Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer
Min. credit score
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer
Min. credit score
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer
Min. credit score
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Welcome offer
Min. credit score
Some card providers have minimum age requirements for authorized users, usually 13 to 16 years old. But many card issuers have no minimum age for authorized users. The cards on this list are some of the top rewards cards on the market that also allow for authorized users under the age of 18.
Card | Age limit | Annual fee | Recommended credit score | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | None | $0 | 670 to 850 | |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | None | $0 | 670 to 850 | |
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | None | $0 | 670 to 850 | |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | None | $0 | 670 to 850 | |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | 13+ | $0 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) | 670 to 850 | |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 13+ | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (see Terms apply, see rates & fees) | 670 to 850 |
If you’re adding your child as an authorized user, these cards can offer a lot of extra value to your account thanks to your kid’s card purchases.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | $200 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 1.5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | $200 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | $300 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 6.5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome Offer | n/a |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | $250 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 3% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Finder Rating: 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | $250 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 6% cash back |
Annual fee | $95 after the first year intro |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Welcome Offer | n/a |
---|---|
Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Although your teen could benefit from a credit card, they might not be ready for one just yet. Fortunately, debit cards for teens can teach your teen healthy financial habits without any risk of damaging their credit. And when you’re confident your kid can manage their money, you can graduate them into a full-fledged credit card.
Greenlight
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Maintenance Fees | $4.99 monthly |
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Card purchase fee | $0 |
Age requirements | 1 to 17 years old |
BusyKid
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Maintenance Fees | $4 monthly |
---|---|
Card purchase fee | $0 |
Age requirements | 5+ |
Step
Finder Rating: 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
APY | N/A |
---|---|
Fee | Free |
Age requirements | Any age |
You can’t get a credit card until you’re at least 18 years old. If you’re under 18, however, you can be an authorized user on someone else’s account. This can be a good option for a minor as it helps them build a credit score and history. Having a strong credit history can help a minor be eligible for better credit card options — such as a rewards or travel card — once they’re old enough to apply.
This age range is a good time to introduce your tween to a debit or prepaid card designed for kids. These cards are a relatively safe way to teach your child how to spend responsibly. They don’t accrue interest and they draw from preloaded money through a bank account or other source. These cards don’t build credit, however, so only rely on them until you think your kid has picked up on the fundamentals of card usage.
If your teen proves they’re able to responsibly use a debit or prepaid card, consider letting them graduate to a credit card. After you add them as an authorized user, you can monitor their spending. At the same time, you can teach them how to manage credit before they get their own card.
Once your child hits 18 years of age, they can legally apply for a credit card with certain providers. This is where the training wheels can come off and your child can open an account in their own name. While you could encourage your child to apply for a strong rewards or travel card right away, a student credit card is one of the safer options available. These cards tend to have some built in forgiveness for missed payments and few fees, which is perfect for a kid still coming to grips with a credit card.
You might think your teen is far too young to use a credit card. But you’ll find two big reasons why it could be a good idea for them to have one.
After adding your teen as an authorized user, you have control over their account and can see how they use their card. With insight into their spending, you can more effectively teach them solid financial habits. It’s better for them to learn from you now than figure everything out on their own later.
Most people start with a brand-new credit history when they’re ready to get a credit card. This usually means they’re limited to student cards and secured cards, both of which typically come with limited features. You can help your teen build an impressive credit history before they reach adulthood. Just add them as an authorized user on your account and consistently make payments on time. When they turn 18, their credit may be strong enough to expand their card options considerably.
Sometimes you could forget to give your kid cash for meals at school, transportation or supplies. Getting your kid a credit card can help you avoid unpleasant situations and avoid cash theft. And for some cards, you can set spending limits to ensure your child doesn’t spend over their budget.
Why not get something in return for helping your teen build credit? Most credit cards let you earn rewards on purchases made by authorized users. Consider a credit card geared toward families as adding your teen as an authorized user on one of these cards could help you earn additional rewards on common purchases.
While you still have them under your wing, teach your teen how to avoid trouble with a credit card. Here are a few common pitfalls they should know about.
A cardholder is allowed to make only the minimum monthly payment on their credit card. However, that’s arguably the worst thing to do behind paying late. Paying the minimum allows interest to snowball and debt to accumulate.
Teach your teen they should avoid spending close to their credit limit. Carrying a high balance puts one in danger of incurring overlimit fees, on top of accumulating high debt. Many experts recommend keeping spending under 30% of one’s credit limit.
This is a sure path to decreasing a credit score. Because your teen is an authorized user on your account, you can protect them by paying your card bill as usual. But if you see signs your teen may pay late in the future, it’s best to nip the problem in the bud.
Teach your kids how to keep their credit card information safe. Although credit card fraud can happen even if you take all necessary precautions, it’s a good starting point for your kid to learn how to protect their credit cards.
Each of these card issuers allows authorized users under 21 years old, though the minimum age varies. These issuers also report authorized user activity to credit bureaus, which can help the authorized user build a healthy credit score and history.
Banks | Allows authorized users under age 21 | Minimum age of authorized users | Reports authorized users to credit bureaus | Cards that allow authorized users |
---|---|---|---|---|
American Express | Yes | 13 years old | Yes, if at least 18 years old | All |
Barclaycard | Yes | 13 years old | Yes, if at least 16 years old | All |
Bank of America | Yes | None | Yes | All |
Capital One | Yes | None | Yes | All |
Chase | Yes | None | Yes | All |
Citi | Yes | None | Yes | All |
Discover | Yes | 15 years old | Yes | All |
HSBC | Yes | None | Yes | All except HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card student accounts |
US Bank | Yes | 16 years old | Yes | All |
Wells Fargo | Yes | None | Yes, if at least 18 years old | All |
Getting your teen on the path to a credit card can be a great way to help them financially prepare for the future. Before you make them an authorized user on an account, however, be sure they have proper financial supervision and that they understand the basics of how credit cards work.
A user-friendly secured card with no credit check required.
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An excellent luxury travel card from Capital One.
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