New to US Credit Score System

[myjourney]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks all for your input, I was approved for the CAP1 Secured Mastercard. I have made my deposit and its my start towards building my credit. I will read more on this forums and also will try to get a Walmart Store card next. I have read this post http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Veni-Vidi-Vinci-Visa-or-How-to-Master-Your-MasterCard/m-p/9038 and this caught my eye: 4) Here's how to manage CCs: Keep your balance above zero, but less than 10% of your credit limit. There. That's all there is to it.

I will try to follow this advice and maybe in 90 days I could apply for the Newcomer card for CAP1 if all goes ok.

What would you suggest as next step?

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Congrats on the new card wait 6 months use your CITI and CAP1 and then apply for Walmart 

[09Lexie]

Congrats on your approval. You might want to wait until your Cap 1 reports before applying for Walmart. Without knowing your cr score, Walmart usually is good for low- mid 600's.

[stevenngu92]

I believe #4 applies only if you're planning to apply for any cards soon or if you want the highest possible credit score you can get. At this point if i were you, i would just focus on establishing history, so just make sure you pay whatever credit cards you have before the due date. (Ideal is to pay in full, so there is no interest charged)

[Anonymous]

Thanks, my CITI card is not US based. I have had it for 10 years but in US I dont think thats useful. I will follow your advice but should I still wait if I only have that new one CAP1 card?

[myjourney]

Yes wait something else might help you see if citi give you a US card since you have a great history with them already..Walk into a branch office and talk to a rep. but make sure it won't be an HP you don't  need anymore of those!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In your case you want 2 cards reporting to Maximize your credit file..Good luck

[distantarray]

Personally I would.

1. Ask a friend or family who has a long excellent credit history to add you as an authorized user, this will give you a INSTANT high score.

2. Get a US Bank secured card, why? cause they're hard to get in with later and they have some fanastic overlooked cards (wierd reward system, but VERY nice)2

3. Get a DCU Secured card (Free Fico 04 score)

[angelcred10]

Hello Charmlessman !!

From reading everything on your topic here, I'd like to welcome you to the site!

I will not divulge too much information, but I believe I am the one who referred you to the website from my job a few days ago!

If it is you, I'm very happy to see you've gotten that secured card!

If not, ignore that last part!

Good Luck with this first part of the credit journey.

[bs6054]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks, my CITI card is not US based. I have had it for 10 years but in US I dont think thats useful. I will follow your advice but should I still wait if I only have that new one CAP1 card?

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Yes, unfortunately this might be another thing that is unique to Amex.  But ask Citi anyway.

For those interested:

https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/

Amex allows you to transfer "only one card" until you have a local credit history, but even just one is of course a huge help.

[bs6054]

Looks like Citi can help, but only Citigold customers!

https://online.citibank.com/JRS/portal.c?ID=GlobalExpatriate

[mikka1]

Unfortunately, CITI is very unlikely to help.

I have 2 credit cards issued by Citibank Russia with more than 5 years of perfect history and limits of more than $10k in local currency equivalent, but after speaking with several people at Citi here in the US, I realized that in essence they don't care at all about their products issued in other countries.

Unfortunately (and this is not only my conclusion, but also thinking of my colleagues working in different countries of the world) - Citi is HARDLY an international institution in full sense of it - it's more like a franchise overseas with some reciprocal agreements like no-fee cash withdrawal using Citi-branded debit cards around the globe, but that's it. Even if you have an issue with your Citi card issued in country A, a branch manager in country B in 99% of cases will not want or will not be able to help you.

But that's just my experience, would be great if your results are different - maybe I will then give it a second try :-)