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When Should You Get a Credit Card?

7 min read

Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A new credit card may help you make a big purchase, earn rewards, or build credit history, as long as you use it responsibly.
For your first credit card, you might consider an option that doesn’t typically require much credit history, like a secured card.
If you already have a credit card, you may want an additional card with rewards that complement your current card.

A credit card may help you build a strong credit history, earn rewards, and make major purchases. But a new card is a major financial decision that may have long-term consequences for your credit history, so you shouldn’t apply until you’re ready. Before you submit a credit card application, consider how a new card may align with your financial goals.

Why should you get a new credit card?

A new credit card may provide certain benefits or help you meet specific financial needs. For example, you may want a new card to:

Earn rewards. Many credit cards offer cash back or miles rewards, and some cards offer additional rewards in specific categories. A new rewards credit card may also complement an existing card. For example, you may want a travel credit card in addition to your current cash back card.
Receive a welcome offer. A credit card company may offer extra rewards for cardmembers who meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain period of time after account opening.
Make a large purchase. Some credit cards have promotional low annual percentage rate (APR) offers for new cardmembers, which may help you make a large purchase and pay off the balance without high interest during the introductory period.
Transfer and pay down credit card debt. Some credit card issuers may offer a low introductory interest rate for transferred balances. Transferring your balance to a card with a low introductory APR may help you reduce your credit card debt without accumulating much or any interest if you can repay the balance during the introductory period.
Get a referral. You may want to consider a credit card if you received a referral from a trusted friend or family member.
Increase your available credit. If you already have a credit card, a new card gives you access to an additional credit limit, increasing your spending power. Increasing your available credit may also improve your credit score by decreasing your credit utilization ratio, which is the portion of your credit in use at one time—as long as you don’t start spending more than you did before.
Add to your credit history. Building credit history can help you qualify for the best credit cards and personal loans, lower interest rate offers, and higher credit limits. Good credit may make it easier to qualify for a personal loan, rent a home, or buy a house.

Did you know?

You can find out if you’re pre-approved for a traditional Discover card. Checking your pre-approval status won't harm your credit score.¹

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What to look for when getting your first credit card

When you’re ready for your first credit card, you should look for an option with features you value—whether those include an easy-to-use mobile banking app, rewards on your everyday purchases, or a welcome offer after account opening.

You may also want to make sure your first credit card helps you establish credit. A new credit card only helps you build credit history if the credit card company reports your activity to a major credit bureau. The credit bureaus include information about your credit card use in your credit reports, which are the basis for your credit scores.

If you’re just beginning your credit journey, you may not have many credit card options to choose from. Consider credit cards designed for people with limited credit history. If you’re in college, a student credit card may be a good fit.

Student credit cards may be easier for young people to qualify for than other cards. For example, there’s no credit score required to apply for a Discover it^® Student credit card.chk² However, you still have to show the credit card issuer that you have enough income to manage your credit card payments.

When shouldn’t you get a credit card?

The circumstances aren’t always ideal for a new credit card. In the following situations, you may want to hold off on submitting a new credit card application:

You’ve applied for other cards recently. Applying for multiple credit cards in a short time frame triggers multiple hard credit checks, which may hurt your credit score. It’s best to wait between applications.
You’re applying for a mortgage or other loan. Applying for multiple types of credit within a short period—even if they aren’t all credit cards—may bring down your credit score. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage or loan soon, delaying your credit card application may increase your odds of approval.
You’re worried about overspending. A credit card may make it easier to spend more money than you can repay. Any balance you carry from one billing period into the next typically accrues interest, which may lead to a challenging cycle of credit card debt.
You lost your job or your income has gone down. Using a credit card to make ends meet when money is tight may seem tempting, but it could lead to more debt. If your income has recently gone down, you may have trouble paying your monthly credit card bill in full, meaning you’ll likely owe interest on the unpaid balance. A lower income may also limit your card options.
Your credit score is lower than you’d like. Without a strong credit score, you may not qualify for the credit card options or terms you want. Plus, submitting an application may temporarily lower your score by a few points, which could be discouraging while you’re working on rebuilding your credit.

When should you get a second credit card?

Maybe you already have a credit card or multiple credit cards, but you’re looking for some new perks or rewards.

You might want to add another credit card to the mix if it has features that complement the cards you already have or benefits that better suit your current spending habits.

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For example, suppose you use your cash back credit card every day to earn rewards, but pay it in full each month to avoid interest charges. You might want a second card that has a lower interest rate for emergency expenses that you may not be able to pay back right away. Or maybe you opened a gas rewards credit card when you had a long commute to work, but now you work from home. A credit card that earns extra rewards at grocery stores may better align with your everyday spending.

However, before you open a second credit card account, consider the costs. If your current rewards credit card has high fees, you might consider a new credit card without an annual fee. That way, you won’t increase your expenses. Discover has no annual fee on any of our cards.

The bottom line

Whether you’re thinking about opening your first credit card account or balancing out your wallet with a second or third card, applying for credit is a major financial decision. Before you submit your application, consider whether it’s the right time for a new card.

Remember, a new credit application may affect your credit score. Fortunately, some credit card issuers, including Discover, let you see if you’re pre-approved with no harm to your credit score.¹ That way, when the right time comes, you may apply for your next credit card with confidence.

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