Best credit building card?

[kball64]

Gfxmom, please be careful with subprime card offers that have high AF's.  $150 is just crazy. There are many horror stories on these boards about them.  When my scores were all in the low 500's, I got a secured card with National City.  They ran a credit check but it was only to verify my name, address.  The minimum deposit is $200 and the AF is $36 (charged $3 mthly).  I had the card for a few mths and once I was able to get approved for some better cards, I just cancelled it.  Also, do you belong to a credit union?  They are very lenient with their members. 

Good luck!!

[creditwize]

I was approved for an HSBC Platinum MC with a $300 CL and 14.9% apr with FICO scores in the 500. AF is $59. You may want to check their pre-approval site to see if you qualify for any of their cards. They will do a soft pull for the pre-qual and then if you decide to apply, they will hard pull. I checked my credit reports when I got approved, and it looks like they are pulling from Experian. Here's the link: https://www.hsbcapply.com/

I am using this to get some open TL and to increase my score. When my score gets in the mid 600s, I will try to apply for some other cards.

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know if the Household Bank secured Mastercard upgrades to an unsecured one and how long? It is the only secured card that offers %2 cash back and a not-too-bad of an APR too.

Message Edited by workmywayup on 07-29-2008 02:23 PM

[tri3nity]

I have been trying to get an answer to this question myself. No one seems to have the answer.

[Anonymous]

Household Bank is HSBC.  As a rule, HSBC-issued secured cards a la Orchard Bank and Household Bank don't graduate, at least not for a long, long time.