11 Things to Know Before Getting Your First Credit Card
Understanding the basics of obtaining and using a credit card wisely can save you time, money, and stress while helping you build good credit. Getting your first credit card is an important milestone and requires adjustment.
Even if you have a general idea of how credit cards work and how to manage them responsibly, the details matter. Learning these specifics beforehand will save money and accelerate your path to good credit.
NerdWallet's Guide to Your First Credit Card
- 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?
What to Expect as a New Cardholder
New credit users probably won’t qualify for top-tier cards that offer rich rewards, substantial sign-up bonuses, or lengthy 0% interest periods. These premium cards usually require good or excellent credit scores (690+) and longer credit histories, along with meeting income criteria.
Most first-time cardholders start with cards designed for people with little or no credit history. However, it's worth noting that many beginner cards still provide reasonable rewards and often come without annual fees.
"As a newcomer to credit, you probably won’t be able to qualify for the absolute best credit cards — the ones with rich rewards and perks, big sign-up bonuses or long 0% interest periods."
Author’s summary: Starting with your first credit card can be challenging, but understanding the essentials and choosing the right beginner-friendly card helps build credit effectively without unnecessary costs.
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