Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you are a young professional, chances are you want have a credit card reflect your style and status. After all, you don’t want to be the guy at the bar swinging a debit card to pay for drinks, you have? Now that you’ve got a real job and apartment of your own, it’s time to get a credit card that fits your spending habits and travel goals.
And if you’ve spent any time here, you know your credit card can be the key to making your dream vacation come true — if you choose right. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for young professionals.
Best credit cards for youth
Information about the Amex Green card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express® Gold Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on qualifying purchases with your new card within the first six months of becoming a member of the card — $1,200 based on TPG . latest valuation.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees).
Reward:
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining out at restaurants and supermarkets in the United States (4 points per dollar for up to $25,000 spent at supermarkets in the United States per calendar year; 1 points for every dollar after that)
- 3 points for every dollar spent on airfare, booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel.
- 1 point for every dollar spent on other qualifying purchases.
Whether you’re going out with friends or learning to cook at home, you’re probably spending a lot of money on food. And this card rewards you for that, earning 4 points per dollar for dining at restaurants and supermarkets in the US (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point). for every dollar spent).
It also offers 3 points per dollar on airline tickets, purchased directly from the airline’s website or from Travel America Expressso you’ll earn solid rewards for booking your dream vacation or going home on vacation.
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You should also check out CardMatch Tool for potentially better offers (targeted and subject to change at any time). And if you’re not sure where to start redeeming all those points, we have some suggestions.
Read our full Amex Gold Review For more details.
Register here: American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Green Card
Welcome offer: 40,000 points after you spend $2,000 within the first six months of your card membership. TPG appreciates this at 800 dollars.
Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees).
Reward:
- 3 points for every dollar spent on travel, including hotels, flights, transit, tours, taxis, and carpooling.
- 3 points for every dollar spent on restaurants worldwide. This also includes US takeout and delivery
- 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
If you find yourself traveling more than before, this card deserves a place in your wallet. It earns bonus points for travel, transit, and restaurants, so you’ll earn when you book your ride as well as when you get around and discover all the great food while you’re there.
This card also makes your travel experience easier with perks like statement credits to cover your expenses. Remove membership and 100 dollars Buddy Lounge credits to help you access airport lounges as well as travel protections like baggage and rental car insurance.*
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. The policies are underwritten by the New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Read our full Green Review Amex For more details.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
sign up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG . value rewards up to $1,200, depending on how you redeem your points — either by transferring them to one of Chase’s hotel or airline partners, or directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards Gate.
Annual fee: $95.Reward:
- 5 points per dollar spent on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 3 points for every dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dine-in.
- 3 points for every dollar spent on select streaming services.
- 3 points for every dollar spent on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
- 2 points for every dollar spent on all other travel.
- 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
If you’ve been paying attention, you probably know someone with this card. You’ve probably also seen how much we tell you you need to get it. And for good reason – this card really lives up to the hype.
The extra income on travel purchases and benefits like trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees make it a travel card, but it also helps you in your expenses. daily consumption. Whether you’re dining out, streaming, or traveling, you can count on this card to earn yourself some serious rewards.
There is a $95 annual fee, but We’re happy to pay that because of the benefits that this card brings.
Read our full Chase Sapphire’s Favorite Review For more details.
Register here: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Citi Premier® Card
sign up bonus: 80,000 ThankYou bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG . value This bonus is at $1,440.
Annual fee: $95.
Reward:
- 3 points per dollar for flights and hotels.
- 3 points per dollar at gas stations.
- 3 points per dollar at restaurants.
- 3 points for every dollar at supermarkets.
- 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.
Citi Premier is another great option to earn bonus points for both travel and everyday spending. And those points are flexible, allowing you to redeem them by transferring them to Citi’s hotel or airline transfer partners.
With a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, this card will help you book your next trip to the point do not have time.
Read our full Citi Premier® Card Review For more details.
Register here: Citi Premier® Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
sign up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.Annual fee: $95.Reward:
- 2 miles for every dollar spent on every purchase.
This card is great if you spend most of your paycheck on purchases that don’t normally fall into other bonus categories. With the Adventure Rewards Card, you’ll earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend, whether you’re spending at the grocery store or ordering a portrait of your dog to hang in your new apartment .
You’ll love the option to redeem the miles you earn with this card by transferring them to any Capital One Air freight and hotel partners. This pass includes additional travel perks such as Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit and no foreign transaction fees.
The card’s versatility and travel perks make it a great choice for young professionals.
Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Card Review For more details.
Register here: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
bottom line
Committed to using a credit card can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been in the credit card game for a long time. You know you have a lot of options to choose from, but the important thing here is to choose one that fits your travel goals and spending habits.
You really can’t go wrong with any one of these five cards. With everything from huge welcome bonuses to dining benefits, you’ll feel like a credit boss in no time.
Official app link: American Express® Gold Card
Official app link: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Official app link: Citi Premier® Card
Official app link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
For Amex Gold card rates and fees, click this.
For Amex Green rates and fees, click this.
Additional reporting by Mimi Wright and Benét J. Wilson
