Good Credit Card for a College Freshmen?

[csyberblue]

I've never owned a credit card, and I don't have any credit history. I want a card with a low limit, like $500, it'll help me limit my spending. I want a card that has a good policy for price matching (if possible), and something that's good for online purchases (if there is such a thing). I want to start building my credit as soon as I can.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Good Credit Card for a College Freshmen?

None.

- M4H

 

[Skawttey]

i got a credit card when i started as a freshman. i just got a student card from wells fargo, it had something like a $750 limit. Now, about a year later, i think it is up to about $1200. credit cards are not bad things just as long as you keep up on them. do not buy anything that you do not have the cash to buy and always pay it off at the end of the month. its a good way to start earning credit.

 

[TheWart]

i like AMEX's Blue for Students.

 

[matsuhisa]

i doubt you can get a cc w/ pricematching unless you want to pay an annual fee.

i think its a good idea for you to get a cc in order to begin your credit. i would suggest amex blue for student b/c amex is a very well respected cc provider offering good service and reliable.

as for visa/mastercard... i have a visa through mbna. might want to try them out but not sure if you'll get approved. one thing tho... i would advise you not to sign up for a cc w/ your school (through the stands where they give out free stuff). the reason is that those cards are like a group card... meaning that the group that signs up for the cc will get a group apr, which is fixed until you graduate. usually the fixed apr is extremely high compared to getting your own cc.

so my suggestion would be to get a amex blue for student if you're not looking to get accepted everywhere (amex is widely accepted, but not as much as visa/mc). so if you can live with that, i would suggest that.

 

[Ranger X]

My first credit card had a credit line of $500. Get a student credit card and start building credit as soon as possible.

 

I applied for an Amex Blue for Students during my freshman year of college. They gave me a $2500 limit, but I think that's because I have high balances in both my checking and savings accounts. I didn't have much (if any) credit other than the accounts (if they even contribute to my score at all).

I think that if you have a credit card, it's imperative that you HAVE A JOB too. Otherwise, it'll be all too easy to rack up the debt without any income. I've had a job from the time I was a freshman in high school, so that might also have contributed to my high score.

That said, Amex Blue for Students is a great card - the main benefit for me is the one-time-use credit card numbers. Great for shoddy magazine deals and weirdo internet retailers. Not that I shop at weird places or anything.

 

[alphatarget1]

i got declined from AMEX blue student and Discover student cards when i was in my freshman year. probably due to the fact that i didn't have a job.

right now though i got a chase platinum student card (sophomore standing now), $500 credit line and 6% APR (i think), it's pretty cool.

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: TheWart
i like AMEX's Blue for Students.

 

Oh, and you're a FRESHMAN. You're not a 'freshmen' unless "you" is more than one person.

 

[danzig]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Good Credit Card for a College Freshmen?

None.

- M4H

Amen to that My old lady found out the hard way years ago :| Now she uses her debit card because she knows how low her limit really is