How to Get a Credit Card

In order to apply for a credit card, you may need to:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Have a source of income

There are some exceptions, however. You may be able to get a credit card at 18 if you have proof of regular income, or if you become an authorized user on someone else’s account. A Social Security number or ITIN aren’t always required, however, they may be necessary for many card issuers. And while being unemployed won’t necessarily bar you from getting a card, not having income could. The good news is that several types of non-wage income, like investment returns, child support, or Social Security payments might suffice.

Your credit score isn’t everything (your income is also a major factor), but it’s a baseline in many lending decisions, including credit card applications. Put simply, the higher your credit score, the greater the chance of approval.

Here are two common ways to find your credit score:

• Check your monthly credit card or bank statements. Some creditors and banks include a monthly snapshot of your credit score for free.
• Use a credit score service, like American Express^® MyCredit Guide.

It’s a good idea to have a clear plan for managing credit card payments before applying. Late payments can lead to late fees and a potential decrease in your credit score. On the other hand, paying at least the monthly minimum payment on time every month could help you improve your credit score over time.

There are many different credit cards on the market. Before applying for any of them, you’ll likely want to do some research and choose your target. For example, consider how you want to use the card. For instance, do you simply want to start building credit, or do you want to earn rewards? Options include:

• Secured Credit Cards
  Secured cards, which require a deposit and are designed for people with no credit history or poor credit history. They can be an effective way to build credit.
• Traditional Basic Credit Cards
  No-frills credit cards, which are intended to help you manage cash flow and build your credit history. They may not have an annual fee and might offer a simple rewards structure with few additional perks.
• Balance Transfer Credit Cards
  Balance-transfer cards, which are designed to help you consolidate your debt. These cards may have a low or even 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) period for balance transfers, making them a cost-effective way to pay off debt, as long as you pay off the transferred balance before the intro period ends.
  
  Some balance-transfer cards also offer other benefits. For example, the American Express Blue Cash Everyday^® Card has no annual fee and offers 3% cashback on groceries, gas, and more. You could also consider the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card, which offers no annual fee for the first year and 6% cashback on streaming services, supermarkets, transit, and gas.
• Rewards Credit Cards
  Rewards cards, which offer perks (such as reward points, cash back, or travel miles) for using them. Credit cards with more card benefits and card features may include a higher annual fee.
  
  Amex offers multiple rewards points cards, including the American Express^® Gold Card and The Platinum Card^® which allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for travel, entertainment, dining, and more.
  
  You may want to consider a couple of other things as you narrow the field. In some cases, applying for a card issued by a bank or credit union you already have an existing account with could make the approval process a bit easier.
  
  Also, keep in mind that not all cards are equal. Differences in interest charges, fees, and other factors can make a big difference. As always, when reviewing credit cards, it’s a good idea to read the terms and conditions. Credit card issuers can provide credit card agreements on their website, making it easy for you to compare products, see what the different cards offer, and view the corresponding terms.

If you want to explore potential credit cards without committing to applying, check for pre-qualified offers. Being pre-qualified for a card doesn’t guarantee your application will be approved. However, taking this “extra” step may reveal which credit cards fit your lifestyle and credit profile best, so you can focus your application efforts on cards that you’re more likely to be approved for.

Checking for pre-qualified offers may involve a soft credit check, which means it won’t affect your credit score just to find out if you may be eligible. If you are approved, and choose to accept the credit card, there will be a hard credit check at this time.

Accepting a new credit card may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. While the initial application may cause a slight dip, responsibly using your new card could potentially benefit your credit in the long run by increasing your available credit and improving your credit utilization ratio; both of which can positively impact your credit.² Likewise, using the card responsibly and paying your credit card bill on time can positively impact your credit as well.

You can apply for most credit cards by filling out an application online or applying by phone with the help of a customer care professional, but you might also be able to complete a paper application and mail it to the card issuer. The advantage of applying online or by phone is that you could get a decision in minutes, rather than weeks. 

Either way, be prepared to provide:

• Name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN
• Gross annual income
• Your street address
• Your employment status
• Contact information

Your signature (actual or electronic), and the date. If you’re applying to transfer balances from existing cards, you will also need to have the specifics of those cards, such as creditor names, account numbers, and balances.