Comment on How Old Do You Have to Be to Apply for a Credit Card?

From experimental haircuts to questionable wardrobe choices, many people’s teenage years were marked by bad decisions. The good news is that most of those missteps had little long-term impact. Credit card debt is much less forgiving. Fortunately, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 raised the minimum age to apply for a credit card to 21, unless a parent or guardian cosigns on the application or the applicant proves that he or she earns a steady income. That said, there are plenty of benefits to establishing a credit history at a young age.