Can applying for a credit card improve my bad credit and increase my score?

Question

I have history of bad credit, but over the past 4 years I've improved greatly. What can I do to improve my credit rating and score?

Answer 1

If you are looking for a credit card for bad credit, there are many options to choose from. The two main types of cards available are either a secured credit card or an unsecured credit card for bad credit. Both types of cards can help you repair your credit by giving you an opportunity to establish a good payment history. The costs and fees associated with each type of card are very different, however. In addition, depending on how bad your credit is, whether you have sufficient income and other personal details, you may only qualify for one or the other.

First let's look at the secured credit card for bad credit. A secured credit card requires that you deposit money with the issuing bank, and the bank will issue a credit card in the same amount for your use. Secured cards are guaranteed to be approved, because the bank has your deposit money in case you do not pay your balance. A secured credit card for bad credit operates much like a regular credit card. You receive a monthly statement, and you pay your minimum monthly payment or the balance in full each month. You are charged an interest rate, annual fee and possibly other fees for a secured credit card account.

Be aware that with a secured credit card for bad credit, your charges are not deducted from the deposit you have with the issuing bank. The bank is simply holding your deposit in the case that you default on your credit card balance. You must pay your monthly payments, and owe the bank the balance that you have charged on the credit card. You cannot refuse to pay simply because the bank is holding a deposit without further damaging your credit.

A second option for getting a credit card for bad credit is to get an unsecured credit card. Unsecured credit cards are available for bad credit clients, however, the issuing banks charge high fees to cover the risk of extending credit to a bad credit client. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200-$350 or more in fees which the bank will keep, you do not get that money back. Those fees are upfront costs for obtaining a unsecured credit card for bad credit. In some cases, the bank will allow you to pay the fees over two or more months.
Apply online for secured credit card for bad credit at http://www.credit-card-forums.com/Secured.html and get instance approval.

Answer 2

If you don't already have a credit card, a good way to improve your score is to get a new line of credit and make some small purchases. Continue to carry a balance-- but always pay on-time and continue to pay consistently. This will help show a positive history of borrowing.

If your credit is bad, you have several options for credit cards. You can apply for a secured credit card-- which requires a security deposit. Or, you can apply for an unsecured credit card (for people with bad credit) and avoid the security deposit. You can find a complete list of these offers here:

http://www.asapcreditcard.com/unsecured-offers.html

Keep in mind, credit cards for people with poor / no credit usually have higher interest rates and some additional fees when compared to standard credit cards. But over time, they'll help improve your credit score-- and eventually, you'll be able to apply for cards with lower APR's and less fees.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Applying for a credit card itself will not raise your credit score. In fact, the application itself can hurt it. Frequent inqurires into your credit report lower your score (1 or 2 don't do much usually). The card though would help your credit.

Things to do if you get a credit card:
1.) Pay in full every month. Charge $40 onto it, then pay it off the next month. This will actually look VERY good on a credit report.
2.) If you can't pay it off all at once, keep it low. It looks good on a credit report if your balance on your card is half of or less than your credit limit. (Ex: you have a limit of $200, keep your balance at $100 or less)
3.) I cannot stress this one enough: ALWAYS pay on time. A lot of credit card companies don't care if "life" prevented you from paying your bill on time. They will raise your rates, lower your credit limit, or even close your account, especially if your credit's not so good. But come on, we've been learning since pre-school to be "On Time" so just make a consious effort of it, shouldn't be too hard, right?

What I personally did to first establish credit: Took out a small, personal, unsecured loan with my bank. Loans are a little safer than credit cards. Credit cards you can keep building yourself into debt, loans you don't so much. They build credit the same way though!

Answer 4

Increasing the number of credit cards you have, or the amount of available credit you have may have a NEGATIVE affect on your credit score. So does applying for several credit cards. But if you don't have a credit card now, get one and be scrupulous about paying on time, and don't let the balance grow. Also, don't accept automatic increases in your credit limit. Decide on a limit you can be comfortable with, and ask the company NOT to increase it unless you request it.

Answer 5

I work at a credit union and this is not always the easiest thing for people to do. You don't want to get to much debt or that will hurt you more than help. You don't want to much open credit either. You want to use the card and make monthly payments, but don't max it out. There is a fine line between helping and hurting yourself. Make sure you use a reputible credit card company. I would suggest going to a credit union or bank and getting one through them, not one from the mail. Also don't get a huge limit, that increases the amount of unsecured debt you have and that will hurt you.

Answer 6

Every time a company pulls your credit for a credit card or any credit pursuit your score falls... Wait at least a 6 months to a year between applications for credit

Answer 7

You can depending on how bad your credit is. If you still have some cards that are recently delinquent, than no.

There are cards out there for bad credit. You do pay some fees, but it will improve your credit rating over time.

Answer 8

Applying does NOT INCREASE YOUR SCORE. Being APPROVED, then paying your bills on time with more than the minimum monthly payment, gradually improves your score.

Note: you may incur a high interest rate on the card due to past history, UNLESS you have cleared up past due bills...even then it will be higher than those with consistent fair or good credit.

Answer 9

Applying for a card actually causes your score to be reduced somewhat. You don't say what got you to the bad score in the first place-other credit cards, late payments. etc..

I believe the less cards you have, the better. Unless you can manage to save enough money to withstand a financial disaster.

Answer 10

Yes it can improve your score. Make sure that the credit card company reports to the credit bureau on a monthly basis and make sure to pay you bill EARLY, not on time, but EARLY.