Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit

Guest: nefertiti66
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:28 am

My credit score is 751.
No current credit cards, school loan 24k and in good payment status for 3 years (federal loan) and one credit card i paid off 6 years ago 1100 that was left from college.
I want to get a credit card to establish good credit (paying off everymonth and only using 30% or less of the limit).
I applied for the citi dividend and was denied.
I was told that cap 1 does not report limits and will be negative on my report if i get one????
What card SHOULD i apply for ?
I have an excellent score but no current cards (the reason why citi said NO to me)

Please help!

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Guest: phantomega1
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:36 am

I would say go for AMEX or Discover. They have good name value, decent APRs, and from what I hear they will give you a decent limit. Bank Of America is really good about giving generous limits also, but they don't have the rewards that you can get from AMEX or Discover, and since you plan on paying off your card every month, you definately need a rewards card.

I would encourage AMEX. I just got approved for their Blue Cash card with a decent limit, even though I want it to be a little higher. Discover denied me two years ago, and I haven't decided if I want to give them my business and apply again.

Good Luck!
_________________
I can't commit. I don't even know if I like Pepsi or Coke.

Guest: dascxs
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:31 am

Amex always looks good. Blue or Costco TrueEarnings.

Guest: hdporter
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:56 am

Another tack is to apply for an "easy credit', maintain it for 6 mo, and then go after the big guys. Gas Cards are notable. Target is another.

- H.

Guest: multiplierx
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:35 pm

My first advice is avoid most of the "easy credit". It's not needed and not worth having it show on your credit reports for the next decade.

BOA is a good choice. You could try Amex or Discover. The other possibility is a credit union. Many credit unions will let anyone apply. Most CU cards have good "prime" terms. I'm sure you could easily get a credit union card.

Your other possibilities are gas or store charge cards. It'd only take 1 of each to start good history. Just choose cards that you'll keep for many years.

Guest: fire3000
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:09 pm

BOA is a little more lenient than Citi. If they decline you, they will probably mail you an invitation for their 99/500 semi-secured card ($99 deposit for a credit limit of $500 and the deposit will be refunded in less than a year if payments are on time). Discover is even harder to get approved for than Citi. If you can join a local credit union that issues credit cards and open up a savings account there, you have a good chance of being approved.

Guest: hdporter
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:06 pm

Quote:
My first advice is avoid most of the "easy credit".

I'm puzzled. I was the one who used the expression "easy credit", making it clear that I was noting accounts that are pretty accessible to lite credits (specifically suggesting gas cards and Target).

You go on to suggest a gas or store card as possibilities yourself.

Was it just an ambiguity in my wording?

btw, welcome to the group. I get the feeling my posts rub you the wrong way. If so, it's unfortunate.

- H.

Guest: DavidPalmer
Post subject: Credit Cards to Establish Good Credit
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:13 am

go with BofA, which i got as my first credit card as a senior in college. I had no credit history, not even student loans, since i didnt have to take out any for college. They started be off with a $900 limit. You shouldnt get rejected because i at that point didnt have a credit history aswell, but then again i had been banking with them for over 2 years