Credit Cards to Build Credit

How to start your credit history

The right credit card could help jump start your credit journey. See if you’re pre-approved for a Discover card with no harm to your credit score to check.1

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Credit cards to build credit FAQs

Your credit score is based on your credit history, which includes the length of time you've had credit and how you manage your credit. Opening a credit card account can establish your credit history if you don't have one, and using the card responsibly by paying bills on time can help your credit score.

A new credit card account usually needs to be open and used for at least six months before the major credit bureaus begin including the account on your credit report. And the way that you manage that account will influence whether the account has a positive or negative impact on your credit score. To use your credit cards to build credit, make sure your credit utilization remains low, don’t charge above your credit limit, and make sure you pay every statement on time.

Yes, any credit line or type of credit card can help you build credit, if used responsibly, by influencing the factors that affect your credit score. But you're responsible for managing your credit well if you want a good credit score. If you spend more on it than you repay, you'll accumulate credit card debt which can contribute to poor credit and a bad credit history. 

If a credit card issuer reports all account users (the primary cardholder and any authorized users) to the credit bureaus, the way that Discover does, the credit account activity can contribute to the authorized user’s credit history. If the primary cardholder uses their card responsibly, like paying their bill on time and keeping a low credit utilization, this can contribute positively to the authorized user’s credit history. But be aware of the risks involved too. An authorized user’s credit history could be negatively impacted if the primary account holder makes late payments or maintains a high balance on the account. Other credit card issuers may allow authorized users but not report both users to the credit bureaus. In that case, the credit activity will not contribute to the authorized user’s credit history.

You only need one credit card account to start building credit. By making on-time payments and keeping your balance low, you can demonstrate responsible use of your credit card account and help improve your credit score.

Building credit and achieving a high credit score can help you meet both near- and long-term financial goals. A good credit score may help you qualify for credit cards with exceptional rewards and a lower interest rate, or even help with renting an apartment or landing a job if your credit history is reviewed during the application process. A high credit score may also help you secure better terms and lower interest rates on other types of loans in the future, like a mortgage or auto loan. Better terms could end up saving you money over the duration of the loan.

Different credit cards have different approval requirements, and getting approved for a credit card isn’t a guarantee. If you have a poor or limited credit history, you might have a more difficult time getting approved for a new credit card. 

 

To find out if you’re likely to be approved for a Discover credit card, you can use the Discover pre-approval tool to check your eligibility. Checking to see if you’re pre-approved  is fast, easy and won’t impact your credit score.1

All Discover credit cards report cardholder account activity to the credit reporting bureaus. This means that the way you manage your credit card will appear on your credit report and contribute to your credit history either positively or negatively, depending on your spending and payment activities.

 

If you are a student, you might qualify for a Discover student credit card. If you aren’t a student, use the Discover pre-approval tool to check your eligibility for other Discover cards. Checking to see if you’re pre-approved is fast, easy and won’t impact your credit score.1

 

If you aren’t qualified for a Discover card, consider looking for secured credit card products that have no or low credit requirements.

What to look for in a credit building credit card

A man sits on a bench as he smiles at a young boy with a red backpack standing next to him.
A man sits on a bench as he smiles at a young boy with a red backpack standing next to him.

To build your credit, make sure your credit activity is being reported to the credit bureaus. Many credit card companies will let you review your credit score for free with each billing statement, which can help you understand how you’re doing.

Two women sit together in an open cafe window. They both look at a laptop in front of them.
Two women sit together in an open cafe window. They both look at a laptop in front of them.

When building credit, you don't want anything that could negatively impact your score, like hard pull credit inquiries. Before submitting a credit card application, you may be able to find out if you are already pre-approved without a hard inquiry.

A woman sits at a table looking outside through a bright window. She has a fork in one hand and a bite of food in the other.
A woman sits at a table looking outside through a bright window. She has a fork in one hand and a bite of food in the other.

The best credit card to build credit may be one that lets you seamlessly upgrade to a better card with more perks.

A family shops together in a supermarket. A young child reaches for a product on a shelf.
A family shops together in a supermarket. A young child reaches for a product on a shelf.

Consider any fees your credit card issuer may charge and compare them to the rewards you can earn. If the fees, like an annual fee, cost more than you can earn in rewards, there may be better options for you that won’t cost you money.

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What are the benefits of having a credit history?

Credit history isn’t just for credit cards

Although building credit may help you get new credit or a higher credit line, other things that need a credit check (like renting an apartment or getting a cell phone) may deny you if you have no credit history or a poor credit score.

Good credit can predict behavior

A card issuer typically sees a good credit score as proof that you have a history of responsible credit use. A credit card issuer expects a borrower with good credit to repay their credit; this is why good credit and a higher credit score often means lower interest rates.

A longer credit history can help your credit score

Your credit score includes credit utilization ratio, overall credit limit, and credit account age. Your oldest credit account starts your credit history and will continue to appear on your credit report for at least as long as the account is open.

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