A bank card could be a highly effective device in your private finance technique. With newbie bank card, you may set up a credit score historical past, earn rewards in your spending and luxuriate in helpful perks.
Plus, in case you like to journey like we do right here at TPG, you need to use your bank card to raise your subsequent journey.
All of us start at completely different locations. Possibly you have determined to interrupt up along with your debit card — which usually will not earn rewards in your spending — or possibly you are a first-timer looking for to construct credit score as you propose for the longer term.
When you’re like me once I was 18, you is perhaps prepared to maneuver past being a certified consumer on another person’s card and tackle the accountability of getting your individual.
I used to be beforehand a certified consumer on my dad and mom’ Disney® Visa® Card (see charges and costs). After a couple of years, I used to be prepared to seek out my very own card with easy rewards and a 0% introductory annual proportion price interval.
No matter the place you’re in your journey, bear in mind 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 involved in incomes cash-back rewards, factors and miles or a mix of all three, we’ve you lined with our choice of the most effective first bank cards.
The most effective first bank cards
*The data for the Uncover it Money Again has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
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Evaluating the most effective first bank cards
Listed below are some suggestions for the most effective first bank cards for novices.
| Card | Finest for | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Most well-liked | Journey rewards | Earn 75,000 bonus factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card | Easy money again | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card | Flat-rate rewards | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card |
Eating and leisure | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Chase Freedom Limitless | Versatile money rewards | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Citi Double Money | On a regular basis purchases | Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card | Money-back rewards | Uncover will match all of the money again earned through the first 12 consecutive billing durations that the brand new account is open. |
|
$0 |
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $95.
Standout advantages: The Sapphire Most well-liked Card earns Chase Final Rewards factors on each buy and options common bonus classes to get extra factors to make use of towards journey on frequent 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 via 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 via Chase Journey whenever you open the cardboard and on every account anniversary.
Cardholders get a ten% anniversary factors bonus every year, primarily based on their whole spending through the account anniversary yr, at a price of 1 level for every $10 spent. The cardboard additionally consists of at the very least one yr of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) and incorporates a host of journey and buy protections.
Why it is nice for novices: When 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 helpful when used for journey, whether or not you are redeeming to buy airfare, reserve resort rooms or hire a automobile via Chase Journey at a price of as much as 1.75 cents per level, relying on the precise redemption (see your rewards program settlement for full particulars), or transferring to one among 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 payment is a modest entry level for these beginning off with bank cards. It is best for frequent or informal vacationers trying to earn helpful rewards.
For extra particulars, learn our full overview 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 provide: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card is an efficient card to have in your pockets as a result of it’s simple to earn money again.
You may get an infinite 1.5% money again on each buy with no annual payment and no expiration dates on the money again you rack up.
And in case you add a card that earns Capital One miles later, you may probably convert the money again into transferable journey foreign money that can be utilized with one among Capital One’s 15-plus switch companions.
Why it is nice for novices: When 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 in case you choose to earn easy money again with the Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card, which means all of your purchases are mechanically maximized with out shuffling round a number of playing cards or activating quarterly classes.
For extra particulars, learn our full overview 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 provide: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The incomes charges on the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card are stable, particularly for a card that earns miles with no annual payment. You may earn a flat 1.25 miles per greenback spent on all of your purchases, which means you will not need to memorize bonus classes or activate quarterly bonus awards.
You may additionally earn 5 miles per greenback spent whenever you reserve inns or rental vehicles via Capital One’s journey reserving website, making the cardboard higher to carry in case you’re involved in reserving via a portal. And, 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 procuring advantages.
Why it is nice for novices: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card is an efficient entry level for anybody interested in transferable journey foreign money however bored with paying an annual payment. Plus, the cardboard earns miles at a flat price throughout on a regular basis purchases, including extra simplicity since you will not need to memorize bonus classes.
You may begin accumulating Capital One miles you could switch to one among 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 powerful possibility for first-timers who desire a journey bank card however do not need to finances for an annual payment.
For extra particulars, please see our full overview 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 provide: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 inside three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $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 money again inside these common bonus classes.
The Capital One Savor additionally earns:
- 8% money again on Capital One Leisure purchases
- 5% money again on inns and rental vehicles booked with Capital One’s journey reserving website
- 3% money again on eating, leisure, common streaming companies and grocery shops (excluding superstores like Walmart and Goal)
- 1% on all different purchases
If most of your spending is in these classes, you could possibly earn outsize cash-back rewards for no annual payment.
This card additionally prices no overseas transaction charges and comes with MasterRental Protection, Grasp RoadAssist Service and prolonged guarantee safety.
Why it is nice for novices: For novices 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 common spending classes with out making the finances funding of an annual payment, making it a powerful candidate for anybody trying to dive into bank card rewards.
For extra particulars, learn our full overview of the Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card.
Study extra: Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Limitless
Welcome provide: Earn $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $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 via 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. Chase Freedom Limitless’s perks embrace rental automobile safety, journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, roadside dispatch, prolonged guarantee safety and buy safety.
Why it is nice for novices: Money-back rewards are a stable place to begin for novices, and the Chase Freedom Limitless earns at elevated charges throughout a number of frequent 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 price of 1 cent per level.
You may also redeem money again for reward playing cards or use them to guide journey via 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.
With the Chase Freedom Limitless, you may set your self up for a higher Chase bank card technique. Sooner or later, you could possibly pair this card with one other card that earns premium Chase Final Rewards factors (such because the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked) and convert your cash-back rewards into transferable factors.
For extra particulars, learn our full overview of the Chase Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Citi Double Money
Welcome provide: Earn $200 money again after you spend $1,500 within the first six months from account opening.
Annual payment: $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) and there aren’t any limits in your earnings.
You may additionally earn 5% money again on choose resort, automobile rental and attraction bookings made via the Citi journey portal.
Citi money again is earned within the type of Citi ThankYou Rewards factors, which 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 novices: That is a simple possibility for these unfamiliar with bank card rewards. All 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 steadiness.
You will not need to memorize bonus classes or be involved about activating rotating classes. As an alternative, you will know you are getting 2% money again on each buy. Plus, cash-back rewards are simple to redeem in case you’re a real newcomer.
For extra particulars, learn our full overview of the Citi Double Money.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money
Uncover it Money Again
Welcome provide: Uncover will mechanically match all of the money again you earn on the cardboard after your first card anniversary yr, successfully doubling your rewards for the primary yr of card membership.
Annual payment: $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 can provide you some severe earnings in numerous common classes, reminiscent of eating places, fuel stations and Goal.
Your earnings are successfully doubled after your first card anniversary yr, which implies you could possibly truly rise up to 10% again on quarterly bonus classes and a pair of% again on all different spending for the primary yr.
This card would not cost an annual payment. It is also a stable possibility in case you’re searching for 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 steadiness transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24%-27.24% will apply after that.
Why it is nice for novices: This card is an efficient possibility for novices as they give thought to their spending habits to maximise bonus classes. The essential issue right here is to not overlook to activate the Uncover it Money Again’s rotating quarterly classes.
Nonetheless, in case you maximize the cardboard’s bonus classes every quarter and use it for all of your spending within the first yr, you could possibly rack up some severe cash-back rewards — all whereas studying about your spending technique and activating bonus classes.
Study extra: Uncover it Money Again overview
What to think about when selecting your first bank card
Once I was weighing what advantages have been most essential to me as I ready to use for my first bank card, I knew I needed to earn easy cash-back rewards that I may redeem for assertion credit. I wasn’t fairly able to finances for an annual payment, which 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 best starter bank card in your monetary technique.
Most well-liked rewards
First, what sort of rewards are you trying to earn? Do you need to gather 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 choose my first bank card, I seemed for cash-back earnings on my purchases since I wasn’t but accustomed to the huge world of factors and miles.
Welcome bonus
You may need to contemplate a card’s welcome provide, 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. When you often dine out and purchase groceries, you might need to contemplate a card that earns bonus factors, miles or money again in these classes.
Nonetheless, in case you usually have bills throughout a number of classes, making use of for a bank card that earns a easy, flat price on all purchases could make extra sense.
Annual payment
Lastly, contemplate your finances and private desire for annual charges. Many bank cards that cost annual charges provide perks, protections and credit that assist offset the annual payment.
When you’re not wanting so as to add a yearly cost in your first bank card, loads of no-annual-fee choices can be found to get you began.
Associated: The entire information to bank card annual charges
Bank cards for restricted credit score historical past
It is price noting that if you’re beginning out with restricted (or no) credit score historical past, you might need to begin easier than what we have included on this checklist.
You would begin like I did as a certified consumer on a bank card held by your dad and mom or somebody you understand with credit score historical past. Most bank cards permit approved customers to be added for no further value.
Simply be sure you 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 many who haven’t got 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 grow to be eligible for playing cards that earn extra rewards — such because the playing cards on this checklist.
A few of our picks for a greatest 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 Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: What’s a secured bank card?
How we selected the most effective first bank cards
We rated the most effective 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 find out about how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups, take a look at our methodology right here.
Associated: Tips on 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 restricted to redeeming these rewards for assertion credit. Money-back playing cards can nonetheless be used as journey playing cards that assist offset journey prices.
A few of the greatest playing cards for novices earn factors or miles, which can be utilized towards complimentary nights at inns or a seat in a premium cabin on a flight. You may also use factors and miles to improve your journey expertise.
Associated: Tips on how to redeem cash-back rewards out of your bank card
Backside line
Selecting your first bank card is a giant resolution. It is most essential to choose a card that fits your spending habits, life-style and finances, as there isn’t any one excellent bank card for all novices.
As soon as you have utilized in 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 offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
