First time credit card 18 year old

A question about : First time credit card 18 year old

Hey guys, I'm 18 years old and I need a credit card, as my maestro card isn't cutting it. I'm still at school and I have a part time job. Would any one know of any good credit cards i could apply for?

Cheers Jason

Best answers:

• Hi! I've recently been in the same boat, so I can give some decent advice on this.
  First of all, make sure you're on the Electoral Roll at your current address; you can do this by calling your local council, and it will increase your credit score as well as reducing the number of ID checks you need to pass.
  Secondly is the actual credit card itself. You're not going to be able to get any of the 0% or cashback cards whatsoever, so forget that. To build up your credit history, you'll have to use some cards with frankly frightening interest rates (usually 30% APR and up). For your own sake, I STRONGLY advise you to pay off the card balance in full every month, and only to make small purchases. I repeat: DO NOT CARRY A BALANCE; DO NOT MAKE LARGE PURCHASES, and while I'm at it DON'T WITHDRAW CASH. Clear? Good.
  Best credit card to apply for is from Capital One (https://www.capitalone.co.uk), you want the Classic Visa. The minimum credit limit is £100, which is just enough to get you started, and after paying 3 statements on time you'll be in line for an increase (although, again, my note about paying off in full/no large purchases remains, as the interest is very high on this card.) The online account access is also, well, existant, compared to the other cards.
  The other two cards that you could get in this situation are Vanquis Visa (https://www.vanquis.co.uk) and Aqua (https://www.aquacard.co.uk). Aqua are less likely to accept you, but are backed by Halifax so they're at least a reputable name. Vanquis are less well known and backed by a less well known firm, and are again less likely to accept you. Both have minimum limits of £250.
  THE IMPORTANT BIT - having said that, before taking out a credit card, question yourself as to why you want one. Do you want to build a credit history for yourself using it (good idea!) or keep it for emergencies (good idea, although savings are a better idea) or do you simply want to buy a brand new shiny thing NOW rather than later, and screw the consequences (bad idea!)? If it's the latter, then don't use a credit card, because if you're just going to start putting general spending on your credit card when, as you say, you have little money coming in from a part time job, it might be painful a few months later when you're racking up interest at an astonishing rate.
• Cheers, the only reason i want one is so that i can buy a plugin for my archos online for Ј15, but they don't accept maestro. So a credit card is my only option, thats my only use.
  Oh and yes I'm on the Electoral Roll, just signed up a month ago and got a letter through saying I'm on it. So that shouldn't be a problem.
  Thanks, I shall start applying online.
• Yer I know what your talking about mate, If everwhere accepted debit cards I would just use that. No problem about the lecture, I have the money more than enough money. I just can't spent it where i want to as i don't have a credit card. But I will probably just buy the item then call up and pay the money back. I'm not going to give my hard earned money to some rich share holder.
  And I've been saving, been very tight lately since i lost my job a year back, and found out what life can be without a job.
  Hopefully atleast one of them will say yes.
• If you don't want a credit card (they can be useful, especially for building up your rating for the future) there's always prepay cards.
• by googling
  If it's a one-off, one transaction kinda deal, you're probably better going for the 3V "card". It's free, and £20 topups have no fees. It can take a week or 2 for the card to arrive though.
  If you're in a hurry, the next cheapest for one transaction will be the IDT Prime card. It's about a fiver, including the fee to register it. There's a fee to topup and a transaction fee, but you can get one tomorrow if you find a shop that does them.
• As you're 18 and still at school I am making an assumption that you live at home, with your parent(s) - apologies if this assumption is untrue. Does one of your parents have a credit card that they could use to buy the item for you and then you repay them with cash? That way you could avoid getting a credit card until you actually need one.
  Just a thought - so don't shoot me down in flames!
• Or why not open an account with a different type of card.
• Have you spoken to your bank to upgrade your account? Applied for one of their cards? Bank of mum and dad?
• hello im an 18year old (alomost 19) single parent with a 6month baby boy and im starting college in september and getting my own house and i really need a credit card or borrow money to help get things for my house and learn to drive etc, do u no any way i can borrow money that would except someone in my situation.
  i look forward to hearing from u soon
  thanks sarah
• I wouldn't worry about "don't do it!", as a single parent, 19 and at the college I don't think there is a chance..
  You don't NEED any of those things, you need to live within your means.
  Have a look at freecycle for things for your house. It's good enough for the beginnings.
  Congratulation on starting college. Very very important thing to do.
• if you dont really want to apply for one..then u can get an add on card on your name if any of your family members are using a credit card..that is the best option and it will not take much time also for your card to come to you..
• hello im an 18year old (alomost 19) single parent with a 6month baby boy and im starting college in september and getting my own house and i really need a credit card or borrow money to help get things for my house and learn to drive etc, do u no any way i can borrow money that would except someone in my situation.
  i look forward to hearing from u soon
  thanks sarah
  I would advise you to do driving as your a mum and you dont want to rely on a bus to take your son to nursery, i agree with that. Maybe the councel can help? but try to get a card from your bank allready. Make sure you pay bits off and make sure you think "can i afford to pay this back?"
• The post you're quoting was from over a year ago so she's probably sorted now.