General Question

valdasta's avatar

Is there an easy credit card to obtain?

Asked by valdasta (2146points) March 25th, 2010

I am trying to rebuild my credit score. I wanted to get a credit card that I could use once a week (like gas), then make timely payments on the card.

Is there a credit card company that would be easier for me to obtain, seeing that my credit has blemishes to begin with?

I don’t want to apply twenty times and be rejected twenty times.
I would like some suggestions of what to try.

Thank you, in advance.

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27 Answers

meagan's avatar

Probably capital one. They approve everyone haha

La_chica_gomela's avatar

Usually you can just walk into any branch of your bank any apply for a card and they’ll usually give it to you.

valdasta's avatar

@meagan That response came pretty quick…how in the world?

valdasta's avatar

@La_chica_gomela What if your credit is bad?

meagan's avatar

@valdasta ;P I’ve got a Capital One card. Its my first credit card – and apparently my credit isn’t too amazing because as of last week I found out I’m a victim of identity theft x_x

valdasta's avatar

@meagan Yikes! Sorry to hear that.

what’d you say your ss# was again?:]

WestRiverrat's avatar

With bad credit it may be cheaper to get a prepaid debit card than a credit card.

faye's avatar

What about department store cards?

valdasta's avatar

@WestRiverrat but that will not build credit, will it? Isn’t that like buying yourself a gift card?

La_chica_gomela's avatar

@valdasta: Yes, I read that part of your original question. My answer still holds. It’s not 100%, but it’s often true. And you typically don’t pay fees on a credit card from your own bank, whereas on some cards, like Chase or Capital One, you may be required to pay a yearly fee, especially if you have bad credit.

WestRiverrat's avatar

It can help you with a local bank. If you show you can work with the prepaid card for 6 mo then you will have CC companies writing you to rent you a card.

faye's avatar

Pfft, I pay yearly for my mastercard, I’m going to the bank tomorrow.

valdasta's avatar

@La_chica_gomela Sweet, I will have to give that a chance.

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SABOTEUR's avatar

I started off with a secured credit card…one where you pay to borrow your own money…lol. But that paved the way to being accepted for other cards.

The only one I use, though, is my Capital One card. They start you off at a low credit limit and gradually increase the amount you can borrow as you demonstrate your trustworthiness.

La_chica_gomela's avatar

@SABOTEUR: All credit card companies increase your credit limit the longer you successfully hold a card with them.

WestRiverrat's avatar

@SABOTEUR My nephew tried that just recently, he ended up with a prepaid debit card. I think many banks just changed the name because a debit card has fewer fee restirctions than a credit card.

SABOTEUR's avatar

@La_chica_gomela Thanks

@WestRiverrat: Well the secured credit card may revert to the unsecured credit card as you demonstrate your ability to borrow and pay back. (They test you with your money before risking theirs…lol) A debit card is simply a “checking account”; it’s not going to help you build or repair credit.

wonderingwhy's avatar

capital one used to be easy to get, they were on pretty much every college campus (though I hear that’s illegal now, I think). Most any bank you have an account with that has over $500 or $1,000 in it would probably be willing to give you one though. Plus it comes with the added bonus that if you’re rejected on the spot you can discuss it with the bank manager and see if there’s an alternative to aid your particular situation.

TLRobinson's avatar

I just tried this! My score isn’t at the bottom but somewhat “risky” and I was told I had limited credit history( obviously no credit is better than bad credit, isn’t always appIicable). I was denied by Capital One, American Express, and Discover! I made the mistake of applying for multiple ones at one time. This brought my score down by 10 points (I’m monitoring through freecreditreport.com).

The local and national banks denied me as well. Finally, I asked why. Credit guidelines have gotten much more stringent and creditors are no longer just “giving away” cards; it’s become to “risky”.

There are several prepaid cards online, but the dilemma is finding out the legitimate ones from the thiefs.

Good luck! Kudos to you for working on your credit.

mattbrowne's avatar

Easy credit card sounds like easy to get in trouble with.

Neizvestnaya's avatar

Go to your bank and apply for a “secured” line of credit. You’ll be asked to front up an amount based on what the bank thinks reasonable based on how badly your credit history is already. Most secured cards start around $300.00 or so, you put that money up and then are allowed to charge against it while being allowed to make small payments towards the balance as with other credit cards. After a time of usage you bank can evaluate if they’d like to up your balance/limit or offer you an unsecured card. The system works well but credit is credit and the interest rates are higher for lower credit scores or people with little/no established credit.

SABOTEUR's avatar

Great explanaion, @Neizvestnaya. Thank you!

valdasta's avatar

My bank does not offer secured lines of credit…and before applying with my bank the girl kindly suggested that maybe I should try applying for a store card first instead of a major credit card.

The only other alternative she gave me was showing up with a co-signer.

SABOTEUR's avatar

@valdasta: Secured credit may be obtained online as well.

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