The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Friday, October 4, 2024

11 Best Credit Cards for Beginners (2024 Guide)

Best Credit Cards For Beginners
Aaron Crowe

Writer: Aaron Crowe

Aaron Crowe

Aaron Crowe,

Aaron Crowe is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist who specializes in personal finance writing and editing. Aaron has written for a variety of websites, including AOL, Learnvest, U.S. News & World Report, Wells Fargo, WiseBread, AARP, and many insurance and investing sites. He is a self-proclaimed storyteller who enjoys explaining — in layman's terms — personal finance and how it affects consumers’ lives. Aaron has over a decade of experience working as both a reporter and editor in newspapers where he won several awards.

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Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Finding the best credit card for beginners may seem like a challenge, with a seemingly endless number of cards available today. But it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience.

Building credit from scratch can seem like a Catch-22. Without good credit, you won’t qualify for many of the best credit cards. But if you don’t have a credit card, it’s difficult to build good credit.

How do you deal with that conundrum? By getting a basic credit card as your first credit card and building good habits that will improve your credit score. The good news is that there are plenty of options for credit newbies in search of their first credit card. They include cards for people with no credit history, students, and the Holy Grail of credit card perks: rewards.

Overall | Unsecured | Secured | Student | Low Interest | Rewards | High Approval | FAQs

Best Overall Credit Cards to Start Building Credit

To get over the first hurdle of obtaining your first credit card, focus on finding a card that specializes in helping people build credit. Most starter cards don’t have an annual fee and have limited rewards, but you’ll get to those soon enough as you begin building credit.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

The safety features on this starter card are top notch between fraud alerts and the Freeze It® feature. The card also offers valuable cash back rewards all students can appreciate, especially if they take advantage of this card’s rotating bonus reward categories.

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

This card starts with what beginners should put at the top of their credit card wish list: no annual fee. Cardholders save money by not paying an annual fee — which is often used to help credit card companies offset the cost of rewards points — something those looking to build their credit don’t need yet. The card allows users to build their credit steadily, and after making the first six payments on time, you may get access to a higher credit line.

Discover it® Student Chrome Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.0/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

This card is another good option for students who are starting to build their credit. In addition to the statement credit reward for approved referrals, they can earn cash back on all purchases, but they don’t have to keep track of rotating categories. Instead, this card offers a higher rewards rate for gas and dining purchases — something most young adults can appreciate.

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited

This starter card gives people who are building credit the same 1.5% cash back on every purchase they’d get from another credit card from Capital One if they had excellent credit. If the first six monthly payments are made on time, cardholders may receive a higher credit limit.

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.5

OVERALL RATING

4.0/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
  • Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Limited, Bad

If you’re rebuilding your credit, this secured Mastercard with no annual fee should help. A secured credit card requires a refundable deposit in exchange for a credit limit. Most credit cards are unsecured. This card requires a $49, $99 or $200 refundable deposit based on your creditworthiness. The more money you deposit, the higher the credit line, which increases after making the first five monthly payments on time.

Best Unsecured Card for Beginners

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a good unsecured card for beginners because it doesn’t have an annual fee and, like a few cards for beginners, gives access to a higher credit line after making the first six payments on time.

NO/LIMITED CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

Unlike a secured card, an unsecured card doesn’t require a refundable deposit. Credit is offered to you without any collateral. The card has a high annual percentage rate, or APR, of 29.99% (Variable). But once you start building your credit, you should be able to apply for and receive credit cards with more features and lower interest rates.

Best Secured Card for No Credit History

Secured cards are ideal for those looking to rebuild a damaged credit score or for those who have no credit history at all. A secured card will help you build a credit history when you make your payments on time each month.

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

SECURED RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • No credit check to apply
  • Adjustable credit limit based on what you transfer from your Chime Checking account to the secured deposit account
  • No interest* or annual fees
  • Chime Checking Account and qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more required to apply. See official application, terms, and details link below.
  • The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by The Bankcorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
  • *Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
$0
None

This card requires a deposit in exchange for a credit limit. The deposit is refunded when you close the account. It differs from a prepaid card in that, as a secured card, it reports to the three major credit bureaus so you can build your credit with responsible use.

Best First Credit Card for Students

Most students have little or no credit history. Students trying to get their first credit card may like this option because of its security features and cash back rewards.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

STUDENT RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Cash Back can fit in a student’s budget, thanks to its introductory rate of 0% Intro APR (6 months) on purchases. After the introductory period, the standard variable purchase APR applies and will be determined by your creditworthiness at the time of application. Cardholders will also receive access to a free FICO Credit Score, perfect for those who are new to credit and learning to monitor and build their score.

Best Low-Interest Card for Beginners

It can be difficult to find your first credit card that offers a low interest rate. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card has a rate slightly lower than similar cards, at 27.74% Variable APR. If you’re a member of a credit union, you may be able to find a credit card with lower rates there.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

SECURED RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.0/5.0
  • No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
  • Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
  • Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
  • Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
27.74% Variable APR
$0
New/Rebuilding

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card requires you to provide a refundable security deposit. Pay your bill on time, and your credit score will likely increase because Discover reports payments to the credit bureaus. Most secured cards, such as prepaid credit cards, don’t and won’t improve a credit score.

Best Rewards Card for Beginners

For credit card beginners with not much of a credit score, getting the 1.5% back the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers on all purchases is better than what most rewards cards for beginners offer.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.5

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited

Spend about $217 per month — or $2,600 per year — with the card, and the earnings will pay for the annual fee, according to reviews. Spend more and the rest of the cash back is yours to keep. There’s no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn, but beware — overspending to earn rewards is a dangerous game if you can’t pay your bill off each month.

Best Beginner Card with High-Approval Odds

Credit card beginners who haven’t had success getting a credit card should have higher approval odds in opening a OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. This card can help build credit by reporting customers’ payment history to the major credit bureaus. The account has a low fee, a low APR, and no minimum credit score requirement.

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card Review

at Capital Bank N.A.'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★
4.2

OVERALL RATING

4.0/5.0
  • New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases
  • No credit check to apply. Zero credit risk to apply!
  • Looking to build or rebuild your credit? 2 out of 3 OpenSky cardholders increase their credit score by an average of 41 points in just 3 months
  • Get free monthly access to your FICO score in our mobile application
  • Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
  • Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
  • Fund your card with a low $200 refundable security deposit to get a $200 credit line
  • Apply in less than 5 minutes with our mobile first application
  • Choose the due date that fits your schedule with flexible payment dates
  • Fund your security deposit over 60 days with the option to make partial payments
  • Over 1.4 Million Cardholders Have Used OpenSky Secured Credit Card To Improve Their Credit
  • *See Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
25.64% (variable)
$35
Poor

This secured Visa card requires no credit check for approval, so as long as you meet the basic eligibility criteria and can fund the deposit, you should have no trouble getting approved for this card. Use it responsibly to build credit and graduate to a better, unsecured card from another issuer in the future.

FAQs and Tips for Credit Card Beginners

Choosing which credit card to apply for as you start your path to credit can be a little tricky. You’ll want to select a card that fits your budget — such as starting with one without an annual fee — and that you’ll likely get approved for with little credit history.

Some cards have benefits aimed at students, while others are aimed at people with low credit scores or no credit at all. But don’t be discouraged by this. Most people can find a credit card that fits them, even if they’re a credit beginner, and they can build their credit score over time to move up to a better card.

How Do I Choose and Apply for My First Credit Card?

When deciding which credit card you want to apply for as your first credit card, start by researching and comparing cards to see which best fit your needs.

Here are some factors to consider:

  • Annual fee: No annual fee is best, but if you want rewards, a fee of $25 to $500 is typical, depending on the card. Remember that any rewards will be offset by the fee, so you’ll need a minimum amount to spend each month to reach that level. Some cards start with no annual fee but then add one in the second year.
  • Introductory Offers: Credit cards may provide enticing introductory APRs or balance transfer offers to attract consumers to sign up. These offers can mean plenty of savings if used wisely. Some cards also offer signup bonuses or additional rewards bonuses after you meet a spending threshold in a specified period of time. Determine how these offers factor into your overall use of the card and your financial situation.
  • Interest rate: Expect interest rates of up to 26%, which is very high. Avoid paying interest by paying your credit card bill in full each month and on time.
  • Rewards: Cash, flights, and hotel stays are some of the rewards you could get. Just remember that if you’re not paying your bill in full each month, the interest you’re paying is negating the value of these rewards.
  • Fees: Read the fine print in the contract — which is available online and should be read before you submit an application — and see how much the late fees, balance transfer, cash advance, foreign transaction, and other fees are.
  • Credit limit: Experian reports that the average first credit card limit is about $1,800. Try to limit your monthly credit usage to 30% of your limit — in this example, below $540. This will keep your credit utilization rate low, which will improve your credit score.

Because it’s your first card, your main goal should be using it to build credit, not to earn rewards so you can take a free or discounted vacation. Those can come later after you’ve improved your credit score to 670 or higher. Then, credit card companies will seek you out with offers for rewards cards.

Photo of a person applying for a credit card online
The easiest way to apply for credit cards is online.

If you’re worried about paying bills on time, seek a card with a low annual percentage rate. If you don’t think you can control your credit card spending, get a secured card.

Creditors will look for a steady, verifiable income, so be sure you earn enough to repay the balance. If you’re under age 21, federal law requires you have an income before being approved for a credit card without a cosigner.

Which Credit Cards Can I Get with No Credit?

Having no credit doesn’t mean you can’t get approved for a credit card. All of the cards above can be obtained without a credit history. But you won’t be approved for top-of-the-line rewards cards just yet, such as the Chase Sapphire cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex cards with Membership Rewards.

Just remember that because you’re new to establishing credit, a creditor will want verifiable proof of a steady income to support the credit limit it’s providing. Pay stubs should be enough to get a credit application moving.

And know that a credit card for someone with no credit will likely have a low credit limit, possibly as low as $200, but probably $500 to $1,000 to start. As you make your monthly payments on time, even if you keep a revolving balance, this limit can be increased either automatically or at your request.

Student cards offer the best rewards when you have no credit, though some non-student cards for beginners also offer some level of rewards.

And if you can’t qualify for an unsecured card, a secured credit card can help you learn to manage credit while also putting you on a path to future approval. Secured card issuers typically report your payments to at least one credit bureau, which can help you get your foot in the credit door.

How Do I Use the Card to Build Credit?

The best thing about getting your first credit card may be the ability to buy things before you have money for them. Pay your bill on time and in full each month, and this isn’t a problem. If you don’t follow this golden rule of building credit, your credit score will drop.

Beyond paying your bills on time and in full each month, here are some other ways to use your first credit card to build credit:

  • Maintain low credit utilization. This is a fancy term credit card companies and credit agencies use for how much of a credit limit is used. Using up to 30% is best to improve a credit score, e.g., if you have a $2,000 credit limit, then don’t charge more than $600 per month.
  • Keep the card active. It’s unlikely you’ll forget to use your new card, but if it remains dormant for an extended period your card issuer may cancel it. Regular use can improve a credit score, so set up a monthly recurring payment to be paid automatically on the card, such as Netflix or another subscription.
  • Keep the account open for years. Length of credit history makes up 15% of a FICO score, so it’s worthwhile to keep your first credit card open for a long time. Managing a credit card for years shows you’re less risky than someone without a long credit history. A card with no annual fee is best.
  • Set up fraud alerts. Most credit cards have apps to alert you if a high amount is charged on your card, such as $500. You can set the amount and even be alerted if any amount is charged so you’ll know if anyone else has your card number and is using it.
  • Check your credit report. Federal law allows consumers to check their credit reports for free annually. It’s simple to do online and can help you spot identity theft early by looking for unauthorized charges. It’s a good habit to start with your first credit card.

The higher the credit score you have, the more likely you are to be approved for credit cards with better rewards, and you’ll likely be approved for loans at the best interest rates available, saving you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. A low credit score can make it difficult to get more credit and loans, which you may need someday to buy a car or house.

How Many Starter Cards Should I Apply For?

You should generally only apply — and be approved — for one card at a time. You only need one credit account to start building credit with on-time payments.

Getting your first credit card is exciting by itself. It may tempt you to apply for more. The more, the better, right?

Graphic of FICO Credit Score Factors Weighted

Not so fast. You may want to wait at least six months before applying for more credit cards so you can establish good habits with your first card and show you’re using it wisely and paying the balance on time each month. Make sure your first card isn’t leading you to overspend.

Once you’ve had your card for a while, maybe only just a few months, you may start to get offers from other credit card companies. Research them carefully for interest rates, fees, and other important features before deciding if you want to apply.

FICO, the main credit score company, calculates new credit as 10% of a credit score. Opening many new accounts in a short period may be seen as risky and desperate for money.

Applying for a credit card results in a hard inquiry by an issuer who pulls your credit report from a credit bureau. This can cause a credit score to drop up to five points, which isn’t much, but can add up if you apply for a number of cards at the same time.

Instead, wait a few months between applications. Hard inquiries stay on a credit report for two years, but the FICO scores ignore them after 12 months.

Opening new credit cards will also reduce the average age of your accounts, which can also lower a credit score. Length of credit history accounts for 15% of a credit score.

So, how many starter cards should you apply for? One is a good start.

Apply for one at a time and see if you’re approved or denied. Online applications can give you an answer within minutes.

If you’re denied, go on to the next card. Once you get your first card and use it well, wait one year before applying for a second card.

Use Your First Card Wisely to Build Positive Credit History

Once you get your first credit card, you’re on your way to building a credit score that will follow you for the rest of your life.

That’s an ominous consideration, but the difference between a credit score of 670 or less and one near 800 can mean saving thousands of dollars on loans, getting offers for better credit cards with better rewards, and even being approved for a cellphone contract or an apartment lease.

Doing many of the things we’ve talked about here, including paying bills on time and in full each month, not using more than 30% of your credit limit, and checking your credit report once a year, should get you on the road to building a positive credit history.

Having credit is a lot of responsibility, but one that’s worth taking care of so your financial future will be a lot easier.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.