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 918474 times)

Offline HP58

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1383
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1360 on: October 23, 2013, 02:32:09 AM »
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).
And BTW you can make an easy $125 from Discover now. $50 if s/o refers you & $75 through funneling $1500 through AP this quarter.

Offline popcorn1508

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 1601
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
  • Programs: national executive elite, hertz presidents circle
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1361 on: October 23, 2013, 02:34:40 AM »
I have the chase freedom and ba from chase any other card that's worth the bonus points

Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1362 on: October 23, 2013, 02:37:27 AM »
I have the chase freedom and ba from chase any other card that's worth the bonus points
Do you mean besides SPG, Ink, Sapphire, Amex Gold (upgrade to Plat, then PGGM)?

Offline popcorn1508

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 1601
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
  • Programs: national executive elite, hertz presidents circle
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1363 on: October 23, 2013, 02:39:49 AM »
Yes like is the marriot with anything

Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1364 on: October 23, 2013, 02:50:08 AM »
I have the chase freedom and ba from chase any other card that's worth the bonus points
Are you using them, or davar acher?

Offline popcorn1508

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 1601
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
  • Programs: national executive elite, hertz presidents circle
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1365 on: October 23, 2013, 03:12:26 AM »
Davar acher

Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1366 on: October 23, 2013, 03:24:54 AM »
Davar acher
IIRC AA is ayn pintel zekx.  Oich UA.

Offline popcorn1508

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 1601
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
  • Programs: national executive elite, hertz presidents circle
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1367 on: October 23, 2013, 03:26:07 AM »
Shkoyach un ba

Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1368 on: October 23, 2013, 03:32:00 AM »
Shkoyach un ba
Ich mayn ayn pintel ayn.

Offline popcorn1508

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 1601
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: usa
  • Programs: national executive elite, hertz presidents circle
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1369 on: October 23, 2013, 03:36:15 AM »
Un vus is the minimum men muz huben

Offline A European

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 1519
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: Germany
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1370 on: October 23, 2013, 07:01:33 AM »
Bederech klal hindert toisent

Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1371 on: October 23, 2013, 09:08:50 AM »
Bederech klal hindert toisent
Far BA, far andere efsher mit 50.

Offline Super Speed

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 4849
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle, Avis First, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum.
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1372 on: October 23, 2013, 11:51:04 AM »
We should change this back to english before CV comes in here and starts breaking his teeth!


Offline notanonymous

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2111
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1373 on: October 23, 2013, 01:33:06 PM »
We should change this back to english before CV comes in here and starts breaking his teeth!
Lamir reddin Polish.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1374 on: October 23, 2013, 03:00:45 PM »
Question-One of my family members  has excellent credit, history for about 14 years and was making around 50K up until now.  They stopped working this past year and now work part time and make 11K a year. I don't have much experience with credit cards when it comes to low income like that. Can they still apply for any CC's and get approved?


 Advice?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline lfas25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 2122
  • Total likes: 62
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1375 on: October 23, 2013, 03:13:04 PM »
Question-One of my family members  has excellent credit, history for about 14 years and was making around 50K up until now.  They stopped working this past year and now work part time and make 11K a year. I don't have much experience with credit cards when it comes to low income like that. Can they still apply for any CC's and get approved?


 Advice?

Theres always the "stretching" the truth on the income...
I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1376 on: October 23, 2013, 03:14:29 PM »
Theres always the "stretching" the truth on the income...

There's that. Any other options which don't involve fraud?

Would someone get approved with such a low income?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline AharonInIsrael

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 1168
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1377 on: October 23, 2013, 03:22:07 PM »
Would someone get approved with such a low income?
I don't think so. I got denied today after reporting 30k because of low income (according to the CSR) (and was later approved for other reasons)

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1378 on: October 23, 2013, 03:23:41 PM »
I don't think so. I got denied today after reporting 30k because of low income (according to the CSR) (and was later approved for other reasons)

30K and you got denied? Just for income? That doesn't sound right. Do you have other credit with them already?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline DovtheBear

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2012
  • Posts: 2915
  • Total likes: 9
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
  • Location: ליבי במזרח ואנכי בסוף מערב
  • Programs: Regus Gold, Hertz 5 Star, National Executive, Sixt Platinum, Chase Debit, Rav Kav Emerald
Re: Credit Card For Beginners
« Reply #1379 on: October 23, 2013, 03:38:49 PM »
There's that. Any other options which don't involve fraud?

Would someone get approved with such a low income?
That's a little strong. ;)
"להסתובב זה לא אומר להיות חופשי"