NO credit card in my name? solution

[gardengalB4]

We had several cards that were opened by my husband.
I was just an authorized user on the accounts.
None of the companies had any problems switching the account to my name after he died.
Several days after the funeral I opened a new credit card by myself with no problems.
I had never done that.
I know it may sound silly, but it was empowering to me.

 

[cleverclovers]

Do you belong to a credit union? Get a card with a low credit limit. Make small purchases and PAY THEM OFF MONTHLY! Build your own credit history.

 

[seashoreCM]

Come to think of it, utility companies may collect a deposit from new customers without established credit although $250. seems high to me. The deposit would be applied to normal utility charges or may be refunded after a year of timely payments.

But any significant nonrefundable fee like more than about $25., or any nonrefundable fee not charged to each and every applicant would be unreasonable.

Banks, landlords, car dealers, etc. may be much willing to play "My first Sony" to college graduates while not to "any old person" even a little older and with more work history than the graduate. Thus it is not unusual for banks to send representatives to college on-campus recruiting workshops, and landlords may take a graduate but not an undergraduate without a cosigner..

 

[sunshinehighway]

My experience with Chase's pre approval (on the Chase website not outside ones) is if it comes up with offers there's a really good chance of being approved for those cards.

 

[fauna74]

Definitely get a credit card in your name. Most credit card companies don't do joint accounts anymore. I'm going through a divorce and it took several phone calls and the phrase "you are violating my rights" said repeatedly to get them to close out a joint credit card account. (They kept telling me I was the "secondary user" and thus couldn't close it. Uh, no! The bill came in my name too. And I was sick of the turd known as my soon to be ex using it to fill up his girlfriends car with gas.)
I easily got a bank credit card in my name- and I've been a stay at home mom for 20 years. I did have a few store cards and a Disney Visa in my name already.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

The answer is pretty simple. Go to Chase. Look through the offers. Find the one you like best. Apply. Make your wife an authorized user. You will more than likely get the card. Use it in a manner designed to maximize the rewards; pay it off weekly.