Spend Less Than Your Available Credit
Spending less than your available credit can increase your credit score by up to 100 points. How well you utilize your available credit goes a long way to affect your credit scores.;
If you have a certain amount as your credit limit, try as much as possible to spend less, and reduce your credit utilization ratio. Most creditors check for the available credit on your cards and how much youve spent. Its best to spend less than 30% of your available credit.;
Do not overuse your credit card. If, for instance, you have $2000 as your credit card limit, try to keep the balance below $600. Try to pay more than the minimum amount on your credit card.
Get Added As An Authorized User
One easy option that can make a big difference to your score is being added as an authorized user on someone elses credit card. It shows that someone else trusts you with their credit, and can help lower your credit utilization, improve your payment history, and increase the average age of your accounts.
However, you should only ask someone to add you as an authorized user if they are responsible with their credit. If youre an authorized user on the account of someone who regularly carries a high balance and misses payments, this can negatively impact your score .
On the note of authorized users, weve gone into detail about the benefits of being added as an .
How To Get A Credit Card With Bad Credit
If youve made a few financial mistakes or dont have a credit history, you may be wondering if its even possible for you to get accepted for a credit card. It is, but here are a few steps you can take to increase your odds of approval.
The cards at the top of this page have low credit requirements. Secured credit cards are another great option for applicants with bad credit. They require a one-time, refundable security deposit and some even offer rewards.
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Using Credit For Home
Buying a house;involves more than simply making payments on your mortgage. The simple truth is that when you own a home, you’re going to have house-related expenses. However, it’s not always possible to drop large amounts of cash on big-ticket items like new appliances, home repairs, or maintenance.
- Use a low-interest credit card: one convenient way to pay for immediate, unexpected, or emergency home costs is with a credit card. Consider getting a low-interest card that you set aside for this purpose while you build an emergency fund. Remember to apply for the card <em>after</em> closing on your house, though, so you don’t impact your credit. This gives you the option to fund an unexpected housing cost immediately. Use a credit card for things like an emergency furnace repair or an appliance service call.
- Use a line of credit: another option for larger home expenses or repairs is a line of credit. A line of credit works like a credit card in that you can borrow up to a limit. You only pay interest on what you borrow, and then make monthly payments to pay it back. Line of credit rates are often lower than credit card interest rates, and a strong credit score could reduce your rate even further.
Discover It Secured Credit Card
Why this is the best credit card for cash back
This card offers rewards, which isnt common among credit cards for bad credit. Cardholders get 2% cash back at gas stations and at restaurants . The ongoing APR on purchases is high even for a secured card, but utilizing your cash back to help pay down your balance may make it avoidable and will pay off when Discover reports your credit behavior to the 3 credit bureaus.
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Get A Starter Credit Card
If you have;a low credit score;or have never had a credit card at all, youll likely struggle to get approved for most credit cards.
In this case,;opening a secured credit card or a card with a low limit is usually the best option. If you successfully manage the card by making on-time payments, your score will begin to improve relatively quickly.
HOT TIP:;Do you need to repair or build your credit score? The Platinum Credit Card from Capital One®;is a great option with no annual fee, fraud coverage, and access to a higher credit limit after making your first 5 monthly payments on time.;
When And Why Does My Credit Score Change
Honestly, your credit score can change whenever. It depends on a lot of things, like if youve paid your bills on time, when you pay your balances, if/when you apply for a new line of credit and when you open or close a new account. Plus, it can take anywhere between 30 to 60 days for your creditors to report your information to the credit bureaus. Because your score can really change at any time, its important to keep track of it. See what your score is today
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How To Request A Reconsideration Of Your Application
If your application wasnt approved, we always suggest calling Amex to ask for it to be reconsidered. The worst that can happen is that they say no! But on the other hand, they may be able to approve you for the card if you can provide them with more information.
If you already have an Amex card they may not want to extend you any more credit. In this case, you may be able to close a card in order to get approved for another card. Ive done so in the past. And it might make sense for you if its the only thing keeping you from earning a lucrative welcome offer!
Regardless, calling in and asking for reconsideration is also a great way to glean insight onto what you can do to improve your chances of approval in the future.
Hear It From Nerds Who Carry The Card
NerdWallet team members who carry The Platinum Card® from American Express say using the exclusive perks is the key to getting your money’s worth:
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
Information related to the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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How Does A Business Credit Card Work
Youll be given a set credit limit in which youre able to spend up to on the business credit card and you will be required to pay off the balance in full at the end of each month.
You can use the business credit card to make purchases and cover your business expenses such as office equipment, stock purchases and more.
As long as you can meet the minimum payment required each month, you will help build up a good credit history for your business. Failure to meet the minimum payments each month will likely mean that youll be charged interest and over a while, this could affect your business credit history if you cant prove that youre able to make the repayments.
Read more: Why is your credit score important?
Factors That Affect Your Credit Score
Before applying for credit cards, its essential to understand the factors that make up your credit score. The formula for calculating your credit score isnt exact. But FICO states it uses the following elements and weights in its calculation:
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Length Of Credit History: What It Means To Your Score
Age and experience typically prove beneficial to maximize your credit score.
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To earn a FICO credit score, borrowers need to have at least some credit history. Although its not the most heavily weighted factor used to calculate a borrowers FICO score, the length of a borrowers; does matter. And within that component, age and experience typically prove beneficial.
Generally, the older your length of credit history, the better it is for your FICO score, said Barry Paperno, a credit scoring expert who has worked for FICO and Experian.
To calculate its score, FICO looks at five differently weighted factors:
1. How youve handled credit .2. How much debt you have available compared to how much you use, known as .3. How long youve had credit.4. How much new credit you have.5. The;mix of credit you have.
Accounting for 15 percent of a FICO score, length of credit history falls in the middle of those five factors in terms of its importance.
But you dont necessarily have to be a grizzled veteran of credit to have a great credit score.
Is The Platinum Card From American Express Right For You
If you’re an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.
For many, the usability of the card’s many annual credits may make it or break it. If you can maximize the credits, they can more than make up for the card’s steep annual fee. But if you won’t be able to make use of many of the annual credits that come with the card, it may not make sense for you.
If you’re a frequent-to-constant traveler who doesn’t mind spending money for quality and would love to be rewarded for doing so, then it might be a perfect fit for your wallet.
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New The Platinum Card From American Express Benefits
Theres also a new digital entertainment credit. Cardholders can get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
In addition to enjoying TSA PreCheck or Global Entry access, cardholders can also enjoy CLEAR perks. Cardholders can use their Card and get up to $179 back per year on their CLEAR® membership. Terms apply.
Another exciting new benefit is the ability for cardholders to enjoy up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. This amounts to up to $300 annually. Enrollment required.
Welcome Bonus For The Amex Platinum
New The Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. New cardholders also earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.;
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This bonus can be worth $1000 in reward flights and easily offsets the $695 annual fee. Plus, you also get to accumulate points from your purchases to meet the bonus requirements.
Keep in mind that if you have received a bonus offer for the Amex Platinum in the past, you will not qualify for future offers. But, you can qualify for welcome offers from other American Express credit cards.
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Required Credit Score Disclosure
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’re entitled to one free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. All you have to do is request a report via annualcreditreport.com.
This law, unfortunately, doesnt give consumers access to their credit scores, which aren’t actually included on credit reports. However, banks, lenders, and credit card companies are required to provide you with a free credit score any time they deny your application, provide you with less than favorable terms, or raise your rates because of your credit.
Mortgage lenders also must disclose your credit score when they check your credit for a loan application.
Unfortunately, there are times when you wont get this free credit score, even if youre denied. For example, banks dont have to send the credit score disclosure when they use an in-house credit score, and insurance companies arent required to disclose the credit-based score used to assign your insurance premium. If you’re denied credit or insurance, though, it doesn’t hurt to ask for your score.
Blue From American Express Vs The American Express Green Card
Similar to the Blue from American Express® card, the American Express® Green Card is another humble legacy card thats been around for years, but doesnt get as much attention as other American Express cards. But unlike the Blue from American Express® card, the recently revamped American Express® Green Card charges a hefty $150 annual fee.
The American Express® Green Card also differs from the Blue from American Express® card with its comparatively lucrative rewards program. For example, it offers a hearty welcome bonus and generous rewards bonuses on restaurant meals , travel and transit purchases. If you eat out often enough or purchase a lot of travel or public transit fare, youll rack up enough points with the American Express® Green Card to justify the annual fee.
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What Is Your Credit Score
One smart thing to do before you begin the car loan process is to check your own credit score. Be sure you’re looking at a FICO® Score, as that’s what the lender you apply to are most likely to use.
Many credit card issuers give customers a free FICO® Score as a perk of membership, but it can be a smart idea to pay for a score-monitoring service. I use myFICO.com, as it’s run by the creators of the FICO® Score. Not only does this get you access to FICO® Scores from all three major credit bureaus, but there are many other useful tools as well .
Is Blue From American Express A Good Card
For an entry-level card thats accessible to a wider range of borrowers, the Blue from American Express® card is an unusually strong contender. It doesnt offer a ton of rewards points, but the Membership Rewards points that it does offer are uniquely valuable particularly for cardholders who are enrolled in partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. The Blue from American Express® cards terms are pricey, though, so look elsewhere if you have excellent credit or plan to carry a balance.
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What You Should Know About American Express Cards
While carrying Amex credit cards comes with many perks and benefits, there are downsides. Many cards come with annual fees in exchange for those great services and rewards.
This isnt necessarily a bad thing, but you need to use the card enough to justify those fees. If you dont spend in a way that allows you to maximize what the account offers, an American Express credit card may not make the most sense for you.
Another issue is as well-known as the many positive aspects: not all merchants accept American Express. In addition to requiring customers to pay high fees, the merchant fees on Amex cards tend to run higher than with other issuers.
If you carry an Amex, its always smart to carry a backup credit card from another issuer just in case your American Express isnt accepted.
That being said, the benefits outweigh the negatives for many folks myself included. If you count yourself in, too, then you need to know whats required to get one of these cards in your wallet.
Specifically, you want to focus on what credit score is needed for an American Express card.
The question is:
American Express Credit Card Faqs
Can I do an American Express balance transfer?
American Express doesn’t currently offer any 0% balance transfer deals.
But if youve built up debt on an American Express credit, you can move the balance to another credit card provider with a 0% balance transfer deal.
Just be cautious about where you apply next to make sure they can facilitate a transfer, as in the past some brands have struggled to.
Where are American Express credit cards accepted?
American Express credit cards arent as widely accepted by merchants in the UK as Visa or Mastercard.
You can check where American Express is accepted on its;website.
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