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Best Credit Cards for 18 Year Olds to Build Credit of September 2024

While there’s no shortage of credit cards aimed at 18-year-olds, given the sheer number of options available, picking the right one can seem overwhelming. This is no one-size-fits-all situation, meaning the credit card that works for your best friend may not suit you. It all depends on one’s needs and situation. In this article, we’ll give you the details on the top credit cards for 18-year-olds, so that you can make an informed decision.

Best Credit Cards for 18 year old in September 2024

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Capital One Platinum Credit Card best for Without SSN

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Platinum Mastercard Capital One
Annual fee:
$0
Regular APR:
29.99% Variable
Our Rating:
2.86
scorer
Credit score
Fair (580-669)
  • Balance Transfer APR:
    29.99% Variable
  • Issuer name:
    Capital One
  • Details:

    Get the credit you need with Platinum Mastercard® from Capital One.

    Enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One.

    You're also covered by $0 Fraud Liability if your card is ever lost or stolen.

  • Pros:
    • Chance to get a higher credit limit
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Platinum Mastercard benefits
    • No Penalty APR for late payments
    • Get approval with a fair credit score
  • Cons:
    • High Regular APR
    • No rewards
    • No sign-up bonus
    • You don’t get to enjoy a reduced introductory rate
  • Benefits:
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees;
    • $0 Fraud Liability;
    • ATM Location Services;
    • Emergency Card Replacement;
    • Autopay;
    • 24/7 Customer Service.
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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card best for Fair credit

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QuicksilverOne Capital One
Annual fee:
$39 annually
Regular APR:
29.99% Variable
Our Rating:
3.6
scorer
Credit score
Fair to Good (580-739)
  • Rewards Rate:
    • 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase.
  • Balance Transfer APR:
    29.99% Variable
  • Issuer name:
    Capital One
  • Details:

    The QuicksilverOne Credit Card from Capital One earns 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase. The Card has an annual fee of $39.

    The QuicksilverOne Card has an APR of 29.99% Variable. Balance Transfer Fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account. None for balances transferred at the Transfer APR.

  • Pros:
    • Unlimited high rewards rate
    • Average credit score required
    • Automatically considered for a higher credit line after 6 months
    • No foreign transaction fees
  • Cons:
    • Annual fee
    • High APR
    • No bonus rewards categories
  • Benefits:
    • 1.5% Cash Back;
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees;
    • Autopay;
    • $0 Fraud Liability;
    • Card Lock;
    • ATM Location Services.
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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card best for Single mom, Without SSN

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Secured Mastercard® Capital One
Annual fee:
$0
Regular APR:
29.99% Variable
Our Rating:
2.39
scorer
Credit score
No Credit History to Poor (0-579)
  • Balance Transfer APR:
    29.99% Variable
  • Issuer name:
    Capital One
  • Details:

    The Secured Mastercard® from Capital One is for people who want to improve their credit scores. The Card has no annual fee. It requires a security deposit when you’re approved.

    The card's APR is 29.99% (Variable). Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR. None for balances transferred at the Transfer APR.

    You’ll get access to CreditWise® from Capital One, which will automatically alert you to changes on your TransUnion or Experian credit reports.

    The Secured Mastercard from Capital One comes with a surprising number of travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services and secondary auto rental coverage.

    Cardholders will also receive extended warranty coverage for items purchased that already come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

  • Pros:
    • Low initial deposit amount of $49, $99, or $200
    • You can increase the credit line up to $1000
    • No annual fee
    • Automatic credit line reviews
    • Credit building
  • Cons:
    • High APR
    • Low credit limit
    • No rewards program
  • Benefits:
    • $0 Fraud Liability;
    • Refundable Deposit;
    • Capital One CreditWise;
    • Eno®, your Capital One assistant;
    • Virtual Card Numbers from Eno;
    • Emergency Card Replacement;
    • ATM Location Services;
    • MasterRental Coverage;
    • 24/7 Customer Service.
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Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card best for 18 year old

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Gold Preferred® Secured Visa® Applied Bank
Annual fee:
$48 annually
Regular APR:
9.99% Fixed
Our Rating:
4.23
scorer
Credit score
No Credit History to Poor (0-579)
    • Issuer name:
      Applied Bank®
    • Details:

      The Applied Bank® Secured Visa® features a fixed-rate 9.99% APR on purchases.

      The Applied Bank® Gold Preferred® Secured Visa® Card charges several fees in addition to the $48 annual fee. Fees include an up to $38 late payment fee, an up to $38 returned payment fee, a $30 stop payment fee, a $12.95 fee for each optional payment, a $30 fee for additional or replacement cards a $50 reinstatement fee, and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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    • Pros:
      • Extremely low regular APR
      • No penalty rate
      • Guaranteed approval
      • Increase your credit limit
    • Cons:
      • No rewards system
      • A lot of fees
      • Can’t upgrade to an unsecured credit card
      • No grace period
    • Benefits:
      • Reports to All Three National Credit Bureaus;
      • Zero Fraud Liability;
      • Refundable Security Deposit;
      • Global acceptance;
      • Emergency card replacement and cash disbursement.
    View all Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card details
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    First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Synovus Bank
    Annual fee:
    $49 annually
    Regular APR:
    15.24% Variable
    Our Rating:
    3.8
    scorer
    Credit score
    No Credit History to Fair (0-669)
    • Rewards Rate:
      • 1% Cash Back rewards on payments.
    • Issuer name:
      Synovus Bank
    • Details:

      The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a secured credit card for people with a limited credit history.

      The Card earns 1% Cash Back rewards on payments.

      The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® comes with an annual fee of $49. The card's APR: 15.24% (Variable for purchases), 24.24% (Variable for cash advances).

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    • Pros:
      • Low APR for Purchases
      • No Minimum Credit Score Required
      • Reports to Three Major Credit Bureaus
      • Suitable Range of Credit Limit
    • Cons:
      • High Annual Fee
      • High Transaction Fees on Cash Advance
      • High Penalty Fees
      • Foreign Transaction Fees
    • Benefits:
      • 1% Cash Back rewards on payments;
      • Accepted Nationwide;
      • No Minimum Credit Score;
      • No Credit History Required.
    View all First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured details
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    On First Progress’s site
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    Secured Mastercard® Merrick Bank
    Annual fee:
    $36 for first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
    Regular APR:
    22.70% Variable
    Our Rating:
    3.2
    scorer
    Credit score
    No Credit History to Poor (0-579)
      • Issuer name:
        Merrick Bank
      • Details:

        The Merrick Bank Secured Mastercard® credit card is a card designed for building or rebuilding credit. The cardholder’s initial credit line will be equal to the amount of their security deposit, which can be between $200 and $3,000.

        The Annual Fee is $36 the first year. Billed $3 dollars per month thereafter.

        The Card's APR: 22.70% Variable for purchases.

        The Secured Mastercard® credit card reports to all three major credit bureaus.

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      • Pros:
        • Up to $3000 credit limit
        • Reports to three major credit bureaus
        • You don’t need a bank account to apply
        • Access to FICO score
        • Low APR
      • Cons:
        • No rewards or intro offers
        • $200 minimum deposit
        • Extra fees
        • $36 annual fee
      • Benefits:
        • Monthly Reporting to the 3 Major Credit Bureaus;
        • $0 Fraud Liability;
        • Low interest;
        • FICO® Score for Free Each Month.
      View all Secured Mastercard® details
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      On Merrick Bank‘s site
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      First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Synovus Bank
      Annual fee:
      $39 annually
      Regular APR:
      19.24% Variable
      Our Rating:
      3.5
      scorer
      Credit score
      No Credit History to Fair (0-669)
      • Rewards Rate:
        • 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account.
      • Issuer name:
        Synovus Bank
      • Details:

        The First Progress Platinum Select MasterCard® Secured is designed to help cardholders build credit with no credit check or minimum credit score required to apply.

        The First Progress Platinum Select MasterCard® Secured Credit Card earns 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account.

        The card's APR: 19.24% (Variable for Purchases), 25.24% (Variable for Cash Advances).

        The First Progress Platinum Select MasterCard® has an annual fee of $39. Plus, the card has a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

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      • Pros:
        • No credit history required
        • No Minimum Credit Score needed
        • Low Annual Percentage Rates
      • Cons:
        • Annual Fee
        • Foreign Transaction Fee
      • Benefits:
        • 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account;
        • Accepted Nationwide;
        • No Minimum Credit Score;
        • No Credit History Required.
      View all First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured details
      Apply now
      On First Progress’s site
      Card detail

      First Electronic Bank Destiny® Mastercard® best for Unsecured

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      Destiny® Mastercard® First Electronic Bank
      Annual fee:
      *see terms*
      Regular APR:
      35.90%
      Our Rating:
      1.47
      scorer
      Credit score
      No Credit History to Fair (0-669)
        • Issuer name:
          First Electronic Bank
        • Details:

          The Destiny® Mastercard® is a good credit card for people with poor or no credit.

          The Destiny® Mastercard® charges a high Regular APR of 35.90% and does not provide any intro APR offer.

          The card charges an annual fee of $75 for the first year ($99 thereafter).

        • Pros:
          • No monthly fees
          • Prior bankruptcies are acceptable
          • Liability protection
          • No security deposit required
        • Cons:
          • No reward
          • High-interest rates
          • No mobile app
          • Credit limit
        • Benefits:
          • Mastercard® benefits;
          • Fraud protection;
          • Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
        View all Destiny® Mastercard® details
        Apply now
        On First Electronic Bank‘s site
        Card detail

        Capital Bank OpenSky® Secured Visa® best for 18 year old

        Secured Visa® OpenSky®
        Annual fee:
        $35 annually
        Regular APR:
        25.64% Variable
        Our Rating:
        3.82
        scorer
        Credit score
        No Credit History to Good (0-739)
          • Issuer name:
            Capital Bank
          • Details:

            With Secured Visa® Credit Card your credit limit is defined by your refundable deposit, as low as $200 and up to $3000*. You’re the one who decides what’s best for you.

            Use your card to make purchases like gas or groceries, or for recurring bills like your phone, without changing your total monthly budget. Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion® get reports every month — that's important to help you quickly improve your credit score.

            Read full review

          • Pros:
            • No credit check required
            • Does not require a bank account
            • Reports to three major credit bureaus
            • Low minimum cash deposit
          • Cons:
            • High annual fee
            • High Foreign Transaction Fee
            • No Rewards
            • No Signup Bonus
          • Benefits:
            • No credit check necessary to apply;
            • Reports to three major credit bureaus;
            • Build credit quickly;
            • Doesn't require a bank account.
          Card detail
          Today Card™ Mastercard® from CCBank®
          Annual fee:
          $120 annually (billed at $10.00 monthly)
          Regular APR:
          36.00% Variable
          Our Rating:
          0.69
          scorer
          Credit score
          No Credit History to Fair (0-669)
            • Issuer name:
              CCBank®
            • Details:

              Today Card™ Mastercard® from the Capital Community bank is a credit card tailored for people with a poor credit score who want to rebuild their credit history. The card operates like any other unsecured credit card. Successful applicants gain access to a credit line that does not require a security deposit.

              Even though the fees might seem hefty, it isn’t overly excessive. The Today Card Mastercard features an annual fee of $120, which is billed as $10 per month.

            • Pros:
              • Zero liability fraud protection
              • Automatic Payments to make sure you always pay on or before your due date
              • Useful app to monitor purchases, payments, and your current balance with customizable alerts
              • Unlimited access to your TransUnion® credit score, and score changes alerts
            • Cons:
              • Annual fee of $120, but it's divided into twelve $10 monthly payments
              • Purchase APR might seem pretty high
              • Balance Transfers and Cash Advances aren't available
              • 3% foreign transaction fee
            • Benefits:
            Card detail