The legal age in the United States to obtain your own credit card is 18 years. Fortunately, there are other options available to you.

First, you can obtain a prepaid debit card which you charge up by sending money to the card issuer, and then use that card as you would a regular card, everywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. From the merchant's point of view there is virtually no difference between a prepaid card and a credit card. 

Many prepaid card issuers, however, offer their cards only to individuals over the age of 18. In this case, parents or a legal guardian can apply for the card under their name but allow you to keep and maintain the card using the PIN. This option is perfectly legal and gives you the opportunity to safely use your own money in the form of a card. Check out the prepaid card offers we recommend on Creditnet.com.

As an alternative you can obtain an actual credit card through your parents or legal guardian. They can submit to their credit card issuer a request to add you to their account, which would result in a credit card being issued to you. They become, in effect, your co-signer. As such they are ultimately responsible for your account. If you abuse the card or default on your payments, you will have to endure the wrath of your co-signer. To view credit card offers, including student credit cards and reward credit cards, just click on the credit cards tab in the main navigation bar above.