Building a good credit history offers several benefits, such as qualifying for lower interest rates on loans and making it easier to rent apartments. A practical step for those new to credit is to apply for their first credit card. Let’s take a look at the best six first credit cards.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard

Unlike other secure credit cards, this card does not require a security deposit, making it more accessible. International students find this card especially appealing as it doesn't necessitate a Social Security Number for application.

Key features include a $0 annual fee and an attractive offer of a one-year Amazon Prime Student subscription after a minimum spend of $500 within the first three billing cycles, adding significant value (worth $59). Moreover, users benefit from a 1% cashback on all purchases, adding a steady return on spending. An added advantage is the cell phone protection up to $600, providing a safety net for your device. This card is particularly advantageous for students studying abroad as it incurs no fees on international transactions.

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard is not just a first premier credit card; it's a financial tool that helps students manage their finances effectively while building their credit history. The ability to track spending, set automatic payments, and freeze the card through a user-friendly app enhances financial management for young adults embarking on their credit journey.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is known for its generous reward structure: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and a steady 1.5% on all other purchases. It's a perfect blend of rewarding everyday spending and special categories.

The introductory cash-back offer distinguishes this card. Chase matches first-year cash back, increasing earning potential. The card's variable APR is 20.49%–29.24% for those with good to excellent credit (700–749).

This card helps you spend and save, not just earn rewards. The 0% Intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is great for financial flexibility. Rewards don't expire as long as the account is open, and there's no minimum redemption amount, making them easy to claim.

Step Visa Card

The Step Visa Card is an exceptional choice for young individuals seeking a solid credit foundation. Minors need parental sponsorship to get this card. It can report two years of transaction and payment history to credit bureaus, making the Step Visa Card notable. This reporting begins when the sponsored child turns 18. Teens usually have credit scores under 600. Step's internal research shows that 18-year-olds who used the card for over seven months had an average credit score 725.

The step helps 18-year-olds transition into adulthood by keeping their first premier credit card, number, and account. The account is legally reassigned to them as the principal owner. Continuous credit history development requires this continuity. Step is also a debit card, unlike many others. Direct fund transfers to a federally insured account and physical and virtual cards for spending flexibility are available.

Savings Goals on the Step Card lets users earn up to 5% annual interest on specific deposits. It also offers a Savings Roundup, Bitcoin investments for 13-year-olds, and cash or Bitcoin rewards for merchant transactions.

Petal® 2 Visa® Card

The Petal® 2 Visa® Cash Rewards Credit Card is a refreshing alternative in the credit card market, particularly for individuals with minimal or no credit history. This card is a great first credit card option as it embraces modern financial technology to assist users in budgeting, controlling expenditures, and building credit.

Petal® 2 welcomes applicants based on their cash flow, eliminating needing a prior credit history. Those with a minimum credit score of 600 are considered for acceptance, and a score of 720 or higher guarantees auto-approval. By reporting payment histories to all three major credit bureaus, Petal® 2 actively aids in credit building.

The card offers credit limits starting at $300 and scaling up to $10,000, with a cashback reward system ranging from 1% to 1.5% on eligible purchases and even higher rates of 2% - 10% at selected merchants. These rewards are contingent on making 12 on-time monthly payments. Importantly, Petal® 2 charges no fees, which include no late fees, foreign transaction fees, or annual fees.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back card caters to those with fair or new credit and charges no annual fee. Among its most appealing aspects is the quarterly opportunity to earn 5% cash back on various ordinary transactions, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations, subject to a quarterly cap and required enrolment. All other purchases earn a standard 1% cash back.

New cardholders enjoy an introductory offer: the Unlimited Cashback Match. With this feature, Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year, meaning if you earn $50, it becomes $100, and $100 turns into $200, with no limits. This effectively doubles your rewards in the first year.

The card also boasts a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first six months. After that, a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24% applies. Additionally, this card offers a unique security feature where Discover assists in removing your personal information from certain websites, enhancing your online privacy.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card is designed for individuals with bad or poor credit scores, providing a pathway to improve credit while earning cash back. The card requires a security deposit but compensates with a $0 annual fee and a reward structure that rivals unsecured and secure credit cards.

Impressively, cardholders get 5% cash back on their initial $2,000 spent in any two categories each quarter. On top of that, customers get 1% cash back on everything else and 2% cash back in one common category, such grocery shops, petrol stations, or restaurants. When you use this card to book prepaid accommodations, transportation, or airfare via the Rewards Travel Center, you'll get an additional 5% back.

Despite its high reward potential, the card has a notable drawback: a high variable APR of 29.99%. The card also imposes a 3% fee on foreign transactions, making it less ideal for international use.