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lsut2005 
SMU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
1437 posts
| Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 1:59 pm)
So here's my story. I recently graduated from college and got a job away from home, so I'm basically out on my own. Parents still help out some but the vast majority of expenses are on me. Give me some advice on a "starter card." Something with a low limit, I don't plan on going wildly into debt, just need something to help out a little while building my credit.
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TheHiddenFlask 
Clemson Fan
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
16386 posts
 Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 2:03 pm to lsut2005)
I can see in your post history that you post mainly on the OT.
AMEX Black
/Thread
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VABuckeye 
Ohio State Fan
Oak Hill, VA
Member since Dec 2007
8147 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 2:05 pm to lsut2005)
Capital One seems to be a good starting place for many. No, you won't have the best rate but they'll give you a good shot to start generating a credit history.
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lsut2005
SMU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
1437 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 2:08 pm to TheHiddenFlask)
quote:
I can see in your post history that you post mainly on the OT. AMEX Black /Thread
 Give me a few years.
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LSUtoOmaha 
LSU Fan
Nashville
Member since Apr 2004
20473 posts
Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 2:32 pm to VABuckeye)
quote:
Capital One seems to be a good starting place for many. No, you won't have the best rate but they'll give you a good shot to start generating a credit history.
That's what I had to start with. To the OP: What I recommend is starting with the Capital One Platinum. I had no credit history and was approved for it. After six months or so of having this card and paying off low balances each month, I applied for the Amex Gold. It's been a total of one year now, and my credit score has jumped from 660 to 730.
ETA: My limit on the Capital One card is $750, and my limit on the Amex is $2000.
Hope this helps.
This post was edited on 5/14 at 3:00 pm
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GregYoureMyBoyBlue 
Georgia Fan
Member since Apr 2011
2334 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 2:58 pm to LSUtoOmaha)
quote:
That's what I had to start with. To the OP: What I recommend is starting with the Capital One Platinum. I had no credit history and was approved for it. After six months or so of having this hard and paying off low balances each month, I applied for the Amex Gold. It's been a total of one year now, and my credit score has jumped from 660 to 730.
ETA: My limit on the Capital One card is $750, and my limit on the Amex is $2000.
Almost verbatim of what i did
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monroe71201
Grambling Fan
Where you live
Member since Oct 2011
317 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:08 pm to GregYoureMyBoyBlue)
quote:
my limit on the Amex is $2000.
I thought the beauty of the AMEX was there was no limit, as long as you paid it off each month?
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TheHiddenFlask
Clemson Fan
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
16386 posts
Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:10 pm to monroe71201)
quote:
I thought the beauty of the AMEX was there was no limit, as long as you paid it off each month?
Amex Green/Gold/Plat/Black don't have limits, as far as I know.
Their other cards all have them.
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hawgfaninc
Clemson Fan
Member since Nov 2011
5593 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:10 pm to TheHiddenFlask)
quote:
AMEX Black
/Thread
very nice
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lsut2005
SMU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
1437 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:15 pm to LSUtoOmaha)
quote:
That's what I had to start with. To the OP: What I recommend is starting with the Capital One Platinum. I had no credit history and was approved for it. After six months or so of having this card and paying off low balances each month, I applied for the Amex Gold. It's been a total of one year now, and my credit score has jumped from 660 to 730.
That sounds like what I'm looking for and I trust your judgement. I like the low limit.
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lsut2005
SMU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
1437 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:16 pm to LSUtoOmaha)
quote:
LSUtoOmaha
How's The Cottages pool been lately?
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Layabout 
UNO Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2011
4478 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:18 pm to lsut2005)
Start with an Amex green card. Amex encourages recent college grads to apply and recognizes that you might not have a credit history. Once you've had that for a while, you'll have no problem getting any of the others. I wouldn't worry about all of these rewards programs and airline miles. They're more trouble than they're worth in most cases.
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LSUtoOmaha
LSU Fan
Nashville
Member since Apr 2004
20473 posts
Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 3:24 pm to lsut2005)
quote:
How's The Cottages pool been lately?
you got the wrong person. I live in Nashville now.
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gatorsimz 
Florida Fan
cafe risque
Member since Feb 2009
5237 posts
Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 6:22 pm to lsut2005)
i got the Discover More card for my first legit cc. 5% cash back categories throughout the year. 5% back on your bday month. 1% on everything else. got a low rate. i really like Discover.
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wegotdatwood 
Arkansas Fan
Member since Aug 2009
13834 posts
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 6:26 pm to lsut2005)
Try the Amazon card by Chase.
3 points on Amazon
2 on gas and eating
1 on everything else.
Go with AMEX or Chase. Chase has a premium line for one of their better cards but I found it on gethuman.com and they still help me with my Amazon card. Getting to speak to real Americans is worth a million dollars to me.
I'm sure AMEX customer service is better than Chase, too. After speaking to so many foreign people over the last decade with customer service. Speaking to Americans is amazing.
This post was edited on 5/14 at 6:29 pm
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TigerTatorTots
LSU Fan
The Rec, Middle Courts- retired
Member since Jul 2009
58169 posts
Online
| re: Applying for my first credit card - need advice (Posted on 5/14/12 at 7:18 pm to lsut2005)
Just get a general rewards card, from Chase or Cap One. PAY YOU BILL IN FULL EVERY MONTH!
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