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My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

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Anonymous
Not applicable

My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

I'm going to help him get started with credit and wondered where he should apply for his first credit card that isn't secured?
Message 1 of 16
15 REPLIES 15
android01
Valued Contributor

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

I'm thinking that you should try to get a CC from the bank he or your family do business with.  There is the possible benefit of an existing relationship if he has been responsible financially with a checking/ debit card account. 

EQ Fico 8 - 850
TU Fico 8 - 850
EX Fico 8 - 850
Message 2 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?


@android01 wrote:

I'm thinking that you should try to get a CC from the bank he or your family do business with.  There is the possible benefit of an existing relationship if he has been resposible financially with a checking/ debit card account. 


+1

Message 3 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

He banks at chase and I don't think chase will give him a credit card with no score.
Message 4 of 16
crunching_numbers
Valued Contributor

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

I recently added both of my kids as AU's on my BCP. This way they will start to grow a history with AMEX. Because they are under 18 (DS is 17 and DD is 16), their cards do not backdate, but show 2012 as member since dates (at least I think that is why they do not backdate). There is the added bonus of sending them to get things at the grocery for me or to fill up the gas tank, and not needing cash to give them. You can establish limits individually on the cards and there is no AF for the added cards.

 

Since he is 18, student version on cards would probably be appropriate as well.


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Message 5 of 16
bribro
Valued Contributor

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

Not sure if this happens anymore, but when I was in college a few years ago they had bank kiosks on campus trying to get students to app for credit cards. That's how I ended up with a Citi Dividend Student Card, which has evolved into a Citi Dividend World Elite Card.

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Message 6 of 16
android01
Valued Contributor

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?


@Anonymous wrote:
He banks at chase and I don't think chase will give him a credit card with no score.

It may be worth a try, you never know!  i'd apply in person though, maybe with you there too.  

EQ Fico 8 - 850
TU Fico 8 - 850
EX Fico 8 - 850
Message 7 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

When I turned 18 I applied to every company, the only company to accept me was Discover. This was a little over 2 years ago. 

 

Edit: This was for the Discover More Student Card

Message 8 of 16
webhopper
Moderator Emeritus

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

I got my discover when I was a student... The student Discover is great Smiley Happy 

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Message 9 of 16
Crashem
Valued Contributor

Re: My son is turning 18 where should he apply for 1st cc?

New card laws make student cards harder to get unlike when I was 18. Must be in college and have income. Do you have any cards with good history on them. Best bet is to add him as au on them. Wait 6 months and find issuer who looks at au accounts and apply then. Also cap one for newcomers is good. Local credit unions. Last option is secured card. But do not just apply. Do your research
               LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
Message 10 of 16
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