{"id":255570,"date":"2026-08-04T16:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/04\/the-best-starter-credit-cards-for-18-year-olds-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T16:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T16:00:30","slug":"the-best-starter-credit-cards-for-18-year-olds-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/04\/the-best-starter-credit-cards-for-18-year-olds-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"The best starter credit cards for 18-year-olds – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Turning 18 is often the ideal time to open a first credit card<\/a><\/span>, but choosing one isn’t just about earning rewards. The right first card should be easy to qualify for, help build a positive credit history<\/a><\/span> and ideally remain useful for years to come.<\/p>\n

Whether your teenager is heading to college, starting their first full-time job or simply learning how to manage money, here are the best credit cards for different types of first-time cardholders.<\/p>\n

(Keep in mind that simply turning 18 doesn’t guarantee approval. If you’re under 21, you’ll generally need to show independent income or otherwise meet the requirements of the Credit CARD Act to qualify for a credit card on your own.)<\/p>\n

Best credit cards for an 18-year-old<\/h2>\n

The information for the Discover it Cash Back card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Comparing the best cards for 18-year-olds<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/strong><\/th>\nBest for<\/strong><\/th>\nAnnual fee<\/strong><\/th>\nRewards rate<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n\n

Building credit with a secured card<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Earn:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel<\/li>\n
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

Common bonus categories<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Earn:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases<\/li>\n
  • 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site<\/li>\n
  • 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and on dining, entertainment and select streaming services<\/li>\n
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

Building credit from scratch<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Earn:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 1.5% cash back on every purchase<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

Flat-rate cash back<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Earn:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel\u2120<\/li>\n
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and on drugstore purchases<\/li>\n
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

Rotating cash-back categories<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Earn:<\/p>\n