What credit card to start with?

[sustyhome]

Hi everyone,

New poster here from California! I've been helping my husband improve his credit and it's now a little over 700. No derogs, about 40k student loans always paid on time for years, but that's it. He has no credit cards, no car loans, no installment loans (except an Affirm for about $500 for a piece of furniture a couple months ago). We have have fairly low rent, and his income is 85k.

He needs a credit card, and I'm wondering what you all suggest. We have no credit union affiliations, and we bank with BofA. We travel quite a bit and travel benefits would be great.

What kind of approvals and CL's do you think he can get?

Thank you! -KS

[IntegerIntrovert]

Start with where he banks, if not the usual, Cap 1, Chase, Amex.

[ElvisCaprice]

yup, BofA has one of the best rewards programs of all the bank issuers.  Especially if you have investments, like an IRA with Merrill Lynch.  A $100k portfolio will get you the best.  See my signature for BofA.

[Debt-is-a-Scam]

Definitely check with BofA to see what they recommend first. Any secured card would be a great start too. And/or the Bilt Mastercard as well. Usually they have a minimum SL of $1,000, but they also go off of DTI as well.

[FicoMike0]

Boa would be a good place to start. Capone might be another. I'd suggest going with preapproval, no point in a hard pull for a reject. Since they have "apply with confidence" he might try amex. Probably won't approve for first card, but no penalty to try.