How to Get a Credit Card for the First Time
10 Min Read | Last updated: June 16, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Start your financial journey! Learn how to get a credit card for the first time with our guide featuring great credit cards for beginners and helpful tips.
At-A-Glance
- If you’re applying for a credit card for the first time, there are a few different avenues available to start building credit.
- To apply for a credit card, you must be at least 18, and you may have to show some documentation such as proof of income.
- Do your research on beginner-friendly cards, understand the terms, prequalify if possible, and try to keep spending within a low percentage of your credit limit.
The time has come for you to get your first credit card. Congratulations! Credit cards can offer a whole new world of possibilities. It’s exciting, but the seemingly endless options may leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some tips to help you find and apply for your first credit card, along with advice on using it responsibly.
Getting Started With Credit Cards
Credit refers to your credit history and how you handle money and debt, while credit cards give you funds to pay for services and goods. When used responsibly, over time, they can help you to build your credit.1 In many cases, the borrowed funds and any interest unpaid balances accrue must be repaid each month.2 Some traditional credit cards also offer rewards. These will vary depending on the card.
Here are a few different types of Credit Cards:
- Cash Back Credit Cards
Cash back cards reward cardholders with a percentage of the cash they spend on eligible purchases.3 These cards help you build credit while putting money back in your account as long you avoid overspending and use the card strategically. - Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel cards give you points or miles rewards when you use them to make eligible purchases, typically for hotels, airfare, transportation, or other travel-related needs.4 Later, you may be able to apply accumulated points or miles to offset travel costs. - Credit Cards With Low or 0% Introductory APR
Credit cards with attractive introductory terms or welcome offers may not supply cash back, points, or miles. Instead, these lower-interest cards benefit you by eliminating annual fees or offering a low or even 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The card’s APR refers to the annual interest that you’ll pay on the card.5 These cards may make carrying a balance more affordable, but their introductory offers may be for a limited period of time.
Requirements for Getting Your First Credit Card
So, what do you need to apply for a credit card for the first time? The minimum 18-year age mark is the base requirement for most credit card applications, but you may need to meet other criteria as well:6
- A specific income level if you’re under 21
- An established credit history with a credit score in the fair to excellent ranges7
- A healthy mix of revolving and standing credit, such as credit cards, student loans, and car payments
- Low credit utilization on any existing debt. This occurs when you use a low percentage of your available credit8
Choose the Right Credit Card for You
If you’re wondering how to get your first credit card with no credit history, credit cards for beginners exist, and you may have heard of some of them:
- Student Cards
Student card issuers often make considerations for borrowers with limited credit history or lower student income levels, so these cards can be easier to obtain for young adults studying full-time or working part-time while in college. - Secured Cards
Secured cards need a security deposit in exchange for opening them. The deposit acts as your credit line or the amount you can spend with the card before depositing more money. Issuers often overlook lower credit scores if the applicant can supply the deposit. - Being Added as Authorized User
New to building credit? Another way to get a credit card for the first time is by being added as an authorized user to a trusted cardholder’s account. With this approach, the primary cardholder is still responsible for paying the monthly balance.12 If the primary cardholder has strong credit, practices good credit habits, and the credit card issuer reports your authorized user activity to credit bureaus that collect credit history information, you may be able to start building credit this way.13
How to Apply for a Credit Card for the First Time
For your first-time credit card application, follow these steps:
1. Research Credit Cards That Align With Your Needs
Research credit cards that align with your needs. If you have no or limited credit, you may want to consider applying for a secured card or student card. However, if you have stronger credit, you may be able to apply for traditional credit cards. Consider different credit cards; would you benefit most from a travel rewards credit card to help you maximize your travel experiences or a credit card that offers cash back for everyday purchases? Consider your needs and preferences when applying. You’ll also want to consider the card’s interest rate, along with its term’s and conditions.
2. Understand Your Credit Card’s Terms and Conditions
Understand how to activate your card, how and when to make payments, your billing information, which bank account you’ll link to the card, and all APR, interest rate, late fee, and annual fee details the card may have.
3. See if You Can Get Prequalified
Card issuers may perform a soft inquiry, which is a credit check that doesn't usually affect your credit score, to determine if you prequalify.9 Prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, but it can streamline the search for credit cards that align with your lifestyle.10
4. Apply for the Credit Card
Review the credit issuer’s website to learn about your options for applying online or through their app. Depending on the application, you might need to supply your driver’s license, Social Security number, phone number, and other information.
5. Create a Payment Plan
Have a plan in place so you don't overspend and complicate your ability to pay your monthly balance. Late or missed payments may trigger interest charges and late penalty fees or negatively impact your credit score.11
6. Learn How to Use Credit Cards Responsibly
Mistakes are a natural part of learning how to build your credit from scratch, but keeping important credit history factors in mind, like keeping up with on-time payments and using a low percentage of your total credit, can help you stay on track.
Common Credit Card Terms and Concepts
All credit cards have a card member agreement that details terms and conditions. Here are a few terms you should know before submitting your first-time credit card application:
- Credit limit: the total amount of credit available on your card.
- Minimum payment: the lowest amount you must pay by the due date.
- Late payment: a payment that you make after its due date. Late payments may trigger fees.
- Grace period: the period between the end of the billing cycle and the next due date. You may not be charged interest on most transactions made during the grace period if you pay your statement balance in full by the monthly due date. Some exceptions may include cash advances and balance transfers, which may incur interest or fees from the start, and may not have a grace period.
- Foreign transaction fees: a fee charged when making purchases in a foreign currency.
- Cash advance: using a credit card to get cash, via an automated teller machine (ATM). You must pay back what you withdraw, may be with an added fee and accrued interest based on a different or higher APR.
Quick Tips for a First-Time Card Holder
Here are some tips that apply to everyone who wants to use their credit card responsibly, both first-time credit card users and people with established credit:
- Avoid overspending
- Pay on time and in full
- Understand all associated fees
- Keep a low credit utilization
- Keep your credit card safe and protect your card number
Frequently Asked Questions
How much you should put on your first credit card depends on your credit limit, but it can be suggested that you keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%, or ideally in the single digits.14
The lowest qualifying credit score for a credit card varies, and people with limited or no credit history may be able to qualify for student or secured cards. However, higher credit scores may improve your chances of qualifying for traditional credit cards, which may have more generous rewards and benefits.
When you apply for a new credit card, avoid applying for multiple credit cards back-to-back. Too many applications may cause multiple hard inquiries on your credit report, potentially negatively impacting your credit score. Note that this doesn't apply if the card issuer offers an initial soft check to help you gauge eligibility.
The Takeaway
Getting a credit card for the first time and using it wisely can propel you toward greater financial independence, so don’t let beginner jitters keep you from applying for a credit card that fits your needs.
1 “Understanding Your Credit,” Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice (FTC)
2 “Credit Cards,” MyCreditUnion.gov
3 “Best cash back credit cards of 2025,” Experian
4 “How do travel credit cards work?,” Bankrate
5 “7 Different Types of Credit Cards,” Experian
6,8,12,13 “How old do you have to be to get a credit card?,” Bankrate
7 “What Are the Different Credit Score Ranges?,” Experian
9 “Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry: What’s the Difference?,” Experian
10,11 “How to Get Approved for a Credit Card,” Experian
14 “What Credit Card Should I Get?,” Experian
Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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