Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Low intro rates on purchases and balance transfers
A credit card offers a form of revolving credit that can build a positive credit history with timely payments and smart management. But you can’t get a credit card on your own unless you’re at least 18 years old.
The good news is that you can add minors as an authorized user on an adult’s account, such as a parent, guardian, family member or a friend. As authorized users, teens can safely make purchases with their own card that’s tied to the primary owner’s account, and build a credit history. Before they venture into adulthood, explore the best credit card options for teens.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Greenlight Family Cash Card
Step
Some card providers have minimum age requirements for authorized users, usually ranging from 13 to 16 years old. However, there are some that have no minimum age requirements. Use this table to compare popular credit cards that allow teens as authorized users.
Card | Age limit | Annual fee | Recommended credit score | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | None | $0 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) | 670 to 850 | |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | None | $0 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) | 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. (Terms apply, see rates & fees) | 670 to 850 | |
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | None | $0 | 670 to 850 |
If you’re adding your teen as an authorized user, these cards can offer a lot of extra value to your account.
Step
Finder score
APY | 5.00% |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Greenlight Family Cash Card
Finder score
Fee | $4.99 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | $200 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 1.5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
---|---|
Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | New to credit |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Finder score
Welcome Offer | $200 |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 3% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
---|---|
Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 670 |
Discover it® Chrome for Students
Welcome Offer | Other |
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Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 580 |
Discover it® Secured
Finder score
Welcome Offer | Other |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
Finder score
Welcome Offer | 25,000 points |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 1.5x points |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 580 |
Finder’s banking experts look at over 700 credit cards to narrow down the best ones for teens. We heavily consider credit cards that accept authorized users under age 18, secured and unsecured options, cashback rewards and nationwide availability. We consider cards that meet this minimum criteria:
Legally, you can’t get a credit card until you’re at least 18 years old. However, teens under 18 can become authorized users on an adult’s account, enabling them to build a strong credit history and increase their chances of qualifying for better credit card options — such as rewards or travel cards — once they’re old enough to apply.
Once they turn 18, they can apply for a credit card on their own. However there’s a minor stipulation for those aged 18 and 20 years old: the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility Disclosure (CARD) Act requires that they must provide proof of income to show their ability to repay the card’s payments, or have a cosigner who is at least 21 years old. Once they’re 21 years old, these requirements are lifted, though many lenders may still request proof of income before approving a line of credit.
It depends on your teen’s level of responsibility. If you’re not sure they’re ready, consider introducing them to a debit or prepaid card, such as Greenlight. These cards offer a safe way to teach teens how to manage their money while granting them some spending freedom. They often have spending limits, but they don’t typically build credit, and you may have to pay a monthly fee, depending on the provider.
Another option is to add them as an authorized user on a secured credit card or open a type of secured with more traditional banking options, such as Capital One. These cards allow teens to make purchases up to the amount available in their account, promoting responsible spending habits.
There are many more upsides than downsides when it comes to adding your teen as an authorized user on a credit card.
There are many student credit cards geared towards those exiting high school and entering college. And just because a teen is in high school doesn’t mean they can’t get a credit card. If they’re at least 18, they can apply for a credit card on their own — but they’ll need some income to prove they can repay what they’ve borrowed.
For a safer option, there are also secured credit cards and credit-debit cards that are secured by a bank account. One great example the Fizz card, which is a debit-credit card that’s designed with college students in mind. It offers cashback rewards, daily autopay to keep balances down, no interest charges and there’s no credit check.
Preparing your teen for a credit card helps them toward their financial future. But before adding them as an authorized user on your account, ensure they have proper financial supervision and a clear understanding of how credit cards work.
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