Help me find a credit card...

[Jester]

However, for a credit card to have much affect on your credit score, you'll probably have to wait at least a year. If you really want to replace the Jestermobile, you may have to find a co-signer.

It is not a big deal, as the Jestermobile is in fine shape, and I don't need to replace it anytime soon. It was just something I was looking into.

Would your parents be open to this?

In a word: no. But again, that's okay. I am in no rush, as I said.

If you use Amazon.com, they do issue their own CC. Also I know Pay Pal has one, as well.

Good to know. I have an account with both, and shall look into both.

[42_42_42]

We have the Amazon Visa card as our primary CC and have done so for years now. We love it!

[Dilorenzo]

Jester, as someone who had zero credit 7 years ago (and now has very decent credit), I'm going to warn you about a couple of things, and give a little advice as to what I did.

You are going to be charged an annual fee with your first card. It's unfortunate, but of the two I sent out the applications to, both said there would be a fee. I went with one, not the other, and kept that for a while.

Your credit line will be low. $300-$500 low. Keep within it for the first couple of years. After that, you're likely to get an offer of an increase. When you get the offer for the increase, ask that the fee be removed. If you don't get it removed, you can always move on to another card at that point, cancelling the old one, and you'll likely get a larger limit from the new card.

Go with the Amazon card, if you can, especially if you shop there often. Their rewards are actually pretty awesome - you can shop directly with the points on Amazon, without having to exchange them for gift cards. Fairly recent change, but I like it - it just got me two video games for just, essentially, buying stuff I was already going to.

After 6 years of doing just that, I have my credit up near to where my wife has hers. Hers is still better, so the last car still went under her name, but hey, not bad for a 7 year old (as far as US history is concerned).

[Andara Bledin]

My first credit card was gotten just 2 years ago, 1 year shy of my 40th birthday.

There is a fee, but since it's a rewards card, it pays for itself. Rather literally, as the reward I always get is a $100 payment on the balance.

The starting limit was $300, which really doens't go very far. At the 1-year mark, however, I called and asked if I could get it increased. They asked to how much, and I threw out $1000 just because, and they gave it to me without issue. So, you don't have to wait for them to offer an increase. If they don't have to harass you to pay each month, then they'll treat you decently.

If you want to have the best effect on your credit rating, keep the balance below 50%. Although, I've been given to understand that paying a little bit of interest here and there is more attractive to creditors than paying off the balance in full every single month.

^-.-^

[trailerparkmedic]

USAA credit cards are only an option if you're a member.

I worked at Capital One in "I have a shitty credit score" customer service. They've charged off your account, meaning they gave up on ever getting money from you. You can apply again without them trying to get that money back.

Credit unions tend to have good credit card options.

Do you really have a secured credit card, or a debit card with a Mastercard/Visa logo on it? You should have a credit score if you have a secured card.

[Jester]

So while at my bank today, I applied for a regular credit card. Should know within a week or so if I was approved.

[BlaqueKatt]

Capital One offers credit cards for people who are building or rebuilding credit as well. Some offer rewards points, others you get cash back on.

It's pretty easy with them to find a card that fits your particular needs and the online application is easy and gives you an answer in just a few seconds.
So far I'm very pleased with them.

I will second capital one, I had horrible credit, they got me into their "credit steps" program. Which started with a CC with a $300 limit, make first 3 payments on time, limit was raised to $500, after a year they offered a raise to a $1000 limit, and that is where I'm stopping at, as it's for emergencies mostly, and I'll put a few smaller things on it here and there.

[Jester]

Hate to repeat myself, and I thank everyone for their input, but Capital One is really not an option for me. Thanks.

[kpzra]

My first credit card was through the credit union I used at the time. I had zero credit but they took into account that my accounts with them always had money and I had never overdrawn them. Of course, this was also back before the days of debit cards, ATMs were new and still gave $5 increments...

[Jester]

Got the reply back from my bank in the mail today.

They were disinclined to acquiesce to my request. Means no.

Apparently at some point in my life I went from having bad credit to having no credit, as no credit score was the reason they cited for refusing. They offered a secured credit card, but I really want to see if I can get a "real" credit card before I go the secured route.

So....suggestions?

[AmbrosiaWriter]

I've got a Discover card when I had no credit/ "No enough credit history for the other card companies to grant me a credit card."

I would totally suggest looking into them and trying them for a card. They're amazing and I love their customer service. Despite having no credit, I managed to get a card with no annual fee and a $1000 credit limit.

Of course, I've never gone above half of that!

[Jester]

Discover applied for, should be notified in "5-7 days."

Here we go again....

[AmbrosiaWriter]

I'm rooting for you.

[Andara Bledin]

If you have "no credit" then your options are likely going to be Capital One (you're already avoiding them, which is likely a smart move), secured (not very useful for credit-building since it's not a revolving account), or you might qualify for a card with a fee.

Did you try talking to your bank about a card with them? That's what I ended up doing, and had the card arrive by mail a week later.

^-.-^

[Jester]

Did you try talking to your bank about a card with them?

They were the first ones I applied with, and got the rejection letter in the mail today.