A bank card generally is a highly effective software in your private finance technique. With a very good newbie bank card, you may set up credit score historical past, earn rewards in your spending and luxuriate in worthwhile perks.
Plus, when you like to journey like we do right here at TPG, you need to use your bank card to raise your subsequent expertise.
All of us start at totally different locations. Typically, meaning breaking apart together with your debit card, which usually will not earn rewards in your spending. Maybe you are an entire first-timer and easily need to construct up credit score as you intend for the longer term.
Or, chances are you’ll be prepared to maneuver on from being a certified consumer of another person’s card and tackle the accountability of getting your personal card. That is the place I began.
Once I was 18, my mother added me as a certified consumer on my dad and mom’ Disney® Visa® Card. After just a few years, I used to be prepared to seek out my very own card with easy rewards and a 0% introductory annual share price interval.
No matter the place you’re in your journey, you will want to make use of your bank card responsibly and repay your payments in full every month to get probably the most worth out of your rewards and perks.
Whether or not you are inquisitive about incomes cash-back rewards, factors and miles or a mix of all three, we’ve you lined with our number of the perfect first bank cards.
The most effective first bank cards
The data for the Uncover it Money Again card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
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Evaluating the perfect first bank cards
Listed below are some suggestions for the perfect first bank cards for freshmen.
| Card | Greatest for | Welcome supply | Incomes charges | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card | Journey rewards | 60,000 bonus factors | 1 to five factors per greenback | $95 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card | Easy money again | $200 money again | 1.5% to five% money again | $0 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card | Flat-rate rewards | 20,000 miles | 1.25 to five miles per greenback | $0 |
| Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card |
Eating and leisure | $200 money again | 1% to eight% money again | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Limitless | Versatile money rewards | As much as $300 money again | 1.5% to five% money again | $0 |
| Citi Double Money Card | On a regular basis purchases | $200 money again | 1% to five% money again | $0 |
| Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card | Money-back rewards | Cashback Match™ | 1% to five% money again | $0 |
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Welcome supply: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual charge: $95
Standout advantages: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card earns Chase Final Rewards factors on each buy and options standard bonus classes to get extra factors to make use of towards journey on widespread bills.
It is simple to gather factors to make use of towards journey with this card. You may earn:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by means of Chase Journey℠
- 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Goal®, Walmart® and wholesale golf equipment)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases
- 1 level per greenback spent on every thing else
You may additionally obtain an announcement credit score of as much as $50 on resort stays bought by means of Chase Journey while you open the cardboard and on every account anniversary.
Cardholders get a ten% anniversary factors bonus every year, primarily based on their complete spending throughout the account anniversary 12 months, at a price of 1 level for every $10 spent. The cardboard additionally contains not less than one 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and includes a host of journey and buy protections.
Why it is nice for freshmen: In case you’re able to dip your toes into transferable bank card factors as a newbie, there are few higher locations to begin than the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.
The Chase Final Rewards factors you will earn with this card are worthwhile when used for journey, whether or not you are redeeming to buy airfare, reserve resort rooms or hire a automotive by means of Chase Journey at a set price of 1.25 cents per level or transferring to one in all Chase’s 14 airline and resort companions for optimum worth.
Whereas some points-earning journey playing cards can carry hefty annual charges, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card’s $95 annual charge is a modest entry level for these beginning off with bank cards. It is supreme for frequent or informal vacationers seeking to earn worthwhile rewards.
For extra particulars, learn our full evaluation of the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome supply: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: The Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card is an effective card to have in your pockets due to how simple it’s to earn money again.
You may get limitless 1.5% money again on each buy with no annual charge and no expiration dates on the money again you rack up.
Plus, when you add a card that earns Capital One miles down the road, you may probably convert this money again right into a transferable journey foreign money that can be utilized with one in all Capital One’s 15-plus switch companions.
Why it is nice for freshmen: In case you’re new to bank cards, it would not get a lot simpler than this no-annual-fee card that earns a flat 1.5% money again on each buy with no limits.
You will not have to fret about memorizing bonus classes or managing Capital One miles when you choose to earn easy money again with the Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card, that means all of your purchases are routinely maximized with out shuffling round a number of playing cards or activating quarterly classes.
For extra particulars, please see our full evaluation of the Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card.
Study extra: Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome supply: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: The incomes charges on the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card are strong, particularly for a card that earns miles with no annual charge. You may earn a flat 1.25 miles per greenback spent on all of your purchases, that means you will not should memorize bonus classes or activate quarterly bonus awards.
You may additionally earn 5 miles per greenback spent while you reserve accommodations or rental vehicles by means of the Capital One Journey portal, making the cardboard higher to carry when you’re inquisitive about reserving by means of a portal. Plus, incomes Capital One miles with the Capital One VentureOne is limitless.
Different perks of the Capital One VentureOne embrace journey and emergency help, auto rental insurance coverage and prolonged guarantee, which is the usual suite of World Elite Mastercard journey and buying advantages.
Why it is nice for freshmen: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card is an effective entry level for anybody interested in transferable journey foreign money however tired of paying an annual charge. Plus, the cardboard earns miles at a flat price throughout on a regular basis purchases, including extra simplicity since you will not should memorize bonus classes.
You may begin accumulating Capital One miles you can switch to one in all Capital One’s 15-plus airline and resort companions or redeem as an announcement credit score on eligible purchases. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards is a robust possibility for first-timers who desire a journey bank card however do not need to funds for an annual charge.
For extra particulars, please see our full evaluation of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card.
Study extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome supply: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 inside three months of account opening.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: Foodies and people who spend on leisure are prime candidates for the Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card, as cardholders make more cash again inside these standard bonus classes.
The Capital One Savor additionally earns:
- 8% money again on Capital One Leisure purchases
- 5% money again on accommodations and rental vehicles booked with Capital One Journey
- 3% money again on eating, leisure, standard streaming companies and grocery shops (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Goal®)
- 1% on all different purchases
If the vast majority of your spending is in these classes, you would earn outsize cash-back rewards for no annual charge.
Plus, this card prices no overseas transaction charges and comes with MasterRental Protection, Grasp RoadAssist Service and prolonged guarantee safety.
Why it is nice for freshmen: For freshmen who spend cash on meals and leisure, there are few higher methods to earn bonus money again than with the no-annual-fee Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card.
First-timers can unlock bonus cash-back earnings inside standard spending classes with out making the funds funding of an annual charge, making it a robust candidate for anybody seeking to dive into bank card rewards.
For extra particulars, please see our full evaluation of the Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card.
Study extra: Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Limitless
Welcome supply: Earn an extra 1.5% money again on all purchases (on as much as $20,000 spent within the first 12 months), value as much as $300 money again.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: With the Chase Freedom Limitless, you will earn money again on each buy. Inside sure bonus classes, you will earn at an elevated price.
The classes embrace incomes 5% again on journey booked by means of Chase Journey, 3% again on eating (together with takeout and eligible supply companies), 3% again at drugstores and 1.5% again on all different purchases.
Plus, you will obtain numerous different perks that are not all the time a given on a no-annual-fee card. A number of the Chase Freedom Limitless’s perks embrace rental automotive safety, journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, roadside dispatch, prolonged guarantee safety and buy safety.
Why it is nice for freshmen: Money-back rewards are a strong start line for freshmen, and the Chase Freedom Limitless earns at elevated charges throughout a number of widespread bonus classes that can assist you maximize earnings on the {dollars} you spend.
The money again you will earn can be utilized as an announcement credit score or a direct deposit into most U.S. checking and financial savings accounts at a worth of 1 cent per level.
You can too redeem money again for reward playing cards or use them to e book journey by means of Chase Journey for a similar worth. Whereas you can too use cash-back rewards at Amazon, you will get a decrease worth going this route.
You’ll be able to probably set your self up for a better Chase bank card technique with the Chase Freedom Limitless as effectively. Sooner or later, you would pair this card with one other card that earns premium Chase Final Rewards factors (such because the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card) and convert your cash-back rewards into transferable factors.
For extra particulars, please see our full evaluation of the Chase Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Citi Double Money
Welcome supply: Earn $200 money again after you spend $1,500 within the first six months from account opening.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: The Citi Double Money stands out for its simplicity. You may earn 2% money again on each buy (1% as you purchase and 1% as you pay it off) with none limits on how a lot you may earn.
Plus, you will earn 5% money again on choose resort, automotive rental and attraction bookings made by means of the Citi journey portal by means of the top of 2025.
Citi money again is earned within the type of Citi ThankYou Rewards factors, that means you will earn 2 factors for each greenback spent on the cardboard. These factors are redeemed at a ratio of 1 cent per level, and you need to use these factors to redeem as a direct deposit to any checking or financial savings account, as an announcement credit score or as a verify by mail.
Why it is nice for freshmen: That is a straightforward possibility for individuals who aren’t acquainted with bank card rewards. The one factor it’s a must to do to earn 2% money again on all of your purchases is swipe the Citi Double Money Card and pay your assertion stability.
You will not should memorize bonus classes or be involved about activating rotating classes. As a substitute, you will know you are getting 2% money again on each buy you make. Plus, cash-back rewards are simple to redeem when you’re a real newcomer.
For extra particulars, please see our full evaluation of the Citi Double Money.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money
Uncover it Money Again
Welcome supply: Uncover will routinely match all of the money again you earn on the cardboard after your first card anniversary 12 months, successfully doubling your rewards for the primary 12 months of card membership.
Annual charge: $0
Standout advantages: With the Uncover it Money Again, you will obtain as much as 5% money again in quarterly rotating bonus classes when you activate, which may give you some severe earnings in numerous standard classes, corresponding to eating places, gasoline stations and Goal.
Plus, your earnings are successfully doubled after your first card anniversary 12 months, which suggests you would really stand up to 10% again on quarterly bonus classes and a pair of% again on all different spending for the primary 12 months.
This card would not cost an annual charge. It is also a strong possibility when you’re in search of a card that has a 0% introductory APR interval. Eligible candidates could also be permitted for as much as 15 months with a 0% APR on purchases and stability transfers.
Why it is nice for freshmen: This card is an effective possibility for freshmen as they begin to consider their spending habits to maximise bonus classes. The necessary issue right here is to not neglect to activate the Uncover it Money Again’s rotating quarterly classes.
Nevertheless, when you maximize the cardboard’s bonus classes every quarter and use it for all of your spending within the first 12 months, you would rack up some severe cash-back rewards — all whereas studying about your spending technique and activating bonus classes.
Study extra: Uncover it Money Again
What to think about when selecting your first bank card
Once I was weighing what advantages had been most necessary to me as I ready to use for my first bank card, I knew I wished to earn easy cash-back rewards that I may redeem for assertion credit. I wasn’t fairly able to funds for an annual charge, in order that was one other issue I thought-about.
What you worth is all as much as your private preferences, and weighing all these components will assist you choose the appropriate starter bank card on your monetary technique.
Most well-liked rewards
First, what kind of rewards are you seeking to earn? Do you need to accumulate factors or miles to make use of towards journey purchases, or are you curious about incomes money again on each greenback you spend?
Once I was prepared to select my first bank card, I regarded for easy cash-back earnings on my purchases since I wasn’t but acquainted with the huge world of factors and miles.
Welcome bonus
You may need to contemplate a card’s welcome supply, which is a rewards bonus sometimes earned after opening a card and assembly a minimal spending requirement inside a sure window.
Spending habits
Subsequent, contemplate the way you spend your cash. In case you incessantly dine out and purchase groceries, chances are you’ll need to contemplate a card that earns bonus factors, miles or money again in these classes.
Nevertheless, when you typically have bills throughout a number of classes, it could make extra sense to use for a bank card that earns a easy, flat price on all purchases.
Annual charge
Lastly, take into consideration your funds and private choice for annual charges. Many bank cards that cost annual charges supply perks, protections and credit that assist offset the annual charge.
In case you’re not trying so as to add a yearly cost on your first bank card, there are many no-annual-fee choices obtainable to get you began.
Associated: The entire information to bank card annual charges
Bank cards for restricted credit score historical past
It is value noting that if you’re beginning out with restricted (or no) credit score historical past, chances are you’ll need to begin less complicated than what we have included on this checklist.
You can begin out like I did as a certified consumer on a bank card held by your dad and mom or somebody you recognize with a very good credit score historical past. Most bank cards enable approved customers to be added for no additional price.
Simply you’ll want to use that card responsibly so you can begin constructing wholesome credit score habits early.
If being a certified consumer is not in your plans, contemplate a secured bank card. Secured playing cards are good choices for individuals who do not have a credit score historical past or are working to rebuild it.
Secured bank cards are simpler to be permitted for and require a safety deposit that turns into your credit score restrict. With accountable use of a secured bank card, you may set up good credit score historical past and turn out to be eligible for playing cards that earn extra rewards — such because the playing cards on this checklist.
Plus, a few of our picks for a finest first bank card even have a secured model, such because the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Money Rewards Credit score Card and the Uncover it® Secured Credit score Card.
The data for the Uncover it Secured has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: What’s a secured bank card?
How we selected the perfect first bank cards
We rated the perfect first bank cards primarily based on a number of components, together with reward incomes charges, perks and advantages related to every card and the general worth every card delivers to you, the patron.
To study how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups, try our methodology right here.
Associated: Learn how to verify your credit score rating without cost
Redemption choices for first bank cards
Whereas lots of the playing cards listed earn money again, you are not all the time restricted to simply redeeming for assertion credit with these rewards.
Money-back playing cards can nonetheless be used as journey playing cards. You should utilize the money again you earn to offset journey prices, opening quite a lot of methods to make use of rewards earned from a newbie bank card.
Plus, a number of the finest playing cards for freshmen earn factors or miles, which can be utilized towards free nights at accommodations or a seat in a premium cabin on a flight. You can too use factors and miles to improve your journey expertise. The chances are huge.
Associated: Learn how to redeem cash-back rewards out of your bank card
Backside line
Selecting your first bank card is an enormous determination, and there are a number of choices obtainable. It is most necessary to select a card that fits your spending habits, way of life and funds, as there isn’t any good bank card for all freshmen.
As soon as you’ve got utilized on your first bank card, you are prepared to begin having fun with rewards and perks to set your monetary future in movement.
Associated: 7 issues to grasp about credit score earlier than making use of for a brand new card
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a number of the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should range by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
