Best Credit Cards for Young Adults 2025
Escalating gasoline rates can drastically change your fiscal plan. Detecting the best credit card for young adults for gas might produce notable savings at the gas station. Fortunately, countless of credit cards deliver remarkable loyalty schemes specifically engineered to help you save at the pump. Regardless if you’re a student, a young adult, or someone hoping to amplify rewards, there’s a flawless card out there for you. This encyclopedic guide explores the best credit cards for young adults for fueling transactions, offering top picks, essential tips for boosting your fuel savings, and answers to standard queries.
Important considerations before getting your first credit card
Before getting into different types of credit cards, it is important to understand the basics.
This subsection will touch upon some significant points for choosing the best credit cards for young adults and unveil five excellent choices, which we will analyze in more detail in the following sections: the Discover it® Student Chrome, Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Rise®, Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card, and the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
- Credit rank: Starting with a card engineered for those with narrow credit can be a commendable beginning in spotting the best credit cards for young adults.
- Expenditure patterns: Opting for a card with perks that correlate to your consumption habits can enhance your profits when questing for the best credit cards for young adults.
- APR: The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the mortgage rate you’ll be invoiced on any pending balance you carry.
- Fees: Take heed of annual fees, balance transfer surcharges, foreign transaction fees, and late payment fees.
- Rewards programs: Many cards tender cash incentives, points, or miles for purchases. Ponder your spending tendencies and settle on a card with gratifications that harmonize with your prerequisites.
Discover it® Student Chrome
The Discover it® Student Chrome is engineered to captivate students and young adults who are in the nascent stage with credit. It gives an uncomplicated incentive program, noteworthy benefits, and waived annual fee then making it a tempting choice for those who are thrifty.
Key features and benefits
- Cash rebate: The card generally supplies a higher rebate percentage on refueling station and dining expenses. This is a substantial gain for students and young professionals who habitually commute or dine out. The accurate percentage can differ, so it’s prudent to verify the ongoing promotion on Discover’s website when looking at the best credit cards for young adults.
- Introductory offer: Discover regularly magnifies the deal with an introductory offer, such as a cashback match at the end of the first year. This means that Discover will equal all the cashback you’ve earned in the initial year as a cardmember. This can be a substantial boost to your rewards payouts.
- No annual expense: Among the highest appealing aspects of the Discover it® Student Chrome is that it doesn’t demand an annual levy. This transforms it into a thrifty choice for learners and youth who are struggling to cope with their earning and detect the best credit cards for young adults.
- Credit monitoring: Discover often enables access to unpaid credit score tracking and monitoring gadgets. This can be worthwhile for staying on top of your credit health and identifying any foreseeable issues.
- Fraud protection: Discover offers various fraud safeguards traits, which can grant you peace of mind knowing that your account is shielded.
Who is the Discover it® Student Chrome best for?
- Learner: The card’s incentives scheme, fee-free annually, and prioritize credit building transform it a perfect pick for students.
- Youth: Young workforce who are just beginning their careers and looking to strengthen credit can also capitalize on this card.
- Frequent drivers: The elevated rewards on fuel procurement form this card particularly enticing for those who are daily commuters and seeking the best credit cards for young adults for gas.
- Diners: If you frequently eat out, the higher cash back percentage at restaurants can be a valuable perk.
How to apply
You can register for the Discover it® Student Chrome online through Discover’s website. Be ready for granting confidential information, for instance your government-issued identification number, location, and income data.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
This platform is tailored for students, tendering a no-frills but efficient method to garner rebate rewards on habitual buys while cultivating a robust credit status. Its primary features encompass a uniform cashback rate, no subscription fee, and various cardholder privileges, making it one of the best credit cards for young adults.
Key features and benefits
- Consistent cashback offers: This card delivers a persistent cashback portion on all deals, regardless of category. This uncomplicatedness is a notable perk, as you needn’t monitor shifting reward categories or be troubled by amplifying explicit budgeting sections when weighing the best credit cards for young adults.
- No yearly fee: Comparable to numerous student credit cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is free of annual charges. This renders it an economical alternative for learners and youth who are just initiating with credit and administering their budget.
- Credit monitoring: Capital One often furnishes admission to credit tracking and monitoring mechanisms, facilitating your ability to keep abreast of your credit health and discern any likely challenge.
- Eno® smart assistant: Capital One consistently allows entry to Eno®, their AI, which can facilitate for you to control your account, oversee your expenditures, and even uncover latent savings.
- Fraud safeguarding: Capital One presents various safeguards to protect your account from fraud.
Who is the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card best for?
- Pupils: The card’s constant cashback rate, no annual cost, and spotlight credit enhancement convert it into superior selection for students.
- Young adults: Young professionals who are starting their careers and want a simple, rewarding credit card can also benefit from this card.
- Those who prefer simplicity: If you prefer a straightforward rewards program without the complexity of rotating categories, this card is a good fit when considering the best credit cards for young adults.
- Individuals building credit: This card is a valuable tool for those just beginning their credit journey.
How to apply
You can seek admission to the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card online through Capital One’s website. You’ll generally be required to present personal data , including your national identification number, location, salary details, and student status (if applicable).
Chase Freedom Rise®
The Chase Freedom Rise® is a unique card that usually demands an upfront security payment. In this case, this down payment acts as your credit cap, supporting you in constructing credit responsibly. By making stable, prompt remittances, you can ultimately obtain your deposit back and possibly transition to a standard Chase credit card. Therefore, it’s a prime pick among the best credit cards for young adults looking to build credit.
Key features and benefits
- Credit establishment priority: The chief goal of the Chase Freedom Rise® is to support you establish and cultivate a solid credit background. Your prudent use of the card, consisting of punctual payments and upkeeping a diminished credit utilization ratio, will be notified to the credit bureaus.
- Road to completion: Subsequent to a period of responsible use (typically around six months), Chase will examine your account. If you’ve demonstrated good credit practices, you may be eligible to graduate to a orthodox Chase credit card, typically with a higher credit cap and potentially better bonuses. This is a considerable advantage, as it paves the way for more credit opportunities in the future and renders it one of the best credit cards for young adults building credit.
- Cashback rewards: While primarily a credit-building tool, the Chase Freedom Rise® also delivers cash back perks on daily spending. The accurate rewards system can fluctuate, so it’s always wise to verify the current offer on Chase’s website.
- No annual fee: The Chase Freedom Rise® is complimentary with an annual fee, causing it to be a cost-effective choice for those who are just embarking on credit and in pursuit of the best credit cards for young adults.
- Fraud protection: Chase supplies robust fraud protective elements to safeguard your account.
Who is the Chase Freedom Rise® best for?
- Individuals with limited credit history: This card is optimal for those who are fresh to credit or have an insufficient credit report.
- Young adults: Young professionals and students who are looking to build credit can benefit from this card.
- Those who are committed to responsible credit building: The security deposit requirement encourages responsible credit habits.
- Individuals who want access to Chase credit products: Graduating to a traditional Chase card can be a valuable step for those who are interested in other Chase credit cards or banking products.
How to apply
You can submit an application for the Chase Freedom Rise® online through Chase’s website. Be poised to give personal data, such as your personal identification number, location, income data, and details about your security deposit.
Further reading:
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
The Petal® 2 card stands out among the best credit cards for young adults because it uses supplementary data, including your banking history, to determine your creditworthiness. Consequently, this tactic can be remarkably advantageous for young adults, pupils, and others who haven’t had the shot to establish a traditional credit history.
Key features and benefits
- Accessible credit building: Petal® uses a distinct strategy to appraise creditworthiness, weighing aspects beyond traditional credit scores. This leads to the Petal® 2 card more accessible to those who are fresh to credit or have a low credit history.
- Cashback on everyday purchases: The Petal® 2 card is suitable for people that are interested in cashback on daily expenses. However, rewards vary for each type of purchase so make sure to visit the Petal’s website for more information. In many instances, the card provides cashback in tiers, with greater percentages allocated to certain focalized categories.
- No fees: This is a unique feature that sets Petal® 2 card apart from the rest. Typically, there are no charges of any kind, such as an annual fee, fees for foreign transactions, or even penalties for late payments (in many instances). As a result, this can make it a very affordable option when it comes to finances.
- Monitoring credit score: Cardholders of Petal® can receive a number of services for checking their credit score and evaluating their credit score health. This is helpful in knowing the answers to where one’s credit score is coming from which can be useful for young people starting out with credit cards and finding out the best credit cards for young adults.
Who is the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card best for?
- People with little or no credit profile – this card is made to cater new to credit buyers and people who have no credit score.
- Young professionals: This card is available for students and first-time job holders who are looking to start their financial journey with utmost ease.
- People who prefer no charge credit cards: Fee free credit cards are perfect for financially conservative people.
- People looking to establish credit: Using the Petal 2 responsibly allows you to establish and build a credit history.
How to apply
For the Petal® 2 card, Petal’s website is where you may fill out the forms online. In most instances, the application requires the submission of some personal information and the linking of a bank account so Petal can evaluate your overall financial condition.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Similar to the Petal® 2 card, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card has no annual fee, and no perks which often come with credit cards. This card earns you no rewards; however, it is one of the best credit cards for young adults who are beginning to build their credit score since it offers no anxiety around severe overspending consequences.
Key features and benefits
- Intended for credit building: The main aim of the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is credit building, either by enabling an individual to establish or improve their credit history. Specifically, Capital One submits payments made towards the card balance to the credit bureaus, which helps the user build a strong credit history over time. Therefore, paying on schedule and keeping credit balances low is essential.
- No fees: The most beneficial aspect of the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is that the card does not have an annual fee. This is especially helpful to those on a budget and new to using credit cards or are in the process of repairing their credit.
- Credit score tracking: Capital One provides tools that enable credit score tracking and monitoring free of charge. This is useful for monitoring credit health and understanding the impact of one’s credit behavior on their credit score.
- Fraud protection: Capital One has put in place comprehensive fraud protection features which help in safeguarding accounts against unauthorized activities.
Who is the Capital One Platinum Credit Card best for?
- No credit: For individuals with no credit history, this card is the most suitable option for beginners in the credit world.
- Poor credit history: Similarly, this card can be perfectly used by individuals who have had challenges with their credit management in the past and want to increase their credit scores.
- Budget conscious: Moreover, people who wish to tighten their purses will also find this card attractive due to the absence of annual fees.
- People that want uncomplicated credit cards: Finally, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a great choice for those who don’t want any hassles with categories of rewards and prefer simple perks.
How to apply
To apply, simply go to the Capital One webpage and fill out the online application. Information such as your social security number, address, the name of your employer and how much you earn will be requested.
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Essential tips for managing your first credit card successfully
Applying for your first credit card can be an exhilarating endeavor but it requires your attention. Here are some tips to manage your first credit card to make the most of the best credit cards for young adults.
Pay your balance in full each month
Avoid interest charges
Prudence dictates that you settle your balance in its entirety by the end of each month in order to escape the clutches of interest charges.
Otherwise, month after month, credit card debt tends to accumulate, and without fail, maintaining a balance will only lead to deeper trouble when credit card interest rates are considerably on the higher end.
Build good credit
Paying off your balance each month shows lenders that you have taken decent control over your credit, building a strong case for a favorable change to your credit score. Along with these benefits, it will also become easier to receive favorable interest rates and qualify for loans.
Stay within your budget
Another handy tip is to charge only the amount that you can effortlessly pay off without breaking a sweat every single month. This is yet another way for you to ensure that you will not overspend.
Set up automatic payments
Never miss a payment
Automated payments help users avoid missing deadlines set for payments, as missing them can lead to fees and a detrimental blow to your credit score.
Choose your payment date
With many credit card issuers, you have the luxury of selecting your own payment date. Therefore, it is advisable to choose one in line with when you get paid to avoid any future juggling around payments on top of your finances.
Keep your credit utilization low
Understand credit utilization
Credit utilization ratio is a measure that compares how much credit a person uses against their credit limit. Therefore, in order to maintain a good credit score, it is advisable to keep this ratio under 30%.
Monitor your spending
Make sure to track your spending closely so you don’t exceed the recommended ratio. Additionally, review your statements, as well as your spending, so that you are within the limits each month with the help of budgeting tools.
Monitor your credit score regularly
Check for errors
Monitoring your credit score enables one to check if there are any errors or in cases of any discrepancies. If there are any inaccuracies, ensure that the issue is disputed with the concerned credit bureau.
Track your progress
Regular checking of your credit score helps increase motivation to stick to good credit behavior for the desired results.
Building strong financial habits with your first credit card
A first credit card can be an excellent opportunity to develop responsible spending. Here are some ways to foster these habits using the best credit cards for young adults
- Monitor your expenditures: Consider using budgeting apps to monitor your financial habits and ensure that you do not overspend.
- Curb spontaneous spending: Reserve your card for planned expenses and think twice before making impulse purchases.
- Set money aside: Build an emergency savings account to avoid incurring debt on your credit card during unanticipated events.
- Check your statement: Regularly check your credit card statements to monitor any unusual expenditures and ensure that there are no unapproved charges.
FAQ
What credit card is best for a 19 year old?
Students and young adults starting their professional careers often benefit from access to credit cards. Secured or student credit cards help them build credit history. Besides, the issuer is more likely to charge the individual a reasonable interest rate. So, for simple and the best credit cards for young adults selection include the following:
- Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Chase Freedom Rise®
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
What is the best credit card for young adults with no credit?
Student credit cards and secured credit cards are perfect options for young adults that have no credit. One of the primary conditions for acquiring these types of cards is that a credit score is not usually a requirement. Some of the best credit cards for young adults and easiest secured credit cards available are:
- Discover it® Student Chrome
- Chase Freedom Rise®
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Should a young adult get a credit card?
Yes, having a credit card can be beneficial for young adults as it helps build a credit score. Nevertheless, with great power over your financial life comes bigger responsibility to practice restraint when using the card, lest they incur a lot of credit card debt.
Which card is easiest to get approved for?
With these opportunities, in this case, it is as easy as taking a low deposit as collateral to guarantee repayment. Consequently, this provides added security for the issuer while easing the applicant’s approval chances.
