Easiest Credit Card to Get?

[Dakota731]

My daughter just graduated college and is trying to get a credit card with no luck. She's been turned down by Discover and Chase due to no credit history. She'd like to move out and get an apartment and needs to establish some kind of credit history. We should have gotten her a college card but now it's too late and she's not having any luck. Help!

 

[greentea]

I had this problem -- student loans but no other credit history, and I even got turned down for a Target store card. I went to my bank and asked about options. I was able to get a card with a low credit limit from them (regular credit card, not a secured card) and a year or two later I had no trouble applying for better cards. I would say try at her own bank, because they're more likely to work with her. For store cards, I've heard JcPenney, Kohls, and Walmart are supposed to be pretty easy to get.

 

[RitaE]

Has she tried Capital One? She might still be able to get their Journey Card.

http://www.capitalonejourney.com

 

[Albort]

Establish a bank account with a bank/credit union will help her have a better chance of getting a credit card with that very same bank/credit union. Unfortunately, that will take time. Do you have credit card yourself? perhaps you can add her as an Authorized User? This is probably the best way to go about. The other option is to go into a bank/credit union and see if they have secured card. This is where you put down a down payment and that is how much credit you have. For example, u give them $500, they will issue u a credit card with a cl of $500. After awhile, they will return you the money when they trust you.

 

[LJSquishy]

Capital One used to be the easiest "regular" credit card to get. It was my first credit card as well almost 13 years ago, starting with I think a $500 or $750 limit.

I also second trying to apply for a store credit card...although if she actually wants to use one for regular purchases that wouldn't work. I know years back Victoria's Secret was an easy one to get, but not sure about now.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I second Victoria's Secret and Kohls. Those were a couple of my first cards. And of course a secured card. And if you're comfortable adding her as a user to one if yours that'd be good, too.

 

[ExExPirateShopGirl]

Back when my oldest went off to college the local Wells Fargo branch issued her a Mastercard when she opened a regular checking account. She didn't even request one. Students tended to overspend and a few years ago the laws were changed about issuing cards to those under 21. Banks are much tighter these days. I ended up adding my youngest as an authorized user to a few of my cards to bolster her credit before she applies for her own.

 

[psiprez]

I put my daughter on my Amex card when she got her drivers licence, just for emergencies. Turns out that Amex was listed on her credit report, giving her a credit history. College loans will also help build credit.

 

[wdw4rfam]

My DD is 18 and got a credit card with a $250 limit. She charged all of her purchases for two months that she would usually use her debit card for, then paid it off with the money she usually would spend. In three months they upped her limit to $1000. It was first financial bank. 1fbusa(.com) is the website. The interest is high, but the main reason with this card is to establish credit I guess so I just keep stressing to her to not charge what she can't pay. So far it's been ok.

 

[julezdisney]

I'm rebuilding credit after a financially devastating divorce. I was able to establish with First Premier. It's VERY HIGH on the interest rate but it's really been so helpful in this process. Merrick Bank and Credit One are also 2 that have given me a chance. I've been able to get credit increases and it's been very easy to manage.

 

[greentea]

I put my daughter on my Amex card when she got her drivers licence, just for emergencies. Turns out that Amex was listed on her credit report, giving her a credit history. College loans will also help build credit.

From my own experience, years of paying college loans did nothing to help me get a credit card. I was always turned down for not already having a credit card. Which, you know, I could fix if anyone would have approved me for one! Silly catch-22. I'm sure it helps credit history in general, but the credit card companies wanted me to have a revolving credit line already.

 

[donac]

Both my sons first major credit cards were Discover. They each had either Penney's or Target but Discover was the first major one they could each get.

 

[Dannek]

As a few others have mentioned, she should establish a relationship with a local bank by opening a checking and savings account.
Direct deposit of her paycheck, if possible, into the checking account will help as well.
Then ask the bank about credit card options. The will most likely be willing to offer her a card to get some credit established.

After that, have her look into the Barcaly's Sallie Mae Mastercard. (great for all people). It pays 5% cashback on groceries (up to $250. per month) , 5% cashback on gas (up to $250. per month) and 5% on bookstores (up to $750. per month). Amazon is considered a bookstore, so she can get nice discounts on Amazon purchases and can get Amazon prime with the student discount if she wants to (prime may require an .edu email address). The Sallie Mae Mastercard has no annual fee and allows you to use the cashback that you accrue to pay off student loans. In fact, it's marketed for that purpose... The cashback can also be used to pay off statement balances, and it can also be taken as actual cash back.

 

[Albort]

After that, have her look into the Barcaly's Sallie Mae Mastercard. (great for all people). It pays 5% cashback on groceries (up to $250. per month) , 5% cashback on gas (up to $250. per month) and 5% on bookstores (up to $750. per month). Amazon is considered a bookstore, so she can get nice discounts on Amazon purchases and can get Amazon prime with the student discount if she wants to (prime may require an .edu email address). The Sallie Mae Mastercard has no annual fee and allows you to use the cashback that you accrue to pay off student loans. In fact, it's marketed for that purpose... The cashback can also be used to pay off statement balances, and it can also be taken as actual cash back.

Sallie Mae Mastercard is no longer available to new applicant... new card with crappy rewards in its place...