These days, credit cards are used for almost all everyday transactions. Credit cards are the way people pay for everything these days, from buying milk to getting a nose job. Even though credit cards don't completely replace cash, you need one to be able to trade and do business in the modern world. Most of the time, getting a credit card is easy, but sometimes it's hard to get a camel through a needle's eye.
Applying for a major credit card without having had one before or having a credit history makes it much harder to get one. A credit history is needed to figure out if you can pay back what you owe, and it also lets the company that gave you credit figure out what your credit limit should be and how you should pay it back. If you don't have a credit history, companies might be hesitant to give you a credit card. On the other hand, you can't have a credit history if you don't have a credit card. Before this whole thing sounds like a chicken-and-egg argument, here are some honest tips that can help you get a credit card even if you don't have a credit history yet.
Look into other ways to get credit.
Most of the time, it's the big credit card companies that make it hard for people with no credit history to get a card. So, it's up to you to find other credit card options that will help you build up your credit history. Usually, people who don't have a credit card history can get a better deal from a smaller company.
Small credit limits are given out by places like department stores and gas stations. If you get a credit card from a smaller company, keep in mind that your goal is to eventually get a credit card from a big international company. Pay your obligations to smaller credit card companies on time to build a strong credit history.
Credit cards given out by credit unions
Being a member of a credit union has its perks, as these unions give their members credit cards. So, if you are a member of a credit union or meet the requirements to join one, you can get your first credit card and start building your credit card history. Members may find it easy to get a credit union card, but that doesn't mean the union just hands them out to anyone. Again, you should always pay your bills on time.
Try credit cards with a deposit.
Go find moneylenders who are willing to give you a credit card with a credit limit that is the same as or just a little bit more than the amount of cash you put down as security. You might think that this is like cooking in your own fat, but the truth is that you need to build your credit history, and if there are no other ways to do so, secured credit cards are the way to go. At some point, these types of moneylenders will raise your credit limit without asking you to put up more cash as security. After you have built up a good credit history, you may be able to apply for credit cards from big companies.
Major credit card companies will only let you apply for a credit card if you have a good credit history. After you've tried all of the above options, look for a credit card company that will look at your whole credit history and financial situation. If you're lucky, your first credit card will be from a big company.
