Best credit card to build credit in the US?

[mrszorak44 7]

So I've been in the US for about 5 months now. I'm thinking of getting a credit card to build credit here in the US, my question is: what's the best credit card for me or new immigrants? I know Capital One had a credit card for newcomers but it's no longer available. Any suggestions?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Do not under any circumstances go with capital one. I've worked both Canadian and American collections for them and honestly, they're the sketchiest of the bunch.

A good way to build credit is to gain store credit (ie: Macy's, JC Penny, etc) and go from there.

[HK12 273]

Do not under any circumstances go with capital one. I've worked both Canadian and American collections for them and honestly, they're the sketchiest of the bunch.

What makes you say that? Just curious, because I have been using Capital One for over a year now without any problems.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

What makes you say that? Just curious, because I have been using Capital One for over a year now without any problems.

They've been known to spike interest rates, heavy penalties for missing payments. If ever in collections they lowball offers to settle, offer you plans to keep you in debt longer, they are just sketchy in general.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Any credit card will do. If you can't get a major one: AX/VI/MC/DC apply for a store card Bloomingdale's/Neimans/Barney's etc or try a gas card - Chevron, 76, etc.

Make sure you charge something you need every month and pay your bill on time. You should be good for a major c/c after a year or so.

Good luck!

So I've been in the US for about 5 months now. I'm thinking of getting a credit card to build credit here in the US, my question is: what's the best credit card for me or new immigrants? I know Capital One had a credit card for newcomers but it's no longer available. Any suggestions?

Edited December 15, 2014 by JohnR!

[nab-400 16]

I've been using capital one for over 7 years no issues. my mother just moved to US less then 2 months. she just received her SSN about two days ago(long story) , same day she received her SSN i applied for capital one, she was denied right away, so i added her to my account as an authorized user (Friday, 18,2014 ) and today(12/15/2014) I tried again to apply for the same website same credit card and she was approved for $300.

basically first step for faster result is to have someone add you as an authorized user, also she was approved by federal credit union bank for $500. knowing that my mother she does not have a job or income, the only income she has is her retirement from another country.

Thanks

Edited December 15, 2014 by nab-400

[j&ana 363]

open a bank account if not already have one most banks you can get a debit/credit card. Open a department store credit account, and apply for a gas credit card at major gas stations. I do not know if you will be able to get credit with major credit company. If you do it would probably be for not very much. I have a couple of capital ones card never had problems. I also have a discover card it is good, it is not as widely use as master card or visa.

Discover card also has free credit report, if you pay bill online you can track your credit score

Edited December 15, 2014 by j&ana

[Hypnos 6,576]

Look into a secured credit card. Capital One offer one, as do Merrick Bank and many others.

[Dualie 185]

Does your US bank offer a secured credit card? We bank with Wells Fargo and when the time comes, I will apply for a secured Visa with them. You basically put down a few hundred dollars to secure the card, then use it and pay it off monthly. Eventually they will remove the restrictions and refund the deposit. Its kind of like a credit card with training wheels, lol.

[VOL 425]

It not easy to get a department card store now of day , Years ago it was the way to go.

Get a secured card as said above and you can also add the person on your existing credit card as a joint account holder, Don't put them as authorized user since this will have no effect on establishing credit.

I say any credit card will do, They all report to the same Credit Agencies.......

[j&ana 363]

It not easy to get a department card store now of day , Years ago it was the way to go.

Get a secured card as said above and you can also add the person on your existing credit card as a joint account holder, Don't put them as authorized user since this will have no effect on establishing credit.

I say any credit card will do, They all report to the same Credit Agencies.......

yes they do report to same credit agencies but they have different interest rates ,most likely if the op got a credit card they will be paying higher interest rate

[Hypnos 6,576]

No, not all credit cards report to all of three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Many, perhaps even most credit cards do, but not absolutely all of them do; that would be something to ask the issuer beforehand.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

They've been known to spike interest rates, heavy penalties for missing payments. If ever in collections they lowball offers to settle, offer you plans to keep you in debt longer, they are just sketchy in general.

Everybody does that to cardholders with not very good credit scores.

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

The interest rate is unimportant if you just want it to build credit. Use it every month then pay it off in full so that you do not have a balance or pay any interest. I have a secured card from a credit union and use up to 30% of it every month, and pay it off without fail. After 6 months of use my credit score now is in the high 600s. I also got a car loan from them as well.

[kzielu 1,149]

Everybody does that to cardholders with not very good credit scores.

And do that the people that are not paying back money they used. Nothing wrong with that, pay what you owe and do not spend money you don't have.

I use credit card only because they're safer than debit, never carry any balance as this would mean I spent money that I didn't have.

OP - if your spouse has a decent credit, get a normal co-signed credit card. It will be a card you can actually use - will have decent limit, not a $100 or $300 one which is pretty much useless. Any card will work in this case. My first card was a Visa from our credit union co-signed by my wife. Had $3k limit right away.