The 10 best starter credit cards of December 2022: Our top picks for students, building credit, and earning rewards

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Terms apply to offers listed on this page Best for students who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment Details Rewards Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases Annual Fee $0 Intro offer $100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening Recommended Credit Average, Fair, Limited Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 17.99% - 27.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.2/5 4.2 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Pros Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like WalmartÂ® and TargetÂ®) No annual fee or foreign transaction fees Cons Only available to college students Highlights More Information Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like WalmartÂ® and Target with 1% on all other purchases Limited Time Offer: Earn $100 when you spend $100 in the first three months Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024 Enjoy peace of mind with $0Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal Build your credit with responsible card use Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically Annual Fee $0 Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year Recommended Credit Fair/New to Credit Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 16.74% - 25.74% Variable Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases Editor's Rating 5/5 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available Show more Pros & Cons Pros From October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1% Discover matches your cash back after the first year Cons Not the most rewarding cash-back card for non-bonus purchases Highlights More Information Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - 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 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 each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically No credit score required to apply Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free 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 16.74% - 25.74% applies Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases Annual Fee $0 Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match â only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back youâve earned at the end of your first year Recommended Credit New/Rebuilding Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 5/5 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available Show more Pros & Cons Pros Offers cash-back rewards, which isn't a given for secured credit cards Discover matches cash back after your first account year Cons Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits You must fund the security deposit from a bank account Highlights More Information No credit score required to apply No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200. That means a $200 deposit for a $200 credit line. Or a $500 deposit for a $500 credit line. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit, and the security deposit equals your credit limit 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free Earn 5% back on Capital One Travel hotel and car rental bookings and 1.5% on everything else You're eligible to apply with limited or average credit You'll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months Cons No welcome bonus Annual fee High APR for purchases and balance transfers Highlights More Information 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 $0Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024 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 Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set Automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months No annual fee Cons No extra benefits and no rewards Highlights More Information 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 $0Liability 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 Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases Annual Fee $0 Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match â only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back youâve earned at the end of your first year Recommended Credit Fair/New to Credit Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 16.74% - 25.74% Variable Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases Editor's Rating 4/5 4 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available Show more Pros & Cons Pros Earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases Discover matches cash back after your first account year Cons Low cap for earning 2% cash back (up to $1,000 per quarter in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants) Other cards offer better cash-back rates Highlights More Information Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - 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 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically No credit score required to apply Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free 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 16.74% - 25.74% applies Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date Annual Fee $0 Intro offer N/A Recommended Credit Fair Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.99% Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.99% Editor's Rating 4.3/5 4.3 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Pros No annual fee Travel and purchase protection Cons Some other business cards offer better rewards No welcome bonus Highlights More Information Unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase for your business Free employee cards Pick your own monthly due date. Your business has the control to pay when you want Get an itemized report of your spending to simplify budgeting and tax time The best starter credit card reviews We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay If you're a college student who likes to go out, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases This card is extra appealing because it currently comes with a welcome bonus offer of a $100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. It's possible to qualify with limited credit, so if you're new to credit cards it's a solid choice You'll also receive surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card, including: Price protection Extended warranty Car rental coverage Roadside dispatch Travel accident insurance Complimentary concierge services Read more about the Capital One SavorOne Student card: If you have poor credit or no credit history at all, you may need to get started with a secured credit card. Unlike unsecured credit cards that extend a line of credit without collateral, secured cards require a small cash deposit upfront in order to secure an equally small line of credit The Discover itÂ® Secured Credit Card is widely considered to be the top secured credit card since, unlike other cards in this niche, it doesn't charge an annual fee or any hidden fees. You'll also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1 as well as 1% back on all other purchases. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first account year Other top benefits include a free look at your FICO score each month, zero liability for fraudulent purchases, and no late fee on your first late payment. With this card, automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to consumers with "average" credit according to Capital One, which brings it into reach for individuals with limited credit or anyone who has made credit mistakes in the past This card does charge a $39 annual fee, but you'll be able to earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 1.5% cash back for each dollar you spend on other purchases. That's not bad for a rewards credit card, and it's especially good for cards available to consumers with average credit Capital One also promises to reconsider your credit limit and potentially boost it after you've made six on-time payments on your credit card. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees and several benefits, which is a lot more than many credit cards for average credit offer Read more about the Capital One Quicksilver One card: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is typically only available to consumers with "good" credit or better, but it's important to note that a good FICO score typically starts in the 670+ range. If you are able to qualify, this card can serve as a starter travel credit card that can help you get accustomed to earning this type of rewards Once you sign up, you'll earn a flat 1.25 miles for each dollar you spend. You can also earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. On the redemption side of the equation, you can cash in your Capital One miles for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent apiece, or for transfers to 18 airline and hotel partners. This card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees This card will likely start you out with a low credit limit, but Capital One says it will consider boosting your limit after you make six on-time payments on your card. This card also comes with no annual fee If you want to save money with low interest for a limited time, look into the Discover itÂ® Student chrome. This card starts you off with a 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then a 16.74% - 25.74% Variable APR You'll also earn 2% cash back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%) at gas stations and restaurants, plus 1% back on everything else you buy. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn after the first year The PetalÂ® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" VisaÂ® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) could be ideal for anyone who wants to build good credit that lasts. This card comes with a minimum credit limit of $500, although there's no annual fee and no fees on late payments. You'll earn a flat 1% back on all your eligible purchases for the first year, but you have the opportunity to graduate to 1.5% back after you've made 12 on-time payments on your credit card This card also reports to all three credit bureaus like the other cards on our list, so it can help you build credit as your purchases and payments are reported. You'll also get access to the powerful PetalÂ® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" VisaÂ® Credit Card Card app, which can help you manage your money better, track your spending, and stay on top of all your bills Best for international students: Deserve EDU Mastercard The DeserveÂ® EDU Mastercard for Students stands out because you don't absolutely need a Social Security Number to apply, so it's especially appealing to international students who wouldn't usually qualify for a US-based credit card. New cardholders can earn a free one year Amazon Prime Student subscription ($59 value) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles on the card The earning rate isn't as high as some other starter cards (1% back on all purchases). However, you'll receive a handful of valuable benefits, including cell phone protection. When you use the card to pay your wireless bill, you'll be covered for damage or theft up to $600 with a $50 deductible, up to $1,000 per year You'll also receive rental car insurance when you pay with your card, and there are no foreign transaction fees for international purchases Best for small businesses: Capital One Spark Classic for Business There aren't many small-business cards geared to folks with average credit, but the Capital OneÂ®ï¸ SparkÂ®ï¸ Classic for Business could be a good starting point. This no-annual-fee card offers 1% cash back on all purchases, and it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, either Employee cards are free, so you'll earn rewards and qualify for protection on employee purchases. Other benefits include travel and emergency assistance services, secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection against damage or theft, and an extended warranty on eligible items Other credit card guides to read If you already have a decent credit score and are looking for a new credit card to maximize your spending, check out the following guides: The following questions and answers provide some basic guidelines to follow How do I choose the right beginner credit card? It really depends on your credit score and where you're at in your credit journey. If you've never had a credit card before, it's likely you'll have to get started with a secured credit card that requires a cash deposit in order to shore up a small line of credit When you're first starting out, secured credit cards are the easiest to get approved for. This type of credit card requires an initial cash deposit to secure a line of credit that is typically for the same amount. For example, you may put down a cash deposit of $500 in order to secure a $500 line of credit With the requirement for collateral in place, almost anyone can get approved for a secured credit card regardless of their credit score. Also note that, once you use your secured credit card to establish a reasonable amount of credit history, you can cancel or upgrade your card provided your account is in good standing. At that point, your initial security deposit would be refunded to you How do I build credit with a credit card? Building credit with a credit card isn't overly difficult, but you may have a better initial experience if you start the process off slowly. Use your credit card for regular purchases you can afford to pay off each month. When your bill comes due, make sure to pay at least the minimum payment and hopefully your entire credit card balance As you make payments each month, those payments will be reported to the three credit bureaus. Over time, you'll build a history of responsible credit use that can help boost your credit score How many credit cards should I have? You can have one credit card or several. It's totally up to you When you're first building credit, however, it makes sense to limit yourself to a single card. This way, you can spend time building responsible credit habits before you add more cards and complicate your finances How quickly can I raise my credit score? How quickly you'll raise your credit score depends on a whole host of factors including whether you have any credit history at all, whether you have negative marks on your credit report, and the way you handle credit in the short term Your best bet is signing up for a credit card that can aid you in building credit, then using it for regular purchases that you pay in full each month. This will help you build a history of on-time payments while keeping your credit utilization low What card should I get when I have excellent credit? Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life Youâll Love." Jasmin Baron is an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.You can reach Jasmin at [email protected] more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services Â» For rates and fees of Discover itÂ® Secured Credit Card, please click here For rates and fees of Discover itÂ® Student chrome, please click here Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authorâs alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available **Enrollment required For rates and fees of Discover itÂ® Student Cash Back, please click here.