Best Credit Cards for Beginners 2026

Starting your credit card journey? These no-annual-fee cards offer great rewards with low spend requirements, making them perfect first cards for churning. 19 cards with $6,290+ in total sign-up bonus value.

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Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

60,000 points
~$900 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x restaurants3x travel3x gas+2 more
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

70,000 miles
~$770 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x Delta2x restaurants2x groceries
Apply NowDetails
Chase

United Explorer Card

60,000 miles
~$720 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x United2x dining2x hotels
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Bold

100,000 points
~$500 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x Marriott2x groceries2x rideshare/food delivery+1 more
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Hilton Honors Card

80,000 points
~$400 value
Spend Required$2,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards3x on all purchases
7x Hilton5x restaurants5x groceries+1 more
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Blue Cash Preferred Card

$350
~$350 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
6% groceries (up to $6k/yr)6% streaming3% transit+1 more
Apply NowDetails
US Bank

US Bank Altitude Connect

20,000 points
~$300 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
5x hotels/car rentals via Travel Center4x travel and gas/EV charging (up to $1k/quarter)2x dining+2 more
Apply NowDetails
Citi

Citi Custom Cash Card

20,000 points
~$200 value
Spend Required$1,500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
5% on top spending category (up to $500/month)
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Chase Freedom Unlimited

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5% on all purchases
3% dining3% drugstores5% travel via Chase portal
Apply NowDetails
Capital One

Capital One SavorOne

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
3% dining3% entertainment3% streaming+2 more
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Chase Freedom Flex

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
5% rotating categories (quarterly)3% dining3% drugstores
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Blue Cash Everyday Card

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$2,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
3% groceries (up to $6k/yr)3% gas3% online retail
Apply NowDetails
Citi

Citi Double Cash Card

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$1,500 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards2% on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
Apply NowDetails
Capital One

Capital One Quicksilver

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5% on all purchases
Apply NowDetails
Bank of America

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5% on all purchases
Apply NowDetails
Bank of America

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
3% on category of choice2% grocery/wholesale
Apply NowDetails
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

$200
~$200 value
Spend Required$1,500 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards2% on all purchases
Apply NowDetails
Discover

Discover it Miles

Cashback Match
~$200 value
Spend Required$0 in 12 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5x on all purchases
Apply NowDetails
Discover

Discover it Cash Back

Cashback Match
~$150 value
Spend Required$0 in 12 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
5% rotating categories (quarterly, up to $1,500)
Apply NowDetails

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best first credit card for churning?

The Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited are ideal first churning cards. They have no annual fee, low spend requirements ($500), earn Ultimate Rewards points, and count toward Chase 5/24 — positioning you for premium cards later.

How many credit cards should a beginner start with?

Start with 1-2 cards and space applications 3+ months apart. This minimizes credit score impact while you learn the process. Once comfortable meeting spend requirements and tracking deadlines, you can accelerate.

Do I need excellent credit to start churning?

No. Many great starter cards only require good credit (670+). Cards like the Discover it Cash Back even approve applicants with fair credit and offer the Cashback Match first-year doubling.