How did you get your very first credit card?

smoothjk · ‎07-15-2008

I'm kind of curious how people usually get started on credit. For me, I was a 2nd year in college when my parents opened one up for me. It was a plain black MBNA MC with either a $300 or $500 limit. Since then, it has been my go-to card for over 8 years, and it has grown considerably.

How did you get your first?

FICO (06/17/08): TU 691 - EQ 642 - EX 638 - Util 64%
FICO (07/23/08): TU 698 - EQ 653 - EX 644 - Util 50%
FICO (02/04/09): TU 694 - EQ 668 - EX 654 - Util 43%
FICO (05/18/09): TU 687 - EQ 675 - EX n/a - Util 39%
FICO (03/09/10): TU 666 - EQ: 691 - EX 644 - Util 54%
IDGuard (2/8/12): TU 690 - EQ: 710 - EX 710 - Util 72%
FICO (03/13/12): EQ: 696 (87% revolving to limits)

Client9 · ‎07-15-2008

I was 18 and I had to start buying my own clothes. My mom always had a Nordstrom card, so I got one as well. I still have the original card they gave me, but I did get the new card because the bumpy numbers had worn off the original card. I believe I had a $400 CL. It is now $3500 now with just $35 reporting now. I have never been late with it either!

mrlimo · ‎07-15-2008

I was shopping at a sears store and applied for their store card, next was an EXXON store card. Both were obtained within the same week. just after I turned 18.

Message Edited by mrlimo on 07-15-2008 10:09 AM

FretlessMayhem · ‎07-15-2008

I ended up getting a jewelry store credit card to get an ex GF some bling for xmas. It started at $200, but now is up to $5000 8 years later.

Here we go again...

mrlimo · ‎07-15-2008

at $200 dollar limit, I guess there was not alot of Bling. hehe

FretlessMayhem · ‎07-15-2008

@mrlimo wrote:
at $200 dollar limit, I guess there was not alot of Bling. hehe

It was to me at 19 years old!

Here we go again...

smoothjk · ‎07-15-2008

Actually, that leads me to another question...

If someone has ZERO credit history, applies for a new card, and is approved, what would that person's credit score be at that moment? After a few months of timely payments?

I wonder if there is kind of a default starting score. =) Why am I so curious today?

FICO (06/17/08): TU 691 - EQ 642 - EX 638 - Util 64%
FICO (07/23/08): TU 698 - EQ 653 - EX 644 - Util 50%
FICO (02/04/09): TU 694 - EQ 668 - EX 654 - Util 43%
FICO (05/18/09): TU 687 - EQ 675 - EX n/a - Util 39%
FICO (03/09/10): TU 666 - EQ: 691 - EX 644 - Util 54%
IDGuard (2/8/12): TU 690 - EQ: 710 - EX 710 - Util 72%
FICO (03/13/12): EQ: 696 (87% revolving to limits)

Anonymous · ‎07-15-2008

Suntrust (where I had my checking account) wouldn't give me even a $500 card for gas when I was in college, so I got a Discover instead- and switched banks. I don't remember what limit I had to start, but it was well over $500.

I didn't realize until recently that Discover was supposed to be hard to get! They've been good to me, though.

-MsMS

jmbfl · ‎07-15-2008

Depends how long ago it was. $200 would get you some decent bling 30 years ago...

FretlessMayhem · ‎07-15-2008

@smoothjk wrote:
Actually, that leads me to another question...

If someone has ZERO credit history, applies for a new card, and is approved, what would that person's credit score be at that moment? After a few months of timely payments?

I wonder if there is kind of a default starting score. =) Why am I so curious today?

It takes about 6 months of reporting to generate a score I recall correctly.

Here we go again...