Credit Card advice?

[sillyspook13]

I'm currently looking to get my first credit card! But with all the options these days, which one is right for me?

I would like something with no annual fee, and rewards are a plus. :animwink:

 

[MerHearted]

Disney Visa?

 

[The_CEO]

I personally wouldn't suggest getting a credit card unless you are able to make the payments on time. But if you would have to pick one, try Visa. You can use it worldwide.

 

[Woody13]

It would be best to check with whichever financial institution you use for a checking and savings account. Often, banks and credit unions will offer incentives for their members on MasterCard and Visa accounts. I am a member of a credit union and I get significant cash back savings on my MasterCard account. I can also use the Internet to transfer money from my checking or savings account to pay off my monthly credit card expenditures.

P.S. As The_CEO said, you should never charge more than you can pay off in full each month!

 

[wdwishes2005]

I'm currently looking to get my first credit card! But with all the options these days, which one is right for me?

I would like something with no annual fee, and rewards are a plus. :animwink:

uh none......

 

[maelstrom]

Look into getting a Capital One Visa. That was my first credit card, which I got a year ago, at age 18 and a half. The limit is only $300, but hey. I also recently got a Chase Visa with a $300 limit. And gas credit cards. I've got Exxon and Sunoco, and had offers from Shell and Citgo as well.

I got denied the Disney Visa, any type of Discover card (you have to make $20k/year or be a student at a 4-year uni [apparently 2-year doesn't count, grr] to get any Discover card), and every store credit card (Old Navy, Filene's, etc).

 

[sillyspook13]

It would be best to check with whichever financial institution you use for a checking and savings account. Often, banks and credit unions will offer incentives for their members on MasterCard and Visa accounts. I am a member of a credit union and I get significant cash back savings on my MasterCard account. I can also use the Internet to transfer money from my checking or savings account to pay off my monthly credit card expenditures.

P.S. As The_CEO said, you should never charge more than you can pay off in full each month!

I checked with mine. it didn't offer anything out of the ordinary.

I'm only planning on using the card for a few things *coughwdwmagicmembershipcough* that I can't use $$ to pay for. A $300 limit is likely much more than I'll ever buy with a credit card.

 

[Woody13]

I checked with mine. it didn't offer anything out of the ordinary.

I'm only planning on using the card for a few things *coughwdwmagicmembershipcough* that I can't use $$ to pay for. A $300 limit is likely much more than I'll ever buy with a credit card.

In that case, it might be better for you to get a debit card. :wave:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I can't believe you aren't deluged with offers in the mail.

Assuming that you won't let yourself get into credit card trouble, get a card with no annual fee. It is ridiculous to pay a fee when so many of them don't have one.

Get one that has rewards you can/will use. Airline miles are fun, but will your schedule allow you to travel? I am partial to the cold hard cash that Discover gives me.

Disney rewards are great if you will be able to use them. If you live a plane ride away from a park, your trips may be somewhat limited. IMHO, the "perks" of the Disney Visa are nearly worthless. (Criminey!! I live in Kansas--my chances of using a discount to see Lion King on Broadway are less than zero).

That said, I have a Disney Visa which I use for the very few times I can't use Discover. When I have I trip planned I use the Disney card exclusively to rack up points.

 

[FutureCEO]

capitol one is best for a first credit card user (me). Word to the wise: Do not be like other Americans and spend more than what you have

 

[sillyspook13]

I can't believe you aren't deluged with offers in the mail.

Assuming that you won't let yourself get into credit card trouble, get a card with no annual fee. It is ridiculous to pay a fee when so many of them don't have one.

Get one that has rewards you can/will use. Airline miles are fun, but will your schedule allow you to travel? I am partial to the cold hard cash that Discover gives me.

Disney rewards are great if you will be able to use them. If you live a plane ride away from a park, your trips may be somewhat limited. IMHO, the "perks" of the Disney Visa are nearly worthless. (Criminey!! I live in Kansas--my chances of using a discount to see Lion King on Broadway are less than zero).

That said, I have a Disney Visa which I use for the very few times I can't use Discover. When I have I trip planned I use the Disney card exclusively to rack up points.

I agree with what you said!

I'm looking for no annual fee and rewards that I can use. I originally looked at the Southwest card, but the fee is $60!

I was told to get a Disney Visa, but I'm not sure how much I would actually need the rewards (working for Disney).

I've been looking at student credit cards. One that I found gives reward points pre dollar spent, plus a monthly bonus for each bill paid ontime (incentive to build good credit) and a bonus after each semester for good grades (Dean's list..... No problem!). I've also been looking at the Amazon.com card.

 

[The_CEO]

But see Silly, with that Secured Visa, * Student Card * you need to put x amount of money in savings so it covers it. So it is easier to just get a debit card and get it straight from your account.

 

[Debbie]

I'd also read the book Good Credit is Sexy by Kristy Welsh . It is very imformative, and even has sample letters in the back in which to refer to if you ever have a problem with different situations.
One thing about a debit I didn't realize (as I don't have one): Three weeks ago, my sister and her husband, in laws, and my nephew, flew to Anchorage to attend my brother-in-law's son's high school graduation. Upon landing at midnight in Anchorage, she went to get the rental car, and was told that although she reserved it with the card she presented; they do not accept debit cards. She blew a gasket, as she should have been told this at reservation time. Luckily, the in laws had a CREDIT card. The next morning she showed up at the rental place and told them to stick their car up their *&^%&. She went to the next counter where they cheerfully accepted a Visa debit.

 

[crazycalf]

I was told to get a Disney Visa, but I'm not sure how much I would actually need the rewards (working for Disney).

Castmembers can use the disney rewards. You get a reward card that you can use in the parks like a credit card. Anytime you want to eat somewhere or buy something, you can use the card with your discount.

 

[daddyphat808]

One word..... Don't do it! I did and after paying off $20,000 of debt that I had from when I was 18 at the age of 30. I realized it was a bad idea.

Check this out.

http://www.daveramsey.com/

I followed his plan and payed of the debt.

Remember it all started with my "First" card.

 

[sillyspook13]

One word..... Don't do it! I did and after paying off $20,000 of debt that I had from when I was 18 at the age of 30. I realized it was a bad idea.

Check this out.

http://www.daveramsey.com/

I followed his plan and payed of the debt.

Remember it all started with my "First" card.

One of my sisters has worked nearly every day, often two shifts in one day, since she returned from maternity leave to pay off her debt.

I've learned from her mistakes. I only plan on using the card as needed (maybe one small online purchase per month or two average) or as backup when I can't reach the atm. I have plenty of money saved up, and I never spend more than what I can afford. I've always been very frugal with my money.

 

[The_CEO]

Then you have nothing to worry about !

 

[crazycalf]

If you want to build a good credit score, you need to get credit cards and make the payments.

Don't listen to these people saying not to do it.

Be responsible and don't buy things on a credit card that you can't afford to pay for at the end of the month.

If you ever want a car loan or a mortgage, you need a good credit score to get a good intrest rate. And credit cards get you free stuff anyway.

 

[celticdog]

Look for a card that will give you cash back.

Capital One: With the Miles One card card you earn points that can be used for an airline ticket, various gift certificates or they will send you a check. Plus the rates are very low.

Chase Disney Visa: you earn points toward a gift/debit card that can be used at WDW, DL or any Disney store. Plus there are assorted specials and discounts toward vacations, figurines, shopping, etc.

 

[Laura]

I think the worst decision anyone can make is getting a credit card. Seriously. Use a debit card instead. The only reason someone uses a credit card is because they want something and they want it NOW whether they have the money for it or not.

If you can make it through life without ever using a credit card you'll be a very responsible and wealthy person. And you'll also have a ton of maturity for being able to hold off on purchasing something until you can afford it.

I got my first card at age 16. It had like a $400 limit on it and I was very responsible with it. But over time the limit went up and up and I started getting a case of the "gimmies" and started buying things I shouldn't have. You'll always justify it saying "but I'll pay it off next month when I get some money" but then next month comes and you'd rather do something more fun with the money than pay off the card.

It's a horrible cycle to be in. Don't EVER EVER get a credit card! It's a one way ticket to disaster. I'm hoping that within 3 years I will have all mine paid off and then they're going in the trash. From then on it will be DEBIT CARDS ONLY!