What would be a good first credit card?

[BoringSupreez]

I'm looking to get a credit card so that I can build up credit. I have none at the moment. I'd like a card that has no fees or anything; basically, a credit card that acts like a debit card. I'm not a big spender and don't plan on not paying everything off at the end of each month. Any recommendations?

[Cronozilla]

Sadly, most decent credit cards actually have membership fees and American Express is actually not accepted everywhere largely due to the higher amount the store has to pay for it.

You should stick to the better known companies, American Express (you likely won't qualify), Visa, Master Card. Discover would likely be something you'd want to avoid.

And you might want to consider, instead of applying for a direct card, that you go through a financier. So, maybe like a line of credit from a credit union (yes) or bank (eh). It'll behave like any other credit account, but most don't have the fees that are usually attached and they don't usually have those ridiculous interest rate hikes.

At least as a starting thing.

Whatever you choose, though. Just make sure you don't actually spend differently. Spend as if it's your checking account. You should also make sure to pay it off entirely every month so you don't get interest charges. If you do that for a few years, you'll actually be able to get a much better limit, line of credit, and a MUCH lower interest rate.

Also make sure to read all the fine print. Some can change the interest rate and fees whenever they feel like it and they have no obligation to tell you.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Visa and Master Card are safe and easy bets. I started with an LL Bean Visa at age 21 or so, now I have a regular Visa. My wife has a GM Master Card. These are the only credit cards we use.

Applying online doesn't take long at all.

[Luke]

[dsheinem]

[CRTGAMER]

I'm looking to get a credit card so that I can build up credit. I have none at the moment. I'd like a card that has no fees or anything; basically, a credit card that acts like a debit card. I'm not a big spender and don't plan on not paying everything off at the end of each month. Any recommendations?

Remeber when one had to go thru a tap dance establishing credit? First getting approval with a Sears or Montgomery Wards Charge Cards just to get in the credit door? Now it seems my pet dog can even get a charge card.

Your bank is the best starter option, the Debit Card should already have one of the big name credit companies such as Visa or Mastercard on it unless you opt out. I congratulate you for not having Credit Card bills, a rare occurrence today.

[gtmtnbiker]

See if you can get a rewards card. One nice reward card is www.penfed.org (Pentagon Federal Credit Union). You have to be a credit union member (just open an account online and fund it with $25). They will give you 5,000 points when you make your first purchase (100 points = $1) and 20,000 points if you spend $1000 within 3 months of opening the account which is pretty easy for me to do. The cash back is 1 pt for every $1 spent and 5 pt for $1 of gas or 3 pt for $1 of groceries.

I use this card only for my gas/groceries purchases because of the generous rewards. You know how some gas stations give you a discount if you pay cash? Around here, it's $.10 discount per gallon so $3.80/gal for credit or $3.70/gal for cash. With PenFed, the 5pts reward equates to a $.19 discount so it's cheaper to pay with credit than cash!

I also have a Chase Freedom card that has a nice reward program. Those are my only credit cards.

I will periodically sign up for a new card just to churn for the initial reward offer.

[MrPopo]

The Amazon Visa from Chase is another good rewards card. 3% return on Amazon purchases, 2% on certain purchases (I don't remember the distinction), and 1% on everything else.

[fastbilly1]

Ill second the Amazon Visa. I have a Paypal Mastercard, but it has really high fees and penalties, so I wouldnt suggest it as a first.

[gtmtnbiker]

The Amazon Visa from Chase is another good rewards card.

That was my first rewards card and I still have it but I only use it for Amazon purchases. The Chase Freedom allows you to convert the points into gift cards such as Amazon or get cash back. They periodically have sales (e.g, 2250 points for $25 Amazon card). Go to http://ultimaterewards.com to see your options.