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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Just graduated college? A credit card can help you build your way to great credit and free travel
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
June 26, 2026 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Opening a first credit card soon after college can be a strategic move for building credit and qualifying for travel rewards cards in the future.
Establishing a strong credit history early can enable access to valuable travel opportunities, such as free flights and hotel stays, even on an entry-level income.
Responsible use of credit, including paying balances in full and maintaining multiple accounts in good standing, helps improve credit scores over time.
Secured and beginner-oriented credit cards are available for those with limited or no credit history, but approval may depend on income and other financial factors.
What to consider
Approval for starter or secured cards is not guaranteed and may require proof of stable income or savings.
A longer credit history and multiple healthy accounts can positively impact credit scores, which are crucial for future financial milestones.
Introductory 0% interest offers or installment plans can help manage payments, but it's important to have a repayment strategy before regular interest applies.
What you'll miss from the article
Personal insights on how building credit early can lead to significant travel rewards and practical tips for choosing your first credit card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
I opened my first credit card, the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card, shortly after graduating from college. At the time, I had no idea that one decision would eventually lead to me qualifying for some of my favorite travel rewards cards and taking trips I never thought I'd be able to afford.
When I was younger, my personal finance education was quite minimal. Credit cards were treated like some kind of financial boogeyman, capable of sending me deep into irrecoverable debt.
If you were taught to view credit cards in the same way, or if they're just something you haven't thought much about, I get it.
Of course, to get there, you first need to build your credit history — and right after college is one of the best times to start.
The information for the Petal 2 credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Travel rewards can make trips affordable on an entry-level income
Back before I knew about travel rewards, I didn't expect to be able to take trips too frequently. Between flights, hotel stays, food and activities, I knew I'd run up thousands in charges — not something I could easily afford as an entry-level professional in media.
But travel rewards completely changed that.
Thanks to the points and miles I've earned through my nine (yes, nine) credit cards, I've been able to do things like travel to Germany for 10 days, make meaningful progress toward my goal of visiting all 50 states and spend Christmas in Canada.
I'm about to head out on my next trip down to Mexico, another vacation that wouldn't have happened without points.
My room at the Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, which I wouldn't have been able to afford without points. OLIVIA MITTAK/THE POINTS GUY
None of this happened overnight. It took several years of responsibly using that first credit card before I qualified for the travel rewards cards that now make trips like these possible.
By doing the boring work of getting your first credit card and establishing your credit score now, you'll set yourself up to have a high enough credit score in your mid-to-late 20s to get approved for some of our favorite travel rewards cards.
To give you an idea of how much money points can save you, I didn't pay a dollar out of pocket for any of the 10 nights I booked during my Germany trip. Without points, those hotel stays would've cost thousands of dollars.
Your credit score takes time to build
Credit scores aren't very interesting, but they are extremely important. A high credit score can mean the difference between getting a favorable rate on a car loan, getting approved for your first travel rewards card, or even receiving approval for an apartment.
If you took out student loans as I did, or if a parent added you as an authorized user to one of their credit cards, you probably already have some credit score to speak of.
Even if that's the case, though, your score likely isn't very high. Back when I graduated from college, my score was in the 600s (850 is the highest your score can be, although this is very hard to attain).
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Contrary to what many people assume, having many credit accounts in good standing is viewed more favorably by credit bureaus than only having one or two healthy accounts. The average age of all of your credit accounts also plays an important role in determining your score, so it's important to start building credit as early as you can.
Issuers often prefer an established relationship for higher-end cards
While you could achieve this by opening a checking account with your chosen bank and using it for a while, you can also begin a relationship by opening a starter card.
XAVIER LORENZO/GETTY IMAGES
For example, the Chase Freedom Rise® (see )is specifically geared toward young adults with a low or nonexistent credit score. By opening this card and paying your statement balance in full every billing period, you'll prove to Chase that you're capable of handling a more sophisticated credit card.
In fact, after a year of responsible use, Chase will automatically consider you for an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see ) — still a favorite in my wallet.
Credit cards can offer an easy way to pay for purchases over time
While I encourage everyone to pay their statement balance in full each month whenever possible, life doesn't always go according to plan.
Many credit cards offer 0% annual percentage rate (APR) cards, which is a fancy way of saying you won't pay any interest on purchases or balance transfers (depending on the card) for a set period.
TOM WERNER/GETTY IMAGES
This time frame can range from 12 to 21 months. Any amount left over after the introductory 0% APR period ends will be charged interest at your card's regular rate, so it's important to have a proper payment plan in place.
That can be a much better option than many buy now, pay later services because you'll also build your credit history while benefiting from purchase protections and fraud protections.
Alternatively, some issuers also offer installment plans such as Chase's Pay Over Time. These plans generally charge a fixed monthly fee, but that monthly fee is significantly cheaper than the interest you'd otherwise accrue. Sometimes you may even be targeted with a no-monthly-fee fixed-payment plan, which I definitely recommend taking advantage of.
Which no-annual-fee credit card should I get as a beginner?
You have plenty of options for your first credit card. I strongly recommend going with a card from an established bank, such as Capital One, Chase or Citi, rather than a card from a startup. My first credit card came from a startup, and it ultimately ended up being a bad choice.
If you're building credit from scratch, consider options designed specifically for new borrowers, such as:
A secured credit card requires you to put down a certain amount, generally $200 or more, as a security deposit. That deposit will become your credit line. This is an extra step issuers take with certain cards to protect themselves from high-risk borrowers.
Keep in mind that approval for a credit card, even a secured card, is never guaranteed. Issuers will look at factors beyond your credit report, such as your income and housing payment.
If you're currently searching for work or working part-time, I suggest waiting until you have full-time employment before applying for a card. Issuers are understandably very hesitant to issue a credit card to someone with a very limited income, unless they have significant savings (think tens of thousands or more).
If you already have some credit history through student loans or by being an authorized user on someone else's card, you may qualify for a more traditional rewards card, such as:
Looking back, opening that first credit card shortly after graduation was one of the smartest financial decisions I made.
As a recent graduate, there's a lot to think about. But spending a little time building your credit now can pay dividends for years to come, whether that's qualifying for your first apartment, buying a car or eventually earning the travel rewards that make dream trips much more affordable.
I had no idea my first credit card would eventually lead to flights, hotel stays and experiences I never thought I'd be able to afford. If you're willing to start building your credit now and use it responsibly, you can put yourself on the same path.
The points and miles you earn with travel rewards cards are your key to incredible trips, from the beaches of the Dominican Republic to the Great Wall of China to Machu Picchu in Peru.
