What's the best way to get a first credit card?

[BlancoNino]

Go to my bank? Fill out and return one of those things I get in the mail from random companies?

I would like to start building credit.

 

[dullard]

Easiest way for almost certain acceptance:
1) Go to college.
2) Fill out one of millions of student CC application that plaster the campus.

 

[crownjules]

Most credit card companies have online applications you can fill out and they'll tell you right away whether you were approved or not. You definitely want to make sure you use a card that gives you some reward or kickback.

And make sure to carry no balance whatsoever - a credit card is not an extension of your budget. They are short term loans and possibly a way to save in some cases.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Try your own bank first. If you've had an account in good standing there is shouldn't be a problem. If you absolutely must, take a secured card for a short time.

Getting a first card isn't hard, almost anyone will give you a card with a low limit as long as you have a job and no defaulted loans on your record. They WANT to have you as a customer and they won't refuse unless there's a really good reason to do so.

 

[RossMAN]

1) Co-signer with parent, brother, sister, significant other, friend, etc.

2) Student credit card.

3) Secured credit card, almost guaranteed approval.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/711457

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
1) Co-signer with parent, brother, sister, significant other, friend, etc.

2) Student credit card.

3) Secured credit card, almost guaranteed approval.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/711457

I already got approved for a Chase Visa rewards card. Meh...it's something. The APR is pretty high, but I plan on paying my whole balance when it's due anyway. I'm ridiculously good with my money.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
1) Co-signer with parent, brother, sister, significant other, friend, etc.

2) Student credit card.

3) Secured credit card, almost guaranteed approval.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/711457

I clicked through your BetterCreditCard.com link to sign up for my AMEX Cash btw. I dunno if that does anything for you, but if it does, you're welcome

Just showed up today in fact. Time to go spend some $$$$$$$$$.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
1) Co-signer with parent, brother, sister, significant other, friend, etc.

2) Student credit card.

3) Secured credit card, almost guaranteed approval.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/711457

#3 is the best solution.

 

[zylander]

Get one from your bank. If your a student, you can usually get it for free. Use it a little, and once you start building a little credit you will start getting more offers in the mail for 0% cards.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino


I already got approved for a Chase Visa rewards card. Meh...it's something. The APR is pretty high, but I plan on paying my whole balance when it's due anyway. I'm ridiculously good with my money.

This is a fraudeulent post, you want to know how to get your second card

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BlancoNino


I already got approved for a Chase Visa rewards card. Meh...it's something. The APR is pretty high, but I plan on paying my whole balance when it's due anyway. I'm ridiculously good with my money.

This is a fraudeulent post, you want to know how to get your second card

LOL, no actually I got approved for that card right after I followed crownjules advice. Ironically, I kept seeing commercials for that card during the NCAA Championship game.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BlancoNino


I already got approved for a Chase Visa rewards card. Meh...it's something. The APR is pretty high, but I plan on paying my whole balance when it's due anyway. I'm ridiculously good with my money.

This is a fraudeulent post, you want to know how to get your second card

LOL, no actually I got approved for that card right after I followed crownjules advice. Ironically, I kept seeing commercials for that card during the NCAA Championship game.

ok, send me your ssn and I will get you 5.9%

 

[Kev]

have the company call you while you are hungover and incoherent and accept their CC offer.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dullard
Easiest way for almost certain acceptance:
1) Go to college.
2) Fill out one of millions of student CC application that plaster the campus.

:thumbsup: I got my first card in college, never had to have a secured card like some people have to do if they have no credit history.

 

[andylawcc]

ya, I got my first one from my bank I had a checking account with.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: crownjules
And make sure to carry no balance whatsoever - a credit card is not an extension of your budget. They are short term loans and possibly a way to save in some cases.

I have heard a few times -- though I don't know if this is really the case -- that it may somehow give you a better credit history or score if you occasionally carry at least some small amount of balance (compared with having your first account be one that has always been paid in full since it was opened). The idea being that it proves you won't fall behind and never catch back up or something.

However, that may just be a lot of crap. And when I was in school I must have gotten four or five credit offers a week (with very little income), so it's not like it is hard to get credit/loans these days.

 

[Alone]

I applied for a Capital One card, one of those secured-give-it-to-anybody cards. I applied for one online with my bank, but they still haven't answered (two months), so screw 'em. They asked me this morning if I wanted to apply for a card, and I said "No, not again, thanks".

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: crownjules
And make sure to carry no balance whatsoever - a credit card is not an extension of your budget. They are short term loans and possibly a way to save in some cases.

I have heard a few times -- though I don't know if this is really the case -- that it may somehow give you a better credit history or score if you occasionally carry at least some small amount of balance (compared with having your first account be one that has always been paid in full since it was opened). The idea being that it proves you won't fall behind and never catch back up or something.

However, that may just be a lot of crap. And when I was in school I must have gotten four or five credit offers a week (with very little income), so it's not like it is hard to get credit/loans these days.

Pretty sure that's a myth.

 

[OsoVerde]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: crownjules
And make sure to carry no balance whatsoever - a credit card is not an extension of your budget. They are short term loans and possibly a way to save in some cases.

I have heard a few times -- though I don't know if this is really the case -- that it may somehow give you a better credit history or score if you occasionally carry at least some small amount of balance (compared with having your first account be one that has always been paid in full since it was opened). The idea being that it proves you won't fall behind and never catch back up or something.

However, that may just be a lot of crap. And when I was in school I must have gotten four or five credit offers a week (with very little income), so it's not like it is hard to get credit/loans these days.

Pretty sure that's a myth.

Keeping a balance won't help the cardholder's credit, but the card company will love it since they're making more money off the interest.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: dullard
Easiest way for almost certain acceptance:
1) Go to college.
2) Fill out one of millions of student CC application that plaster the campus.

Even easier is getting a store credit card. Make sure it doesn't have any fees, of course

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: crownjules
Most credit card companies have online applications you can fill out and they'll tell you right away whether you were approved or not. You definitely want to make sure you use a card that gives you some reward or kickback.

And make sure to carry no balance whatsoever - a credit card is not an extension of your budget. They are short term loans and possibly a way to save in some cases.

That's the very first thing I thought of too. College students get credit cards so easy. heh.

 

[bmacd]

Capital One practically GIVES them out.

 

[MasonLuke]

when i was a student, i applied for a CC. i think it was a 300 dollar limit. When i graduated, all my cards were between 5000 - 10000 limit. the secret is ....