Before that age, you may have a tougher time getting approved because of your lack of credit history. If you’re under 18, you can’t apply for a credit card. And if you’re between 18 and 21, card providers will be sticklers about checking your income.
Still, it’s possible to get a credit card as long as you know what you’re doing. Here’s what you should know about the different cards open to you and your best options by provider.
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Once you turn 18, you can start to build your credit history. Your credit report is essentially your financial history and details how reliable you are when it comes to borrowing money. Whenever you open a credit card or store card or take out a loan or mortgage, the bank or provider will refer to your credit history to determine if you’re a good candidate to lend money to. Having a bad or low credit history can be caused by missed or late payments or a low income, and could have future implications on your finances.
As a young person starting to build your credit history, your options for credit cards are:
Beginner’s guide to credit cards
If you’re a college or university student aged 18 or over and in part-time or full-time education, you’re eligible for a student credit card. Many providers will only give you a credit card if you already have a student bank account with them.
Student credit cards tend to have low credit limits and no annual fees to help make them more affordable. They usually don’t offer many rewards with them, so it may be worth looking at a rewards debit card with cashback or points instead if that’s important to you.
All you need to know about student credit cards
If you’re between 18 and 21 years old, your main problem may be the lack of a credit history. Many card providers simply won’t let you borrow money until they can see how responsible you are.
Most mainstream credit cards are – in theory – available to all UK residents aged 18 or over. However, your eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis, with providers looking at your credit report and income to determine whether or not you should be allowed credit.
Before applying for a mainstream credit card, always make sure to do the “eligibility check” on the bank or provider’s website first. This will give you an indication of how likely your chances of success are in being approved. This is considered a “soft search” and does not impact on your credit history. Any credit card applications, whether they are successful or not, are considered “hard searches” and can affect your credit history.
Credit builder cards are designed for those with no or bad credit history. These cards offer a simple way for you to build your credit history over time.
Generally, these types of cards have a low credit limit and a high interest rate to encourage you to pay off your bill in full every month. Your provider will regularly monitor your payment history and your credit limit may be raised over time if you prove you’re a responsible cardholder.
These cards rarely have many benefits or extras, but could pave the way for you to progress to a mainstream or low-rate credit card in the future if your credit score improves.
Full guide to credit building cards
If you’re nervous about credit cards, it may be worth asking a family member or your partner to allow you to become an additional cardholder on their existing credit card. Most banks and providers usually require the person be 18 or over and live at the same UK address as the primary cardholder.
It’s simple to become an additional cardholder. Most banks or providers require you give details of the additional cardholder over the phone. They may also be able to add you online.
As an additional cardholder, you’re not responsible for making card payments. Though that’s a plus in some ways, it can also be a negative: your credit history will rise and fall with the primary cardholder’s payments. If the primary cardholder makes payments on time, you may see a boost in your credit score. But if they’re consistently late on payments, your score could drop.
If you’re under 18, you’re not allowed to get a credit card. Credit agencies only start building a person’s history from the age of 18, hence why you’re unable to get credit.
As an under 18 year old, your two options are:
Credit card options for teens under 18 years old
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