Choose a Credit Card That Builds Your Credit

Opening the right credit account — and using it correctly — is how you build the positive payment history that raises your credit score. The wrong card, or the right card used badly, does the opposite.

What to look for in your first (or first rebuilding) credit card:

• A secured credit card is the most reliable starting point: your deposit sets your limit, approval is far easier, and it reports to the bureaus just like any other card.

• No annual fee, or the lowest one you can find — fees eat the benefit of building credit.

• Confirm it reports to all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). A card that doesn't report does nothing for your score.

• Keep your balance under 30% of the limit — under 10% is even better — and pay on time every single month.

Curated card recommendations may be offered here in the future. Until then, the checklist above will keep you out of trouble no matter which issuer you choose.

Learn the full strategy: getting credit for the first time and establishing new, good credit (Step 4).