Irishmom

Hi everyone, I am sorry that this is another credit thread, I have read through lots of them here and most of them say the same, like going and asking for a guaranteed credit card so my story goes from there:
We are here nearly 18months and have yet to get a credit card. My husband applied through Citibank as that is where his wages are paid and they got him basically jumping through hoops just to get one, at the end of it all we are still waiting on an answer from them. I applied for one at the Credit Union, it's basically a credit builder cc so it works like a guaranteed one but they have declined me on that saying temporary residence was counted against me (we are here on a H1B visa and in the process of obtaining a greencard through my husbands company) they also said because I have no credit history that was another reason I was declined. I just don't know what to do anymore, we have one store card and we have a lease out on a car (as they did an international credit check) so everywhere we go they tell us our credit history is too light, but how the hell are we meant to build credit if banks won't give us credit cards!!!!
I am so upset and totally fed up with this country at the moment, I feel like we are banging our heads against a brick wall. We pay all our utilities on time and our rent and my husband has a great job, what can we do from here? Can anyone advise me please?
Thanks so much

sueanne

yep know how you feel ...that was the same for us when we first came out here. Are you both on a h1b then ?

sueanne

Irishmom, you will get one eventually, citicard approved card for my hubby, but it did take along time, however, if your on a H4 (wife of H1b visa holder) you will be secondary card holder. I cant get my own credit card as not allowed to work or have social security number. America is a lovely country, nice people but the system stinks.....

E3only

Have you tried the secured credit card option. Basically it's a good way to start with a credit card and once you have had it for a while (paid it on time and also not utilized more than 40 % of the limit they say), they will invite you for an unsecured credit card.

Remember, secured i.e. you have to you a deposit down = the the limit on the credit card.

hobbes79

Another option are the store credit cards, which are usually handed out quite liberally (Gap, Sears, etc).

At least gets you on the credit ladder.

Mummy in the foothills

Thats what we did when I first got here.
Sears (for Dh's work tools)
Mervyns, Macy's, J C Penny for our clothes and other other stuff.
Then a couple years later the cc offers started rolling in.

Manc

not being funny, but I've lived here 10 years without needing a credit card.

I don't see the appeal personally.

cranston

Not all credit unions are the same.

We have had good success with Alliant Credit Union in Chicago. I think they offer a joint credit card - which could be opened on your DH wages and yet show you as both owners (not 100% sure).

I would also suggest posting on creditboards.com forum - there is a huge amount of knowledge over there.

Bob

But you don't want more than a couple of them...and apply for them all within a week period so you only get one ding against your credit report as the rest will be soft dings.

So how long as the lease on the car been for so far? Any chance of getting the car place to finance a buy out of the lease? That would have gotten you a better leg to stand on for credit history than a crappy lease.

Ginblossom

If you get a cell phone contract, it can also help too.

Ginblossom

I just got my first card, which is secured.

E3only

Best way to do it..in a year the card company will offer unsecured I am told. I was fortunate to also transfer Amex unsecured from Australia but even befor I did that, I got a visa secured credit card.

I am quickly learning, America lives on certain rules and almost a 'flow chart' approach to things. So you gotto play the game...simple as that.

lansbury

The only appeal I can see for a credit card over a debit card is airline mileage and that is a questionable advantage depending on how you use it and how much you travel.

Rete

Irishmom

I have to ask, was it easier to start up a credit history when you were young and without a solid work history to fall back on? I doubt that it was.

It is, unfortunately, the same now. You are in a new country which does not recognize your credit history from abroad. That is a pity because I'm sure that you worked hard to make it a good credit history by paying what you owed on time, etc.

Store credit cards, car loans (which should be easier to get because they have collateral to insure the loan) are easier to acquire.

Duncan Roberts

The best to go for if you don't have credit is a mall jeweler. Downside to that is for it to be a benefit short term you have to use it. Long term it can act as a history of having credit though.