Best credit cards to open to build credit

Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

If your credit score isn't great or you barely have any credit history, you'll need to ease into the world of credit cards. Fortunately, there are beginner credit cards specifically made for credit newcomers, and with many of them, you can get approved with fair credit, bad credit, or no credit at all.

Find the the right starter credit card for you

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card

• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Capital One Platinum Credit Card

• Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Discover it® Student Cash Back

• Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Average, Fair and Limited

Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants.

No credit and limited credit to Excellent

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchase

Average, Fair and Limited

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.

Here are some of the best starter credit cards to consider if you're a credit beginner — including several that earn rewards.

Compare the best starter credit cards

Best for students who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Intro offer

$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening

Rewards

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Intro offer

$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening

Rewards

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Details

Rewards

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro offer

$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening

Recommended Credit

Average, Fair, Limited

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Only available to college students

Highlights

• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
• Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
• Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
• Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
• Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
• Build your credit with responsible card use
• Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you

Additional Reading

Best student card for maximizing rewards

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Details

Rewards

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

Recommended Credit

Fair/New to Credit

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

Show more

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

15.99% - 24.99% Variable

Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases

Editor's Rating

5/5

Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

From October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Discover matches your cash back after the first year

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Not the most rewarding cash-back card for non-bonus purchases

Highlights

• Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
• No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 15.99% - 24.99% applies.
• Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.

Additional Reading

Best secured credit card

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Details

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Recommended Credit

New/Rebuilding

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

Show more

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

25.99% Variable

Editor's Rating

5/5

Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Offers cash-back rewards, which isn't a given for secured credit cards

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Discover matches cash back after your first account year

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

You must fund the security deposit from a bank account

Highlights

• No credit score required to apply.
• No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
• Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200. That means a $200 deposit for a $200 credit line. Or a $500 deposit for a $500 credit line. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit, and the security deposit equals your credit limit.
• Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
• Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
• Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
• Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
• Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.

Additional Reading

Best for cash back

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchase

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchase

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Details

Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchase

Recommended Credit

Average, Fair and Limited

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

28.49% Variable

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Earn 5% back on Capital One Travel hotel and car rental bookings and 1.5% on everything else

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

You're eligible to apply with limited or average credit

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

You'll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

No welcome bonus

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Annual fee

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

High APR for purchases and balance transfers

Highlights

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
• Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
• Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
• Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set

Additional Reading

Best for travel rewards

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Intro offer

20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Intro offer

20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Details

Rewards

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

Intro offer

20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Versatile rewards

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Earn 1.25x miles on all purchases with no bonus categories to track

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Lower earning rate than some other no-annual-fee rewards cards

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Limited benefits

Highlights

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.99% - 27.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Additional Reading

Best basic starter card

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Details

Recommended Credit

Average, Fair and Limited

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

28.49% Variable

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No annual fee

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

No extra benefits and no rewards

Highlights

• No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
• Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
• Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
• Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
• Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
• Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you

Additional Reading

Best for introductory APR

Discover it® Student chrome

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Discover it® Student chrome

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Discover it® Student chrome

Details

Rewards

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Recommended Credit

Fair/New to Credit

Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.

Show more

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

15.99% - 24.99% Variable

Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases

Editor's Rating

4/5

Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Show more

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Discover matches cash back after your first account year

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Low cap for earning 2% cash back (up to $1,000 per quarter in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants)

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Other cards offer better cash-back rates

Highlights

• Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
• Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
• No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 15.99% - 24.99% applies.
• Click "Apply Now" to see terms and conditions.

Additional Reading

Best for building credit

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Rewards

Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants.

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Rewards

Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants.

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Details

Rewards

Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is issued by WebBank.

Show more

Recommended Credit

No credit and limited credit to Excellent

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

15.99% - 29.99% Variable

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No fees

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Earn 1% cash back on every purchase. Earn 1.25% back after making six on-time payments. Then, earn 1.5% back after making 12 on-time payments on your card

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

You can build credit with responsible credit use

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

n/a

Highlights

• No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
• Variable APRs range from 15.99% - 29.99%
• Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
• 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
• 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
• $300 - $10,000 credit limits
• No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
• See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
• Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
• Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
• No deposits required
• Card issued by WebBank

Additional Reading

Best for international students

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Intro offer

one year Amazon Prime Student subscription ($59 value) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles on the card

Rewards

Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Intro offer

one year Amazon Prime Student subscription ($59 value) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles on the card

Rewards

Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Details

Rewards

Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.

Intro offer

one year Amazon Prime Student subscription ($59 value) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles on the card

Recommended Credit

Limited, No Credit

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

22.49% Variable

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Good welcome bonus for a student card (if you use Amazon)

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

International students don’t need a Social Security Number to apply

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Mastercard Platinum benefits including cell phone protection and car rental insurance

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Other cash-back student cards offer a higher rate of return

Highlights

• Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $59).
• Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases.
• Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600.
• No deposit required. No annual fees.
• No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence.
• No Social Security Number required for international students to apply.
• Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you'll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited!
• Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app.
• See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes.
• Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC.
• Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention™ and Master Rental®.

Best for small businesses

Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business

Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.

Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business

Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.

On Capital One®️'s website

Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business

On Capital One®️'s website

Details

Rewards

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.

Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

26.99%

Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

26.99%

Pros & Cons

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No annual fee

Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Travel and purchase protection

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

Some other business cards offer better rewards

Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section.

No welcome bonus

Highlights

• Unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase for your business
• Free employee cards
• Pick your own monthly due date. Your business has the control to pay when you want
• Get an itemized report of your spending to simplify budgeting and tax time

The best starter credit card reviews

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Best for students who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you're a college student who likes to go out, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

This card is extra appealing because it currently comes with a welcome bonus offer of a $100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. It's possible to qualify with limited credit, so if you're new to credit cards it's a solid choice.

You'll also receive surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card, including:

• Price protection***
• Extended warranty***
• Car rental coverage***
• Roadside dispatch***
• Travel accident insurance***
• Complimentary concierge services

Read more about the Capital One SavorOne Student card:

• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards card review
• For the first time ever, 2 Capital One student credit cards are offering a sign-up bonus — and it couldn't be easier to earn

Best student card for maximizing rewards: Discover it Student Cash Back

Students who like to maximize rewards should consider the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which is typically available to consumers who don't have an extensive credit history.

Once you're approved, you can enroll to earn 5% cash back up to a quarterly maximum limit spent on purchases in categories that rotate each quarter, plus 1% back on everything else (from October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). Like other cash-back credit cards from Discover, this card will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of the first account year.

This card also lets you see your credit score for free each month, and you'll get Social Security Number monitoring, zero fraud liability, and no late fee on your first late payment. Consider signing up if you want to earn rewards and build credit at the same time without an annual fee.

Read more about the Discover it Student Cash Back card:

• Discover it Student Cash Back card review

Best secured credit card: Discover it Secured

If you have poor credit or no credit history at all, you may need to get started with a secured credit card. Unlike unsecured credit cards that extend a line of credit without collateral, secured cards require a small cash deposit upfront in order to secure an equally small line of credit.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is widely considered to be the top secured credit card since, unlike other cards in this niche, it doesn't charge an annual fee or any hidden fees. You'll also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%), as well as 1% back on all other purchases. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first account year. 

Other top benefits include a free look at your FICO score each month, zero liability for fraudulent purchases, and no late fee on your first late payment. With this card, automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.

Read more about the Discover it Secured card:

• Discover it Secured credit card review

Best for cash back: Capital One QuicksilverOne

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to consumers with "average" credit according to Capital One, which brings it into reach for individuals with limited credit or anyone who has made credit mistakes in the past.

This card does charge a $39 annual fee, but you'll be able to earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 1.5% cash back for each dollar you spend on other purchases. That's not bad for a rewards credit card, and it's especially good for cards available to consumers with average credit.

Capital One also promises to reconsider your credit limit and potentially boost it after you've made six on-time payments on your credit card. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees and several benefits, which is a lot more than many credit cards for average credit offer.

Read more about the Capital One Quicksilver One card:

• Capital One QuicksilverOne card review

Best for travel rewards: Capital One VentureOne

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is typically only available to consumers with "good" credit or better, but it's important to note that a good FICO score typically starts in the 670+ range. If you are able to qualify, this card can serve as a starter travel credit card that can help you get accustomed to earning this type of rewards.

Once you sign up, you'll earn a flat 1.25 miles for each dollar you spend. You can also earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. On the redemption side of the equation, you can cash in your Capital One miles for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent apiece, or for transfers to 18 airline and hotel partners. This card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Read more about the Capital One VentureOne:

• Capital One VentureOne card review

Best basic starter card: Capital One Platinum Card

If you have average credit and want to learn good credit habits without worrying about rewards, consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.

This card will likely start you out with a low credit limit, but Capital One says it will consider boosting your limit after you make six on-time payments on your card. This card also comes with no annual fee.

Read more about the Capital One Platinum card:

• Capital One Platinum credit card review

Best for introductory APR: Discover it Student Chrome

If you want to save money with low interest for a limited time, look into the Discover it® Student chrome. This card starts you off with a 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then a 15.99% - 24.99% Variable APR.

You'll also earn 2% cash back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%) at gas stations and restaurants, plus 1% back on everything else you buy. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn after the first year.

Read more about the Discover it Student Chrome:

• Discover it Student Chrome card review

Best for building credit: Petal 2 Visa Credit Card

The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) could be ideal for anyone who wants to build good credit that lasts. This card comes with a minimum credit limit of $500, although there's no annual fee and no fees on late payments. You'll earn a flat 1% back on all your eligible purchases for the first year, but you have the opportunity to graduate to 1.5% back after you've made 12 on-time payments on your credit card.

This card also reports to all three credit bureaus like the other cards on our list, so it can help you build credit as your purchases and payments are reported. You'll also get access to the powerful Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card Card app, which can help you manage your money better, track your spending, and stay on top of all your bills.

Read more about the Petal 2 Visa Card:

• Petal 2 Visa Card review

Best for international students: Deserve EDU Mastercard

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students stands out because you don't absolutely need a Social Security Number to apply, so it's especially appealing to international students who wouldn't usually qualify for a US-based credit card. New cardholders can earn a free one year Amazon Prime Student subscription ($59 value) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles on the card.

The earning rate isn't as high as some other starter cards (1% back on all purchases). However, you'll receive a handful of valuable benefits, including cell phone protection. When you use the card to pay your wireless bill, you'll be covered for damage or theft up to $600 with a $50 deductible, up to $1,000 per year.

You'll also receive rental car insurance when you pay with your card, and there are no foreign transaction fees for international purchases.

Best for small businesses: Capital One Spark Classic for Business

There aren't many small-business cards geared to folks with average credit, but the Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business <desc> <g id="asterisk" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M29.37 0a5 5 0 014.975 4.805l.004.216-.074 17.076 16.857-9.732a5 5 0 015.196 8.542l-.196.119-16.316 9.42 16.316 9.42a5 5 0 01-4.799 8.77l-.2-.11-16.929-9.774-.07 16.27a5 5 0 01-9.996.175l-.003-.217.065-15.519-15.7 9.065a5 5 0 01-5.195-8.542l.196-.119 16.315-9.42-16.315-9.42a5 5 0 014.8-8.77l.2.11 15.776 9.11.072-16.496A5 5 0 0129.37 0z" fill="#111"> </path></g> </desc> could be a good starting point. This no-annual-fee card offers 1% cash back on all purchases, and it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, either.

Employee cards are free, so you'll earn rewards and qualify for protection on employee purchases. Other benefits include travel and emergency assistance services, secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection against damage or theft, and an extended warranty on eligible items.

Other credit card guides to read

If you already have a decent credit score and are looking for a new credit card to maximize your spending, check out the following guides:

• The best credit cards for average credit
• The best rewards credit cards
• The best cash-back credit cards
• The best travel rewards credit cards
• The best no-annual-fee credit cards
• The best airline credit cards
• The best hotel credit cards
• The best credit cards for gas purchases
• The best credit cards for dining
• The best credit cards for grocery shopping

Starter credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When you're ready to start building credit for the first time, it's smart to have a basic understanding of how credit cards can help.

Read our step-by-step guide that shows you how to apply for a credit card and find out more about how to improve your chances of approval if you've never opened a card before. You can check your credit score online for free. From there, you can figure out which credit card can help you build credit that lasts.

The following questions and answers provide some basic guidelines to follow.

It really depends on your credit score and where you're at in your credit journey. If you've never had a credit card before, it's likely you'll have to get started with a secured credit card that requires a cash deposit in order to shore up a small line of credit.

If your FICO credit score is at least "fair," or above 580, on the other hand, you may qualify for a card geared to consumers with average credit.

When you're first starting out, secured credit cards are the easiest to get approved for. This type of credit card requires an initial cash deposit to secure a line of credit that is typically for the same amount. For example, you may put down a cash deposit of $500 in order to secure a $500 line of credit.

With the requirement for collateral in place, almost anyone can get approved for a secured credit card regardless of their credit score. Also note that, once you use your secured credit card to establish a reasonable amount of credit history, you can cancel or upgrade your card provided your account is in good standing. At that point, your initial security deposit would be refunded to you.

Building credit with a credit card isn't overly difficult, but you may have a better initial experience if you start the process off slowly. Use your credit card for regular purchases you can afford to pay off each month. When your bill comes due, make sure to pay at least the minimum payment and hopefully your entire credit card balance.

As you make payments each month, those payments will be reported to the three credit bureaus. Over time, you'll build a history of responsible credit use that can help boost your credit score.

You can have one credit card or several. It's totally up to you.

When you're first building credit, however, it makes sense to limit yourself to a single card. This way, you can spend time building responsible credit habits before you add more cards and complicate your finances.

How quickly you'll raise your credit score depends on a whole host of factors including whether you have any credit history at all, whether you have negative marks on your credit report, and the way you handle credit in the short term.

Your best bet is signing up for a credit card that can aid you in building credit, then using it for regular purchases that you pay in full each month. This will help you build a history of on-time payments while keeping your credit utilization low.

Top Offers From Our Partners

Wealthfront Cash Account

A high-yield savings account that earns 3.30% annual percentage yield. No account fees. APY as of 11/14/2022.

For rates and fees of Discover it® Secured Credit Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of Discover it® Student chrome, please click here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

For rates and fees of Discover it® Student Cash Back, please click here.

LoadingSomething is loading.

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.

More...