Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals [2024]: Earn Rewards and Build Credit

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card(Rates and fees) is one of our favorite cards for young adults because it’s straightforward and easy to use. It has a $0 annual fee and you can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases.

We also like the Discover it^® Cash Back because it has a high rewards rate, no foreign transaction fees, and a $0 annual fee.

Let’s jump into the details of the best credit cards for young adults and professionals so you can find the right card for your situation.

Key takeaways

5 of the best credit cards for young adults and professionals

1. Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card
2. Discover it^® Cash Back
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited^®
4. Bilt Mastercard^®
5. Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

In addition to these cards, we put together a list of other great credit cards for young professionals in case you want to explore even more options.

Compare the best credit cards for young adults and professionals

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is a straightforward cash rewards credit card for someone who wants a $0-annual-fee card with a simple rewards program.

Why we like it

The Wells Fargo Active Cash has a $0 annual fee, so you don’t have to worry about an annual cost. And you can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it easy to earn flat rate cash rewards without having to track and use different kinds of bonus categories.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers cell phone protection, and it also provides these intro APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable)
• Intro APR on qualifying balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable)

What we don’t like

You have to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee if you make purchases abroad or from foreign merchants.

Apply now or find out more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.

Discover it^® Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back hits all the right notes for someone who is new to credit cards and willing to keep track of its rewarding rotating categories.

Why we like it

The Discover it Cash Back has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. You can 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—automatically.

Additional benefits include two introductory APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable)
• Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable)

Check the Discover cashback calendar to see current and past cashback bonus categories.

What we don’t like

Any type of rotating bonus categories can take some effort to track if you’re not used to them. Especially if you have to activate the categories each quarter.

Apply now or find out more in our Discover it^® Cash Back(Rates and fees) review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns valuable cashback rewards. You can redeem your rewards for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.

Why we like it

The Chase Freedom Unlimited has a $0 annual fee and helps you earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

You can also take advantage of these intro APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable)
• Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable)

Additionally, you receive the following Chase Freedom Unlimited coverages for qualifying purchases:

What we don’t like

Cardholders have to pay foreign transaction fees (3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars) on applicable purchases.

Apply now or find out more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Bilt Mastercard^®

The Bilt Mastercard is a unique card that can reward you for rent payments.

Why we like it

The Bilt Mastercard has a $0 annual fee and provides 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel, up to 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), and 1X points on other purchases; must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.

There aren’t many other cards like Bilt for earning rewards on rent without having to pay transaction fees. So if rent is one of your largest expenses as a young professional, the Bilt Mastercard could make a lot of sense for you.

What we don’t like

You can’t earn points unless you use your card at least five times each statement period.

Apply now or find out more in our Bilt Mastercard review.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

The American Express Blue Cash Everyday makes sense as your go-to card for earning rewards in everyday spending categories.

Why we like it

The American Express Blue Cash Everyday has a $0 annual fee (terms apply). It helps you earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.

Cardmembers can also take advantage of these intro APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable)
• Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable)

Other card benefits include:

• Get a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled card to spend $9.99 or more each month on a subscription to the Disney Bundle. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
• Get up to $15 in statement credits back per month after you use your enrolled card to purchase a Home Chef subscription.

Keep in mind that select benefits require enrollment.

What we don’t like

As a cardmember, you have to pay 2.7% foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases.

Learn how to apply or find out more in our Amex Blue Cash Everyday review.

Honorable mentions: additional credit cards for young adults and professionals

Here are some excellent alternatives to our top picks that could also work for young adults and professionals.

If you like to travel, check out some of the best travel credit cards. Here are some of our recommendations for cards that earn travel rewards and provide travel benefits, such as the option to transfer points to hotel and airline partners.

If you’re interested in earning cashback rewards on eligible purchases, check out some of the best cash back credit cards. Here are some of our recommendations for cash back cards that can help you benefit from generous welcome offers and rewards rates.

How to get a credit card as a young adult

Consider these different paths for getting a credit card as a young adult or professional.

1. Consider secured credit cards

Secured credit cards are one of the most straightforward options if you’re new to credit cards and still building your credit history. They typically have less strict credit requirements, but you typically have to put down a security deposit.

Your security deposit acts as your credit limit. For example, if you put down a $300 security deposit on a secured card, you would have a $300 credit limit. Most secured cards have a refundable security deposit that you get back if you close your account or graduate to an unsecured card.

Check out some of the best secured credit cards, including:

• Discover it^® Secured Credit Card
• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
• Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card

If you want an unsecured card, which is a card that doesn’t require a security deposit, consider the following:

• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Freedom Rise℠

If you’re a college student, consider one of the best student credit cards.

2. Become an authorized user

You can typically start building your credit history once you’re 18, but you need proof of independent income or a co-signer to apply for a credit card if you’re not yet 21.

However, you can become an authorized user on a credit card account of a friend or family member. Some credit card issuers require you to be 13 or older, while others have no age requirement. This strategy can provide you with your own physical credit card to use and help you establish your credit.

3. Get help from a co-signer

If you’re under 21, certain financial institutions could let you apply for a credit card with a co-signer.

When someone co-signs with you on a credit card application, it means that they agree to have the same liabilities you have. However, this option has become increasingly uncommon, but it’s worth checking with the financial institution you’d like to receive a credit card from.

4. Provide proof of income

In some cases, you might be able to apply for a credit card and be under 21 if you’re able to show proof of an independent income. That means having sufficient income that comes from your own work or wages and isn’t tied to someone else, such as a parent, supporting you.

5. Build credit

Building credit is how you can go from limited credit history and average credit to better credit scores and an established credit history.

Credit cards are one of the easiest ways to build your credit because your payment history is reported to major credit bureaus and reflected on your credit report. So as long as you responsibly use and pay off your credit card balances, you should see your credit score go up over time.

FAQ

Best credit cards for young adults and professionals: bottom line

For simple earning and a $0 annual fee, we recommend the Wells Fargo Active Cash. It’s a straightforward card that makes sense for young professionals.

If you prefer a higher rewards rate, consider the Discover it Cash Back. It also has a $0 annual fee, but its earning potential could be better depending on your spending habits.

Compare credit cards to find the best card for your personal finance situation.

Methodology

Young professionals are typically at a point in their lives where they’re learning about financial products and then implementing what they’ve learned. They may be recent college graduates or well into their careers. Some of them are making large purchases and investments, like buying a car or house.

Overall, the situations will vary, but most young professionals aren’t likely getting ready for retirement or sitting on heaps of savings. This presents an opportunity for credit cards to help these individuals reach financial goals they otherwise wouldn’t be able to attain.

We picked thecredit cards in this guide based on their usefulness for different situations that a young professional might find themselves in, whether it’s paying down debt, building credit, saving up for travel, or saving money on everyday expenses. We didn’t want any cards with steep annual fees, but we also wanted each card to have helpful benefits a young professional could take advantage of.

Great for Flexible Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Apply Now

Current Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 25% more value when redeeming rewards for travel through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary point bonus each year
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠
• Premium travel protection benefits

Drawbacks

• Has annual fee

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC