There is really no harm in trying for the Apple Card if that makes sense for you, as it's a bit unique in its application process.
For Amex, they certainly can be an option but it's quite rare that they end up being one's first credit card these days (more common 30+ years ago). The worst thing that can happen is they say no and you get a hard inquiry that is wasted. You definitely don't want to get a lot of those right now, but it's a gamble you will take with most lending products.
With Amex there are two misconceptions you may have, however. Your status as an authorized user will have absolutely zero bearing on your acceptance as a primary member other than its contribution to any Experian FICO 8 credit score which may be available for you. Otherwise, you are completely unknown to Amex. Also, since you were added to the card after 2015, you will not have inherited the full account history on your credit reports (assuming that the account is present at all on them, which you have not been able to verify - it's quite possible that this account is not appearing on your reports) and instead the card will have been reported with an opening date equal to the date in which you were issued an authorized user account. This is unique to American Express as almost all other lenders will attribute the entire account history and opening date to AUs.
@Anonymous wrote:I just had my 18th birthday this week and I plan to take a very active role in my future financial health. While I have no reason to suspect malfeasance, I definitely want to monitor/build my credit. Currently, my credit history consists of me as an authorized user on an Amex with 16 years of history with 0 derogatory marks during that time. That ~should~ be the only credit history I should have. I have been an authorized user for the past 2 years, purchases only consisting of Xbox Live. I pay this in full on autopay. I looked when Amex first reports for Auth Users and it is actually today. I know there is no rush but I definitely want to get copies of my credit reports from the 3 bureaus. What platform would you recommend for monitoring my credit? My mother uses Mint and has had no issues with it ever but I know there is credit karma but I have heard that they can show incorrect/inflated scores. I tried to sign up with Experian, Credit Karma, and AnnualCreditReport. All 3 could not give a score or a report. Credit karma "can not give a score" so I can't sign up. So I tried Experian directly, they just throw an error message and say to check back later. Transunion on ACR says there is no report. Equifax on ACR same thing, no report. Experian on ACR needs to verify my identity. So kinda stuck in limbo for checking report/score.
Shifting gears, I know there is no rush at all but I want a good start. I have been considering a credit card in my name only. While I know I am unlikely to qualify for an unsecured card, I have looked at secured cards, specifically the Capital One Secured and Discover Secured. I have a feeling I won’t qualify for the Discover Student cards even though I would like to. Someone also recommended the Apple Card because I have a significant relationship with Apple(11 years and $15k+ in purchases) and because they use household income(not just mine). I don't think I would qualify though because I don't have enough history. I have a consistent small-medium income to support a card. However, verifying this may difficult as most of it is cash or not in my name. Luckily, I have a large savings account but I know this won’t count as income for an application. Knowing that I would likely get a credit limit of $200 or less on a Cap1 /Discover, I plan to only put Spotify premium on the card which will be auto-paid. What are your thoughts, ideas, tip, tricks, opinions on my situation?
My advice would be:
1. Wait until FICO scores start showing for you.
2. If they''re > 700 go for an unsecured card; if less go for a secured card.
3. Join a credit union.
