Building Credit Score

[Nitas_man 3,100]

Why secured?  Wait, arrive, apply for citi or capital one and get an unsecured one.

[lemur923 1]

15 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

Does your partner have an address in the US? If so, you can get it now. You don't have to wait until you arrive in the US. I obtained my credit card a few months ago.

She does. So perhaps I can get it now and use it. Since it's attached to a SSN, would it build a credit score?

5 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

Why secured?  Wait, arrive, apply for citi or capital one and get an unsecured one.

What's the advantage?

[ADW & JOP 146]

8 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

Why secured?  Wait, arrive, apply for citi or capital one and get an unsecured one.

That is specific to the initial question whether it is possible to get a credit card outside the US. Having tried it, I found that I can only obtain a secured one. With capital one, after 6 months with a good history, they may offer an unsecured one.

[ADW & JOP 146]

Something else that I've done. My wife added me as an authorized user on her credit card. She has a great credit score so I am piggy backing on her.

[ADW & JOP 146]

22 minutes ago, lemur923 said:

She does. So perhaps I can get it now and use it. Since it's attached to a SSN, would it build a credit score?

What's the advantage?

You should see if you qualify for unsecured credit card. I checked a few and didn't because I didn't have a credit history and only had an ITIN, may be different for you with a SSN.

[lemur923 1]

12 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

Something else that I've done. My wife added me as an authorized user on her credit card. She has a great credit score so I am piggy backing on her.

Nice! I heard that's a great way to build credit as well. But since you're not in the US you can't build score yet right?

[Nitas_man 3,100]

56 minutes ago, lemur923 said:

 

What's the advantage?

The bank not charging you a fee or holding your money and loaning your own money back to you.

When Nita got her SS I added her to my cards and she got a fee-free capital one for herself by phone.  
Her score and mine are currently about the same.  Dunno what her limit’s been raised to but it’s pretty high.
I have a problem with a bank that takes your money, holds it, loans it back to you, and calls that “credit”.  Thats a scam LOL.  I also have a problem with a bank that makes money on every swipe (and) charges you an annual fee for that.  You don’t see a problem with that?

[bakphx1 789]

You can only be an authorized user without a social security number.  This technically doesn’t grant credit.

 

I checked my husband’s credit history a year after he was here and he had some cards that had been mine tied to his credit, though probably incorrectly.  Some showed a credit history for him  going back 10 years. Fortunately, they were all good so it was a benefit for him.  So, like it or not, you’ll get at last some of your spouse’s history right away.

[ADW & JOP 146]

1 hour ago, Nitas_man said:

The bank not charging you a fee or holding your money and loaning your own money back to you.

When Nita got her SS I added her to my cards and she got a fee-free capital one for herself by phone.  
Her score and mine are currently about the same.  Dunno what her limit’s been raised to but it’s pretty high.
I have a problem with a bank that takes your money, holds it, loans it back to you, and calls that “credit”.  Thats a scam LOL.  I also have a problem with a bank that makes money on every swipe (and) charges you an annual fee for that.  You don’t see a problem with that?

In fairness to the bank, they took 50 and gave me 200 =P

[lemur923 1]

58 minutes ago, bakphx1 said:

You can only be an authorized user without a social security number.  This technically doesn’t grant credit.

 

I checked my husband’s credit history a year after he was here and he had some cards that had been mine tied to his credit, though probably incorrectly.  Some showed a credit history for him  going back 10 years. Fortunately, they were all good so it was a benefit for him.  So, like it or not, you’ll get at last some of your spouse’s history right away.

That's true, I'll do that to start with

[ADW & JOP 146]

54 minutes ago, bakphx1 said:

You can only be an authorized user without a social security number.  This technically doesn’t grant credit.

 

I checked my husband’s credit history a year after he was here and he had some cards that had been mine tied to his credit, though probably incorrectly.  Some showed a credit history for him  going back 10 years. Fortunately, they were all good so it was a benefit for him.  So, like it or not, you’ll get at last some of your spouse’s history right away.

I have a secured credit card with an ITIN. My immigrant visa is still pending. I don't have a credit history in the US.

 

The SSN does open your doors to other options.

 

What it comes down to, is that without a credit history, you are less likely to be able to get an unsecured card, hence I started off with a secured Capital One card (also the only one I could get with an ITIN and no credit history).

 

You may want to check out what other options you have with a SSN. You may also be eligible for an unsecured credit card.

 

I do think the AMEX card and global transfer is a great idea.

[Cndn 98]

I bank with US Bank and just got an unsecured CC with no credit history at all in the US. I’m excited because I thought I’d have to get a secured! I have great credit in Canada but was told it cannot be transferred (by a mortgage specialist at US Bank). US required an SSN and proof of residing legally in the states (my K1 visa in my passport) to open the account though 🤷‍♀️. Or at least the employee I dealt with did. 

[lemur923 1]

3 minutes ago, Cndn said:

I bank with US Bank and just got an unsecured CC with no credit history at all in the US. I’m excited because I thought I’d have to get a secured! I have great credit in Canada but was told it cannot be transferred (by a mortgage specialist at US Bank). US required an SSN and proof of residing legally in the states (my K1 visa in my passport) to open the account though 🤷‍♀️. Or at least the employee I dealt with did. 

That's great! And before that were you added to your spouse's credit card?

[Cndn 98]

20 minutes ago, lemur923 said:

That's great! And before that were you added to your spouse's credit card?

I was added to his checking account but not credit cards. I have my own separate account though as well, which I opened before he added me onto his/our joint account. 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

53 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

In fairness to the bank, they took 50 and gave me 200 =P

I recall Nita’s was like they took nothing and gave her 1000-1500.

 

Options are a lot more favorable with a little patience.  Just saying.