If you’re starting out looking for your first credit card, the best starter cards will have high approval rates, no annual fees, and report payments to the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Whether it’s your first time credit card or you’re simply trying to rebuild credit, these are the best starter credit cards. *All information about the Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students has been collected independently by ZDNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer. With periodic account review, you can raise your line of credit in as little as six months. The initial $200 credit line can even be expanded up to $1,000 with additional payments. Capital One also allows you to transfer your balance to your Capital One card if you have a higher balance elsewhere. Once approved (with no need for a credit check), you have the option to add an authorized user to your account with per-user expense tracking. There are also personalized reminders with 24/7 customer service if you need support. If you’re looking for balance transfers or cash advances, you are out of luck. Neither service is available with the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card. With no social security number required, however, international students may also apply and take advantage of these perks. Discover has security benefits, too, with Dark Web tracking of your social security number. If you lose your card, there is a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee with free overnight card replacement. To help you improve your credit score, there is credit reporting to all three major credit bureaus, so you can raise your credit score that much faster. To get started, check to see if you pre-approved without affecting your credit. There is a minimum refundable security deposit of $200, but you may be eligible to receive your initial deposit back after an eight-month review. There are also periodic account reviews to assess your account standing and payment history. If favorable, you could have the option to upgrade to an unsecured credit card. No credit check is needed to apply, so your credit score is unaffected. OpenSky also reports payments to the three major bureaus with reports to help improve your credit score over time. The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is geared more toward big spenders with a minimum credit limit of $500 that may be too much for those on a more restricted budget. Petal provides a payments calculator with the ability to set a budget and view expense tracking to better understand your spending. You can also track your payments, so you can potentially reduce the amount of interest you pay with your future payments. If you want advice on how to build your credit score quickly, we compiled the top 6 ways to build business credit.
Type of user: There are some cards specifically designed for those with new credit, while other cards may carry special perks for specific types of users, such as college students.Type of credit card: There are both secured and unsecured credit cards available, with secured credit cards requiring a deposit upfront that is often refundable.Fees: There are many different fees that can quickly cost more money, so be sure to check for different charges like annual fees, transaction fees, late penalties, and returned payment fees.Credit reporting: It is important that a credit card issuer reports your payments to the main credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to help build your credit over time.Rewards: Many cards offer additional cashback or bonus rewards when you use your credit card for everyday purchases.
Petal 1 Visa Credit Card: Recommended for new credit, cashbackBank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Recommended for students, new credit
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Recommended for no deposit, international credit historyCiti® Double Cash Card: Recommended for starter rewards
