Hey there, college students! Managing the credit cards industry could be a difficult affair, more so when one is in class, studying or even working on the side. However, to select the right credit card can be the game changer. Besides, it can assist you to make credit files and also provide additional benefits such as free traveling, cash back, and discounted rates in the stores you love. Weather you are setting out for a vacation, trying to cut down on the usual bills or just start somewhere we are here to help you. Here are the breakdown of some of the highly recommended credit cards for College students so that you can optimize the use of your credit card.
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Best Travel Credit Cards for Students
Doing your traveling on a student budget? Perhaps, you would like to have a Credit Card that will give you the best travel rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of the bests one can go for in this category. While it is famous for its large sign-up bonus, this service also would be discussed for its outstanding travel rewards program. Also, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program allows you to earn points that can be used in purchasing travel, gift cards and other items. For instance, if you are a flying business man or woman then this could be your lucky card!
The Capital One Venture Card is another worthy contender for a great rewards card. The rewards tiering is also simple: you get 2x miles for each purchase you make, and this is pretty fly for a no annual fee credit card. Should there be a step up to the luxury rewards, the Capital One Venture X is also an option for higher rewards and better frills.
Credit Card Statistics And Trends 2024
Best Credit Cards for Airline Miles
To the many people who travel by flight, it might be very useful to have a credit card that grants you airline miles. Earn major rewards using the Southwest Airlines Credit Cards if you are a frequent flyer with Southwest Airlines. One can get points on the basis of these cards that allows them to get free flight and many more. The major benefit associated with the Southwest Credit Card relates to the activity of earning spirit Credit Points which can be used for purchasing flights and other expenditures relating to travel.
The Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express is something you might be interesting in if you are into delta. Some features are priority boarding and free checked bags which, depending on the trip, will make a huge difference.
Cash Back and Rewards Credit Cards
Okay let’s talk about the cash back rewards. For this task of making all your purchases and getting cash back, this card is the Chase Freedom Unlimited. It has a fixed charge of 1. This card offers 5% cash back for any general spending that a card holder maybe engaged in and 5% on travel when purchased on the Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card is one of the best cash back credit cards for students that are available in the market.
If your desire is to have a card that does not attract annual fees but at the same time would attract good reward scheme the Capital One Quicksilver Card will well suit your needs. It offers 1. 5% cash back on every purchase, no foreign transaction fees.
For those of you that are interested in a card that gives back the most on some categories, then perhaps the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is for you. It also offers a cash back on purchase that is quite good at 2%.
Store Credit Cards for Student Discounts
Looking for store-specific perks? The Walmart Credit Card is actually a decent card if you are a frequent shopper at Walmart. There are cash back for Walmart purchases and special financing options also included for the users of the card. Likewise, with the TJX Rewards Credit Card, you enjoy at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, especially if you are an economics with a knack for cheap things.
Another card is the Home Depot Credit Card which is a retail card and it allows a cardholder to receive cash advances at any hour he or she wishes. If you are into home improvement projects, or simply need home improvement materials in the course of its construction, this card gives you back cash and also lets you to take a special financing at Home Depot.
Comparison Table Of Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Rewards | Cash Back/Miles | Sign-Up Bonus | Other Benefits |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 2x points on travel and dining, 1x on other purchases | Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months | 25% more value on travel redemptions |
| Capital One Venture Card | $95 | 2x miles on every purchase | 2x miles on all purchases | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months | No foreign transaction fees |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 2x miles on every purchase, 10x on hotels & car rentals | 2x miles on all purchases, 10x on hotels & rentals | 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 3 months | Access to luxury airport lounges, travel credits |
| Southwest Airlines Credit Card | $69 | 2x points on Southwest purchases, 1x on other purchases | Points for Southwest flights and perks | 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months | Free checked bags, priority boarding |
| Delta SkyMiles Credit Card | $0-$250 | 2x miles on Delta purchases, 1x on other purchases | Miles for Delta flights and perks | 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in 3 months | Priority boarding, free checked bags |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 5% on travel through Chase | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | $200 cash back after spending $500 in 3 months | 5% cash back on travel through Chase |
| Capital One Quicksilver Card | $0 | 1.5% cash back on every purchase | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | $200 cash back after spending $500 in 3 months | No foreign transaction fees |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash Card | $0 | 2% cash back on purchases | 2% cash back on all purchases | $200 cash back after spending $1,000 in 3 months | No foreign transaction fees |
| Walmart Credit Card | $0 | 5% back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% in Walmart stores | 5% back on Walmart.com, 2% in stores | None | Special financing offers at Walmart |
| TJX Rewards Credit Card | $0 | 5 points per $1 at TJX stores, 1 point per $1 elsewhere | Points for TJX stores and rewards | None | Rewards at TJX stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls |
| Home Depot Credit Card | $0 | Special financing offers | Discount offers at Home Depot | None | Special financing options at Home Depot |
| Discover Student Credit Card | $0 | 1% cash back on all purchases, 5% on rotating categories | 1% cash back on all purchases, 5% rotating | $50 cash back after spending $500 in 3 months | Good rewards for a student card |
Finding the Best Credit Card for You
Still, the choice of the credit card most appropriate for students cannot be determined without considering the expenditure habits of the cardholder. You want a card that will give you points for travel, cold hard cash or specific stores, there is a card here for that. Remember that this stage you should be looking for free cards and those that are relevant to your life and spending patterns.
With regards to the student credit card, make sure to check also on the Discover Student Credit Card which can also have a good reward program with no annual fee. But if you are on a dilemma on where to go, suggest the sites by interest rates, reward programs, among others.
Conclusion
Seeking for credit card can be very tasking and even more tasking if in college but with these tips you can easily secure a credit card of your choice now. Whether you want a credit card for travel rewards, cash rewards, or rewards for specific store, there is a credit card that will help you with your financial needs as well as give you extra cash. It is important that you always choose a card that possess characteristics that you will always relate to your lifestyle and spending habits and then you stand to benefit from the privileges that come with the card. All the best for your future, your card searching and have a great and, of course, financially secure student years!
