L ooking for the best credit cards to help you kickstart your financial journey as a young adult in 2023? Look no further!
We’ve compiled a list of the top 9 credit cards that cater specifically to the needs and lifestyles of young adults.
From cashback rewards to travel perks, these credit cards offer many benefits that can help you build credit and achieve your financial goals. So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s dive in and find the perfect credit card for you!
Table of Contents
Best Credit Cards For Young Adults
Plenty of credit cards on the market are well-suited to young adults.
We’ve rounded up a list of 9 favorites based on the features they offer and what type of consumer they are best for.
1. Best For Students – Discover it Student Chrome
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 12.99% – 21.99%
- Credit Required: Fair
The Discover it Student Chrome credit card is perfect for young adults still in school. This card is ideal for young adults who are still working to build their credit histories, and you can qualify even if you only have fair credit.
Despite being designed for consumers just building their credit, the card also comes with generous cashback rewards. You’ll get the following rewards when you spend with the Discover it Student Chrome:
- 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases per quarter
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- 2X cash back on your rewards earned in the first year
While the interest rate on this card can go up to 21.99%, Discover offers an introductory APR, where you’ll pay 0% on purchases for the first six months. This feature is excellent for young adults with a large purchase planned to pay back over several months.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
12.99% – 21.99%
Credit Required
Fair
Pros
- Easy to qualify for
- No annual fee
- 6-month intro APR period
- Elevated rewards on bonus categories
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- Cap on bonus rewards
- 1% cash back on most spending
Pros
- Easy to qualify for
- No annual fee
- 6-month intro APR period
- Elevated rewards on bonus categories
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- Cap on bonus rewards
- 1% cash back on most spending
2. Best For Everyday Spending – Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.74% – 28.49%
- Credit Required: Good/Excellent
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the most popular credit cards for everyday spending, and it’s easy to see why. When you spend on this card, you’ll get cash back on all of your purchases, including elevated money back in specific spending categories:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
In addition to the cashback, this card comes with plenty of other perks. For example, when you spend $500 in your first three months after opening the card, you’ll get a $200 bonus. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on gas station purchases up to $6,000 in the first year.
This card is also great for large purchases and balance transfers. You’ll get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers in the first 15 months when you sign up. Other card perks include purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and rental car insurance.
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.74% – 28.49%
Credit Required
Good/ Excellent