you are able to get the legal right to a credit card when you reach 18 however, it’s not as straightforward for teens to obtain a credit card the first time as it used to be. This is because Congress adopted a law that required credit card companies to ensure that young adults who aren’t yet 21 have enough income to cover an account balance. If not, the young person must get an additional co-signer.
Find a job
The income requirements for credit cards extend over the age of young adults. Anyone who wants to apply for a credit card, whether old or young, must be able to prove that they have enough income to be eligible regardless of having excellent credit. The rules do not specify an exact amount of income you’ll require to be able to qualify however credit card companies have their individual (non-disclosed) rules that differ according to the credit card you choose to use.
If you’re rejected for a loan, and the reason is that you don’t earn enough to be considered eligible, you’ll receive an acknowledgment letter outlining the reason why you were rejected.
Find a Co-signer
If you’re unable to get credit by yourself, an alternative is to ask someone over 21 to sign the application for a credit card. The co-signer must meet the criteria for both of you in order to be approved. After approval, both you and your co-signer become jointly accountable for the balance of the credit card even if only one of you is using the card. The way you manage your joint credit card will influence the credit history of the cosigner and vice the reverse.
If one of the cardholders is not responsible when it comes to the credit card in question, all your credit histories could be affected. This is why cosigners are advised not to cosign.
Get someone else to create an authorized user on their Credit Card
As the approved user is like using a joint credit card with co-signers. However, when you’re an authorized consumer you aren’t legally accountable for the amount. However, the payment history will appear on your credit file and will later aid you in getting an identity card if the issuer has a credit scoring model which considers authorized users.
You can try a secure credit card
If you’re earning enough to qualify for the credit, however, your credit history is preventing you from being approved, you should consider the secured credit card. This kind of credit card requires a cash payment to secure the limit of credit. While you’ve put up a deposit you’re still responsible for payments to balance that you build up. The deposit will only be utilized when you are in default on your credit card account and don’t get rid of the delinquency by yourself.
Based on the credit card issuer, your card could be converted into an ordinary credit card when you are able to manage it.
Go Prepaid
A Prepaid credit card isn’t a credit card in the sense that you’re not extended credit lines It won’t aid to build credit however, you aren’t able to purchase anything unless there’s an unpaid balance on the card. But, if you simply require a card that functions as a credit card (for example, to pay for hotels or rent a car, or purchase gas in the gas station) then a prepaid credit card is a great option. There aren’t any conditions for income or credit. You’ll need to make a payment in order to activate the card and then you’ll need to load with more cash after exhausting the cash balance.
Although you’re old enough to obtain a credit card when you’re 18 years old, you might not be ready if not punctual and you’re often out of cash before the next payday, or you constantly overdraw your bank account. If you’re accountable with your money and know how to control your spending and fulfill your obligations, then are you on the correct path?
What age should you be to apply for a credit card?
At least 21 years old to be eligible for a credit card issued with your own name and without a co-signer. If you’re younger than 21 you have to be able to prove that you can independently pay for the expenses of the credit card you own. If you’re not able to do this and you’re not yet 21 years old, you’ll need to make an application for a line with an adult with the appropriate financial and credit history to be eligible.
The law requires an ongoing source of income in order to be eligible for a credit card. You must have an income that is steady and reliable to be able to pay any charges that you incur on your credit card and stay out of financial debt from your credit card.
When you’re applying for that first credit card choose an account that’s specifically targeted to students or a retailer credit card. They will more often accept you even if you’ve not used a credit or debit card and might not have any credit background. It is possible to get a Student credit card using the income from work or money from your parents or other kinds that provide financial assistance.
Another alternative is a secured credit card that requires a deposit to the limit of credit of the account. The amount of credit you can get is usually equivalent to the Security deposit. You’ll get the amount back once the account is closed, or it’s converted into an unsecured card after a few months of responsible usage.
A Credit Card for those who are under the 18
It is possible to get a credit card for a person who is younger than 18 if a person who is an adult name the card as an authorized user of your credit card. When you’re an authorized buyer you’ll get a card bearing your name on it which you are able to use to make purchases. The account holder who is the primary one is accountable for the transactions, but this person could be able to require you to make charges for purchases you make using the account.
It is also possible to apply for a prepaid card for those who aren’t yet 18. A Prepaid card isn’t an actual credit card however, it looks and acts like one and works. It’s similar to how the debit card is linked to an account at a check-book however, the process of applying for a prepaid credit card is significantly easier. If you have a prepaid credit card, you’ll need to pay for purchases made with the card, rather than making payments for purchases after you’ve made them. Prepaid cards don’t aid in building a credit score.
Of course, you don’t need to be able to get a credit card when you turn 18. Credit cards come with an increased risk of default and having one prior to the age of 18 puts you at risk of damaging your credit score before you have the chance to begin. It’s better to hold off for at least a couple of years until you’ve got an income that is steady and you are able to consistently pay your credit card bills punctually. In 2009, the Credit Card Act of 2009 restricts the use of credit cards to people less than 21 years old.