Best Credit Cards for Young Adults and Young Professionals: 2021
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If you’re just starting your career, a credit card can be a valuable part of your financial toolbox. You may be thinking one (or more) of the following:
- I’m spending a lot of money every month and know I could be getting some rewards. What’s a good, simple cash back card?
- I travel occasionally for work and want to earn points. What travel card should I get?
- I travel very frequently, and want a card to earn points and enhance my experience. Does it make sense to pay a high annual fee?
- I don’t have any credit history. What should I get as my first credit card?
- I got myself into some credit card debt during college. How can I reduce the amount of interest I’m paying?
We’ve surveyed the marketplace and here are our top credit card picks to suit your individual needs, whatever they may be.
Read more Best Business Credit CardsThe Best Credit Cards for Young Adults and Professionals
| Best for | Card |
|---|---|
| All-Around Spending and Cash Back | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review) |
| Travel | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) |
| Premium Travel | Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) |
| Limited Credit History | Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review) |
| Transferring or Carrying a Balance | U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card (Review) |
One of these might be a good fit for you, but keep in mind you don’t have to limit yourself to just one credit card. Having several credit cards will give you more spending power and can actually improve your credit scores. You can also come up with a strategy to optimize your spending across multiple cards to maximize rewards. As you build up your credit, you’ll be able to qualify for better cards.
Insider tip
If you’re new to credit cards, check out the Insider Academy, where you can learn about everything from how paying a credit card bill works to how you can build credit fast with credit cards.
Best for All-Around Spending and Cash Back
Looking for a simple rewards card you can use everywhere, without giving it a second thought? The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review) is that card.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
- 2% cash back for every purchase (must pay at least the minimum due on time):
- 1% back when you make a purchase
- 1% back when you pay for that purchase
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Regular Balance Transfer APR13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer FeeBalance transfer fee applies with this offer 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99% (Variable)
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
Rewards
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Where most reward cards have bonus categories, the Double Cash cardholders 2% cash back rewards for everything you buy.
Key Terms & Features
- Free FICO Score 8: Check your FICO credit score anytime you’d like, based on your Equifax credit report
- Personal Concierge: Call for help with non-emergency tasks like making dining or travel reservations
- Citi Private Pass: Preferred access and presale tickets to events in big cities around the U.S.
- Quick Customer Service: Call and say “representative” to be connected with a human more quickly than usual
- First late payment fee is waived
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, followed by a regular rate of 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $0
Read more in our Review of the Citi Double Cash Card
Runners Up
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
- 5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- Grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart) up to $12,000 spent in the first year
- 3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeN/A
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $38
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- 5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Earn a $150 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 14.49% to 24.99% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee
- 1.8% cash rewards on digital wallet purchases including Google Pay™ or Apple Pay® during the first 12 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
- No category restrictions or sign ups and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- 1.8% cash rewards on Google Pay or Apple Pay mobile wallet purchases during the first 12 months after account opening
- 1.5% cash rewards on every other purchase
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% intro APR for 15 months on qualifying balance transfers
- Regular Balance Transfer APR14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
- Penalty APRNone
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
- 1.5% cash back for every purchase
- $150 signup bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on qualifying balance transfers, then 14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49%-25.49% variable APR after that
- Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee$0 at this Transfer APR
- Penalty APRNone
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeN/A
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
- 1.5% cash back for every purchase
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APRSee Terms
- 1.5X miles per dollar spent on all purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRSee Terms for See Terms
- Regular Balance Transfer APRSee Terms
- Balance Transfer FeeSee Terms
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeSee Terms
- Returned Payment FeeSee Terms
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
- 1.5X miles for every purchase
- Double miles your first year
- Purchase APR: See Terms for See Terms, then your rate will be See Terms
- Annual fee: $0
Best for Travel
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) is one of the most popular general travel credit cards, much-loved for its redemption bonus and point transfer options. The card also provides a host of attractive benefits.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$95
- Regular APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Our best offer ever! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
- 5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for:
- Travel
- Restaurants
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
Bonus restrictions
You are ineligible for this bonus if you have a Sapphire card, or you’ve received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeUp to $39
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Rewards
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Ultimate Rewards points are usually worth 1 cent each, but the Sapphire Preferred adds a 25% bonus when you redeem for travel expenses. That will give you a cash back equivalent of 2.5% for travel and dining, with 1.25% for every other purchase. Your intro bonus points will be worth a lot more too.
You can also transfer your points to 13 different airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 rate. This could give you a better value per point, upwards of 2 cents each. At that rate you’d be getting a 4% cash back equivalent for travel and dining, with 2% back for everything else. That would be a pretty competitive redemption value for non-category purchases, equal to the Double Cash card above.
Key Terms & Features
- 25% point bonus when redeeming for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 1:1 Point Transfers: To airline and hotel loyalty programs including JetBlue, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt
- $60 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $60 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for at least a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Benefits at participating locations, like daily breakfast for two, late check-out, and more
- Shop Through Chase: A selection of retailers where you can earn extra points, like Saks.com, Macy’s, and The Apple Store (current offers at the time of publication).
- Chase Preferred Experiences: Access to exclusive events and experiences at big cities around the world
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call at any time for help making reservations, finding interesting gifts, getting good tickets, and more
- Direct Access to Customer Support: Call the number on the back of your card to be directly connected with a human customer service representative
- Shopping and Travel Benefits: Including Purchase Protection, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, and Baggage Delay Insurance
- Foreign transaction fees: $0
- Annual fee: $95
Read more in our Review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Insider tip
There are a lot of travel cards out there, so check out our picks for:
Runners Up
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates and fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Transfer your miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that
- 1.25X miles per dollar spent on all purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee$0 at this Transfer APR
- Penalty APRNone
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeNone
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
The information related to Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
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- Transfer miles to a variety of airline loyalty programs
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then your rate will be 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- 3X points per dollar at:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Travel
- Eligible streaming services
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% intro APR for 12 months on qualifying balance transfers
- Regular Balance Transfer APR14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
- 3X points for travel, dining, gas, and streaming services
- 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening, then your rates will be 14.49%-24.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$95
- Regular APR15.99%–22.99% Variable
- Receive 50,000 bonus points – a $500 value – after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase
- No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill Edge® and Merrill Lynch® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center
- Get up to $200 in combined airline incidental and airport expedited screening statement credits + valuable travel insurance protections
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Low $95 annual fee
- 2X points per dollar for:
- Travel
- Dining
- 1.5X points per dollar for all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99%–22.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $10 minimum
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99% Variable
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $29
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
- 2X points for travel and dining, 1.5X points for other purchases
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- $100 annual Airline Incidental Statement Credit
- $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ application fee credit
- Annual fee: $95
Best for Premium Travel
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) is the upgraded version of the Sapphire Preferred above, with better earning/redemption rates and luxury travel benefits.
It has a fairly high annual fee of $550, but this is offset quite a bit by the perks you’ll get. When considering expensive cards like these, take some time to be sure that you’ll be getting a positive expected value for the fee.
- Min. credit levelExcellent
- Annual Fee$550
- Regular APR16.99%-23.99% Variable
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- 10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides (through 3/31/22)
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on:
- Travel (after the full travel credit is used)
- Dining
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR16.99%-23.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
- Late FeeUp to $39
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$75
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
Rewards
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The Sapphire Reserve earns Ultimate Rewards points, like the Sapphire Preferred. But in this case you’ll be earning 10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides, 3X points on travel and dining, with a 50% point bonus when redeeming for travel through Ultimate Rewards.
That means you’d be getting a 4.5% cash back equivalent for travel and dining, with 1.5% back for everything else. If you transfer those points to an airline or hotel program and get 2 cents per point, for instance, you’d be earning cash back equivalents of 6% in the first case, and 2% in the second.
Key Terms & Features
- 50% point bonus when redeeming for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 1:1 Point Transfers: To a variety of popular airline and hotel loyalty programs, like British Airways, United, IHG, and Marriott
- $300 Annual Travel Credit: Good for any travel expenses, including airfare and hotel stays
- Priority Pass Select membership: Complimentary access for you and two guests to hundreds of airport lounges around the world (additional guests cost $27)
- $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Credit: Get a credit for the application fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA Pre✓ ($85) once every four years
- $120 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $120 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Perks at participating locations, like daily breakfast and room upgrades
- Elite Hotel Benefits at Relais & Châteaux: Accelerated progress towards Club 5C status at Relais & Châteaux
- Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for help with whatever you may need, like finding a nearby hotel with open rooms or good concert tickets
- Car Rental Privileges: Upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental
- Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- $60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
- Foreign transaction fees: $0
- Annual fee: $550
Read more in our Review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Runners Up
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$695
- Regular APRSee Pay Over Time APR
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1X) on:
- Flights booked directly through airlines or through American Express Travel
- Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
- 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through American Express Travel
- 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Balance Transfer FeeN/A
- Penalty APRSee Rates & Fees
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$175 for first 3; then $175 per card
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
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Key Features
- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
- Min. credit levelExcellent
- Annual Fee$400
- Regular APR16.24% Variable
- 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 3X points per dollar for travel, mobile wallet purchases, and restaurants (until 7/1/21)
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of membership, equivalent to $750 in travel redemptions.
- $325 annual travel credit.
- Application fee credit for either Global Entry ($100) or TSA Pre✓ ($85), once every four years.
- Enhanced status at Relais & Châteaux hotels and resorts.
- 12-month membership to Priority Pass Select for airport lounge access.
- 12 complimentary Gogo Inflight WiFi passes per year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $400 annual fee, $75 for additional authorized users.
- 5X points per dollar spent on:
- Prepaid hotels booked in the Altitude Rewards Center
- Car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 3X points per dollar spent on:
- Travel
- Mobile Wallet purchases
- Restaurants (until 7/1/21)
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Introductory bonus
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR16.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $35
- Additional Cards Annual Fee$75
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
- 3X points per dollar for eligible travel and mobile wallet spending
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of membership
- $325 Annual Travel Statement Credit
- $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ application fee credit
- 12-month Priority Pass Select membership
- 12 complimentary Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi passes per year
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Collection
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Annual fee: $400
Best for Limited Credit History
If you’re just beginning your credit journey, you’ll need to start somewhere.
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review) is a good first credit card, and it doesn’t actually require you to be a student, despite the name. Unlike most card offers made for limited credit, this one actually provides a bit of cash back.
- Min. credit levelLimited Credit History
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR26.99% Variable
- Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
- Earn $5 per month for 12 months on Select Streaming Subscriptions when you pay on time. *Exclusions Apply
- Enjoy no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
- Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- Pay on time and that goes up to 1.25% cash back
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APR26.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee$0 at this Transfer APR
- Penalty APRNone
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeN/A
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Rewards
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It’s a very simple rewards program. Pay on time to get a 25% bonus on your 1% cash back, but you should always make timely credit card payments whether you get a bonus or not. Payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit scores, and late payments will bring your scores down significantly.
After using cards like this responsibly for some time and building up your credit, you’ll be able to qualify for more valuable rewards cards, including the premium travel cards in this post.
Key Terms & Features
- Access a higher credit line: You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months.
- $60 streaming credit: $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming services, when you pay on time
- Capital One CreditWise: The CreditWise service provides free access to one of your VantageScore 3.0 credit scores, based on your TransUnion credit report. You can monitor your score over time and get alerts about any changes.
- Capital One Second Look account monitoring: Keep an eye on your account with Second Look, and get access to account alerts to be notified of any activity on your account.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Read more in our Review of the Capital One Journey Student Card
Runner Up
- Min. credit levelLimited Credit History
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR12.99 - 26.99% Variable
- No fees whatsoever. No late fee, international fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
- Up to 1.5% cash back after making 12 on-time monthly payments
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
- 2% - 10% cash back from select merchants
- $500 - $10,000 credit limits
- Variable APRs 12.99% - 26.99%
- Build credit alongside tens of thousands of Petal Card members
- Cash flow technology may help applicants without credit history get approved
- Petal's mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, track your spending, and automate payments
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- No deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC
- 1% cash back on purchases initially
- 1.25% cash back on purchases after 6 on-time payments
- 1.5% cash back on purchases after 12 on-time payments
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Regular Balance Transfer APRN/A
- Balance Transfer FeeN/A
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeNone
- Returned Payment FeeNone
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee$0
- 1% cash back on purchases initially
- 1.25% cash back on purchases after 6 on-time payments
- 1.5% cash back on purchases after 12 on-time payments
- Petal Offers: Get 2% – 10% cash back from select merchants, with no activation necessary.
- Visa Local Offers: Earn Uber Cash when making purchases at select merchants by adding your Petal card to the Uber app.
- Free credit score: Check one of your credit scores from your Experian credit report, whenever you’d like.
- Purchase APR: 12.99 - 26.99% Variable
- Credit limit: $500–$10,000
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Insider tip
With limited or no credit, your card options will be relatively restricted. You may want to look into secured credit cards, which require a security deposit to fund the credit line. The Discover it® Secured (Review) is our best pick among secured cards. With responsible use, your security deposit may be returned, and you can continue using the card; this is a handy feature to have for a secured card.
If you’re a college student, you might want to start off with a more rewarding student card instead. See our picks for the Best Student Credit Cards.
Or, for another option to build your credit besides credit cards, check out credit builder loans through Self (formerly known as Self Lender).
Best for Transferring or Carrying a Balance
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card (Review) excels at balance transfers.
Why? It has an exceptionally long 0% APR balance transfer offer, giving you more time than most other credit cards.
If you’re already dealing with credit card debt, making a balance transfer to a 0% card like this will give you time to pay it off at no interest.
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0*
- Regular APR14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.49% - 24.49%.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2021 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2021.
- No Annual Fee*
- Flexibility to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0%* intro on BTs for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers*
- Regular Balance Transfer APR14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
- Balance Transfer FeeEither 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency
Key Terms & Features
- Free Credit Score: Check your VantageScore 3.0 credit score, based on your TransUnion credit report, for free.
- Purchase APR: 0%* for 20 billing cycles on purchases, then your rates will be 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0%* intro on BTs for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers*, then 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
- Balance Transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- No penalty APR
- Annual fee: $0*
Runners Up
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 13.74% - 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi®Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.74% - 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 18 months
- Regular Balance Transfer APR13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APR Up to 29.99% Variable
- Late FeeUp to $40
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
- Purchase APR: 0% for 18 months, then 13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months, then 13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $0
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0
- Regular APR14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR0% for 18 months
- Regular Balance Transfer APR14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee3%, $5 minimum
- Penalty APRN/A
- Late FeeNone
- Returned Payment FeeUp to $40
- Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee3%
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
- Purchase APR: 0% for 18 months, then 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months, then 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $0
Is a New Credit Card Right For You?
Getting a new credit card can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re going to be a first time cardholder. Applying for new cards is simple, but if you’ve never done it before the credit card application process can be intimidating. You may want to learn a bit first.
As a young adult, you may or may not have established a credit history. Even if you’ve never had a credit card before, student loans, auto loans, and personal loans will all contribute to your credit profile because they’re reported to the three major credit bureaus. So a good first step is to check your credit reports and scores to see where you stand.
If you have good credit already, that’s great! That means you’ll meet the standard for most credit cards, although factors like income and monthly rent payments also play a role in your overall creditworthiness — so approval is definitely not guaranteed just because you have good credit.
If you haven’t started building credit yet, or you have poor credit scores, you’ll still have quite a few credit card options. Some cards are designed for people with limited or no credit, while others are designed for people with bad credit.
Whatever your credit scores might be, you should check to see if you’re pre-qualified for any credit card offers before applying. This can give you an idea of the types of cards you’ll be approved for, and you may even find a private offer featuring a better-than-usual signup bonus.
Maybe you already have a credit card or two, and you’re concerned that opening more cards will hurt your credit. But not to worry: As long as you use your cards responsibly, having multiple credit cards won’t have an overall negative impact on your credit. In fact, it will generally have a positive effect because you’ll be lowering your credit utilization, a measure of how much of your total credit limits you’re using. Lower utilization is better for your credit scores.
No matter what type of card you get or how many you have, maintain good credit behavior. This means understanding the terms and always paying your bills on time. We recommend paying the statement balance in full each billing period, which will let you completely avoid interest on purchases. It’s good for your credit utilization too.
Treat your credit cards a bit like debit cards to help you stay on track — pay them off every month, and never carry a balance. Once you start accruing interest on a credit card, it’s easy for that balance to spiral out of control.
What Makes a Great Credit Card for Young Adults and Professionals?
- Affordable annual fee: There are many cards without annual fees, but if you choose to pay for a credit card be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
- Fits your credit history: If you have limited or no credit history, your card options will be limited as well. But you should look for pre-approved offers, because you might qualify for cards you didn’t expect.
- Good rewards: Find a card that will provide the best reward rate for your regular, everyday spending. Signup bonuses can be very valuable as well.
- Cost-saving travel benefits: Anyone spending a lot of money on travel every year could use perks on travel rewards cards for airport lounge access, travel credits, and upgraded member status with airlines and hotels.
- 0% intro rates: Avoid carrying a balance on credit cards, unless you’re using a card with a 0% APR.
- No foreign transaction fees: If you’re traveling outside the country or paying in foreign currency, look for cards without foreign transaction fees. This feature isn’t very important otherwise.
- Reliable customer service: Bad customer support can be a nightmare, especially if you’re new to credit cards. The major credit card issuers generally have decent customer support.
What’s the Best Credit Card for Beginners?
The best credit card for someone new to the world of credit, or an up-and-coming professional, will usually be a card with no annual fee, although not always.
Our favorite cards for first-time users and young adults include:
- Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review), if you’re looking for an all-around cash back card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review), if you’ll be traveling occasionally
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review), if you’ll be traveling quite a bit
- Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review), if you have a limited credit history (you don’t have to be a student to qualify)
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card (Review), if you want to transfer a balance or pay off new purchases over time
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card?
By law, you need to be at least 18 to get your own credit card (those under 18 may be able to become authorized users).
If you’re younger than 21, you’ll also be held to a higher standard when it comes to proving that you’ll be able to make payments. Credit card issuers ask about your income when you apply, to help determine your ability to pay off the card; if you’re under 21, you can only report your own independent income (most credit card issuers don’t allow cosigners).
If you’re 21 or older, however, you can include your overall household income, which can include your spouse’s income. And that extra cash flow can make it easier to qualify for credit cards.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Brendan Harkness
Brendan has been writing about personal finance for over eight years, and is now taking on the challenge of bringing high-quality credit education to the masses. He makes sure that Credit Card Insider is covering the most important credit topics transparently and precisely, and that we have up-to-date reviews of credit cards so you can find cards that are right for you.
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The responses below are not provided or commissioned by bank advertisers. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by bank advertisers. It is not the bank advertisers' responsibility to ensure all posts are accurate and/or questions are answered.
