Credit Card Query

[SL2024 63]

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to obtaining a credit card? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information as I can to obtain a credit card as I have read that UK credit score ratings doesn't carry over to USA credit score ratings (not sure how accurate that is though)?

 

Also which credit cards would you recommend? 

 

Hope you can help.

[appleblossom 2,466]

9 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to obtaining a credit card? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information as I can to obtain a credit card as I have read that UK credit score ratings doesn't carry over to USA credit score ratings (not sure how accurate that is though)?

 

Also which credit cards would you recommend? 

 

Hope you can help.

Do you have an Amex card in the UK? If so you can open a new account in the US using your account history there. That got me a $15k credit limit & a 700+ score within a week of arriving in the US. 
 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship/

Edited November 3 by appleblossom

[SL2024 63]

31 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Do you have an Amex card in the UK? If so you can open a new account in the US using your account history there. That got me a $15k credit limit & a 700+ score within a week of arriving in the US. 
 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship/

 

Unfortunately I don't - I haven't had a credit card before

[Cw1977 102]

4 hours ago, SL2024 said:

 

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to obtaining a credit card? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information as I can to obtain a credit card as I have read that UK credit score ratings doesn't carry over to USA credit score ratings (not sure how accurate that is though)?

 

Also which credit cards would you recommend? 

 

Hope you can help.

correct - your credit history from home doesn’t count in US so it’s like you’re a brand new person. 
 

does your partner have a credit card? It’s super easy to be added as an authorised user if so and you’ll gain credit score and build yours up much quicker (assuming your partner’s score is good)

[SL2024 63]

40 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

correct - your credit history from home doesn’t count in US so it’s like you’re a brand new person. 
 

does your partner have a credit card? It’s super easy to be added as an authorised user if so and you’ll gain credit score and build yours up much quicker (assuming your partner’s score is good)

 

She does have a credit card and to my knowledge her credit score is good

[appleblossom 2,466]

5 hours ago, SL2024 said:

 

Unfortunately I don't - I haven't had a credit card before

It might be worth applying for one if you have time? Then your UK credit score will be used. 

[SL2024 63]

Just now, appleblossom said:

It might be worth applying for one if you have time? Then your UK credit score will be used. 

 

I can try - I travel in about 5 weeks. I have an Experian account where I get monthly emails with my credit score on it as well. Not sure how much that helps?

[appleblossom 2,466]

7 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

I can try - I travel in about 5 weeks. I have an Experian account where I get monthly emails with my credit score on it as well. Not sure how much that helps?

That doesn’t help at all. Your UK credit score just isn’t relevant in the US. 

 

The only company I know that allows you to open a new account overseas using your UK account is Amex. 

[SL2024 63]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

That doesn’t help at all. Your UK credit score just isn’t relevant in the US. 

 

The only company I know that allows you to open a new account overseas using your UK account is Amex. 

 

Apologies I didn't mean Experian being used to get a credit card in the USA - I meant if AMEX using Experian credit score to determine whether I can have one. I'm just on the AMEX Credit Card Eligibility Checker page on their website at the moment.

[EmilyW 1,434]

Also look to get yourself a pre-paid credit card.  Basically, it's like a debit account, but any purchases go towards your credit score.  I was able to get mine into the 700s pretty quickly that way.

[appleblossom 2,466]

8 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

Apologies I didn't mean Experian being used to get a credit card in the USA - I meant if AMEX using Experian credit score to determine whether I can have one. I'm just on the AMEX Credit Card Eligibility Checker page on their website at the moment.

Amex in the UK? They’l do their own credit check, not sure if they use Expedia but your score should be about the same with any credit agency. 

[Bob in Boston 699]

Capital one gave my wife one, try them.

[Sukie 1,459]

It will take some time to build up your US Credit Score.

 

1.  Get added as a secondary user on your spouse's card.

2.  Get added on your spouse's bank account, or, if you can, open your own account. 

3.  Working with the bank where you are added or new, ask for the "pre-paid" credit card (as mentioned above).

4.  Try to get added on utility bills.

 

Even if you start with a very low credit amount ($1000), if you use it properly, you will build good credit.  But it will take at least one year to truly build a score.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

Sukie in NY

[PGA 239]

12 hours ago, SL2024 said:

 

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to obtaining a credit card? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information as I can to obtain a credit card as I have read that UK credit score ratings doesn't carry over to USA credit score ratings (not sure how accurate that is though)?

 

Also which credit cards would you recommend? 

 

Hope you can help.

Have your spouse add you as an account user on his/her cards if he/she has a good score. I had done this WAY in advance of moving to the US and my wife (the one immigrating) had a score almost as high as mine....like 750. Ours were Barclays, AmEx and Discover... 

[SL2024 63]

11 hours ago, EmilyW said:

Also look to get yourself a pre-paid credit card.  Basically, it's like a debit account, but any purchases go towards your credit score.  I was able to get mine into the 700s pretty quickly that way.

 

Thank you - I will have look into this

10 hours ago, Bob in Boston said:

Capital one gave my wife one, try them.

 

Thank you - I will have a look into this