Got my first credit card

[raymaga 25]

Congrats!!! (I think!!!)

Credit can be a great thing, but it can also be the start of a lifetime of credit card debt.

Like the advertisement says.... "Use it wisely"!!!!

[John9981 9]

Very convenient piece of plastic but must use wisely. As mentioned it can lead you to eternal damnation, AKA paying interest until you die.

[Malrothien 6]

Guys, she has said that she has had credit cards previously. I think she would know how to use them.

[Gemmie 142]

Plus most people (inckuding us) aren't using them just because we can't come up with the cash. It's because you need credit for EVERYTHING now. We just got rejected for a store-type thing because they said my husband (USC) has no credit rating. He has applied to credit card companies and they tell him no... because he has no history!

[movingsoon2 0]

Gemmie,

have your husband apply for a Capital One credit card. Even if he gets rejected, eventually he might get one like I did.

That's exactly right because we have no credit history in the states, it's hard to know where to start. I don't use it when I can pay with cash or debit.

Like , for ex., yesterday I had to pay my teacher licensing fees online - they only accept an american credit card. So it came really handy to have one.

Also, my green card application got touched yesterday, so I am pretty excited ...

[Gemmie 142]

We're looking into that, thanks.

Congrats on your touch. It's the small things that count.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Interesting Movingsoon2

I also applied for a Capital One WITH a job that pays well and got rejected.

I was thinking about writing them a letter, but just never got around to it. Since then my husband added me to his account an authorized user, and I can see that on my credit report, so I'm wondering if I should try applying again.

Hmmm....

SapphireDreams,

Did you husband added you as authorized user in CapitalOne account or some other? I ask because I also added my husband as authorized user to my CapitalOne account.

It was a different card, not Capitol One.

Saphire Dreams,

it's funny, because here I am anxiously waiting for the green card and instead I get this credit card in the mail which I wanted in June but forgot about now...

After I got rejected, they told me to try again in 45 days. But I didn't bother... I think you should try again. I really wanted my own credit card.

I think I will try again, I have to look for the letter they sent me and see what date it was that I applied.

We'd like to get a mortgage in a couple of years, so I'd really like to start building my credit! My husband has impeccable credit thank goodness but I'd like to have some too!

[movingsoon2 0]

Saphiredreams,

that's awesome that your husband has a great credit. It helps very much when buying a home. Just by applying with Capital One, they will know that you are interested and they eventually offer their credit card.

[Dakine 26]

So about four months ago I applied online for a Capitol One credit card. I put down that I had no job at that time. I was unsuccessful in getting the card. Then I applied online again, same thing, rejected. About a week ago, out of nowhere, I got a letter in my mailbox, saying that they want me to apply for their credit card and that I'll be approved online right away. So I went online, applied, filled out that I do have a job right now and was approved immediately. I got a card in the mail with a $300 limit which will be increased once I pay the bill 3 times.

So after 2 rejections, I finally have my own american credit card, it made my day! If you are trying to get your own credit card, try Capitol One ...

Exact same thing happened to my wife. She was rejected online 2 times and got a letter saying she was preapproved a couple days later. I went back online and applied again with the confirmation number in the letter. Denied again!

I guess we'll wait the 45 days and try again.

Sort of ridiculous as she makes 50 K a year and we own our own house free and clear!

[movingsoon2 0]

Dakine, that's terrible. They preapproved you and then rejected the application. I put in the confirmation number, too. I would call them and ask about this.

[sasaqlain 24]

Thanks for sharing this info... We've applied numerous times with CapitalOne, Discover,and Amex... all rejected even though my husband has a job. He started his job in mid August so maybe it's not showing up on his record or something. Anyways, as of last week, we've stopped applying since one of the rejection reason was "too many credit checks".

I did add him to my CapitalOne credit card account. He also got a secured card with the bank that we have our account but it's only $300 limit and comes with $39 annual fee. We''re hoping in couple months, he'll become eligible for non-secured, fee-less card...

When you did apply for a secure credit card, did you ask them to report it to the three credit bureau's? Most of the times, the Card companies don't do it and you can be using a a card for a decade and wont build a credit history. Also, having a supplementary credit card is absolutely useless. It won't build up your credit since somebody else is vouching for you.

[movingsoon2 0]

saskpk,

my credit card is unsecured for $300 limit.

[champi 13]

Thanks for sharing this info... We've applied numerous times with CapitalOne, Discover,and Amex... all rejected even though my husband has a job. He started his job in mid August so maybe it's not showing up on his record or something. Anyways, as of last week, we've stopped applying since one of the rejection reason was "too many credit checks".

I did add him to my CapitalOne credit card account. He also got a secured card with the bank that we have our account but it's only $300 limit and comes with $39 annual fee. We''re hoping in couple months, he'll become eligible for non-secured, fee-less card...

When you did apply for a secure credit card, did you ask them to report it to the three credit bureau's? Most of the times, the Card companies don't do it and you can be using a a card for a decade and wont build a credit history. Also, having a supplementary credit card is absolutely useless. It won't build up your credit since somebody else is vouching for you.

Oh wow, I didn't know this about secured card. I'll call and ask them. Thanks for the warning!!!

[AusCal 3]

Oh wow, I didn't know this about secured card. I'll call and ask them. Thanks for the warning!!!

It won't hurt to check,but, my secured card was reported to the three major credit agencies automatically.

Also, after 12 months, my $300 secured card (no annual fee) magically became a $2000 unsecured card :-)

To those who are in the process of having to start a credit rating, a secured card is the easiest way to start. Just look online for one without an annual fee.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Just adding my 2 cents since I've had similar experiences in the last 2 yrs since moving here from Canada. I have good Cdn credit which no one cared about, I even have seveal cdn credit cards, which they did not care about. I was turned down for Target card and even a joint card with my husband because basically Ididn't exist in the Us credit bureau system

- being added as an authorized user on your USC spouses card does NOT, I repeat NOT get you a credit history. Unless you apply for a joint card together where both of you are account holders, then it report to your credit history as well. an authoirized user is just someone who can use the card

- I applied for a secured card with Bank of America and was accepted last year. A very low limit but I have made monthly purchases and faithfully paid them off on time each month

- recently I received an unsolicited request for a Capital One credit card and was accepted. I now have an unsecured card....I suspect the application was the result of me now having 'some' credit history resulting from the secured card. I plan to cancel the secured card and get my deposit back after a few months.

Long story, but going the slow route works. And yes.....it ticks me off that I, as an adult of 39 with good credit, had to settle for a $300 dollar limit even with a great paying US job

Edited October 21, 2009 by Udella&Wiz