10 Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in South Africa

The 10 Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in South Africa (2025) – Reviewed. We have Rated and Reviewed the 10 Best Credit Card Options that Offer Rewards, Perks, Cashback, Benefits, Savings, Discounts, Accounts, and points for Young, Business Professionals.

In this in-depth guide, you will learn:

1. The Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in South Africa (2023) – a List.
2. Which Bank or Provider (Discovery Bank, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa, FNB) offers the best credit card options for Young Business Professionals, with no credit, good credit, no or low annual, and low-interest rates to build a credit score, and more?

And much, MUCH more!

10 Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in South Africa – a Comparison

10 Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in South Africa (2025)

1. ☑️ Discovery Bank Black Card – Overall, the Best Credit Card for Young Professionals in SA
2. ☑️ Nedbank Gold Card – 25c Cash Back for every liter of Fuel
3. ☑️ Standard Bank Gold Card – A competitive interest rate and value-added services
4. ☑️ Absa Flexi Core Card – Cash Back Rewards for Using Card to Pay
5. ☑️ FNB Aspire Card – Automatic Debt Protection
6. ☑️ Standard Bank Blue Card – Chip and PIN enabled Mastercard
7. ☑️ Absa Transact Card – Restaurant deals, travel discounts on car hire, flights and accommodation
8. ☑️ FNB Gold Business Card – The Best Credit Card for Rewards
9. ☑️ Standard Bank Diners Platinum Card -Access to the Diners Club Premium Services
10. ☑️ Absa Gold Card – Low Monthly Fee, Exclusive Discounts and Deals

Discovery Bank Black Credit Card

If you are a young professional who wants more from a credit card than just the ability to make purchases, the Discovery Bank Black Credit Card Account was designed for you. You may make use of first-rate banking services irrespective of where you are, complete with customized features, exclusive access to travel and other advantages, and exceptional customer service.

You are able to set up third-party debit orders, send EFT payments, and get salary deposits using your upgraded credit card because it is capable of performing a wide variety of operations.

Take advantage of the most flexible credit facility and receive up to 55 days of interest-free credit on a select number of orders. This offer is only available for a small number of purchases. You can also access the one and only Real-Time Forex Accounts whenever you want, day or night, by using the banking app on your mobile device.

Discovery Bank Black Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly account fee: R220

Interest rate:

• ✅ Up to 2% interest on your positive balances in your everyday accounts.
• ✅ Up to 6.75% interest on demand savings accounts.
• ✅ Up to 4% less interest on your borrowing rate.

Discovery Bank Black Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

Using the app, you can download, create an account, and apply for any Discovery Bank product in under five minutes. Discovery’s website lets you request a callback and give your contact information.

Your credit utilization rate, also known as your credit utilization ratio, is calculated by dividing your total revolving credit by the amount you are using.  Your credit usage ratio calculates this. It is your total credit divided by your debt.

Discovery Bank Black Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Rewards.

I get rewards when spending with Discovery and that really helps to support my lifestyle and take my hard-earned money further. – Amber

Discovery Bank Black Credit Card Pros and Cons

Nedbank Gold Credit Card

The Nedbank Greenbacks rewards program is predicated on your knowledge of money. Each time a credit card is scanned, the user has the opportunity to accrue points.

There are no limitations on the shops you can go to or the amount of money you can spend. Depending on the kind of credit card you have, you may be able to earn a certain number of Rand-valued points. You can take money out of your account or use points to make purchases.

In general, this curriculum is excellent for those looking to establish sound money management habits. You can access different aspects of this scheme, including credit cards, depending on the financial instruments you use.

Nedbank Gold Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly service fee: R40

Nedbank offers a personalized interest rate as well as financing with no interest for up to 55 days.

Nedbank Gold Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

Application conditions for the Nedbank Gold Credit Card must include the following:

• ✅ You must be at least 18 years old.
• ✅ You must have a valid South African ID or a valid passport and work permit if you don’t currently reside in South Africa.
• ✅ A stable credit history and a gross monthly income of at least R5,000 before taxes are requirements.

To calculate credit use, divide each card’s balance by the total credit limit across all cards. The amount of your available credit that you are now utilizing is known as your credit utilization.

At no time should you use more than 30% of your available credit. One of the most important aspects that affect your credit score is how much credit you use. Credit utilization rates for the biggest credit users are below 10% (in the single digits).

Nedbank Gold Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Service!

Among South Africa’s banking options, Nedbank offers the best service. – Barren

Nedbank Gold Credit Card Pros and Cons

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card

Customers are encouraged to shop at Standard Bank’s retail partners by the Ucount rewards system. This comprises a wide variety of businesses, from Makro to Tiger Wheel and Tyre.

Your purchases decide the points and payback you receive; for example, you get R5 back for every liter of Caltex petrol you buy. You can save up to 20% off your purchase.

Your points can be used to purchase goods from the following vendors. Through the Feenix crowdfunding website, you can give your points to a student, a charity, or a member of your family.

You might also use the money to settle the balance on the loan you currently have with Standard Bank. There are still many options for significant discounts and returns, despite some limitations on where you can buy.

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly card fee: R23
• ✅ All secondary cards: R25
• ✅ Cash withdrawal at ATM: R8 per R1 000 up to R3 000 thereafter R2.20 per R100

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card interest rates are governed by NCA regulations, and they range from a minimum of 11.75 percent (prime rate less 0.25 percent) to a maximum of 22.2 percent (Repo rate + 14 percent).

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

To apply for a Standard Bank credit card online, log into Internet Banking and select Borrow from the main navigation. Follow the on-screen instructions after entering your information to determine which credit card you qualify for.

The amount of credit used is calculated by dividing all outstanding card balances by the total amount of credit available. The percentage of available credit that is actually used is referred to as credit utilization.

Use no more than 30% of your available credit at any one moment. Your credit score is greatly influenced by how much credit you use. The top customers often use less than 10% of their credit at any given moment.

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Help!

The fuel rebates offered by Standard Bank have been a huge help in light of recent increases in petrol prices. – Sam

Standard Bank Gold Credit Card Pros and Cons

Absa Flexi Core Credit Card

The tier-based rewards scheme Absa Rewards provides discounts on purchases of up to 30%. This includes the cost of food, petrol, personal care items, and purchases from their retail and online partners.

Your cashback is available for either deposit into your Absa account or redemption for gift cards, airtime credits, or charitable contributions.

Absa Flexi Core Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly administration fee: R40.00
• ✅ Digital fraud warranty: No Charge
• ✅ Rewards membership fee: No Charge
• ✅ Senior Rebate Banking minimum balance: R5 000

Your interest rate will be determined by the history of your credit. You can earn up to 57 days of interest-free credit on certain purchases.

Absa Flexi Core Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

You must fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for an ABSA Flexi Core Credit Card:

• ✅ A monthly income threshold of R2,000 is necessary.
• ✅ Minimum age: 18
• ✅ The most recent three-month income evidence, a valid South African ID book or smart card, and documentation of residency are required.
• ✅ Subject to an assessment of affordability

To apply, take the following steps:

• ✅ On the website, click the Apply Now option. On the Online Account Application page, type the characters shown in the image.
• ✅ Finish the six-step evaluation;
• ✅ You have the option to Save and resume your assessment later or to Continue at each stage;
• ✅ Once your evaluation is complete, click Apply.

The total number of card balances is divided by the total amount of credit that is available to determine the credit utilization rate. The amount of your total available credit that is actually being utilized is known as credit utilization.

Absa Flexi Core Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Amazing Rewards.

The rewards offered by ABSA credit cards are truly amazing. – Jim

Absa Flexi Core Credit Card Pros and Cons

FNB Aspire Credit Card

The quantity of points you have accumulated in a given month determines your rewards level in FNB’s tiered eBucks program. By performing routine actions like refueling your car, purchasing groceries, and using health and beauty goods, you can earn points.

Your eBucks can be used to pay for additional purchases. One South African rand is equivalent to ten eBucks points. Additionally, the eBucks rewards system offers savings on foreign travel and eBucks-branded goods.

FNB Aspire Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly card fee: R45

FNB offers a tailored interest rate as well as financing with no interest for up to 30 days.

FNB Aspire Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

The following details must be provided in order to apply for a FNB Aspire Credit Card:

• ✅ Three months’ worth of bank statements
• ✅ A South African identification book or card
• ✅ A copy of your most recent pay stub

Your credit utilization rate, sometimes referred to as your credit utilization ratio, is the proportion of your available revolving credit that you are now using. It is calculated by dividing the total of your outstanding debts by the credit limit.

FNB Aspire Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Best Credit Cards.

One of the best credit card rewards available is the FNB eBucks program. – Chris

FNB Aspire Credit Card Pros and Cons

Standard Bank Blue Credit Card

The Standard Bank Ucount rewards scheme entices customers to shop at its retail partners. This contains a wide range of retailers, including Makro Tiger Wheel, and Tyre.  You get points and cashback based on your purchases; for example, you get R5 back for every liter of Caltex petrol you buy. Orders can receive savings of up to 20%.

Additionally, the businesses listed below allow you to use your points. You can also contribute your points through the Feenix crowdfunding website to a student, a cause, or a relative.

Additionally, you can utilize the funds to settle the balance of the current Standard Bank loan. Despite certain limitations on where you can shop, there are still plenty of chances for substantial savings and returns.

Standard Bank Blue Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly card fee: R40

The percentage of your available revolving credit that you are now using is known as your credit utilization rate or credit utilization ratio. It is determined by dividing your overall credit limit by your outstanding debts.

Standard Bank Blue Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

Log into your Internet Banking account and choose Borrow from the upper section of the navigation bar to submit an online application for a Standard Bank rewards credit card. To find out which credit card you are eligible for after entering your information, follow the on-screen steps.

Divide the total card balances by the total amount of available credit to determine the credit utilization rate. The percentage of your available credit that has been used is known as your credit utilization.

Standard Bank Blue Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Credit Card Choice.

A great credit card that has helped me build a good record. – John

Standard Bank Blue Credit Card Pros and Cons

Absa Transact Credit Card

A multi-tiered rewards scheme called Absa Rewards offers discounts of up to 30% on purchases. This covers purchases made at stores and online, as well as goods, gas, and health and beauty products.

Cashback can be used to purchase store vouchers, airtime credits, or charitable donations, or it can be deposited into your Absa account.

Absa Transact Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly card fee: R12

The interest rate on this credit card is 20.50%, with a 0.20% maximum credit interest rate and 57 days of interest-free use.

Absa Transact Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

The following requirements must be met in order for you to be eligible for the ABSA Transact Credit Card:

• ✅ Minimum monthly earnings of R2,000
• ✅ A valid South African ID book or Smart card, proof of residency, and the most current income verification for three straight months are all required documents.

To apply, take the following steps:

• ✅ Open the website and select the Apply Now option.
• ✅ Enter the characters from the image into the Online Account Application page.
• ✅ Finish the six-step assessment after that.
• ✅ At each level of your examination, you have the option to Save and resume later or to resume.

Divide the total card balances by the total card credit limits to find the credit utilization rate. The phrase “credit utilization” refers to how much of the available credit has already been used.

Absa Transact Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Stuff!

I was able to dramatically raise my credit score after opening this account and managing it appropriately. – Becket

Absa Transact Credit Card Pros and Cons

FNB Gold Business Credit Card

Your monthly payout level in FNB’s tier-based eBucks program depends on how many points you have racked up. By doing routine actions like refueling your car, buying supplies, and buying cosmetics and health products, you can gain points.

With eBucks, you can buy more items. Ten eBucks points are equal to one South African rand. Additionally, they offer savings on foreign travel and goods bought from their own eBucks store, the eBucks rewards scheme.

FNB Gold Business Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly account fee: from R85
• ✅ R159 (for Trust Entity)

Even though the interest rate is not specified, it appears that tailored interest rates depending on credit history are offered.

FNB Gold Business Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilization Rates

When applying for a FNB Gold Credit Card, the following things must be provided:

• ✅ A FNB Business Account
• ✅ Request that the relationship manager complete the necessary application forms.

Calculate your credit utilization ratio by dividing all of your outstanding card bills by the entire amount of available credit. The proportion of borrowed money to all available credit is referred to as “credit utilization.

FNB Gold Business Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Improved Cash Flow.

When I started my new firm, this was the first credit I was granted, and it greatly improved my cash flow. – Thandi

FNB Gold Business Credit Card Pros and Cons

Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card

Customers are encouraged to make purchases at the bank’s retail partners by Standard Bank’s Ucount rewards program. This comprises various retail stores, including, among others, Makro plus Tiger Wheel, and Tyre.

The things you buy affect your points and repayment; for instance, you get R5 back for every liter of Caltex fuel you spend. On your order, a discount of up to 20% may be applied.

Additionally, the businesses listed below are where you can use your points for redemption. On the crowdfunding website Feenix, you have the choice of giving your points to a student, a nonprofit, or a family member.

Additionally, you can use the money to pay down the balance left on the loan you have with Standard Bank. There are many options to get significant discounts and refunds, despite some limitations on where you can make purchases.

Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly card fee: R120

When customized interest rates are set, they are fixed at a minimum of 11.75% (prime minus 0.25%).

Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and Utilization Rates

When applying for a Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card, the following materials must be provided:

• ✅ A certified copy of your passport if you don’t live in South Africa.
• ✅ Address confirmation (no more than three months old electricity bill).
• ✅ The most recent version of your income tax return (IRP 5), or if salary advice is not available, the original copies of your latest three bank statements, which must bear a bank stamp.
• ✅ Tax identification number; SARS payslip; and, if the applicant is living with someone else but does not have a record of their address, an affidavit from that person attesting to the applicant’s occupancy there and describing their relationship to the applicant.

By dividing the amount of revolving credit you are currently utilizing by the total amount of revolving credit you have available, you may determine your credit utilization rate, also known as the credit utilization ratio. To put it another way, it is equal to your credit limit divided by the total amount of your debt.

Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great Bonus Offers.

I frequently use the bonuses on this card, but I value the interest rates even more. – Jabu

Standard Bank Diners Platinum Credit Card Pros and Cons

Absa Gold Credit Card

Through a multi-tiered rewards structure, the Absa Rewards program allows members to earn cashback on purchases up to 30%. This includes the cost of goods like food, petrol, and health and beauty items, as well as offline and online transactions.

You can choose to transfer the money to your Absa account, trade it in for gift cards to shops, airtime credits, or donate it to a good cause.

Absa Gold Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates

• ✅ Monthly account fee: R55

You may be qualified for a 57-day interest-free grace period on certain purchases. Your credit history will be taken into account when determining interest rates.

Absa Gold Credit Card Conditions, Application, Limits, and, Utilizations Rates

The following prerequisites must be met in order to be eligible to apply for the ABSA Gold Credit Card:

• ✅ A valid South African ID book or smart card, proof of residency, and three months’ worth of pay stubs are required as proof of age and monthly income, respectively.

Your credit utilization ratio can be calculated by dividing the total balances on all of your cards by the total amount of credit you have available. The ratio of the total amount of borrowed money to the total amount of accessible credit is referred to as “credit utilization.”

Absa Gold Credit Card Customer Review

🥇 Great!

Absa helped me a lot, and the registration process was very simple. – Mike

Absa Gold Credit Card Pros and Cons

Factors to consider when choosing credit cards for young professionals.

There are a few important points to consider in order to choose the best rewards credit card for you:

• ✅ Check your credit. Check your credit score to see what credit card offers you might be qualified for. Your likelihood of being approved for cards with better benefits increases with your credit score. Check your credit reports to see what’s wrong if the number isn’t what you expected.
• ✅ Identify the type of credit card you need. The best card for you is one that has features tailored to your unique requirements. The best travel card in the world won’t help you much if you don’t travel much, for instance.
• ✅ Narrow your choices. Find the credit card you want by searching for it and narrowing the results based on your credit score and monthly spending. Examine the advantages of each of the top selections.

Finally, apply for the credit card that provides the most value. When choosing a card, keep in mind that you can list whatever money you have reasonable access to—not just your own income—on the application.

Pitfalls to avoid when using a credit card for young professionals.

There are some mistakes to avoid in order to make the most out of your credit card for rewards:

• ✅ Ignoring your credit. Monitoring your credit score is a fantastic approach to keep track of your progress as well as to identify any possible problems and take action before they do serious harm. Regular credit checks might help you spot potential problems before they become serious.
• ✅ Not paying your bills on time. Request payment reminders from your creditors, or even better, set up autopay through your lender or bank account, to make sure you pay all of your payments on time.
• ✅ Making only the minimum payments. Although making the minimum credit card payments could make your debt seem more manageable, interest rates can be difficult on your finances. As your debt rises, your credit utilization rate – the proportion of your available credit that you’re using at any given time – also rises, which has the potential to harm your credit.
• ✅ Applying for multiple credit cards at the same time. The lending institution performs a hard query to verify your credit report almost every time you ask for credit. Multiple queries in a short period of time usually won’t do much harm when you’re looking for certain types of loans, such as mortgage and auto loans, because they’re all recorded as one inquiry for determining your credit score.

Finally, using unnecessary credit. Applying for credit just when you truly need it is the easiest fix. By doing this, you’ll prevent overextending your finances and paying unnecessary interest costs.

Why get a credit card for young professionals?

There are several great benefits to owning a credit card for young professionals:

• ✅ It can be used during an emergency. Young professionals at the beginning of their careers generally receive small pay, making it difficult for them to save enough money or build up an emergency fund big enough to cover any unforeseen expenses. A credit card might come in help in this situation.
• ✅ You can build a credit history sooner. Since so many people now take out secured and/or unsecured loans at some point in their lives, loans have grown to be an essential component of personal finance. However, the applicant’s credit score frequently determines the cost of the loan in terms of interest rate.
• ✅ You can benefit from rewards. Many products provide benefits related to credit card payments that are not otherwise available. Credit cards are incredibly flexible financial instruments. They act as the first line of credit in addition to being a very lucrative payment alternative.
• ✅ Access to high-end privileges. The majority of credit cards offer a number of benefits, like free admission to lounges at domestic and international airports, free access to OTT platforms, round-the-clock concierge services, free play at golf courses all over the world, etc.

You must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using your credit card whenever you are considering making a purchase in order to determine its overall value. Utilizing credit responsibly is a crucial financial skill that can help you manage your personal finances effectively.

In Conclusion

 Now it is your turn to participate:

 Which Credit Card for Young Professionals from this list do you intend to test out?

 What was the determining factor in your decision to engage with a certain broker?

 Was it because of the Fees, Interest Rates, or, the Pros and Cons?

 Regardless, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do young professionals’ credit cards work?

Young individuals and professionals frequently spend money on food, travel, streaming services, and entertainment. In order to stand out from the crowd, the best credit cards for young people and professionals should give significant rewards on the aforementioned purchases, an outstanding credit card bonus offer, and travel and leisure benefits.

How many young professional credit cards should one have?

To take advantage of the most rewards, it is frequently advised to have multiple rewards credit cards.

What are the perks of having a credit card at a young age?

A young professional who has access to a credit card can establish sound spending practices and start establishing credit. You can start establishing credit by becoming an authorized user on one of your accounts.

Should a 22-year-old have a credit card?

A crucial step for your future may be obtaining a card in your early 20s and learning how to use it appropriately. Making sensible use of your credit card may show you how to manage your finances, pay your payments on time, stay out of debt, and live comfortably.

Is it smart to have a credit card?

One of the greatest ways to establish a solid credit history is to carefully use credit cards; doing so can help you receive the best interest rates on large loans like mortgages and vehicle loans, pay less for insurance, have access to more housing possibilities, and more.

Is it better to have a credit card or get a loan?

Your credit card is typically useful for making modest, everyday transactions and quicker repayment of smaller sums. A personal loan is more appropriate if you need to make a significant purchase, finance a sizable one-time expense, consolidate debt, or require additional time to repay the loan.

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