• Facebook Facebook
    • Twitter Twitter
    • RSS Feed RSS Feed
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Credit Card News
  • Questions

Home > Credit Card Blog

How to Qualify for the Best Credit Cards

March 24, 2011 - 8:45 am

Credit card approval isn’t guaranteed. Just because you apply for a credit card doesn’t mean you’ll get that card, or that you’ll get the rate that was advertised. Even when you’re “pre-approved” for a card, you could end up being approved, but with less favorable terms that what you received in the mail. You could even be denied. There are some things you can do to improve your chances at getting approved for the best credit cards.

Pay all your bills on time.

Payment history is one of the major factors credit card issuers consider when they’re approving applications. If you’ve always paid your bills on time, then you have a much better chance at having your application approved. On the other hand, late payments, even just one or two late payments here and there, will keep you from qualifying for the best credit cards.

Keep your debt low.

If you have too much debt, whether it’s credit card debt or other debt, you may be turned down for a credit card. When you already have a lot of debt obligations, creditors may worry that you won’t be able to handle yet another credit card. So, they may decline your credit card application or approve you, but give you a low credit limit or high interest rate.

Make enough money.

Credit card issuers are now required to ask for income on every credit card application. The best credit card offers will require you to make enough money each month to pay your credit card bill. They may even use your monthly income and total debt level to calculate a debt-to-income ratio for you. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high, the credit card issuer may decline your application, even if you make a lot of money.

Don’t apply all at once.

Another factor credit card issuers consider is the number of recent credit card applications you’ve made. Your credit report will include all the credit applications you’ve made within the past two years. If you’ve applied for too many credit cards, some credit card issuers will deny your application. They think that you may be taking on too much credit or that you’re desperate for credit. Neither of those makes a good credit for the best credit cards.

Be Over 18

The legal age to apply for a credit card is 18. But, due to recent changes to the credit card law, it could be harder to get a credit card if you’re under 21. Young adults have to get a cosigner if they don’t qualify on their own. You still need to meet the income requirements if you’re older than 21, but credit card issuers aren’t required to verify the income as they are with young adults.

Choose Wisely

The best credit card isn’t necessarily the one who sends you a credit card offer in the mail. Instead, the best credit card is the one you choose based on your own research and comparison.

Similar Posts

  • Does it Hurt Your Credit to Apply for a Credit Card?
  • How Hard Is It to Get a Credit Card
  • Things to Do Before You Apply for a Credit Card
  • 7 Things Credit Card Issuers Can’t Do
  • Reasons You Shouldn’t Co-Sign for a Credit Card
  • Recent Posts

    • Why Stay-at-home Moms Created a Petition against the 2009 Card Act
    • Credit Card Rates Stand at 4 Year High Mark
    • Average Credit Card Rates in December 2011
    • Obama Proposes Initiative for Making Credit Terms Easier to Understand
    • Aggressive Cash Back Credit Card Deals for the 2011 Holiday Season
  • Categories

    • Credit Card Blog
    • Credit Card News
    • Featured Articles
    • Spotlight

Home | About | Credit Cards | News | Blog | Questions


Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions


Copyright © 2011 ApplyForACreditCard.com. All rights reserved.

By using our service and providing your personal contact information, you agree that ApplyforaCreditCard.com, any of its affiliates and any company you are matched with may contact you by any method of communication, including by telephone even if you are on a federal or state Do Not Call registry. This site is a free matching service intended to provide a variety of options and information, and is not responsible for any service/information provided by any third party provider. ApplyforaCreditCard.com is a marketing and advertising agency only. It does not supply the service provided for therein, rather it provides a matching service. Upon your submission of the information requested on our website, we re-direct you to one or more of our participating service providers. You are under no obligation to pursue business with any of the participating service providers in our network. We encourage you to review each service carefully before electing to do business with them. Further, you should review their privacy policy and terms on the their page and contact them directly regarding their organizations' policies.


The content, including without limitation any viewpoint or opinion, contained in any article or video posted on this website is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or viewpoint of ApplyForACreditCard.com. Any third party contributor to any such article or video has been compensated by ApplyForACreditCard.com for such contribution. It is advised that you conduct your own investigation as to the accuracy of any information contained herein.