How to Get a Credit Card for the First Time

As long as the credit card issuer reports your activity to at least one of the major credit bureaus, any of these options may help you build positive credit with responsible use¹:

Get a secured credit card

Unlike a standard credit card, a secured card requires a refundable deposit when you open your account. The deposit determines your credit limit. A secured card is different from a debit card because you don’t spend your deposit. However, the card issuer may keep your deposit and close your account if you don’t pay off your credit card balance. Because the deposit offers extra security to the card issuer, secured cards usually don’t require an extensive credit history.

If you consistently practice good credit habits, like paying your credit card bill on time each month and keeping your credit utilization ratio low, you may receive your deposit back. Your card issuer might automatically convert your account to an unsecured account with a credit limit increase, or you may have to reapply.

Apply for a student credit card

If you’re currently enrolled in college, a student credit card may help you practice good financial habits and build positive credit.

Student cards typically have minimal credit scores and income requirements, since college students are often just beginning their careers and credit journeys. For example, there’s no credit score required to apply for Discover^® Student credit cards.² Also, student cards may offer rewards on everyday purchases, like treats from the local café.

Some cards also come with features like expense trackers to help students learn financial skills.

A student card may have a low credit limit at first, but you may qualify for a credit limit increase after you build your credit or increase your income.

Become an authorized user

If you’re not ready to take responsibility for your own credit card, you may want to consider asking to become an authorized user on a trusted friend or family member’s account. Authorized users typically may access the account holder’s credit limit, but aren’t responsible for payments.

As long as the credit card issuer reports credit card activity to at least one credit bureau in your name, you may build credit as an authorized user.

However, the primary account holder’s credit card usage also appears on your credit profile. If they make late payments or rack up a big credit card balance, your credit score may be impacted.

Some credit card issuers allow you to become an authorized user before turning 18, which may help you start building your credit before setting out on your own.

Factors to consider for your first credit card

As you compare your credit card options, consider how your pick might fit into your lifestyle. Rewards, fees, limitations, and long-term benefits may all shape your decision.

Understand credit card rewards

You may not qualify for the most premium rewards card options until you establish a strong credit history. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait to start earning credit card rewards.

Some beginner credit cards offer cash back. For example, with the Discover^® it Student Cash Back Card, you can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

To maximize your cash back, look for a card with a high rewards rate on the purchases you make every day.

Compare annual fees

Many credit cards have an annual fee. Before choosing a card with a fee, ensure the value of the rewards and other benefits offset the extra cost.

Review the credit card terms

Before opening your first credit account, make sure you understand the terms and conditions so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to. Look out for the following details:

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Your credit card APR determines how your credit card balance accrues interest. A credit card issuer may offer new cardmembers a lower promotional interest rate for the first few months after opening their account, but don’t forget to look at the standard purchase APR, balance transfer APR, and cash advance APR.
• Fees. Credit cards may come with a variety of fees. In addition to the annual fee, make sure you understand your card’s cash advance fee, balance transfer fee, cancellation fee, foreign transaction fee, and any other additional charges.
• Late penalties. Make sure you understand what happens if you miss a credit card payment or pay late. Consequences might include a late payment fee, a penalty APR, or even account closure.
• Reward redemption requirements. With Discover, you may redeem rewards for any amount. But other credit card companies may not let you redeem your rewards until you earn a minimum amount.

Choose a credit card you won’t want to cancel

When you close an old credit card account, the average age of your credit card accounts goes down, which may lower your credit score. To minimize that risk, choose a card with lasting benefits that you’ll likely want to keep for a long time.

Improve the odds that your first credit card application will be approved

Submitting your first credit card application may be intimidating. While a rejection isn’t the end of the world, there are a few steps you might take to improve your odds of approval.

Limit the number of applications

Try to avoid applying for multiple cards at once. When you apply for a new credit card, the card issuer typically performs a hard credit check to view your credit profile. Hard credit checks may appear on your credit report and may affect your credit score. A single credit check may not have a big impact. However, multiple credit checks in a short period of time may have a more lasting effect, as they might suggest financial instability. So focus on cards you have a good chance of qualifying for, and apply for them one at a time.

Try to get pre-approved for your card

If you receive a pre-approved or pre-qualified offer, that means you’ve met the basic eligibility requirements for a specific credit card offer. When credit card companies pre-screen your credit profile, a soft credit inquiry may appear on your credit report. Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries don’t affect your credit score, so seeking pre-approval or pre-qualification may help you rule out cards you wouldn’t qualify for.

Prove you can make credit card payments

A credit card issuer generally wants to make sure you have the financial resources to stay on top of a credit card bill before extending you a line of credit. You’ll typically have to provide information about your monthly income and housing expenses as part of the credit card application. If you’re worried that you may not make enough money to qualify, you may want to consider ways to boost your income by taking on part-time work or a side job.

How to apply for your first credit card

Once you find the right credit card, it’s time to complete your application. To complete the application form, you may have to provide personal information, including your:

• Legal name
• Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• Date of birth
• Address
• Income
• Monthly mortgage or rent payment 

To apply for a student credit card, you may also need to provide information about your college or university and proof that you’re currently enrolled.

Applying online is often the quickest and most convenient option for most. The process may only take a few minutes.  

What to expect after you apply for your first credit card

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a credit card company must respond within 30 days of receiving your application. But if you apply online and all the personal information you’ve provided is correct, you may get a response in as little as a few minutes.

If the credit card issuer approves your application, you typically should receive a card by mail in around 10 business days. As soon as you activate your card, you may begin using it to build your credit.  

The bottom line

Your first credit card gives you more ways to pay for your everyday purchases and an opportunity to build a strong credit score with wise habits¹. Start your credit journey strong by making on-time payments each month, keeping your balances to a minimum, and charging only what you can afford. The good habits you practice today may help you build the credit you need to rent an apartment, finance a car, or even buy a home in the future.