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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a credit card for 21yo?!

58 replies

Blueeberry · 22/03/2026 18:56

Is it possible? DD is heading off to uni in September and would like a low limit credit card. She’s sensible - would be useful for emergencies but primarily would like to use instead of her debit card and then just pay it off at the end of each month. I think it would be a useful way of keeping track of her spending, alongside building her credit score & earning air miles (she’s a frequent traveller). Having travel insurance included would also be a huge bonus and save money in the long run.

Her earnings are around £8k/year from her part time job alongside her student loan and a £5k course specific bursary. Is it a possibility at all or am I looking for some sort of unicorn card?

OP posts:
letshearitforDavid · 22/03/2026 21:05

Blueeberry · 22/03/2026 20:22

You’d be wrong..!

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I don’t mind being wrong, in fact I’m glad to be.

rainbowunicorn · 22/03/2026 21:10

Amira83 · 22/03/2026 19:14

She will.ne paying interest every month though so what would be the point in that ? I always advise my adult children against credit, not for it. And none of them have any debts at all as they all prefer to live within a budget rather than get into debt which is a slippery slope.
Instead help her devise a weekly budget that she can stick to. That way she can afford things and have fun within limits, without getting into debt.

Not if she is paying off the balance in full each month, which is what she intends to do according to the OP. As long as she pays in full every month she will never pay a penny in interest.

Original poster
Blueeberry · 22/03/2026 21:13

Bunnybigears · 22/03/2026 20:35

I think it is pretty inaccurate to say most 21 year olds have very little banking experience. At 21 she will be a mature student, a lot of her peers will be leaving uni having navigated their finances successfully for the last 3 years.

It's pretty irrelevant anyway. You have been advised that a credit card for a 21 year old on a part time wage isn't a "unicorn" and is pretty par for the course. If she wants one and feels it will benefit her then let her get on and apply for one. Money Saving Expert is a great place to search for an appropriate card and let's you know the likelihood of being accepted before you apply.

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I wouldn’t say it’s inaccurate. I don’t know of many (if any) students who have more than a bog standard student current account and maybe an ISA on the side. Just because she’s going to uni later than most doesn’t mean she hasn’t been financially independent- she lived alone on the other side of the world for a year & has done plenty of solo travel. She certainly manages money better & has more savings than most of her peers as she hasn’t spent the past 3 years throwing cash away on alcohol etc.

Like most people, she wasn’t born with automatic financial literacy in every aspect and that’s okay. Strong believer that this sort of thing needs to be taught in schools

OP posts:
CandidLurker · 22/03/2026 21:34

Blueeberry · 22/03/2026 20:25

The extra protection is part of the draw for DD. At the moment she typically makes any ‘bigger’ online purchases like flights, more expensive clothing etc on my credit card and transfers me the money

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It would be much better for her to make such large purchases on her own credit card under her own name. If she did have to raise a dispute for any reason you are going to have to get involved as you are the cardholder. It could get complicated. Certainly more complicated than it needs to be.

Usernamenotfound1 · 22/03/2026 21:40

I tried to get dc a credit card at 18 when they went to uni. Refused, presumably as no income as such.

so they are now a cardholder on mine. Used only for things where a cc is needed- hotels for example. I am always asked beforehand, they don’t abuse the privilege.

Balloonhearts · 22/03/2026 21:40

Amira83 · 22/03/2026 19:14

She will.ne paying interest every month though so what would be the point in that ? I always advise my adult children against credit, not for it. And none of them have any debts at all as they all prefer to live within a budget rather than get into debt which is a slippery slope.
Instead help her devise a weekly budget that she can stick to. That way she can afford things and have fun within limits, without getting into debt.

That's not how credit cards work. You don't pay interest if its paid off in full each month.

Advising against credit is bad advice. If they've never had credit, they don't have a credit score. This means it'll be a pain for them to get a mortgage or even some rental agreements and they'll be stung with higher rates. If they ever do need a loan or something on finance, they end up paying larger deposits and paying higher interest.

MatildaMas · 22/03/2026 21:53

If she can get a very basic credit card it's a great way to build a credit rating. Obviously need to pay off in full every month and never max out.
I don't think she would get one with perks though.
DS got an aqua card for his first credit card. Very low credit limit aimed at people with low credit rating (which is normal for someone young who has no financial history).

ThisSunnyBee · 22/03/2026 23:20

Lemonfrost · 22/03/2026 20:03

Have a re-read of the thread. The only one with comprehension issues appears to be you.

#don'tbesorude

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If you say so.

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