Credit card options for teens under 18 years old

If you’re a parent thinking about your kids’ financial futures, you might wonder how young is too young to get a credit card? Legally, no one can get a credit card on their own unless they’re at least 18 years old. Anyone under 18 can only be an authorized user on someone else’s account — like their parents’.

Here are some credit card options that allow teens under 18 as authorized users, along with a few tips for teaching them financial habits.

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Credit cards that allow authorized users under 18

Card	Age limit	Annual fee
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	15+	$0 (see rates & fees)	Apply now
American Express Cash Magnet® Card	15+	$0 (see rates & fees)	Apply now
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	15+	$95 (see rates & fees)	Apply now
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card	No restriction	$95
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card	No restriction	$0
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card	None listed	$0

Debit and prepaid cards first — then credit cards

Though your teen could benefit from a credit card, you don’t have to give them one right away. You can start with a debit card and teach your teen solid financial habits as early as possible. When you’re confident your kid has the skills to manage their money, consider letting them graduate to a credit card.

Credit cards for different age groups

• Tweens: 11–13 years old
• Teens: 14–17 years old

Tweens: 11–13 years old

This age range is a good time to introduce your tween to debit and prepaid cards. 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. The downside to debit and prepaid cards is twofold:

• Using prepaid cards in particular often incurs fees. Even a simple visit to the ATM can result in a charge. These fees can add up and are counter intuitive to your goal of teaching your child about responsible spending.
• Neither prepaid cards nor debit cards will help your child build credit.

During this time, teach your tween about the concept of a credit limit. Load the card with more money than your kid actually needs and make that amount the “credit limit.” Then instruct them to keep spending well below that limit. The point is to teach your tween how to keep their credit utilization ratio low. For prepaid cards, consider options like FamZoo and TD Go, which allow you to monitor your child’s spending.

Teens: 14–17 years old

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. At this point, you’ll want to start stressing a few additional credit card spending habits:

Teach your teen how to make card payments on time. Set up automatic payments so that you never miss a payment on your teen’s card account. Meanwhile, ask your teen to repay you monthly by a certain date. This helps them learn how to make card payments on time. If they miss a due date, neither their nor your credit score will drop — your automatic payments have you covered.

Encourage your teen to pay off their full balance each month. This is a great habit that will keep them out of debt later. While you’re at it, praise your teen for keeping their credit utilization ratio low.

Is there a minimum age to become an authorized user?

Many card issuers — Bank of America, Capital One and Chase — have no minimum age for authorized users. This means you can get your kid a credit card as soon as you think they are ready. However, some card providers have minimum ages of 13 to 16.

Should my teenager get 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.

1. It can teach your teen how to use a credit card responsibly for the future.

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.

2. It can help your teen build credit early.

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.

3. It’s a convenience for parents and kids.

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.

Be careful about bringing your teen aboard

Before adding your teen as an authorized user, consider how responsible you are as a cardholder. Why? Because your teen’s fortunes will rise and fall with yours. If you pay on time, your teen’s credit will improve. If you consistently miss payments, you’ll damage your teen’s credit. Bring your son or daughter for the ride if you’re on top of your credit card payments. But if you have trouble keeping up, it’s probably better not to add authorized users at all.

Teach your teenager the risks of having a credit card

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.

• Just paying the minimum payment. 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.
  Here’s what to do: Show your teen why it’s smart to pay off their balance in full each month. Teach them how credit card interest accumulates, and how it can be avoided.
• Overspending. 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.
  Here’s what to do: Encourage your teen to spend less than they receive from their allowance or job. Teach them how their credit utilization ratio affects their credit score. And explain why it’s smart to keep their ratio under 30%.
• Paying late. 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.
  Here’s what to do: Set up automatic payments on your card account so that you never miss a payment on your teen’s card account. Meanwhile, ask your teen to repay you by a certain date each month. Encourage them to set up phone or calendar reminders so they don’t forget.
• Credit card fraud. 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.
  Here’s what to do: Explain to your kids that the credit card information can be copied and used illegally. Also, teach them how to recognize which sites are safe and which aren’t for online use.

Which card issuers allow authorized users?

Banks	Which banks offer authorized users under 21
American Express
Bank of America
Capital One
Chase
Citi
Discover
Wells Fargo

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Bottom line

With the right education and supervision, getting your teen on the path to a credit card can be a great way to help them financially prepare for the future. If you prefer to start them off with a secured card, compare secured credit card options to choose one that best fits both of your needs.

Frequently asked questions

• Will my card provider let me set spending limits on my teen’s credit card?

  Some providers might. To set limits on your teen’s spending, consider an American Express card or a small-business credit card. Both options will likely allow you to set custom spending limits. Most other card providers don’t offer this feature.

• Which cards should my teen get once they turn 18?

  Consider a student or secured card, which are good options for new cardholders.

• What is the best student credit card for a teenager?

  The best student credit card depends on you and your child’s spending habits. Compare student credit cards to find one that best suits your needs.

• See rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• See rates and fees for American Express Cash Magnet® Card
• See rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express