5 Tips for Getting Your First Credit Card
Obtaining your first credit card can be a significant milestone in your financial journey. This article presents expert-backed strategies to help you navigate this important step. From verifying income to building credit discipline, these insights will guide you towards making informed decisions about your financial future.
- Verify Income for Credit Approval
- Leverage Trusted Credit History
- Start with a Secured Credit Card
- Build Credit Through Consistent Discipline
- Begin Small and Strategize Your Approach
Verify Income for Credit Approval
After working with dozens of clients struggling with first-time credit approval, I’ve found that consistent income verification is the most overlooked factor. Even with minimal credit history, lenders care deeply about your ability to pay – so gather at least 3 months of pay stubs or bank statements showing regular deposits before applying.
For my first clients with zero credit history, store credit cards like Kohl’s or TJ Maxx proved surprisingly accessible. One client was approved for a TJ Maxx card with a $300 limit despite multiple rejections elsewhere, which became her foundation for building credit.
The “shopping cart trick” has worked for several of my clients too. Start the checkout process on retail websites like Victoria’s Secret or Wayfair until a pre-approval credit offer appears. These pre-screened offers often have higher approval rates than cold applications.
My unconventional but effective advice: if rejected, call the reconsideration line. A human representative can sometimes override algorithmic decisions. One of my clients was initially declined for a Discover secured card but got approved after explaining his income situation to a representative over the phone.
Joe Gibson
Founder & CEO, Credability Boost
Leverage Trusted Credit History
Strategically piggyback on someone else’s credit. You can strategically piggyback on someone else’s credit, but not in a way that most people think. This is what I mean: Instead of just asking your parent or partner to be an authorized user, which is common, ask if they can add you to an active, low-utilization credit card account that has a long history and a perfect payment track record. This will give your credit file an immediate boost in reliability and age. These two aspects can help you qualify for an entry-level credit card on your own.
That is exactly what worked for me early on. However, I didn’t just ask my father to add me to one of his credit cards; I asked him to add me without using the card. I had no spending privileges, but the positive data from the account was reported to my credit profile which helped me get approved for a secured card with a low limit. From there, I focused on consistency and low utilization.
This strategy isn’t widely talked about, but it is incredibly effective when done with care and trust. The key is ensuring that the credit card account you are added to has a solid history. Otherwise, it will backfire.
Luke Patterson
Co-Founder / Senior Mortgage Broker, Koalify
Start with a Secured Credit Card
The most significant advice I can offer is to begin where the bank can trust you. When I started out, I didn’t immediately opt for a premium rewards card. Instead, I obtained a secured credit card. While it wasn’t glamorous, it allowed me to enter the credit game. You provide a deposit that serves as your credit limit, which is essentially a low-risk method for lenders to observe how you manage credit.
The key is to treat that card as a financial proving ground. Pay on time, maintain a low balance, and don’t chase points or perks; focus on consistency. This early discipline helps build your credit history and demonstrates to lenders that you’re reliable. After a few months, you’ll start receiving offers. That’s when you can be more selective.
I believe many people rush this step because they view credit cards as status symbols. However, credit is a tool, and the smartest use of any tool is knowing when and how to use it. Start small, build quietly, and let your track record speak for itself. This approach worked for me, and it’s still how I think about trust, whether it’s with money, partnerships, or business growth.
Brandon Thor
CEO, Thor Metals Group
Build Credit Through Consistent Discipline
If you’re having a tough time getting approved for your first credit card, my advice is simple: don’t take it personally, and don’t give up. Lenders aren’t saying “no” to you as a person; they’re just saying they don’t have enough information yet. When I was younger and starting out in law enforcement, I didn’t have a long credit history, either. What worked for me was getting a secured credit card. I put down a small deposit, used it like a regular card, and paid it off consistently. It wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done. Within a year, that small move opened the door to better cards, better rates, and more trust from lenders. The key is showing you can handle credit responsibly, even with a small limit. That’s something I learned early in my career: how you handle the little things tells people how you’ll handle the big ones. So start small, stay disciplined, and think long-term. Building credit is a process, not a race. If you keep at it, you’ll get where you want to be. Like in tactical operations, success comes down to preparation, consistency, and patience.
Joshua Schirard
Director, Byrna
Begin Small and Strategize Your Approach
Consider starting small and being strategic about getting your first card. I recommend going for a secured credit card since it worked wonders for me when I was starting out. You’ll need to put down a refundable deposit as collateral, but it acts just like a regular card, helping you build your credit in a safe way.
Make sure to have your income, employment status, and even your limited credit history clearly laid out when you apply. The key for me was treating that first card with care, keeping my spending low, and paying on time. Within a few months, I noticed an increase in my credit score, and better offers began to come my way. So, it’s all about starting off right and being consistent.
Kritika Kanodia
CEO, Estorytellers