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Best student credit card?

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OmarGB9
Community Leader
Super Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@disdreamin wrote:

@simplynoir wrote:

@disdreamin wrote:

I tried posting a new thread about this a short while ago and since the mod pointed me to this thread for information, I guess I'll ask here whether there are any additional suggestions for a first card - specifically not Disco or AmEx. The Apple suggestion above is out (not iOS user), and no in with Navy. The suggestions to try Chase seem to have been shot down by later posts, so basically I'm hoping for more suggestions.


May I ask why Discover and AMEX are taken out of consideration? For young/thin files they are good starter cards to begin with

 

In any case if those are out of contention then other options could be Capital One's Quicksilver cards or secured cards like the ones Bank of America, US Bank and Capital One if you want themt to start their own credit history


Both AmEx and Discover have limited utility in that some small businesses don't accept them, and the student is already AU on a BCP for the time being (and I have a bad history with Disco so I'm completely biased against them). Widening the options as far as card choices seems wisest, though, rather than doubling up on AmEx. I mistakenly thought Quicksilver One was an AF card, so I'll definitely look into that card - I have no experience whatsoever with Capital One.


The QS One is an AF card. The plain QS (no One after it) is the one WITHOUT an AF.


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Message 11 of 19
HeavenOhio
Senior Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?

@disdreamin, if you're uncomfortable with Discover, go for something else. We often recommend them as an early card because the secured card can often be obtained with no credit at all. And the unsecured cards are frequently obtainable with a very thin credit file.

 

AMEX usually requires a bit of history before they'll issue a card. You have a shot of your file is clean, you don't have a pile of young accounts, and your oldest account is maybe 9 months old.

 

I agree with prioritizing Mastercard and Visa products. But there are times that Discover and AMEX can be a great fit in the credit building process. Grabbing one of the two early on can make sense. The other can be obtained (if desired) once one's file has thickened a bit.

 

If you're going for Capital One products, aim for the Secured Mastercard, the Platinum Mastercard, or the Journey Student card. Skip the QuicksilverOne and its annual fee. The better Capital One cards will become obtainable with a bit of history.

Message 12 of 19
SouthJamaica
Mega Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@MileHigh96 wrote:

My daughter just recently turned 18 and she's had her part-time job for over a year now.  We started her early with a checking and savings account and a debit card to teach her how to be financially responsible (she has more money in savings than I do lol).  My DW added her as an AU on her Kohl's charge account about 6 months ago or so.  She has been amazingly responsible with everything.

 

So we think she's ready for the next step in building her credit so that when she's ready to move out after she graduates that she will be much farther ahead than either I or DW was when we were her age.  My question is, there are A LOT of student credit cards out there for beginners just starting out in the credit world.  Does anyone have recommendations that they have either dealt with personally or know about that are worth having her apply for?  We're looking from prime-type cards, we don't want her to get any predatory type cards.

 

TIA!


My advice would be to start out with a good credit union.


Total revolving limits 587500 (521k reporting) FICO 8: EQ 706 TU 714 EX 721

Message 13 of 19
disdreamin
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@OmarGB9 wrote:

@disdreamin wrote:

@simplynoir wrote:

@disdreamin wrote:

I tried posting a new thread about this a short while ago and since the mod pointed me to this thread for information, I guess I'll ask here whether there are any additional suggestions for a first card - specifically not Disco or AmEx. The Apple suggestion above is out (not iOS user), and no in with Navy. The suggestions to try Chase seem to have been shot down by later posts, so basically I'm hoping for more suggestions.


May I ask why Discover and AMEX are taken out of consideration? For young/thin files they are good starter cards to begin with

 

In any case if those are out of contention then other options could be Capital One's Quicksilver cards or secured cards like the ones Bank of America, US Bank and Capital One if you want themt to start their own credit history


Both AmEx and Discover have limited utility in that some small businesses don't accept them, and the student is already AU on a BCP for the time being (and I have a bad history with Disco so I'm completely biased against them). Widening the options as far as card choices seems wisest, though, rather than doubling up on AmEx. I mistakenly thought Quicksilver One was an AF card, so I'll definitely look into that card - I have no experience whatsoever with Capital One.


The QS One is an AF card. The plain QS (no One after it) is the one WITHOUT an AF.


Well that's wild. When I checked the student cards offered, I didn't see where any of them showed AF's. Alrighty then, I guess it's time to go and read more (or perhaps more carefully). Thank you.

Message 14 of 19
Hex
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?

I was looking at the Capital One Website today and saw they were offering student cards. They even have a Savor card for students. 

https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/preapprove/student/?n=1&external_id=WWW_XXXXX_ZZZ_ONL-SE_BBB... 

Message 15 of 19
Anonymalous
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@disdreamin wrote:

I tried posting a new thread about this a short while ago and since the mod pointed me to this thread for information, I guess I'll ask here whether there are any additional suggestions for a first card - specifically not Disco or AmEx. The Apple suggestion above is out (not iOS user), and no in with Navy. The suggestions to try Chase seem to have been shot down by later posts, so basically I'm hoping for more suggestions.


The regular Chase cards are out, but if you're a student, the Chase Freedom student version should be fine. The rewards are only okay, but it's one of the few student cards with a sign up bonus, plus they give an annual bonus for good grades.

 

https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/student

Message 16 of 19
Anonymalous
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@disdreamin wrote:

Well that's wild. When I checked the student cards offered, I didn't see where any of them showed AF's. Alrighty then, I guess it's time to go and read more (or perhaps more carefully). Thank you.


There are at least 4 Quicksilver cards, the regular Quicksilver (requires low end of excellent credit), the Quicksilver for good credit (same as the regular QS, but no sign up bonus), the Quicksilver One (annual fee), and the Quicksilver for students (no fee, no SUB). Capital One's lineup can get a bit confusing, but since you're looking for a student card, you can narrow it down to the 3 cards in the link @Hex provided. Try the pre-approval tool.

Message 17 of 19
disdreamin
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@Anonymalous wrote:


The regular Chase cards are out, but if you're a student, the Chase Freedom student version should be fine. The rewards are only okay, but it's one of the few student cards with a sign up bonus, plus they give an annual bonus for good grades.

 

https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/student


I was completely unaware of that, thank you. I think I'll see if my student wants to drop in to a Chase branch while they are home over the holiday to see if they can assist with applying. I'm thinking they might want to have a banking relationship with the bank their cc is through so they can set up autopay from an account at the same institution (either push or pull). I'll also suggest inquiring at our CU if they prefer, since they already have deposit accounts there.

Message 18 of 19
Anonymalous
Valued Contributor

Re: Best student credit card?


@disdreamin wrote:

@Anonymalous wrote:


The regular Chase cards are out, but if you're a student, the Chase Freedom student version should be fine. The rewards are only okay, but it's one of the few student cards with a sign up bonus, plus they give an annual bonus for good grades.

 

https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/freedom/student


I was completely unaware of that, thank you. I think I'll see if my student wants to drop in to a Chase branch while they are home over the holiday to see if they can assist with applying. I'm thinking they might want to have a banking relationship with the bank their cc is through so they can set up autopay from an account at the same institution (either push or pull). I'll also suggest inquiring at our CU if they prefer, since they already have deposit accounts there.


If your student want to set up an account with Chase, there's a $100 bonus for a new customer opening a college savings account, with fairly easy qualifying criteria:

https://www.chase.com/personal/checking/student-checking

 

Should be available in the branch, as well.

Message 19 of 19
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