It can be hard to start building your credit, especially if you don’t have any credit history to show for it. It can seem hard to figure out how to use credit cards, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding the right beginner credit card is important for building a strong financial base without having to worry about high fees or confusing terms. You can build a good credit history and a strong financial future if you have the right tools and information.
We will show you some of the best credit cards for people who don’t have a credit history. We picked cards that have requirements that are easy to meet, useful perks, and ways to steadily build credit. You will know exactly which credit card is best for your financial goals and how to use it to build your credit with confidence.
1. Capital One Platinum Credit Card: A Simple Option for Beginners
If you don’t have any credit history yet, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a great place to start. It takes away a lot of the confusion that comes with applying for a credit card by making the process simple and easy to understand for people who are just starting out. The card offers:
- No annual fee, so you can avoid extra costs while building credit.
- Access to a credit monitoring tool, allowing you to track your credit progress.
- Potential for a higher credit line after making your first five monthly payments on time.
This card is an ideal choice for those looking to build credit while avoiding complicated fees and terms.
2. Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Build Credit with Cash-Back Rewards
If you’re new to credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great choice. It helps you build credit and gives you cash-back rewards. A refundable security deposit lowers the lender’s risk and lets you use the card responsibly.
Features include:
- Refundable security deposit starting at $200.
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee, which helps keep costs low.
- Automatic graduation to an unsecured card after responsible use.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus, which is essential for building your credit.
With the added benefit of cash-back rewards, this card offers great value for beginners looking to earn rewards while establishing credit.
3. Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa: A Great Choice Without a Credit History
The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa has a new way to help people build credit. Petal doesn’t just look at your credit score; it also looks at other data, like your banking history, to see if you’re a good credit risk. This means that even if you don’t have a traditional credit history, it’s easy to get this card.
Features include:
- 1% cash back on all purchases, increasing to 1.5% after making 12 on-time payments.
- No annual fees, no late fees, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus to help establish credit.
- Clear terms with no hidden charges.
With a straightforward rewards program and no hidden fees, this card is ideal for beginners looking to build credit responsibly.
4. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: A Credit Card for College Students
The Journey Student Rewards card from Capital One is for college students who are just starting to build their credit. It rewards responsible credit use instead of just spending, which is different from a lot of other cards.
Benefits include:
- 1% cash back on all purchases, with a bonus for making on-time payments.
- Credit limit increases after making your first five monthly payments on time.
- No annual fee.
- Access to CreditWise, a free credit monitoring tool to track your credit progress.
This card is a great choice for students who want to build credit and get rewards for being responsible with their money.
5. OpenSky® Secured Visa Credit Card: No Credit Check Required
If you want to build credit without having to go through a credit check, the OpenSky® Secured Visa Credit Card is a great option. This card is backed by a refundable deposit that sets your credit limit, so even people with no credit history can get it.
Features include:
- No credit check required to apply.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- No annual fee.
- Refundable security deposit.
This card is great for beginners because it makes it easy to build credit without having to do a credit check.
6. Citi® Secured Mastercard®: A Reliable Credit-Building Option
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a great way for people who are new to credit to build or rebuild their credit. It needs a refundable security deposit because it is a secured card, but it has a lot of features that make it a strong candidate.
Features include:
- No annual fee.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- Monthly access to your FICO® Score, so you can track your progress.
- Refundable security deposit.
This card is a good option for people who are just starting to build their credit. It has clear terms and tools to help you keep track of your progress.
7. Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®: Easy Pre-Qualification
The Indigo® Platinum Mastercard® is made for people who don’t have good credit or have never had credit before. The pre-qualification process is one of the best things about this card. It lets you see how likely you are to be approved without hurting your credit score.
Features include:
- Pre-qualification process with no impact on your credit score.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- Straightforward credit-building opportunity.
This card doesn’t give cash-back rewards, but it is a good way to build credit responsibly.
8. Petal® Visa Credit Card: An Alternative Way to Build Credit
Instead of just looking at your credit score, the Petal® Visa Credit Card looks at your whole financial picture, including your income and savings. This is a great choice for people who don’t have a traditional credit history.
Features include:
- No annual fee.
- Cash back on everyday spending after meeting a minimum number of on-time payments.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- Transparent terms with no late fees and clear guidance on improving credit.
This card combines modern technology with easy-to-use credit-building features, giving people who are just starting out a fair chance to build credit.
9. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: A Great Option for Students Without Traditional Credit Backgrounds
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a great choice for college students, especially those who don’t have a lot of experience with credit.
Features include:
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
- No security deposit required.
- Access to Amazon Prime Student for one year after making eligible purchases.
- No annual fee.
This card is great for students who want to build credit and get benefits like Amazon Prime.
10. BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card: A Path to Unsecured Cards
The BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card is great for people who are new to credit because it requires a security deposit that can be returned and reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Features include:
- No annual fee.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- Potential to graduate to an unsecured card with responsible use.
This card is an easy way to build credit that could grow over time.
11. First Progress® Platinum Elite Secured Credit Card: Simple and Effective
The First Progress® Platinum Elite Secured Credit Card is easy to apply for and helps you build credit by reporting to the major credit bureaus on a regular basis.
Features include:
- Refundable security deposit.
- No annual fees.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
This card is a great choice for anyone who wants to build a credit history without any surprises.
12. Secured Mastercard® from Capital One: A Flexible Credit-Building Option
The Capital One Secured Mastercard® is a good option for people who want to build credit without having to pay a lot of money up front.
Features include:
- Refundable security deposit starting at $49, $99, or $200.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- No annual fee.
- Access to CreditWise® to monitor your credit progress.
This card rewards you for making payments on time and helps you build credit quickly.
Conclusion
The first step to building a strong financial base is to pick the right credit card. If you’re in college, just starting out in the workforce, or starting over, there are many ways to start building your credit. There are many different types of credit cards, from secured cards to those that give you cash back. Each one has its own features that can be customized to fit your needs.
Keep in mind that it takes time to build credit, but if you use it wisely, you can raise your credit score and make sure your future is financially stable. Choose a card that works for you right now, and use the tools provided to keep track of your progress. As time goes on, you’ll see that credit is a useful tool for reaching your financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build credit with a beginner credit card?
It can take a long time to build credit, especially for people who are just starting out. After three to six months of responsible, regular use, your credit score should start to go up.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you don’t pay on time, your credit score could go down and you could have to pay late fees. Set up automatic payments or reminders to help you stay on track and avoid this.
Can I switch from a secured card to an unsecured card?
Yes, a lot of secured cards let you move up to an unsecured card after you’ve used the card responsibly for a while. This is usually only true if you make your payments on time and use your credit limit wisely.
Do these cards offer rewards?
Some cards, such as the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and Petal® 2, give you cash back. Other cards, on the other hand, only help you build credit and don’t give you rewards.
Updated by Albert Fang
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