What would be a good first credit card?

[markeconrad]

The Blue Cash from AmEX is good if you are spending a decent amount on it like a couple together would. Once you spend $6500, you get 5% back on gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases. 1.75 on everything else. No annual fee. Pretty nice...

I wasn't approved right off the bat as I had no credit either, so I just got some random card from my bank with no fee, and after a half year or so, applied for the AmEx with no prob.

[J T]

Check your APR. If you have a high APR, you will pay out the nose if you ever pay anything less than the total bill or if you are late on a payment. Only make purchases on a high APR card if you know that you can pay it all off at the end of the month.

Rewards are great, and like free money. I also use an Amazon Visa, like others. It's best for Amazon purchases, but an all-around good card. You can also choose to get cash instead of Amazon points, which is always the better deal because you get triple points for using your credit card, not for using your points.

I have a Kroger personal finance card as well because most of my expenses are for groceries, and I get more reward points for buying groceries at Fred Meyer or QFC (both owned by Kroger).

I used to have an American Express Blue Cash card, but they eventually wanted to charge a fee, so I backed out. They were real good for awhile though. I got a lot of cash back from them.

The main thing is don't be stupid- always pay off your credit card bills if possible. Credit card debt is a bitch. That's a drug you don't want to mess with.

[Hazerd]

Go with a Visa from a Credit Union, best bet imo.

[Phades]

Cash all the way

If it's worth buying, it's worth saving up for.

[BoringSupreez]

Cash all the way

If it's worth buying, it's worth saving up for.

There are some things one needs to have a good credit rating for. Sadly, not everything can be done with cash alone. I agree with your sentiment, but I wasn't wanting the card so that I could spend money I don't have. As I said in the OP, I plan to treat it like a debit card.

[Ziggy]

Cash all the way

If it's worth buying, it's worth saving up for.

There are some things one needs to have a good credit rating for. Sadly, not everything can be done with cash alone. I agree with your sentiment, but I wasn't wanting the card so that I could spend money I don't have. As I said in the OP, I plan to treat it like a debit card.

In addition to straight up needing credit for some things (because I doubt your gonna pay cash if you ever go to buy a house) it's also nice to have interest free financing options. A lot of places offer this. I never have several hundred dollars to buy something. But getting 12 months no interest (for example) to pay off a purchase is doable.

Others have suggested the Amazon/Chase Visa. When I had no credit, this was the only one I was able to get approved for. I applied for credit cards and store cards here and there and kept getting denied. The Amazon Visa was the only one that approved me.

[BurningDoom]

If you just want to build up credit, I'd advise joining a Credit Union. I'm a member of one, and it works just like bank, but it builds your credit at the same time just for having an account. The only catch is, at mine at least, is that you HAVE to have a Savings Account, and there HAS to be at least $25 in it all times. Not a big catch.

[Xeogred]

Hate to burst some bubbles here, but I wasn't approved for the Amazon card which I was hoping for. I have no credit, so online might be harder to get nowadays or something. Maybe others will have better luck though. I think I'm just going to get a Best Buy card to start out with.

[MrPopo]

Cash all the way

If it's worth buying, it's worth saving up for.

There are some things one needs to have a good credit rating for. Sadly, not everything can be done with cash alone. I agree with your sentiment, but I wasn't wanting the card so that I could spend money I don't have. As I said in the OP, I plan to treat it like a debit card.

In the 10+ years I've had a credit card I've never carried a balance. Having a credit card is useful for reasons such as building credit, online transactions, and fraud protection. If you have a wallet full of cash it's easy to get robbed. With a credit card from a decent company if any fraudulent purchases are made you can get the charges reversed and not have to worry. And there's the sheer convenience of paying $37.42 with a swipe and a sign vs. dealing with bills and change.

[Phades]

Cash all the way

If it's worth buying, it's worth saving up for.

There are some things one needs to have a good credit rating for. Sadly, not everything can be done with cash alone. I agree with your sentiment, but I wasn't wanting the card so that I could spend money I don't have. As I said in the OP, I plan to treat it like a debit card.

Just giving you crap, thus the wink. Sorry, I obviously failed......

I agree with you actually. My wife and I have an American Express that we basically deduct the amount we charge on it from our checking ledger. Then when the bill comes we just write a check and don't have to think about it. If you can swing it, I highly recommend Amex because of the free extended warranty on many purchases. It's a pretty great perk. If you have a Costco membership and shop there regularly at all, the Costco one is a great deal.