How to Qualify for a Credit Card

Qualifying for a credit card is a relatively straightforward process if you’re at least 18 years old and have a regular source of income. But despite the invitations from card issuers, you’ll still have to demonstrate that you’re a good risk before they grant you credit.

The proof is in your credit record. If you’ve financed a car loan or other purchase, you probably have a record at a credit reporting bureau. This credit history shows how responsible you’ve been in paying your bills and helps the credit card issuer decide how much credit to extend. 

Before you submit a credit application, make sure it’s accurate. Contact the credit bureaus listed in the telephone directory under "credit" or "credit rating and reporting." Because more than one credit bureau may have a file on you, call each until you locate all the agencies maintaining your file. The three major national credit bureaus are:

EQUIFAX
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
(800) 685-1111

EXPERIAN (formerly TRW)
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75002
(888) EXPERIAN
(397-3742)

TRANS UNION
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
(800) 916-8800 

Anyone who takes action against you in response to a report supplied by a credit reporting agency — such as denying your application for credit — must give you the name, address and telephone number of the credit bureau that provided the report.