Category: Daily Living
I'm in the US, and I'm considering getting a credit card so that I can improve my rather nonexistent credit score. Without revealing to much, I'm probably the same as the average person in their mid to late twenties with a degree and a technical job.
What have been your experiences, good and bad, with credit card websites and accessibility? Are there any features that you were unable to access? Were you able to access all information pertaining to recent charges?
My plan is to get one card with the highest possible credit limit given my situation and stick with it for a while, so I'd like to avoid trying a few until I find one that is accessible.
Thank you very much for your comments.
As far as a company that has accessible statements, My credit card is attached to my checking account. It is accessible.
Now for the irony, I tried to get a premium membership on the zone and it directed me to google checkout, which I was not able to navigate, the audio clip would never play, so I couldn't finish the transaction.
That might be off topic, but, ya
I, like Thom, have my credit card linked to my checking account. If you go that route, at least in my experiences...
You'll probably get a card with a low credit limit, and a high interest rate, which won't matter if it's paid off promplly. After a while, you'll be upgraded.
As far as accessibility:
My bank allows either on-line or telephone management of accounts, and the web site is quite accessible.
I have a debit card currently, which is attached to my checking account. My understanding is that these aren't really credit cards in a true sense, since the companies don't extend credit, so they don't help your credit score.
That's correct. But in a lot of cases, the bank that provides you your checking account can also issue you a credit card, which you can link to your checking account (for payoffs and the like).
That's true, Chris. Check with your local bank and see if you can get a secured or small unsecured personal loan. That youls be a good way, with a lower interest rate
As someone who doesn't have her own credit card, but manages bills for someone who does, I can tell you, that most of the credit card companies end up tied in with each other, due to buy outs and the like.
I think the main companies are bank of america, capital one, and Chase. I have generally found all of these sites to be accessible. Personally, I like to deal with the cards that allow free access and payment both by phone, and online. I know for a fact that Chase is this way, I'm not sure if the others allow free payment by phone or not.
Chris,
I would recommend that you look at your local credit union for a credit card. One major setback is that they will start you with the lowest credit line available, which should be $500, but as you pay your bill on time and call them up six to eight months later they will increase your credit line for you. Most credit unions will give you a very low APR which starts at 1.9%.
If rather go with an unlimited spending limit you should consider the American Express Gold Reward card. However, you have to pay all of it back when it is due.
Nite
I wouldn't get a credit card. You can build your credit in other ways, such as paying your rent on time or early every month if you rent.
no credit cards here. they persuade me to spend more money.
I have a viza debit which I have subsituted for a credit card when shopping or for example on the zone when I bought my membership I put in my debit card even though it wanted a credit card and it went through. My banks website is bobby approved so it is accessible.
Troy
Hello,
I am younger than most of you and did with my paren'ts permission and much counelling from them get a credit card.
Got it from Bank of America, and have a $700.00 limit which is quite good as I've no previous credit and had only had my checking account wiht them for six months before applying.
Site is very accessible, and payment by phone and online is free.
Interest rate may or may not be high.
HTH,
Shanda