Best Credit Cards for Beginners in February 2025

It's time to get your first credit card. But you can't just apply for any card out there: You'll typically need a history of responsible credit to qualify for one. 

Here are some of the best starter credit cards to consider if you're a credit beginner, including several that earn travel and cash-back rewards.

Several of our recommended cards are issued by Discover, which is well-known to be friendly to students and other adults who are just getting started with credit.

Others come from Chase and Capital One, which offer many other credit products that can further enhance your financial life down the road. 

Best Credit Cards for Beginners

• Best for flat-rate cash back: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for travel rewards: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Best for restaurants and groceries: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for international students: Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students
• Best for 5% cash back: Discover it® Student Cash Back
• Best for bad credit: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Best for Chase customers: Chase Freedom Rise℠
• Best for building credit: Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Featured Credit Cards for Beginners

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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back

Introductory APR: N/A (then 29.74% variable APR)

Annual Fee: $39

Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

According to Capital One, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to consumers with "average" credit, which makes the card attainable for people with limited credit, or anyone who has made credit mistakes in the past.

With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 1.5% cash back for each dollar you spend on other purchases. That's not bad for a rewards credit card, and it's especially good for cards available to consumers with average credit.

Capital One also promises to reconsider your credit limit and potentially boost it after you've made six on-time payments on your credit card. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees and several benefits, which is a lot more than many credit cards for fair credit offer.

Read more in our Capital One QuicksilverOne card review.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for Travel Rewards

Introductory APR:  0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time) (then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is typically only available to consumers with good credit or better, but it's important to note that a good FICO score typically starts in the 670+ range. If you can qualify, this card can serve as a starter travel credit card that can help you get accustomed to earning this type of rewards.

Once you sign up, you'll earn a flat 1.25 miles for each dollar you spend. You can also earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.

On the redemption side of the equation, you can redeem Capital One miles for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent apiece, or for Capital One transfer partners for airfare and hotel stays. This card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Read more in our Capital One VentureOne Rewards card review.

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Restaurants, Groceries, and Entertainment

Introductory APR: N/A (then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: 8% cash back on entertainment purchased through the Capital One Entertainment portal, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases

If you're a college student who likes to go out, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

This card is extra appealing because it offers a welcome bonus offer of $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening. It's possible to qualify with limited credit, so if you're new to credit cards it's a solid choice.

You'll also receive surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card, including price protection, extended warranty, car rental coverage, roadside dispatch, travel accident insurance, and complimentary concierge services.

Most Capital One rewards cardholders, including those with the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, can book flights, hotels, and rental cars with rewards, or pay with their card and earn 5 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One travel portal.

Read more in our Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards credit card review.

Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students: Best for International Students

Introductory APR: N/A (then 0% APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: Earns up to 15% cash back with some retailers. Earn up to 4.25% APY on the money you use to secure the card.

International students often struggle to get credit cards because they lack credit history, and may not have a Social Security Number or other sufficient identification to help them get started in the U.S. banking system.

As its name suggests, the Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students can change that game. Firstcard membership comes with a joint bank account and credit card combo for successful U.S. resident applicants of any nationality.

This card is essentially a secured credit card, with funds from the Firstcard bank account used as security against the card balance. Firstcard doesn't initiate a hard credit pull to determine eligibility, and helps cardholders build credit by reporting payment activity to major credit bureaus every month.

The most exciting aspect of the Firstcard is that cardholders can earn interest on any funds banked within their account. Members earn 1.25% annual percentage yield (APY) with the base-tier Firstcard membership, and 4.25% APY with Firstcard+, which costs $2.99 per month.

Members can also earn up to 15% cash back from 29,000 retailers throughout the U.S., and up to 10% cash back on every purchase.

Finally, Firstcard does not charge the usual card fees (unless you sign up for Firstcard+): No account management fees, annual fees, no interest, no late fees, no overdraft fees, no setup fees, and no foreign transaction fees.

Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for 5% Cash Back Categories

Introductory APR: 0% intro APR for six months on purchases (then 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically

Students who like to maximize rewards should consider the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which is typically available to consumers who don't have an extensive credit history.

Once you're approved, you can enroll to earn 5% cash back up to a quarterly maximum limit spent on purchases every quarter, which you can track using our Discover cash back calendar. You'll also earn 1% back on everything else (from January 1 to March 31, 2025, earn 5% cash back at restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

Like other cash-back Discover credit cards, this card will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of the first account year.

This card also lets you see your credit score for free each month, and you'll get Social Security Number monitoring, zero fraud liability, and no late fee on your first late payment (then up to $41). Consider signing up if you want to earn rewards and build credit at the same time without an annual fee.

Read more in our Discover it Student Cash Back card review.

Chase Freedom Rise℠: Best for Chase Customers

Introductory APR: N/A (then 26.74% APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases

The Chase Freedom Rise℠ should be on your shortlist if you're completely new to credit cards, because it's geared specifically toward people with no credit history at all. This no-annual-fee card earns 1.5% cash back per dollar on all purchases, which is a solid rate of return for a starter credit card.

Chase credit cards are incredibly powerful because they earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®, some of the most highly valued points you can earn in the credit card rewards ecosystem. Business Insider values Ultimate Rewards at 1.8 cents apiece on average, and you can get far more from each point through Chase travel partners.

Chase Freedom Rise℠ cardholders can only redeem rewards for cash back, statement credits, andn gift cards. But if you open one of several best Chase cards after boosting your credit score, you can combine your points and use Ultimate Rewards to book business- and first-class flights worth thousands of dollars for as little as $5.60 in cash.

To improve your chances of approval for the Chase Freedom Rise℠, you should have or open a Chase checking account with a $250 balance within two days of applying for the card. You won't need to maintain a minimum checking account balance after approval.

Read more in our Chase Freedom Rise review.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for Bad Credit

Introductory APR: N/A (then 27.24% Variable APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases

If you have poor credit or no credit history at all, you may need to get started with a secured credit card. Unlike unsecured credit cards that extend a line of credit without collateral, secured cards require a small cash deposit upfront in order to secure an equally small line of credit.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is widely considered to be one of the best secured credit cards because, unlike other cards in this niche, it doesn't charge an annual fee or any hidden fees.

Cardholders also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%), as well as 1% back on all other purchases. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first account year. 

Other top benefits include a free look at your FICO score each month, zero liability for fraudulent purchases, and your first credit card late fee waived (after which you'll pay up to $41 per infraction).

With this card, automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.

Read more in our Discover it Secured credit card review.

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card: Best for Building Credit

Introductory APR: N/A (then 18.24% - 32.24% Variable APR)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants.

The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) could be ideal for anyone who wants to build good credit that lasts. This card comes with a minimum credit limit of $500, although there's no annual fee and no fees on late payments.

You'll earn a flat 1% back on all your eligible purchases for the first year, but you have the opportunity to graduate to 1.5% back after you've made 12 on-time payments on your credit card.

This card also reports to all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — like the other cards on our list, so it can help you build credit as your purchases and payments are reported. You'll also get access to the powerful Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card Card app, which can help you manage your money better, track your spending, and stay on top of all your bills.

Read more in our Petal 2 Visa credit card review.

Best Credit Cards for Beginners Customer Reviews

Our team of experts scoured online forums such as Reddit, Facebook, and FlyerTalk to see what everyday cardholders are saying about their favorite first credit cards for newbies. 

Focus on Cards Within Your Reach

One online commenter rightly said, "The best first credit card is the one you can actually get." Applying for a credit card and getting rejected won't hurt your finances, but it's easiest to focus on attainable products, then upgrade or add to your wallet as you build credit. 

Discover is well-known to be especially friendly to first-time credit card applicants, which is why we've included the Discover it® Student Chrome, Discover it® Student Cash Back, and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card in this guide.

And if you get the Chase Freedom Rise℠ and open a Chase bank account to build your relationship with this major issuer, it will be easier to get approval for popular cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® down the road.

Since the Chase Freedom Rise℠ automatically upgrades to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® after one year, you'll be able to transfer rewards you earned from your Rise/Unlimited card to the Sapphire card, then use those rewards toward a variety of travel opportunities at a fraction of the cash value. 

Prioritize Grocery Rewards

Many cardholders agree that everyone can benefit from bonus rewards on supermarkets and grocery stores.

Some recommend the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which earns 6% back on groceries and streaming subscriptions as well as 3% back on gas and transit costs (1% on everything else). However, Amex cards can be harder to acquire for first-time applicants, since American Express often has stringent requirements for credit approval.

Instead, beginners can consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns 3% back on restaurants, groceries, streaming services, and entertainment purchases (1% on everything else). Most students, young adults, and individuals new to credit can easily maximize these spending categories, and responsible usage on this card will build good credit over time that will help toward qualifying for premium cards from Amex. 

Credit Card Features for Beginners

When choosing a first credit card, it's important to consider features such as low or 0% intro APR, low or no annual fees, rewards programs, and credit-building tools. These features can help you effectively manage your credit effectively and take advantage of benefits such as purchase protection, travel insurance, and extended warranty.

All of the cards we've reviewed here offer perks that enhance your financial security and protect your investments. 

Credit Cards for College Students

Students, young adults, and beginners who are un- or underemployed face unique challenges when applying for credit cards because they have less income than many issuers want to see when offering credit. If you're a college student, be sure to read our guide to the best student credit cards to learn more. You may also benefit from learning how to boost your credit score by having a parent or guardian add you as an authorized user on their credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Credit Cards for Beginners

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for Beginners

Business Insider chose the best starter credit cards by first considering credit cards that don't require an excellent credit score to be approved.

From there, we focused on cards that appeal to those just starting out with credit, including credit cards for students with no credit and secured credit options.

We then narrowed down the list by evaluating the card's features, including rewards earning, annual and other fees, simplicity, and benefits.

Here's our methodology for how we rate credit cards.

Holly Johnson

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love."

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Angela Fung

Marketing Compliance and Operations Manager

Angela Fung is the marketing compliance and operations manager for Business Insider’s personal finance team. She is a personal finance expert and has been a part of Business Insider for nearly four years. ExperienceAngela leads the compliance team in identifying and reducing risk for readers, the editorial team, and external partners. Her team aims to provide readers with accurate, up-to-date information about financial products and maintain reader trust. She ensures regulatory and partner marketing guidelines are upheld for partners and adheres to the personal finance team’s editorial standards so they can maintain editorial independence. Angela likes helping readers better understand personal finance so that they can build a strong foundation for their financial plan and, hopefully, give themselves the freedom to do more in other facets of their lives.ExpertiseAngela has expertise in and oversees compliance in the following areas of personal finance:

• Personal credit cards
• Business credit cards
• High-yield savings accounts
• CDs

She also has a thorough knowledge of federal regulation for consumer financial protection. A few examples include:

• Regulation Z, Truth in Lending
• Unfair, Deceptive, Or Abusive Acts Or Practices (UDAAP)
• Regulation N, Mortgage Acts and Practices Advertising Rule
• Endorsement Guidelines

EducationAngela graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. In her free time, she shoots lifestyle photography, volunteers at Meals for Unity, and plays tennis.

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