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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 918694 times)

Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1340 on: October 21, 2013, 10:57:41 AM »
thank you! how long does it take to come? can they overnight it?

Offline rcarentals

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1341 on: October 21, 2013, 10:59:09 AM »
They don't usually like overnighting before you've received it but I'm pretty sure I've had my card overnighted after application.. Have them issue a new one..
Do not boast for tomorrow, Because you do not know what the day will bear.(Mishlei C27.V1)

Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1342 on: October 21, 2013, 11:00:34 AM »
They don't usually like overnighting before you've received it but I'm pretty sure I've had my card overnighted after application.. Have them issue a new one..


why cancel why not the same one? what if i dont get approved again?

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1343 on: October 21, 2013, 11:00:48 AM »
thank you! how long does it take to come? can they overnight it?
Call them and they usually do a 48 hour shipping.


Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1344 on: October 21, 2013, 11:01:42 AM »
why cancel why not the same one? what if i dont get approved again?
No no no don't cancel the card. That's not what he meant, all he was saying was ask them to cancel the cards that were ordered to be shipped and get new cards but of course for the same account.

Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1345 on: October 21, 2013, 11:01:56 AM »
Call them and they usually do a 48 hour shipping.



where can i find the number to call?

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1346 on: October 21, 2013, 11:03:00 AM »
where can i find the number to call?
8005243880


Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1347 on: October 21, 2013, 11:04:46 AM »

Offline rcarentals

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1348 on: October 21, 2013, 11:06:37 AM »
thank you
Yes do not cancel the account. Ask them to send you new "replacement cards" I thought you might read it wrong hence the edit before you even managed to quote me :)
Do not boast for tomorrow, Because you do not know what the day will bear.(Mishlei C27.V1)

Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1349 on: October 21, 2013, 11:08:26 AM »
Yes do not cancel the account. Ask them to send you new "replacement cards" I thought you might read it wrong hence the edit before you even managed to quote me :)

i was wondering why i thought cancel when i reread your post

Offline Super Speed

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1350 on: October 21, 2013, 11:10:17 AM »
i was wondering why i thought cancel when i reread your post
That would of been scary...


Offline AvrumyW

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1351 on: October 21, 2013, 11:47:11 AM »
AWESOME!! THERE SENDING IT OVERNIGHT!!

Offline rcarentals

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1352 on: October 21, 2013, 12:08:28 PM »
AWESOME!! THERE SENDING IT OVERNIGHT!!
Good job.
Do not boast for tomorrow, Because you do not know what the day will bear.(Mishlei C27.V1)

Offline Love A Gr8 Deal!!

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1353 on: October 21, 2013, 12:15:06 PM »
I am currently AU on good Amex account and have only a Chase Ink cc.
Just applied yesterday for Chase BA, Sapphire preferred, and Freedom, using 3BM all 3 applications are in pending status.
Regret not applying for Southwest card. Will a new application today for this card be an additional hard pull? Any suggestions on how to apply before 10/31/2013. BTW my fico is 672 do you think I will be approved??
Any info would be appreciated
Thanks

Offline rcarentals

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1354 on: October 21, 2013, 12:24:05 PM »
I am currently AU on good Amex account and have only a Chase Ink cc.
Just applied yesterday for Chase BA, Sapphire preferred, and Freedom, using 3BM all 3 applications are in pending status.
Regret not applying for Southwest card. Will a new application today for this card be an additional hard pull? Any suggestions on how to apply before 10/31/2013. BTW my fico is 672 do you think I will be approved??
Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
My "golden advice", call in, get your application numbers, and first ask for the sapphire preffered to be approved. Once that's done call for the BA, then the freedom.
Only skip a card once you have given up on getting it accepted. It is MUCH harder to get a card accepted the other way round. (Tho YMMV - this is my experience)
As well once you have the sapphire preffered specifically, in my experience, chase gives you an easier time as it is a "prestigious" card.
Good luck! PUTPAC and HUCA!
« Last Edit: October 21, 2013, 12:27:22 PM by rcarentals »
Do not boast for tomorrow, Because you do not know what the day will bear.(Mishlei C27.V1)

Offline Shmulyg

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1355 on: October 21, 2013, 03:26:26 PM »
I am currently AU on good Amex account and have only a Chase Ink cc.
Just applied yesterday for Chase BA, Sapphire preferred, and Freedom, using 3BM all 3 applications are in pending status.
Regret not applying for Southwest card. Will a new application today for this card be an additional hard pull? Any suggestions on how to apply before 10/31/2013. BTW my fico is 672 do you think I will be approved??
Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
Yes.

Offline Buruch

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1356 on: October 22, 2013, 04:16:05 PM »
Hey everyone! I got my first line of credit 7 months ago - a freedom card, and that's still my only line. I checked myfico Equifax score a month ago and it was 689, but the last month i had a 17% utilization rate, and since then I had a statement close with 3% utilization - so hopefully the score should go up to at least a 700 (the tool said it could rise to 720 if I have lower utilization %). Some of my pulls didn't go on Equifax - only 2 - I had a few others on Experian and TU. The history of my pulls is something like 2 from the beginning of 2013 for the freedom card (recon), I tried getting the inks 2bm when there was the 60k bonus (like june or july), got rejected for a macys card like 2 months ago(I think it's because I didn't have a credit score till I had a 6 month history - that's when myfico would give me a score), and  I got new internet service as well as electricity set up at my new apt - I think att pulled, but not sure about the dwp. Anyways, I want to go for the chase SW for the companion pass, the inks, the BA, the SP, and maybe some Amex like SPG and maybe another amex while I'm at it. I know that's a lot of cards - I'm not saying I'll apply for all - just those I'm interested in. Wasn't sure if I should post here or the AOR thread. Any advice?

Offline Barryg

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1357 on: October 22, 2013, 08:59:09 PM »
Hey everyone! I got my first line of credit 7 months ago - a freedom card, and that's still my only line. I checked myfico Equifax score a month ago and it was 689, but the last month i had a 17% utilization rate, and since then I had a statement close with 3% utilization - so hopefully the score should go up to at least a 700 (the tool said it could rise to 720 if I have lower utilization %). Some of my pulls didn't go on Equifax - only 2 - I had a few others on Experian and TU. The history of my pulls is something like 2 from the beginning of 2013 for the freedom card (recon), I tried getting the inks 2bm when there was the 60k bonus (like june or july), got rejected for a macys card like 2 months ago(I think it's because I didn't have a credit score till I had a 6 month history - that's when myfico would give me a score), and  I got new internet service as well as electricity set up at my new apt - I think att pulled, but not sure about the dwp. Anyways, I want to go for the chase SW for the companion pass, the inks, the BA, the SP, and maybe some Amex like SPG and maybe another amex while I'm at it. I know that's a lot of cards - I'm not saying I'll apply for all - just those I'm interested in. Wasn't sure if I should post here or the AOR thread. Any advice?
I'd say wait. If anything maybe go for a Discover it or something. Sounds like a lot of credit pulls and only 1 account. Anyone want to second...

Offline HP58

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1358 on: October 23, 2013, 02:16:16 AM »
I'd say wait. If anything maybe go for a Discover it or something. Sounds like a lot of credit pulls and only 1 account. Anyone want to second...
+1 I'd def wait a few months if I had a 7 month history and just got rejected for a store card.

Offline notanonymous

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Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1359 on: October 23, 2013, 02:20:28 AM »
I'd say wait. If anything maybe go for a Discover it or something. Sounds like a lot of credit pulls and only 1 account. Anyone want to second...
Especially if there is no immediate need.  Your chances only improve every day you wait.  Also, CMIIW, there are no deals expiring any time soon (except SW).