11 Things to Know Before Getting Your First Credit Card
Understanding the basics of how to get a card and use it wisely can save you time, money, and hassle while helping you build good credit. Getting your first credit card is a major milestone and a big adjustment. You may already have a general idea of how credit cards work and how to manage them responsibly, but the details matter. Knowing these details before you start will help you save money and build credit faster.
Guide Overview
- Guide homepage
- 11 things to know before getting your first credit card
- Am I ready for my first credit card?
- How to qualify for your first credit card
- 7 options for your first credit card
- How to use your first credit card
- What is a Schumer box and how do you read it?
Starting with Limited Credit History
As someone new to credit, you probably won’t qualify for the best credit cards—those with rich rewards, perks, big sign-up bonuses, or long 0% interest periods. These premium products are only available to applicants with good or excellent credit (scores of 690+) and longer credit histories who meet certain income requirements.
“You'll likely have to start smaller with your first credit card, with a product geared toward people with limited or no credit history.”
That’s not all bad news—many of these entry-level cards offer decent rewards and don’t charge annual fees.
Author’s Summary
Starting with a basic credit card is a smart move for building credit and learning responsible spending habits, even if the rewards aren’t as flashy as those for established users.