Q: I need a credit card just to build credit. I'm 34 years old, and have a 640 credit score. I travel overseas 3 times a year on Delta. Any suggestions?

Q: I make plenty of money, but I need a credit card just to build credit. I'm 34 years old, and have a 640 credit score. I travel overseas 3 times a year on Delta. Any suggestions?

A: You've already cracked the Catch-22 of credit: You can't prove how good you are at managing your credit until you've got some credit to manage. Fortunately, your lifestyle patterns might encourage some lenders to take a leap of faith with you.

Your 640 credit score limits your options, but your age, your income, and your traveling schedule offer hints to the kinds of credit cards lenders may be willing to approve you for. Some of the suggestions that leap to the top of my mind:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN. You didn't tell us whether you own your own business, or whether your overseas travel relates to your work. If your three visits abroad all relate to your own company, American Express OPEN sponsors a special version of the popular Gold Delta SkyMiles card. Business credit cards don't carry the same protections as consumer cards, but if you're as smart with your spending as you sound, you probably won't run into any problems. You'll get extra benefits on Delta, too.
• Platinum Card from American Express. Most airline credit cards, including the one I just mentioned, require a good to excellent credit history. If your relationship with Delta isn't enough to get you a card, try this revamped American Express charge card. The $450 annual fee is pretty hefty, but luggage fee reimbursements and airport lounge access will help you get plenty of value from your membership. Because you pay down your entire balance at the end of each statement cycle, AmEx has been known to take some risks on applicants with credit scores like yours.
• Public Savings Bank Open Sky Secured Visa Credit Card. If all else fails and your income is stable, you may want to consider parking a few hundred dollars into one of PSB's secured savings accounts. You'll get one of their no-frills Visa cards in return, helping you build a strong credit history over the coming months.

As always, remember to manage your credit utilization and pay your balance every month to get the biggest bounce on your credit score.