Thread: Get a Credit Card With No Credit History

I'm 27 years old trying to get my first credit card so I can start building credit for a house. I have no credit history and was just turned down for a Chase Freedom. I have never taken loan. I pay rent and utilities always on time, but as far as I know this is not on my credit report. I tried getting a credit card from my bank, whom I've had a Checking account open with for over 13 years, but they told me not to bother. I can't risk applying for another card unless I'm sure I can get it. I don't particularly want a card with an annual fee. What are my options?

Getting a credit card with no credit history can be difficult if you are not a college student. I have found that around the ages of 18 to 22 banks are more lenient towards applicants having no credit history but it gets tougher after that. As counterintuitive as it may seem, you may have an easier time getting approved as an 18 year old with no credit history than a 27 year old with no credit history.sf

My recommendations for you would be either of the following routes:

• Secured card - The majority will have guaranteed acceptance assuming you are a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. address. The card is reported in the same manner as if it were a regular unsecured card. Get one and then try re-applying for a starter unsecured card in around 9 months. This would be the easiest way to get a credit card with no credit history but potentially may be more costly due to fees.
  
• Cards for fair credit - This category caters to those with limited credit history and/or bad credit history. Approval is not guaranteed but I'm sure acceptance will be less stringent than the Chase Freedom, which is an upper-tier credit card.

Below you will find Credit Card Forum's sponsored sections on each type:

Best secured credit cards to build credit
Best credit cards for fair credit

I believe either of these routes will be the best way to get approved for a credit card with no credit history.

Good luck,
CreditCardGuru

Are any of the big banks (BOA, Chase, WF) specifically marketing to those with no credit history. if so what are they offering in terms of credit cards? Am thinking of immigrants more than students.

I don't particularly want a card with an annual fee.

If you were turned down by even Chase, than that's pretty bad. Right now things are the worst it's been since the great depression because of the big credit crunch, and it's getting harder by the day for americans to get the type of card you want in your predicament.

Worse comes to worse, just pay the fee before they increase.