Looking for a credit card

[eru]

I already have one credit card but it has a $1000 limit and is secured. Does anyone here know any place where I can get a unsecured credit card with a $1000+ limit and get one FAST?

Since I have only been in this biz for a few months, I don't have any tax reports or anything to prove my income.

[Sly_RJ]

I would say NextCard, but they just sold all their accounts to another company, which finally switches over in October. And I really doubt they're taking new applications yet.

Don't you have a savings account? Your bank should set you up with a $1k card no problem.

[Pornwolf]

You just enrolled in college so there will be some in your mailbox really soo. They love college students. Or you can go to the school's admin office or student center and get some applications the companies make specifically for students. It won't be hard for you!

[eru]

I have a savings account but I never use it. I just use my checking.

I also am going to need a CC for my LLC that I just formed -- but I'll worry about that later.

[gothweb]

Heh. Apply for a student loan. As soon as I did, I was getting four credit card offers in the mail a day. ;)

Er, seriously, though... I am surprised you are having trouble finding a credit card, unless your credit is totally pants. Go to the website of some major providers... american express, discover, some banks that do MC/visa and you should find plenty of offers.

[eru]

Originally posted by Pornwolf
You just enrolled in college so there will be some in your mailbox really soo. They love college students. Or you can go to the school's admin office or student center and get some applications the companies make specifically for students. It won't be hard for you!

Yea -- I just applied for the ATT Platinum Universal Insert Stupid Word Here Mastercard. The problem is they expect your average joe-schmoe college brat to be working retail that entails PROVABLE INCOME whereas myself do no thave that yet. I dont want to get a mail saying that they can only give me a secured -- I gotta build my credit ya know?

I'll be happy even if they give me a limit of $500 if it is not secured..

[eru]

Originally posted by gothweb
Heh. Apply for a student loan. As soon as I did, I was getting four credit card offers in the mail a day. ;)

Er, seriously, though... I am surprised you are having trouble finding a credit card, unless your credit is totally pants. Go to the website of some major providers... american express, discover, some banks that do MC/visa and you should find plenty of offers.

My credit isn't bad -- it's just very very new. I have had my one card for maybe 3-4 months tops -- on the other hand I have been paying my balance in full the day I get the statement in the mail.

[Theo]

get a debit card, you can use as much money as you want (if you have them )

[.:Frog:.]

Long ago I wanted a CC, but I didn't have enough credit to prove I could make the payments.
The bank manager said if I was willing to lock 5 thousand dollars away for 1 year, I could get a CC with a 5K limit.

The bank had nothing to lose because they already had my money if I didn't pay off the card.

[eru]

Originally posted by .:Frog:.
Long ago I wanted a CC, but I didn't have enough credit to prove I could make the payments.
The bank manager said if I was willing to lock 5 thousand dollars away for 1 year, I could get a CC with a 5K limit.

The bank had nothing to lose, because they already had my money, if I didn't pay off the card.

That's what a secured card is -- it doesn't help your credit grow.

[eru]

Originally posted by Soul_Rebel
get a debit card, you can use as much money as you want (if you have them )

I have a debit card but it seems like the only places you can use it AS a debit card (and not a CC) are those big retail stores such as Walmart.

[.:Frog:.]

Originally posted by eru

That's what a secured card is -- it doesn't help your credit grow.

Your credit grows with a proven track record and how large your income is.
Sounds like your making decent money and you've been paying off your card in full.
Give it more time.

[Pornwolf]

A word of advice while you are still young... keep that one secured credit card you have and use it to pay bills only. That way you build up a credit history. In other cases only use your debit card. When you are finally able to get a credit card in 6 months or so, ONLY GET AN AMERICAN EXPRESS GREEN CARD!

You have to pay off that AMEX green every month instead of carrying a balance.

When you are young and partying hard, your credit situation goes downhill quickly. Don't mess with credit. Only spend what you have on hand. The companies are counting on you getting in trouble now. This is why they give college students cards. They know you will mess up but you will also get a decent job that will allow you to pay off their penalty fee laden balance in the future.

Don't do it. If you do get more cards use them once and immediately pay them online once every 3 months.

You will still be able to get a card even though you dont have a job.

[Sly_RJ]

Just tell your bank that you're a student, they'll give you a card right away even if you don't have much money in. Your checking account should work just fine. In my personal savings account I never have more than $1k in, yet they gave me a $1k credit line with no problem.

Now I'm getting all these pre-approved applications for $100 limits, it's not much but I can use it to build up my credit.

[jimmyf]

This not a real quick way... Apply for a gas credit card...Not 2 many though, apply for 2 many and you will not get any.. Shell use to be easy. Once you get a gas card... you'll be getting'm in the mail... Remember every time you apply for any credit it goes on your record and this looks bad... 2 many inquiries.. Don't tell me you have NO car... if you don't apply anyways..

[Sly_RJ]

I was curious so I just ran my credit report, I've got a score of 668. Is that good, decent, or what?

[eru]

Originally posted by Pornwolf
A word of advice while you are still young... keep that one secured credit card you have and use it to pay bills only. That way you build up a credit history. In other cases only use your debit card. When you are finally able to get a credit card in 6 months or so, ONLY GET AN AMERICAN EXPRESS GREEN CARD!

You have to pay off that AMEX green every month instead of carrying a balance.

When you are young and partying hard, your credit situation goes downhill quickly. Don't mess with credit. Only spend what you have on hand. The companies are counting on you getting in trouble now. This is why they give college students cards. They know you will mess up but you will also get a decent job that will allow you to pay off their penalty fee laden balance in the future.

Don't do it. If you do get more cards use them once and immediately pay them online once every 3 months.

You will still be able to get a card even though you dont have a job.

My philosophy: why bother charging for it if you know you don't have the money? Anytime I charge, I write it down in my checkbook and record the deduction. Simple as that.

[eru]

Originally posted by jimmyf
This not a real quick way... Apply for a gas credit card...Not 2 many though, apply for 2 many and you will not get any.. Shell use to be easy. Once you get a gas card... you'll be getting'm in the mail... Remember every time you apply for any credit it goes on your record and this looks bad... 2 many inquiries.. Don't tell me you have NO car... if you don't apply anyways..

Yea -- I heard that is a very good way to start/build up your credit.

[AllisonWonderland]

A secured card will indeed halp your credit record/score, as long as the credit provider reports to the major credit bureaus. If your current provider does not report, then pull your money out and get a new card that does report.

My very first credit card was a Providian secured card. After about 2 years, my credit limit was raised past my deposit balance, and after about 3 years, my deposit was released.

You might also have better luck getting approved for a store credit card (Penneys, etc.) if you don't have a major card.

[Pornwolf]

Ok Eru. When you have that fresh new card in your pocket while in a drunken stupor at a party and a group of girls wants to go back to your or your freinds apartment to continue the party but they want more drinks but there's no alcohol and no one has any money (it happens) you try to remember to be responsible about accounting at that moment.

[eru]

Originally posted by Pornwolf
Ok Eru. When you have that fresh new card in your pocket while in a drunken stupor at a party and a group of girls wants to go back to your or your freinds apartment to continue the party but they want more drinks but there's no alcohol and no one has any money (it happens) you try to remember to be responsible about accounting at that moment.

Hahahahaa. I'll remember that :P

[eru]

Originally posted by AllisonWonderland
A secured card will indeed halp your credit record/score, as long as the credit provider reports to the major credit bureaus. If your current provider does not report, then pull your money out and get a new card that does report.

My very first credit card was a Providian secured card. After about 2 years, my credit limit was raised past my deposit balance, and after about 3 years, my deposit was released.

You might also have better luck getting approved for a store credit card (Penneys, etc.) if you don't have a major card.

My card is under NJFCU.org