Credit Card Requirements
There are four types of major credit cards that you can apply for in the U.S: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Many banks and credit unions offer these cards, and each one will differ in its exact requirements for acceptance.
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Fees
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Some cards have easier requirements for acceptance, but many of the easier cards also carry with them annual fees, membership fees and sometimes even monthly participation fees. Always read the terms and conditions before applying to ensure that you are comfortable with the fees they might impose.
Legal Requirements
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Credit card applications focus on many pieces of information. The most important requirements are usually your credit score, your payment history on other accounts, the length of time that you have had credit and your annual income. Annual Income is usually used to help decide what your initial credit line will be if approved.
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Illegal Requirements
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Banks may not legally take into account your race, gender, religion or age when you apply for a credit card.
Warnings
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Just because you have a high credit score does not mean you will automatically qualify for a credit card. If a company thinks you have too much available credit or your credit history is not a long, it might deny you.
Adverse Action
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If you are denied for a credit card, the credit card company will send you a letter stating the reasons why you were rejected. This letter will also provide you with information showing the credit bureau report they consulted to make a decision. You are entitled to a free copy of that credit report if you contact that agency within 30 days.
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