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With a good beginner credit card, you can establish a credit history, earn rewards on your spending and enjoy valuable perks. Plus, if you love to travel like we do here at TPG, you can use your credit card to elevate your next trip.
Maybe you’ve decided to break up with your debit card — which typically won’t earn rewards on your spending — or maybe you’re a first-timer seeking to build credit as you plan for the future.
The best first credit card for you will depend on your spending habits, financial goals and credit history. While some of the cards on this list are better suited to those with established credit, there are also options for people with limited or no credit history.
Whether you’re interested in earning cash-back rewards, points, miles or a combination of all three, we have you covered with our selection of the best first credit cards.
The best first credit cards for beginners
| Card | Best for | Earning rates | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Simple cash back |
| $0 |
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Dining and entertainment |
| $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see ) | Flexible cash rewards |
| $0 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see ) | Travel rewards |
|
Note: Many of these rewards cards are generally geared toward applicants with established credit. If you’re starting from scratch, see our section on credit cards for limited credit history below.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Why it’s great for beginners: If you’re new to credit cards, it doesn’t get much easier than this no-annual-fee card that earns a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits.
You won’t have to worry about memorizing bonus categories or managing Capital One miles if you opt to earn simple cash back with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, meaning you’ll earn a consistent return on every purchase without shuffling around multiple cards or activating quarterly categories.
But if you add a card that earns Capital One miles later, you can potentially convert the cash back into a transferable travel currency that can be used with one of Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver.
Learn more: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Why it’s great for beginners: For beginners who spend money on food and entertainment, there are few better ways to earn bonus cash back than with the no-annual-fee Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
First-timers can unlock bonus cash back in popular spending categories without paying an annual fee, making it a strong candidate for anyone looking to dive into credit card rewards.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Savor.
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Why it’s great for beginners: Cash-back rewards are a solid starting point for beginners, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns at elevated rates across multiple common bonus categories to help you maximize earnings on the dollars you spend.
The cash back you’ll earn can be used as a statement credit or deposited directly into most U.S. checking and savings accounts at 1 cent per point.
You can also redeem cash back for gift cards or use them to book travel through Chase Travel for the same value. While you can also use cash-back rewards at Amazon, you’ll get a lower value going this route.
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can set yourself up for a greater Chase credit card strategy. In the future, you could pair this card with another card that earns premium Chase Ultimate Rewards points (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred) and convert your cash-back rewards into transferable points.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it’s great for beginners: The Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ll earn with this card are valuable when used for travel, whether you’re redeeming to purchase a flight, book a hotel or rent a car through Chase Travel (at a rate of up to 1.5 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption; see your rewards program agreement for full details), or transferring to one of Chase’s airline and hotel partners for maximum value.
While some points-earning travel cards can carry high annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s $95 annual fee is a modest entry point for those starting off with credit cards. It’s ideal for frequent or casual travelers looking to earn valuable rewards.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Citi Double Cash Card
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. (This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points that can be redeemed for $200 cash back.)
Annual fee: $0.
Why it’s great for beginners: This is an easy option for those unfamiliar with credit card rewards. All you have to do to earn 2% cash back* on all your purchases is swipe the Citi Double Cash Card and pay your statement balance.
You won’t have to memorize bonus categories or be concerned about activating rotating categories. Instead, you’ll know you’re getting 2% cash back on every purchase. Plus, cash-back rewards are easy to redeem if you’re a true newcomer.
*1% when you buy and 1% when you pay
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Discover it Cash Back
Welcome offer: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you earn on the card after your first card anniversary year with Unlimited Cashback Match™, effectively doubling your rewards for the first year of card membership.
Annual fee: $0.
Why it’s great for beginners: This card is a good option for beginners as they think about their spending habits to maximize bonus categories. The important factor here is not to forget to activate the Discover it Cash Back’s rotating quarterly categories.
However, if you maximize the card’s bonus categories each quarter and use it for all your spending in the first year, you could earn some serious cash-back rewards — all while learning about your spending strategy and activating bonus categories.
To learn more, read our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
Learn more: Discover it Cash Back
How we chose the best first credit cards
We evaluated these cards based on their annual fees, earning rates, ease of redeeming rewards and overall value for beginners. We prioritized cards with straightforward earning structures, useful everyday benefits and manageable annual fees.
We also considered each card’s long-term value, including whether it could serve as a stepping stone toward a more advanced travel rewards strategy as your needs evolve.
Related: How to choose your best credit card strategy
How to choose your first credit card
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best first credit card. However, there are a couple of questions to ask yourself that could help narrow down the perfect beginner credit card for you:
- Are you willing to pay an annual fee?
- How do you spend your money most often?
- What type of rewards are you looking to earn — points, miles or cash back?
- Will you be able to earn the welcome bonus for a new card?
As a personal example, I was previously an authorized user on my parents’ Disney® Visa® Card (see ). After a few years, I was ready to find my own card with simple rewards and a 0% introductory annual percentage rate period.
What you value is all up to your personal preferences, and weighing all these factors will help you select the right starter credit card for your financial strategy.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Credit cards for limited credit history
It’s worth noting that if you are starting out with limited (or no) credit history, you may want to start simpler than what we’ve included in this list. In this case, consider a secured credit card. Secured cards are good options for those who don’t have a credit history or are working to rebuild it.
Secured credit cards are easier to get approved for and require a security deposit that becomes your credit limit. With responsible use of a secured credit card, you can establish good credit history and become eligible for cards that earn more rewards — such as the cards on this list.
Some of our picks for a best first credit card also have a secured version, such as the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
The information for the Discover it Secured 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.
Related: What is a secured credit card?
Bottom line
Choosing your first credit card is a big decision. It’s most important to pick a card that suits your spending habits, lifestyle and budget, as there isn’t one perfect credit card for all beginners.
If you’re new to credit, a secured or student card may be the best place to start. If you’ve already established credit, a beginner-friendly rewards card can help you earn cash back or travel rewards on purchases you’re making anyway.
Whichever card you choose, focus on paying your balance in full and building good credit habits. The rewards are a bonus, but establishing a strong credit history can benefit you for years to come.
Related: 7 things to understand about credit before applying for a new card
