to all three major credit card bureaus, and you can get a higher credit limit ranging from $500 to $5,000 if you use your card responsibly. WebBank, an FDIC-insured financial institution, issues the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card. This Credit Card is a great cashback card with no fees if you’re still building your credit history and want to earn rewards to get the purchasing power you need. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
17. Fit Mastercard® Credit Card
The Fit Mastercard® Credit Card is the best option for fraud liability coverage. The best starter credit cards for young adults are generally designed to assist cardholders in rebuilding or establishing their credit scores. Customers who sign up for electronic statements with this unsecured card receive free credit score reports, allowing them to track their credit score-building progress. However, there are several significant disadvantages, including high fees and a high-interest rate. This is one of the best credit cards for first timers and among the best first credit card for young adults.
18. Milestone® Mastercard®
The Milestone Mastercard is the most suitable transitional credit card to consider if you’re looking for the best first credit card for young adults. The Milestone credit card is easy to obtain due to the low credit score requirements, no security deposit, and reasonable annual fees. However, there are no rewards with this card, so consider it a transitional credit card and a way to build your credit score. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
19. Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred®
When you begin your journey toward financial responsibility, you will quickly realize that a low credit score can limit your options. The Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® credit card is without a doubt one of the best credit cards for young adults with bad credit because it does not check your credit score. This is one of the best credit cards for millennials and among the best credit cards for young professionals.
20. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
The OpenSky Secured Credit Visa Card is a good option for college students who don’t have a credit history and don’t have a bank account. Secured credit cards have the advantage of assisting in the development of your credit score. As a result, this is a good credit card option for young adults. It also has a very low APR rate and very convenient mobile and online banking options. On the other hand, there is an annual fee with this card. It also lacks any rewards that young adults might find useful. This is the best credit card for first time users and also the best credit card for young couples.
Conclusion
If you are under the age of 35, the best credit card for you is one that you can get approved for and that offers benefits that will save you money rather than cost you money. If you don’t want to spend hours sifting through spreadsheets to find the best personal rewards rate, simply choose a rewards credit card that appeals to you and move on. However, do not choose a rewards card solely to carry a balance from time to time!
If you want a credit card to use to pay off purchases over time, look at the APR rather than the rewards. If you have limited or damaged credit, it will be more difficult to find a credit card that will accept you, but there are options. If you are not approved the first time, wait six months, pay all of your bills on time, and try again. Do you want to increase your chances of being approved for a credit card?
Finding the right credit card for you is much easier if you know your credit score and can limit your search to only cards that you know you will be approved for.
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