Yes having a bad credit history makes it a little harder to get a credit card, but it still can be done. You just have to use alternative methods than applying for the usual major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, Discover and, of course not, American Express.
You can, however, apply to some unconventional places. These places don’t give you the same benefits as the major places, but they still help to build your credit nonetheless.
Here are the five ways you can still get a credit card with bad credit history.
1) Apply for a credit card within your credit union – Many unions associated with jobs offer credit through them. They disregard the bad credit history because they can receive their payments directly from your bank account. They basically make the decision based on your credibility of staying on that job.
Many times they offer credit cards, but most of the time they don’t. They will usually just give you a monetary loan. Just check with your union’s guidelines.
2) Get A Co-Signor – Although a credit card company may not accept your application solely based on your credit alone, they will allow someone with good credit to go on the loan with you. This is because they are taking the word and credit history of the co-applicant and are assuming that based on their credit history, they are likely to make the payment in case you have to default.
3) Apply for a neighborhood store credit card – You may not be able to qualify for a large department store credit card like Macy’s, Sears, etc due to your bad credit history, but a local mom and pop store would allow you to get credit. Especially if you already have a good rapport with them.
4) Apply for a prepaid credit card – A prepaid credit card is a card that you have to put money in an account, and use the card against that money. Although this really does not help with your credit because there is no loan involved, you can use it as an alternative to cash when needed.
5) Apply for a secured credit card – A secured credit card is like a prepaid credit card in that you have to put a certain amount of money into the card’s account and you can only charge up to that deposited amount. However, this type of card does report your usage as credit.
Yes having bad credit history can become a blemish to our lifestyle and prevent us from getting "rea" credit cards, but there is a means to an end. Just use the above methods, pay on time, and in six months to a year, your credit history will be good.
