This really ticks my wife off

[Purseval]

My wife is a British citizen with a green card and a social security number. We have no debt, no mortgage. We own our home. She has plenty of money in both American and British banks. But no matter how much she tries she can't get an American credit card Every time she applies they turn her down, obviously because she has no American credit history. It's not that she actually needs one it's just the principle of the thing.

How do those of you who moved across the pond manage to build up a credit history when you can't get your foot in the door?

 

[catherine]

I think that things have changed a lot since I lived over there. I don't remember having a problem getting a credit card. I seem to remember I started of with just a small amount of credit which was increased over time because I used the credit card and paid the balance off every month. I know that it's quite difficult trying to establish yourself in the US even if you are married to a US citizen

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

She should go to her American bank and ask for a secured card. The bank will freeze a certain amount (say $500) and that will be her limit. It is a great way to establish credit.

 

[Purseval]

We looked into a secured card and most of them charge hefty fees, which is a price you pay for having bad credit cut not something she felt she deserved. I looked into our bank just now and they want a $39 fee to apply but said it could be less if you have other accounts at the bank. With all we have there we are going to try and get her a free one. We also have to see if they report her payments to all 3 credit bureaus because if they don't it's just a waste of time.

 

[Tanzanite]

We looked into a secured card and most of them charge hefty fees, which is a price you pay for having bad credit cut not something she felt she deserved. I looked into our bank just now and they want a $39 fee to apply but said it could be less if you have other accounts at the bank. With all we have there we are going to try and get her a free one. We also have to see if they report her payments to all 3 credit bureaus because if they don't it's just a waste of time.

The best thing is get a store credit account with a small limit to start a department store like Macys or Kohls pay for it from an account in her name only it may take a few months of using it and paying on time is what a lot of people do good luck .

 

[aaronandterri]

A mobile phone on contract is another good one to boost credit file.

 

[Purseval]

Well she went to our bank and asked about a secured credit card. The manager looked up the accounts that were in her name, noted that she had been a good customer with no issues for 4 years and authorized an unsecured card with no annual fee and a 1% cashback bonus Now she can go into debt like a good American If we would have known it would be this easy we would have went straight to the bank years ago. Thanks for the suggestions.