Obtaining credit in the US

[lgg 2]

The original card was a Chase card...

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[Sam and Ben 2]

The original card was a Chase card...

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Haha, of course. It's probably just me.

[lgg 2]

Geez, sorry Sam and Ben... NO, it's not just you -- just some weird stroke of something.

I'm sorry about your credit dilemma... wish I could say something really useful.

Haha, of course. It's probably just me.

[Sprailenes 47]

I got a credit card by writing a letter to Capital One and explaining my intent and my reasons for wanting a card which is to establish credit in the US. About 6 weeks later I did receive a card in the mail, so if you're having troubles you could always try pleading your case. It worked for me.

[Sam and Ben 2]

I got a credit card by writing a letter to Capital One and explaining my intent and my reasons for wanting a card which is to establish credit in the US. About 6 weeks later I did receive a card in the mail, so if you're having troubles you could always try pleading your case. It worked for me.

That's good to know, thanks.

[Sprailenes 47]

They denied me first too. I was being denied by so many companies that it was beginning to affect my score negatively. It's not easy, especially today, but you can do it.

[lgg 2]

another option too, is that before I was approved for this CC, the lady at the bank said that my husband could co-sign a card for me. It would still be my card, establishing my credit but he would co -sign it to make the bank feel at ease, i suppose. It's worth a shot. I also had a really good chat with the lady who helped us and she was all about ensuring that i got a card to help establish my credit.

so, i hope it works out. Maybe your husband could co-sign your CC for you and then that'd be the first step to gaining US credit?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I did the same thing as LGG and have no problem. My husband added to 2 of his Bank of America cards with high limits. When i checked my credti report after being added they were both on there, so they were both reported to the credit bureau. I was then approved for a Capital One card shortly after and then another Chase card with a high balance shortly after that.

My husband also has an above excellent credit score. We just bought a car and the interest rate was insanely low, and it wasn't the promotional APR either, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. He's had a credit card for a long time, over 10 years... that could be it too.

[lgg 2]

yeah, same here. My husband has a very high credit score and great credit rating/long standing. We is also probably much older than the average newlyweds so, that might play a factor too.

We've had a long time to establish credit and such...

I did the same thing as LGG and have no problem. My husband added to 2 of his Bank of America cards with high limits. When i checked my credti report after being added they were both on there, so they were both reported to the credit bureau. I was then approved for a Capital One card shortly after and then another Chase card with a high balance shortly after that.

My husband also has an above excellent credit score. We just bought a car and the interest rate was insanely low, and it wasn't the promotional APR either, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. He's had a credit card for a long time, over 10 years... that could be it too.

[Sam and Ben 2]

Maybe it's time I try to hit another branch here in town, then, because the woman at our bank basically made it seem as if it wasn't her problem that my card wasn't gaining me credit as an authorized user, that I should look for a secured cc at another bank to start (which I'm not interested in - $39/yr for nothing, from what I've seen).

I never thought about having him co-sign... though that's likely an option for us too.

Sapphire, how did you check your own credit score?

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Great news for you, Froggie! Glad to hear it.

For my own part, I've had a U.S. credit card through RBC for a couple of months now, BUT...I wasn't actually accumulating U.S. credit on it until I got my SSN and updated the bank with it. I was told that it can take up to three months for credit to actually start accumulating in one's own name. However, I'm hoping that they consider all the usage I've been putting my card through over the past two months...and it has been a LOT. I use my card for almost every single purchase I make, and then pay off the balance the next day. I'm religious about it, and it's really one of the best ways to gain credit -- use it, then pay it off the next day. According to my latest statement, I've spent just shy of $3000 on my credit card over the last six months...but I'm not carrying a balance, so it's not a bad thing at all.

What everyone can take out of this thread, though, is that establishing credit in the U.S. is possible at an early stage. Not always easy, but definitely possible.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Maybe it's time I try to hit another branch here in town, then, because the woman at our bank basically made it seem as if it wasn't her problem that my card wasn't gaining me credit as an authorized user, that I should look for a secured cc at another bank to start (which I'm not interested in - $39/yr for nothing, from what I've seen).

I never thought about having him co-sign... though that's likely an option for us too.

Sapphire, how did you check your own credit score?

You can check your credit score on Experian.com or Equifax.com - there's a fee though if you want to actually see the score. I only check my report, not my actual score.

But you can check your report to see what is on it for free once a year, same websites, you just select the free options. I had applied for Gap store card and also a Capital One (and been denied) before being added to my husband's cards and it was all on there. The credits cards I had piggybacked on from my husband were also showing on there.

[lgg 2]

sam and ben, I would check another branch of your bank or something, the woman we had on Saturday at our bank was super nice and seemed to care that she was helping us out. not sure if that has any impact but it sure would feel less crappy if I'd been denied.

But it's true, you should be able to establish some credit and if worse comes to worst, then you can have your husband co-sign for you until you've established some credit and such.

Good luck, eh? keep us posted as to how it goes,okay?

My webbed toes are crossed for you.

[Sam and Ben 2]

You can check your credit score on Experian.com or Equifax.com - there's a fee though if you want to actually see the score. I only check my report, not my actual score.

But you can check your report to see what is on it for free once a year, same websites, you just select the free options. I had applied for Gap store card and also a Capital One (and been denied) before being added to my husband's cards and it was all on there. The credits cards I had piggybacked on from my husband were also showing on there.

I tried doing the free one on annualcreditreport.com and it requires a previous address as I've only been here a couple of months - and doesn't allow for one in Canada. I suppose I could ask someone at the bank for help.. if they're willing, heh.

And thanks lgg, I'll keep everyone posted. I've been happy that most other things have gone fairly smoothly for me here in the States, this has just been the one thing eating away at me. I was so good about credit back home and had an excellent score, and now it's all got naught. Heh.

Anyhow, off to my AOS interview.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I tried doing the free one on annualcreditreport.com and it requires a previous address as I've only been here a couple of months - and doesn't allow for one in Canada. I suppose I could ask someone at the bank for help.. if they're willing, heh.

And thanks lgg, I'll keep everyone posted. I've been happy that most other things have gone fairly smoothly for me here in the States, this has just been the one thing eating away at me. I was so good about credit back home and had an excellent score, and now it's all got naught. Heh.

Anyhow, off to my AOS interview.

Try Equifax, they are a very popular reporting agency with a Canadian counterpart (Equifax.ca) I had no problem getting my report with no previous address on that site.