Topic Wiki

If you are here reading this forum/thread, you probably have heard, seen or know someone who has been leveraging credit card points for free or very low cost travel and want to get involved. While it may be very tempting to jump right in and apply for a bunch of credit cards, it is advisable to read through the forums before doing so.

For those who have no credit history, building your credit score is strongly recommended and may even be needed before applying for any credit cards.

Step 1 - Try and get added as an Authorized User (AU) on an established credit card. This card should be kept in good standing and preferably have a low credit utilization ratio.
Some have had success with Amex to get your card backdated to the primary cardholders "member since" date. Having this done will increase your credit history to that of  the account holders first Amex card.
UPDATE Amex no longer backdates any cards. Any authorized user card will show up on the AUs report as a new account, opened on the date that the AU was added. Amex is now one of the worse choices to get added as an AU to, for credit building purposes.
Chase, Citi, Bank of America and others are more likely to show the full history of the primary cardholder on the authorized user's report than Amex is.

Additional Option - In conjunction with being added as an AU, you can  sign up for a secure credit card.
A secured credit card works almost like a debit card (you need to lay out your credit limit), but this functions as a regular credit card and will help build your credit score.

Step 2 - Once you are setup as an AU, it is best to wait a few months before applying for your first card.

Your first card should be a store credit card, which are easier to get approved for, especially with very limited credit history.
Some of the store cards people apply for are Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Kohl's, Macy's, Target etc. While these cards will not give you major signup bonuses to travel with, they do give you access to exclusive promotions and other perks when purchasing from the store.

Additional Options - The CapitalOne Journey card seems to be easier to get approved for, though understand they will pull your credit from all three agencies, while most banks only pull from one.

Discover has a student card you can apply for here. This can also be an easier option to getting approved for your first card. Their regular IT card (not student) seems to be pretty easy to get approved for with little to no credit history as well.

Step 3 - Pay your bill before your statement closes (cut off date), but leave a minimal amount remaining to be paid after your statement closes. This will help ensure that you have both a low CC utilization while establishing a good credit payment history. (This applies to new spending from this month.  Anything already 'due' should be paid in full.)

Step 4 - After using your first card for a few months, you will be ready to apply for the cards you will have read and heard so much about. Remember that getting accepted for a credit card is a combination of many factors like credit history and your credit score, but it is also dependent on the income that you claim* you make.  Income is not part of your credit report or score.

Step 5 - This is a brief synopsis of what to do when applying for credit cards. There are additional factors one should understand before applying for credit cards. DDF is a great resource and there are many people willing to answer your questions (which you should ask, albeit after attempting a search) 

*If you are under 21, you are legally only allowed to report personal income. Personal income, however, can include allowances and scholarships.
If you are over 21, you can claim any income which you have reasonable access to in order to pay back the bill, which includes the income of others in the household (spouse/parent), or anyone supporting you. Additionally, while most banks will not have you verify your income, it does happen and you should be prepared to show them. This is particularly prevalent with American Express, and is known as a Financial Review (FR).
« Last edited by S209 on September 09, 2018, 01:45:26 AM »

Author Topic: Credit Card For Beginners  (Read 918233 times)

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #880 on: May 05, 2013, 02:31:37 PM »
You quite possibly won't get a single approval from Chase. Way too little credit history.
evey single person tells me something else can I get the reall facts or there is none?

EMES

  • Guest
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #881 on: May 05, 2013, 02:37:12 PM »
U should defiantly be able to get approved for the freedom , but u can try chase.com for a pre approval recommended specific cards based on your history , it's not a credit pull at all

Offline Shmulyg

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2012
  • Posts: 2216
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Kan Tzivah
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #882 on: May 05, 2013, 02:56:20 PM »
evey single person tells me something else can I get the reall facts or there is none?
That.

No one, and i mean no one, can promise you anything. As a rule of thumb it's generally recommended at least 6 months of your own credit history before going for the big fish.

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #883 on: May 05, 2013, 03:02:46 PM »
That.

No one, and i mean no one, can promise you anything. As a rule of thumb it's generally recommended at least 6 months of your own credit history before going for the big fish.
so what's small/med fish for AMEX and Chase??

Offline Shmulyg

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2012
  • Posts: 2216
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Kan Tzivah
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #884 on: May 05, 2013, 03:05:26 PM »
so what's small/med fish for AMEX and Chase??
IME, Freedom is the easiest from Chase. And once you're at it, a SP or UA won't hurt, IMO. But no 3/4BMs just yet.

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #885 on: May 05, 2013, 03:52:05 PM »
IME, Freedom is the easiest from Chase. And once you're at it, a SP or UA won't hurt, IMO. But no 3/4BMs just yet.
what's IME and what are the 2-3 easiest from AMEX

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13121
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #886 on: May 05, 2013, 03:53:34 PM »
what's IME and what are the 2-3 easiest from AMEX
In My experience. (there is a thread...)


Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline smaxber

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1432
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #887 on: May 05, 2013, 04:16:41 PM »
IME I had 6 months of credit history and got denied for 3 cards. Through HUCA got a freedom. Wouldn't approve anything else cuz too much of a risk for someone with no history.

Offline Shmulyg

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2012
  • Posts: 2216
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Kan Tzivah
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #888 on: May 05, 2013, 04:18:09 PM »
IME I had 6 months of credit history and got denied for 3 cards. Through HUCA got a freedom. Wouldn't approve anything else cuz too much of a risk for someone with no history.
You hear that nobiggy? Take is slowly. What's all the rush anyway? It's a marathon not a sprint.

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #889 on: May 05, 2013, 04:45:59 PM »
You hear that nobiggy? Take is slowly. What's all the rush anyway? It's a marathon not a sprint.
it's all Nobiggy! I want to get some points rolling in!

Offline smaxber

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1432
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #890 on: May 05, 2013, 05:25:01 PM »
it's all Nobiggy! I want to get some points rolling in!

If u have credit then go for it. If u don't then apply every 3 months or so...

Offline Moshe123

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 5935
  • Total likes: 911
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Spring Valley
  • Programs: Lost
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #891 on: May 05, 2013, 05:36:20 PM »
it's all Nobiggy! I want to get some points rolling in!

My advice: Don't waste a pull on the lowly Chase card that you might get if anything. Build your credit and get the goodies in 6-10 months.


Offline smaxber

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1432
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #892 on: May 05, 2013, 06:38:21 PM »
My advice: Don't waste a pull on the lowly Chase card that you might get if anything. Build your credit and get the goodies in 6-10 months.
+1 I didn't do that somewhat regret not being told that

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #893 on: May 05, 2013, 09:49:18 PM »
My advice: Don't waste a pull on the lowly Chase card that you might get if anything. Build your credit and get the goodies in 6-10 months.
forget chase. AMEX is so much easier to get aprooved what's the 3 easiest and best bonus?

Offline syma

  • Non-Elite Member
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 0
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
credit card
« Reply #894 on: May 05, 2013, 11:50:19 PM »
Hello i would like to know with which kind of credit card is good to start with in order to raise my social.
I eared about capital one but i dont know which kind. Thanks for your help and advice

Offline lcyitz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 747
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: credit card
« Reply #895 on: May 05, 2013, 11:57:30 PM »
hey welcome to the forums! you may want to start out with a store credit card like gap or macys.

Offline Mutty

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1466
  • Total likes: 24
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA Lifetime Gold; PC Platinum; AccurHotels Platinum; National Executive; Marriot Silver Elite; Hilton Gold; SPG Gold; Hertz #1 Club Gold 5 Star; SixT Platinum; Avis First
Re: credit card
« Reply #896 on: May 05, 2013, 11:58:50 PM »
Also remember, as Dan reiterated at tonites meeting, Capital One hits all three of the agencies in checking out your rating.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

EMES

  • Guest
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #897 on: May 06, 2013, 02:18:39 AM »
forget chase. AMEX is so much easier to get aprooved what's the 3 easiest and best bonus?
I Dint recommend amex , most are charge cards and it it's much easier to trigger an fr , if I are trying to get your sign up points , and for someone new to be busy with that , ...

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2411
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #898 on: May 06, 2013, 09:12:10 AM »
forget chase. AMEX is so much easier to get aprooved what's the 3 easiest and best bonus?

stop trying to get 3 cards at a time. how are more rejections going to help you?
try for 1-2.

Offline smaxber

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1432
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #899 on: May 06, 2013, 09:52:35 AM »
stop trying to get 3 cards at a time. how are more rejections going to help you?
try for 1-2.
+1
ESP if you barely have history