Why can't I get a credit card? I need to start building my credit somehow!?

Question

Every time I apply for a credit card I get turned down. Not because I have bad credit history and not because I don't have the money to pay my bills .... BUT ... because I don't have any credit history.

What is the best way to start building credit for a 21 year old?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The best, and about the only way to legally obtain a credit card, is to ask one of your parent's to add you to their account. But then don't use the card because your parents will keep it. After about a year, or so, and if you have held a steady job for about a year, then try applying for one on your own, if the automatic credit apps haven't started coming by then. Apply online for a best secure credit cardand get instance approval at: http://www.credit-card-forums.com/Secured.html

Answer 2

First of all, you said that every time you apply for a credit card you get turned down, which suggests to me that you have applied for a number of them. Each time that you apply for a line of credit (depending upon the company because not all of them do) it takes points from your beacon score and if you do not have any established credit, then you could really be hurting yourself. I would let a little bit of time go by and then try to reapply. I got my first credit card at age 18 from Bank of America, so I would try them, but make sure that you apply for a card that has a 0% APR for at least 6 months or so that way you can pay off any purchases quickly without paying any interest. Another way that you can start building credit, is go to a local Friedmans or other jeweler and purchase yourself a new watch or something. Make your payments on or before the due date each month and that will really help with your credit as well. It's great to try to establish good credit, but I am really against credit cards in the first place. My husband and I are paying on our last card and we've already cut it up so we can't use it. We established perfect credit so far by purchasing our home and paying our mortgage on time, making our car payment on time each month, etc. Try a local jewelry shop though to get a line of credit going and then try out for a credit card. Good Luck

Answer 3

You could get a secured credit card. Those are credit cards that are secured by a savings account. You can borrow up to the amount in the account, usually. Then, if you don't repay the card, they take the funds from the savings account.

Another way to build credit would be to open a certificate of deposit and a bank and then borrow against it. Then instead of spending the money, put it into a savings account and withdraw enough each month to make the monthly payment. After six months or so, you'll have enough of a credit history to get a credit card.

Answer 4

I was in your shoes several years ago. I was 25 before I got my first credit card, and that was due to becoming a member of a credit union. No one would ever approve me because I had no credit history, didn't have a co-signer, etc. Even the student cards turned me down.
I agree with the person who mentioned letting some time go by. Those inquiries really do hurt you.
Try somewhere like a jewelry store. I work in one, and we have often been a teenagers 1st piece of credit. We started them out extremely low, and jewelry probably wasn't anywhere near the top of their needs, but it worked anyhow. Once you establish a payment history, you will have more luck. Just don't expect anything to happen overnight. It does take a while to build up good credit. Once you get it, protect it with all your might, because it takes no time at all to ruin it. Best of luck.

Answer 5

I never heard of companies denying people a credit card because of no credit history. Denying for a mortgage is another thing, but for a credit card? Try opening a credit card at one of the major companies such as Citi.com (a Citigroup company).

My first credit card I got was when I was in college and these credit card marketers were all over the place trying to get people to sign up. I got approved for just $500 credit because I had no credit history. A year later, my credit limit increased to $1000 and now I can increase my limit to $10,000 if I want to. Though, I rarely use my credit cards. I use my debit card. I always spend below my means to save money and to never pay interest on my credit card.

Anyway, you should get approved for a small credit amount because you don't have any credit history.

Answer 6

call a credit card company and ask about getting a prepaid credit card-you send them a check-and they send you a card that will only let you charge up to the prepaid amount. overtime if you dont keep running that card out/try to use it over and over at times when you have a zero they will offer you a credit acccount of some small amount and over time as long as you pay your bill off every month they will continue to increase your limit. if you have built up a decent level of savings through your bank they may be willing to add a line of credit to an existing account as well.

Answer 7

Don't waste time applying for credit cards that just aren't for you! With every rejection you lose your FICO points. Don't think that having no credit history is better than having bad credit history because you can not prove to the lender your creditworthiness. If I were you I would ask a close friend or relitive with good credit hisotry to be your co-signer: http://www.credit-card-analyzer.com/Best-Credit-Cards-881876-page.php That would be a good beginning of your credit history and will help you earn FICO points and avoid high fees.
You can also apply for a secured credit card http://www.credit-card-authority.com/Secured-Credit-Cards-814058-page.php
There are aso guaranteed approval credit cards that are issued especially for consumers with no or bad credit history.http://www.rebuild-credit-cards.com/Guaranteed-Approval-Cards-906206-page.php

Answer 8

are you a student? if so try applying for a student credit card. that's how i got approved for my credit cards.
if you're not a student? i have no idea. my cousin is having that same problem. trying applying for a basic card like a jcp card or like a best buy card. something small just so that other companies know that your making good on paying your payment and so they're be willing to take a risk on you.

Answer 9

try opening up a bank account and they will give you a credit card card from chase. I got my first credit card when i was 17

Answer 10

I would try starting off with a secured card. Once you prove yourself to the company, they will switch it to an unsecured card, and eventually start raising your limits. Listed below is a link which allows you to compare cards and determine which is the best for you.