To get a traditional credit card, you must be 18 years old. This age requirement means that credit cards for minors under 18 don’t exist, since the law forbids minors from getting a credit card on their own.
However, a parent or guardian can add a teen to a credit card as an authorized user — if the bank allows it. Fortunately, many institutions, including Discover, American Express, Bank of America, Chase and Step, allow minors to be authorized users of credit cards.
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Here are the best six credit cards that allow a teen under 18 to become an authorized user.
The Step Visa Card earns the top spot with its secured credit card and digital account. It features no monthly fees, overdraft fees or interest charges. With no age requirements, minors of all ages can get this secured card with an adult sponsor. Step is designed to help kids and teens build credit without debt and learn about finances. Spending is limited to the available balance in their Step account. Once the teen turns 18, the Step card retroactively reports payment history from the last two years to help build credit history. Users can also earn up to 4% in savings rewards by setting up at least $500 in monthly direct deposits. Other perks include cashback rewards, referral bonuses, investing options and financial literacy tools.
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
The Step Visa Card earns the top spot with its secured credit card and digital account. It features no monthly fees, overdraft fees or interest charges. With no age requirements, minors of all ages can get this secured card with an adult sponsor. Step is designed to help kids and teens build credit without debt and learn about finances. Spending is limited to the available balance in their Step account. Once the teen turns 18, the Step card retroactively reports payment history from the last two years to help build credit history. Users can also earn up to 4% in savings rewards by setting up at least $500 in monthly direct deposits. Other perks include cashback rewards, referral bonuses, investing options and financial literacy tools.
The Step Black card is similar to the basic Step card but has an extra kick. Step Black accepts ages 13 and up, requiring an adult to sponsor the account for minors. The standout perk is the high 8% cashback rewards on select purchases (up to $6,000 per year) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additional benefits include up to $1 million in FDIC insurance, access to Visa Signature events and Visa Signature Concierge service. Just like the regular Step Visa Card, the Step Black card has 0% interest charges and no credit check required. However, it costs $4.99 per month, but you can waive that monthly fee with at least $500 in monthly direct deposits.
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
The Step Black card is similar to the basic Step card but has an extra kick. Step Black accepts ages 13 and up, requiring an adult to sponsor the account for minors. The standout perk is the high 8% cashback rewards on select purchases (up to $6,000 per year) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additional benefits include up to $1 million in FDIC insurance, access to Visa Signature events and Visa Signature Concierge service. Just like the regular Step Visa Card, the Step Black card has 0% interest charges and no credit check required. However, it costs $4.99 per month, but you can waive that monthly fee with at least $500 in monthly direct deposits.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card stands out for its no annual fee, great cashback rewards and 0% APR intro period. Amex also accepts authorized users as young as 13. Cardholders can earn up to 3% back on groceries, gas and online retail purchases, with rewards capped at $6,000 annually per category. You’ll get 1% cash back on other purchases and discounts on select subscriptions. Plus, there’s a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% after.
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
The Blue Cash Everyday Card stands out for its no annual fee, great cashback rewards and 0% APR intro period. Amex also accepts authorized users as young as 13. Cardholders can earn up to 3% back on groceries, gas and online retail purchases, with rewards capped at $6,000 annually per category. You’ll get 1% cash back on other purchases and discounts on select subscriptions. Plus, there’s a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% after.
Pros
No annual fee
Accepts teens 13+ as authorized users
Up to 3% cash back
0% intro APR for 15 months
Credits for Disney Bundle and Home Chef
Cons
Good credit required, 670+
3% cashback limited
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.24% to 29.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.24% to 29.24% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Minimum credit score
670
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
The Discover It Secured card is a fan favorite of ours, providing a great starter card for teens and college students alike. Discover accepts teens as young as 15 as authorized users. This card has no annual fee or credit score requirements, but as a secured card, it requires at least $200 to open. A great perk is the cashback rewards, offering up to 2% cash back on gas and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on all other purchases. Additionally, Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year and reviews your account after seven months to see if you qualify for an unsecured card. The APR is 27.24% variable for purchases, and your first late payment fee gets waived, with subsequent late fees set at $41.
Welcome Offer
Other
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
300
The Discover It Secured card is a fan favorite of ours, providing a great starter card for teens and college students alike. Discover accepts teens as young as 15 as authorized users. This card has no annual fee or credit score requirements, but as a secured card, it requires at least $200 to open. A great perk is the cashback rewards, offering up to 2% cash back on gas and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on all other purchases. Additionally, Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year and reviews your account after seven months to see if you qualify for an unsecured card. The APR is 27.24% variable for purchases, and your first late payment fee gets waived, with subsequent late fees set at $41.
Pros
No annual fee or credit score required
Accepts ages 15+ for authorized users
Low $200 minimum security deposit
Up to 2% cash back on select purchases
Cashback match for the first year
Cons
High 27.24% APR
No 0% intro APR
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
27.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 27.24% variable) Balance transfer fee of 3%
Welcome Offer
Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back
Welcome Offer
Other
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
300
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America doesn’t have a minimum age requirement for authorized users, so you can have your pick of its credit cards if you want to add a teen as an authorized user. We’re calling out the Unlimited Cash Rewards card, as you can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. There’s no annual fee, either. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred customer, you get 25% to 75% more cash back on each purchase (1.87% to 2.62%). There’s also a 0% intro APR for 15 months, and the standard APR is 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR after the intro period.
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Bank of America doesn’t have a minimum age requirement for authorized users, so you can have your pick of its credit cards if you want to add a teen as an authorized user. We’re calling out the Unlimited Cash Rewards card, as you can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. There’s no annual fee, either. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred customer, you get 25% to 75% more cash back on each purchase (1.87% to 2.62%). There’s also a 0% intro APR for 15 months, and the standard APR is 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR after the intro period.
Pros
No annual fee
No minimum age for authorized users
1.5% unlimited cash back
0% intro APR for 15 months
Preferred customers earn more cash back
Cons
May need good credit
High APR after intro period
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable)
Chase accepts authorized users as young as 13 years old. With no annual fee, unlimited 1.5% cash back and top cashback rates on select categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card is a solid choice for many. You can earn up to 5% on travel purchases through Chase Travel, up to 3% on drugstore purchases, up to 3% on select restaurant purchases and 1.5% on everything else. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months, followed by a variable APR ranging from 18.99% to 28.49%. But as great as Chase’s credit cards are, you’ll likely need good to excellent credit to qualify.
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
Chase accepts authorized users as young as 13 years old. With no annual fee, unlimited 1.5% cash back and top cashback rates on select categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card is a solid choice for many. You can earn up to 5% on travel purchases through Chase Travel, up to 3% on drugstore purchases, up to 3% on select restaurant purchases and 1.5% on everything else. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months, followed by a variable APR ranging from 18.99% to 28.49%. But as great as Chase’s credit cards are, you’ll likely need good to excellent credit to qualify.
Pros
Accepts teens 13+ for authorized users
Unlimited cash back
Unlimited 1.5% and up to 5% cash back on select purchases
No annual fee
Cons
Chase prefers good credit
High APR after intro period
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
N/A
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.99% to 28.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 18.99% to 28.49% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Minimum credit score
670
The information about Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Methodology: How we choose the best teen credit cards
Finder’s banking experts look at over 700 credit cards to narrow down the best ones for teens. We only considered institutions that accept authorized users under the age of 18. We prioritized choosing credit cards with flexible credit score requirements, rewards programs and 0% intro APR periods.
To qualify for our list of the best credit cards for teens under 18, cards must meet these minimum criteria:
Accepts authorized users under the age of 18
$0 annual fee (or an easily waivable fee)
Maximum APR of 30%
Can you get a credit card at 17?
Legally, you can’t get a credit card until you’re at least 18 years old. However, teens who aged 13, 14, 15 and so on can often become authorized users on an adult’s account if the bank allows it. This enables them to build a strong credit history and increase their chances of qualifying for better credit card options — such as rewards or travel cards — once they’re old enough to apply on their own.
However there’s a minor stipulation for 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds: the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility Disclosure (CARD) Act requires that they must provide proof of income to show their ability to repay the card’s payments, or have a cosigner who is at least 21 years old. Once they’re 21 years old, the co-signer requirement is lifted, though lenders are still required to ask for proof of income before approving a line of credit.
Are there credit cards for kids under 13?
A handful of banks, such as Chase and American express, require authorized users to be at least 13. Then there is Bank of America and Citi, which have no age requirements for authorized users.
Authorized users age requirements
If you are looking for a credit card for teens under 18, 17 or 16, consider the minimum age for authorized users requirements to find the best fit for your situation.
It depends on your teen’s level of responsibility. If you’re not sure they’re ready, consider introducing them to a debit or prepaid card, such as Greenlight. These cards offer a safe way to teach teens how to manage their money while granting them some spending freedom. While debit and prepaid cards don’t build credit, they typically have spending limits and can be a good introduction into the world of spending and finance.
Consider these points carefully before you give your teenager a credit card under your name.
Pros
Parents have control. You’d be the primary account holder, having control over the account and getting insight into their spending. Alternatively, you can add them to your account to help them build credit without giving them their own card.
Builds credit. Adding a teen as an authorized user helps them start building credit history early. This way, they’ll have better approval chances when they’re ready to borrow on their own.
Convenient for everyone. Instead of giving your teen cash for meals, transportation or supplies, a credit card means they always have access to funds, which is also helpful in the case of emergencies.
Earn rewards. With another user on your credit card account, you could earn cashback rewards or travel points from spending a lot quicker.
Cons
Overspending. There’s the risk that your teen goes buckwild with their new credit card and overspends. Avoid this by teaching them how their credit utilization ratio affects their credit score and how high balances make it hard to repay over time.
Late fees. These fees are often around $40 per late payment, which can really add up.
Could damage credit scores. If your teen overspends and you’re unable to repay the balance on time, it’s a surefire way to damage both yours and your teen’s credit score.
Theft or fraud. Although credit card fraud can happen even if you take all necessary precautions, teach your teen to recognize which sites are safe and which aren’t for online use.
What if my teen is entering college?
There are many student credit cards geared towards those exiting high school and entering college. And just because a teen is in high school doesn’t mean they can’t get a credit card. If they’re at least 18, they can apply for a credit card on their own — but they’ll need some income to prove they can repay what they’ve borrowed and may need a cosigner until they turn 21.
For a safer option, there are also secured credit cards and credit-debit cards that are secured by a bank account. One great example the
Fizz card, which is a debit-credit card that’s designed with college students in mind. It offers cashback rewards, daily autopay to keep balances down, no interest charges and there’s no credit check.
Getting your teen on the path to a credit card can be a great way to help them financially prepare for the future. However, before you make them an authorized user on an account, be sure they have proper financial supervision and understand the basics of how credit cards work
Frequently asked questions
Can I add my 13-year-old to my credit card?
There’s no legal age requirement for authorized users on credit cards, so financial institutions are free to set their own. If your bank allows it, you can add a 13-year-old as an authorized user on your existing credit card. Some banks, such as Bank of America, Chase and American Express, allow minors as young as 13 to be authorized users.
Can a 14-year-old get a credit card at Chase?
A 14-year-old can’t get their own credit card at Chase, but they can become an authorized user on an adult’s credit card. Chase accepts authorized users as young as 13.
How do you start building a child’s credit history?
Many parents add their children as authorized users on an existing credit card. However, to make sure they receive credit history, check the bank’s or credit union’s reporting practices. Learn more about building credit.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio
Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 435 Finder guides across topics including:
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