How to Find Credit Card Offers to Improve Credit History

Your credit history contains information about your credit cards, loans, mortgages, collections, foreclosures and other credit information. This information is used by companies when you apply for credit, insurance, and sometimes a job or bank account. Someone who doesn't have many credit accounts, has poor credit, or not much credit history can benefit from credit card offers geared toward establishing good credit history. These cards are sometimes called starter credit cards or rebuilder cards, depending on whether credit is being established or repaired.

Instructions

1. Look through your mail for any pre-screened credit applications. These credit applications often refer to your pre-approval. Receiving these credit card offers means you've met some form of credit criteria from the company to get on its list. A pre-approval is not a guarantee of credit, but you may have more luck applying for these cards.

2. Check credit card company websites for rebuilder or starter credit card offers. These sites may have an online form you can fill out so the companies can process any pre-qualified offers you may be eligible for.

3. Talk with friends, family and anyone you know who might be in the same situation in terms of starting or rebuilding credit history. They can recommend credit card companies that have assisted them in their particular financial situation.

4. Apply for student credit cards if you are attending college and need to establish your credit. If you have student loans, you probably have a credit history already.

5. Look for credit card offers that allow you to have a cosigner on the card, if you have a partner, family member, or friend with good credit who can help you establish or fix your credit. The downside to the cosigning arrangement is that your cosigner is liable for debts on the card, should you choose not to pay them.

References

• Bank Rate: Do It Yourself Credit Repair
• Bank Rate: How to build credit for the first time