9 Best Credit Cards For 18-Year-Olds: Build Credit & Earn Rewards

In this article, I will discuss the Best Credit Cards for 18-Year-Olds, focusing on options that help young adults build credit, earn rewards, and manage their finances responsibly.

Whether you’re a student, a first-time credit card user, or looking for a travel card, I’ll break down the top choices to guide you in selecting the best card for your financial goals.

Key Points & Best Credit Cards For 18-Year-Olds List

Credit Card Name	Key Features
SBI Student Plus Advantage Card	Low annual fee, reward points on spending, fuel surcharge waiver
ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card	No joining fee, cashback on dining, fuel surcharge waiver
Discover it® Student Cash Back	5% cashback on rotating categories, $0 annual fee, first-year Cashback Match™
HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Card	Forex prepaid card, global acceptance, discounts on travel & education
Discover it® Secured Credit Card	No annual fee, builds credit, cashback rewards, first-year Cashback Match™
Citi Double Cash® Card	2% cashback (1% on purchase, 1% on payment), no annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	Unlimited 2% cashback, no annual fee, intro 0% APR period
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card	No fees, up to 1.5% cashback, credit-building features
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Premium travel card, 2x miles on all purchases, lounge access

9 Best Credit Cards For 18-Year-Olds

1.SBI Student Plus Advantage Card

An 18-year-old wanting to build up on their credit score will find that the SBI Student Plus Advantage Card is very helpful. Students can avail cashback, receive bonuses for spending, have fuel surcharge permitted, and get global acceptance. It is best suited for students since it has a low annual fee along with other such benefits like EMI conversion.

It can help young cardholders build a strong credit history, provided the card is used responsibly. This card is perfect for Indian students who wish to manage their finances more effectively.

Pros And Cons SBI Student Plus Advantage Card

Pros:

• Simple EMI conversion for substantial expenditures.
• Family members can obtain add-on cards.
• Exemption on service fees for railway reservations.

Cons:

• Needs existing SBI fixed deposit or education loan.
• International usage benefits are limited.
• Point redemption is less valuable than competing providers.

2.ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card

The ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card is suitable for those aged 18 and above as it helps them get started on their credit journey. It has no joining fee, provides cashback on dining, a fuel surcharge exemption, and reward points for all transactions.

This card was made for students and first time users, so it has international acceptance with safe transaction features. This card enables the young card holder to save money on daily purchases and build credit in a responsible manner at the same time. Perfect for first timers!

Pros And Cons ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card

Pros:

• Quick acceptance with no supporting documentation needed.
• Special reductions for restaurants and cinema.
• Additional convenience through contactless payments.

Cons:

• No cash back on almost all expenses.
• Not as beneficial when points are converted.
• Less additional benefits than other cards offer.

3.Discover it® Student Cash Back

The best credit card for students who have just turned eighteen years old and are looking to build credits while earning some cash back, would be the Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card. Students can earn unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases and 5% on select rotating categories.

There is no need to pay any annual fees, and students can take advantage of the Cashback Match™ in the first year. This card further provides access to a free credit score tracker, which makes it the ideal card for savy youngsters.

Pros:

• Assists in growing credit history because of reporting to US bureaus.
• Uses dollars for purchases without extra fees.
• Provides Social Security number monitoring for added protection free of charge.

Cons:

• Need to opt-in for 5% cashback rewards on specified selected categories.
• New users are given less favorable credit limits.
• Under American Express, purchases can be made outside the United States but not as often as with Visa/Mastercard.

4.HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Card

The HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Card functions exceptionally as a prepaid forex card for students who are 18 and wish to study abroad. The best part is that this card can be used universally, and also provides student specific discounts alongside a safeguard against currency swings.

The expenses are perfectly managed for international travels because it is easy to reload the card, transactions are safe, and the card is free of forex markup. Moreover, it adds value to students attending school abroad as it comes with ISIC membership benefits.

Pros:

• Spend globally with ease thanks to the supported multiple currency wallets.
• Students abroad can receive cash assistance during emergencies.
• Extra protection through complimentary travel insurance.

Cons:

• It does not build credit history since it is not a credit card.
• Timing can be a problem in some cases of reloading the card.
• Benefits when used domestically are quite minimal.

5.Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great option for 18 years old interested in building or improving their credit score. They do not charge any annual fees and offer cash back of 2% for gas and dining, and 1% on other purchases.

In addition, Discover matches all cashback in the first year. There is a refundable security deposit that sets the credit limit, making it perfect for controlled use of credit. Additionally, it provides complimentary monitoring of your credit score.

Pros:

• Responsible use can help you advance to an unsecured card automatically.
• There is no penalty APR for paying late.
• You can get your FICO® credit score for free to track your progress.

Cons:

• If you want to open an account, then you will need to provide a refundable security deposit.
• Opening credit account depends on the amount of the deposit.
• No additional features for travel.

6.Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a smart choice for 18-year-olds seeking to make the most of cashback. It offers 2% cashback; customers receive 1% while purchasing and an additional 1% when they pay off the purchase—helping them cultivate positive financial behaviors.

It is perfect for young adults beginning their credit journey since there is no annual fee, and the introductory balance transfer period boasts an impressive 0% APR.

Pros:

• Does not require tracking expenses for gaining rewards.
• Cashback can be used as a ThankYou® Point which gives greater flexibility.
• Selected purchases are protected with warranty extensions.

Cons:

• No extra rewards for international travel or food.
• Spending internationally incurs additional charges.
• Must be in the good-excellent credit range to gain acceptance.

7.Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has vast benefits for those aged 18 looking for a straightforward card with great rewards. There is no restriction on the cashback earned, which is a great perk.

There is no fee charge, a bonus of $200, and an introduction APR of 0% on purchases and balance transfers. With excellent perks like these it’s a great option to earn rewards while building credit as a young adult.

Pros:

• Covers mobile phone billing payments with a card.
• Easy flat-rate cashback; no category limits.
• Contactless payment for fast and secure transactions.

Cons:

• No bonus cashback categories.
• Additional fees for foreign transactions are not ideal when traveling.
• Limited to those with good credit; beginners may find it difficult to obtain.

8.Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

The Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card is designed for newcomers in credit, such as eighteen-year-olds. This card offers no annual fees and a 1% cash reward, which will increase to 1.5% after six months of on-time payments.

There is no credit score requirement which makes it a perfect match for new credit users. It also helps the credit card holders to track their expenses and build credit without any annual fees.

Pros:

• Available credit limit can be higher, no deposit required.
• Approval based on cash flow means no credit history is required.
• Reduced penalty fees since no late payment fees are charged.

Cons:

• No welcome bonus or promotional APR is offered.
• Cash back is only 1%, and can only be increased with responsible spending.
• Fewer travel and premium benefits than other cards.

9.Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The best travel card for an 18-year-old who travels a lot is none other than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It provides 2X miles on every purchase, 10X on hotels and car rentals, and 5X on flights through Capital One Travel.

It also features a 75,000-mile welcome bonus, access to airport lounges, and travel credits. All these features combined make it excellent for younger travelers looking to earn and redeem miles for building their credit.

Pros:

• The premium cardholder benefit assists in reducing the annual fee.
• Additional cardholders get fee waivers along with lounge access.
• Flexible spending is enabled through preset spending, granting accessibility to large transactions.

Cons:

• Casual users may find the annual fee burdensome since it is high.
• Non-travel related spending will not provide points to redeem otherwise.
• Lags behind in number of premium airline and hotel transfer partners than competitors.

Conclusion

The right credit card for an 18-year old depends on their specific goals, whether it be building credit, earning rewards, or controlling expenses. Recommended for first-time users are the Discover it® Student Cash Back and Petal 2®

While frequent travelers would appreciate the Capital One Venture X. It is important to analyze the fees, rewards, and perks associated with the card to ensure foster responsible credit use that also aligns with long-term financial objectives.