Age Requirements for Getting a Credit Card: A Complete Breakdown

When it comes to building financial literacy, understanding credit cards and credit systems is crucial—but age matters. The path to obtaining a credit card depends on your age and what type of account you’re pursuing.

Starting Early: The Authorized User Route

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be 18 to start learning about credit cards. If you’re younger than 18, the primary way to access a credit card is by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account—typically a parent or guardian.

Most major financial institutions allow authorized users at various ages, though policies differ:

• American Express sets the minimum at 13 years old
• Discover requires applicants to be at least 15
• U.S. Bank mandates 16 years minimum
• Several issuers—including Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo—have no age floor restrictions

An authorized user receives their own physical card bearing their name, but the account remains linked to the primary cardholder’s credit line. This means the account holder remains fully liable for all charges, including those made by the authorized user. For younger learners, keeping the physical card secured between practice sessions often makes sense until they demonstrate financial responsibility.

One underrated benefit: adding a young person as an authorized user to an account in good standing can help establish their personal credit history early, giving them a significant advantage when they eventually apply for their own card.

The Turning Point: Age 18

At 18, you become legally eligible to hold your own independent credit card and establish your own line of credit. However, there’s an important caveat: applicants must demonstrate an income threshold to qualify.

Here’s where the age-specific rules kick in: If you’re between 18 and 21, your income must come from limited sources—primarily employment wages or scholarships and grants. This restriction excludes third-party income such as parental allowances or gifts.

This income rule traces back to the CARD Act of 2009, legislation designed to prevent young adults from obtaining credit lines they couldn’t realistically repay. Without qualifying income, you might still secure a card by enlisting a cosigner—someone with established credit willing to assume responsibility for your debt—though major credit card companies rarely offer this option. Local credit unions often prove more flexible here.

Full Freedom: Age 21 and Beyond

Once you reach 21, the income restrictions dissolve significantly. At this point, you can claim virtually any income source you legitimately have access to—including gifts, allowances, government benefits, and retirement income. This opens considerably more options.

Even with relaxed income rules, first-time cardholders without an established credit history should focus on entry-level credit cards specifically designed for beginners. Building credit responsibly from this foundation sets the stage for better rates and terms down the road.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re establishing yourself as an authorized user in your early teens, applying independently at 18, or building on your credit at 21 and beyond, the key is understanding the rules at each stage. Regardless of which path you take, investing time in credit card fundamentals—interest rates, fees, payment terms, and responsible usage—will serve you far better than rushing into debt you can’t manage.