Best Credit Cards For Millennials: Establish Credit, Points, Fraud Protection

Millennials have a very different spending habit. They like to go out and eat with friends, travel regularly, online shop, and prefer to spend money on experiences rather than physical objects. That being sad, it makes sense for millennials to carry credit cards that will suit their lifestyle.

For a more comprehensive list, see our best credit card bonuses here.

we have rounded up eight rewards cards below that will match up with well with millennials that have certain spending habits.

Why Millennials Should Use Credit Cards

The most common reason why millennials don’t want to open up credit cards is because they are concerned about racking up debt. However, if you are using them properly, it can yield three great results: establishing or rebuilding credit, earn points, miles or cash back, and having enhanced fraud protection.

Establishing or rebuilding credit. Credit cards have a bad reputation. But if you use them correctly, they’re great tools for financial planning and money management, like funding big purchases and in case of an emergency.

Earning points, miles or cash back. Some credit cards will reward you for your spending. For some, this is the best reason to open a credit card. Just remember, don’t overspend to earn the rewards. It’s not worth it!

Having enhanced fraud protection. Credit cards have better fraud protection than debit cards. If someone steals your debit card, they have access to everything in your checking account until you and your bank can sort it all out.

Best Types of Credit Cards For Millennials

There is no one singular card that is a great fit for all millennials because it depends on your financial situation. For example, if you are trying to establish or rebuild our credit, go for a secured credit card. They don’t come with any extra perks or benefits, but using your secured card properly will help you earn good credit and open doors to better cards down the line.

If you already have good credit, but you don’t want to get too crazy into earning points and miles, a simple cashback card with no annual fee is an easy way to earn rewards without all the headache.

If you want to make a big purchase, opening a credit card can help you budget for large expenses without making a huge dent in your savings account. Look for a card with a 0% introductory APR, which will give you time to pay off that big ticket item without having to pay interest. Just make sure to pay your balance in full every month.

If you have good credit, and you want the most bang for your buck, then you’ll want a card with spending bonuses on certain categories. These usually come with additional perks, but they also come with higher annual fees.

Best Credit Cards For Millennials

CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARDCITI PREMIER® CARDCAPITAL ONE® VENTUREONE® REWARDS CREDIT CARDCAPITAL ONE® SAVORONE® CASH REWARDS CREDIT CARD

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase TravelSM. You'll earn • 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 3x points on other travel and dining • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. Member FDIC Click here to learn how to apply

The American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. • 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. • 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. • 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. • 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Other benefits: • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply. • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express(R) Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required. • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property. This card has an annual fee of $325 with no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. Click here to learn how to apply

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel. Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card comes with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees which is a great choice as your go-to travel card! Click here to learn how to apply

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. • 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). • 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. • 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. This card comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Click here to learn how to apply

Bottom Line

Although we focused on credit cards for Millennials in this post, you may want to consider other cards with additional earning potential that will match your spending behavior better. For our guide on the best credit cards in other categories, check out these other posts:

Chase Bank Business Checking Bonus: $300 or $500 Offer Coupon – Ends 7/17/25

CIT Bank Promotions April 2025: $225, $300 Bonus + Up to 4.10% Platinum Savings, Savings Connect, CD Rates

Huntington Bank Promotions for April 2025: $100, $400, $1,000 Checking Bonuses – Ends 6/9/25

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