The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.
Choosing the Best Cards for Families
Posted on Jun 2, 2021
Updated on Mar 28, 2022
When you have a family, you need a bunch of everyday stuff as well as major purchases, from groceries and goods for children to trip planning and travel activities. You also need to teach your kids financial lessons and give them access to the card so that they would use it. Family cards not only allow you to make daily purchases, but also earn rewards or have additional perks, depending on the product.
Choosing the right first card for kids
There are two ways to start familiarizing children with the credit cards: to open a prepaid card or to apply for a student credit card if he or she reaches the age of 18. A prepaid or debit card is a pay-as-you-go card that only lets you spend money you've loaded onto it in advance. Most prepaid debit and credit cards are associated with major card networks - Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover and can be used anywhere they are accepted. Some examples include grocery stores, department stores, gas stations, restaurants, clothing retailers, for online shopping and more. Below is a list of cards for kids, which are more reasonable to begin with:
our choice
- Raise financially smart kids.
- Send money instantly to your kids' accounts anytime, anywhere.
- Real-time transaction notifications.
- Store-specific spend controls and ATM parental controls.
- Track all historic activity in your kids’ Spend, Save and Give accounts.
- Switch the card on/off from the app.
our choice
our choice
- Get the debit card & app that helps kids learn about budgeting.
- A debit card to support kids' financial independence.
- Choose from 45+ debit card designs & customize your card, too.
- Zero Liability Protection by Mastercard®.
- Real-time spending notifications.
- GoHenry blocks unsafe spending categories.
- Easily block and unblock cards.
- FDIC-insured accounts up to $250,000.
our choice
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
10.99% Intro APR (6 months)
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
10.99% Intro APR (6 months)
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
Cash back credit cards that are good for families
When it comes to the whole family, it is very pleasant to receive rewards, but if you have no desire to get into the points earning and redeeming process, it is difficult to argue with the benefit of getting cashback. Cash back is the most flexible of all rewards, as you get real dollars and cents that you can redeem for anything you want. Additionally, cash back credit cards may come with 0% intro APRs on purchases and allow adding authorized users. An authorized user is an additional cardholder, such as a child or a family member, on a credit card account. They are usually issued a card with their name on it, while the account will be owned by the primary cardholder and the responsibility for all expenses will lie with them. The advantage is that you can set a monthly limit for an authorized account and track all transactions.
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% (18 months)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min).
Annual Fee
$0
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. - Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
our choice
our choice
Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
Family credit cards for grocery shopping
Sometimes, due to the workload and responsibility for your family, children, pets and more, there is absolutely no time and desire to dig into credit card details, you just need to take care of your family members and earn rewards for that. The monthly grocery shopping bill is likely to be one of the biggest spending categories for families. Therefore, it will be reasonable to have a credit card for everyday purchases. Earning rewards with grocery credit cards couldn't be easier: you can earn points on grocery, gas, streaming services, or in other categories. Moreover, if the whole family uses one card and there are authorized users added, then all the spending they do earns more rewards.
Credit cards for family travel
Several times a year, especially when the holidays are approaching, the question of how to spend the break to make it memorable always arises. And of course, all of us would like not only spend money on our current trip, but also earn rewards and make plans for future travel.
Travel credit cards earn travel points or miles that can be put towards flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related expenses. They also may come with generous sign-up bonuses and additional premium travel perks.
Bottom line
The best credit card for your family is the one that offers a high rewards rate in your biggest spending categories, teaches the proper way to handle cash, or has some additional benefits. By choosing the right card, you will not only be able to pay for everyday purchases, but also save your money.
