Best Credit Cards 2024 For Beginners
What are the best credit cards 2024 for beginners?
Thinking about getting a credit card can be overwhelming. There are so many options! What do they all mean?
Planning ahead with your finances and being proactive is a key to taking control of your money situation.
Are you a brand new beginner to credit cards? Find the idea terrifying? Scared of what your credit score may be and don’t even want to know?
You are not alone. Getting started when you are a credit beginner or you have messed up your credit in the past can be extremely scary.
Have no fear, there are baby steps you can take to get into the credit game and before you know it, you are no longer a credit card beginner.
Are you thinking about getting a new credit card or consolidating existing credit cards? Do you want to earn cash rewards? There is a card for you!
What To Look For in a Credit Card
Credit cards come in different types and offer various perks, depending on your needs and lifestyle. Whether you’re a first-timer looking to just pay your monthly cell phone bill to get your credit going, or looking to switch cards, we’ve rounded up the best credit cards for beginners in 2024.
These cards have low fees, great points, and other benefits that are perfect for someone looking to start building credit.
#1 Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is an excellent option if you’re looking for high cash back rates together with flexible redemption options. Also, newcomers can enjoy a $200 sign-up bonus and unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases.
You can redeem your cash back for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or statement credit. The card’s APR is a variable 14.99% – 23.74%, making it affordable.
#2 Discover it Secured
If you are a beginner with no credit, the Discover it Secured card could be the perfect choice for you.
It requires a security deposit of between $200 and $2,500 to determine your credit limit. The card offers 2% cash back on gas and dining purchases and 1% on all other purchases, with unlimited cash back.
Moreover, the card requires no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for users who want to build their credit score over time.
#3 Citi Simplicity
Citi Simplicity is a low-interest-rate credit card that could save you money on fees, an excellent option for beginners with low credit scores. You can enjoy a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months.
Also, users will have no annual fees, over-limit fees, or late fees, making it simple to manage and use.
However, its rewards program isn’t as fabulous compared to other credit cards on this list.
#4 Capital One Platinum Credit Card – Perfect for Travel
The Capital One Platinum card is a great choice for those who are always on the move. There are no foreign transaction fees. Want to redeem rewards for travel? This could be the card for you if you are always on a plane.
As a beginner, you could benefit from this card’s educational resources, like CreditWise and available fraud coverage. This all helps you on your way to building a strong credit score.
Although the card has no cash back, you may have better access to higher credit lines over time.
#5 Blue Cash Everyday Card From American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express rewards you with cash back on your eligible purchases of daily buys. You get unlimited 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back on gas, and 1% on all other purchases.
Also, the card provides a $0 Annual Fee while still offering a $250 statement credit after your first $1,000 in purchases during the first three months. Its percentage rate is relatively low and reasonable.
OK, Now Which Card Do You Want To Apply For?
In this blog post, we went over numerous options to choose from when it comes to picking the best credit card for a beginner in 2024.
Remember to evaluate the rewards and other transactions fees like balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees before signing up for any credit card.
Talk to friends and relatives and ask them which credit cards they like. Do your research. Call the banks and ask plenty of questions. There is no rush. Credit cards don’t sell out.
Building Credit
By using one of the above cards wisely, beginners can start to build an strong credit score while enjoying the benefits of the incentives that these cards offer.
Ideally, you want to pay the entire balance of the credit card every single month. Treat your credit card charges like cash. If you don’t have the cash to pay the entire bill, then don’t make the charge.
Start small building up your credit score. Try automatically charging your phone bill every month to a credit card and pay off the balance in full.
Once the credit agencies see a consistent track record of on time payments, well, then you are not a beginner anymore!