first credit card - plz help

jonanice

Hey Im 20 and i only have a debt card with alliance n leicester. i want to get another card; a credit card, for the purpose of buying online. I work part time as im a student so it won't be for anything too extravagant.
so where do i start? i don't understand much of the mumbo jumbo people talk when going on about different credit cards so i just need some advice on what is the best way to pay for things online, where should i go to get my first credit card?
btw i already have identity cover so when i do get a credit card i can put it on that.

renegade

I think you can buy things on-line using your Debit card, why do you want another card,possibilities of over spending in these crunch times .!
Shop around if you still want one, get the cheapest interest one you can,but if you pay off your CC each month you wont have any interest to pay.

CannyJock

jonanice wrote: »

i don't understand much of the mumbo jumbo people talk when going on about different credit cards

So long as you pick up the basics you'll be fine. Read about the mistakes others make on here and you won't go far wrong. Not missing payments being a fairly basic one. Not spending more than you can afford to repay being the other one. Set up a direct debit to repay the full balance and you'll never need to pay a penny in interest.

jonanice wrote: »

i just need some advice on what is the best way to pay for things online

Credit card gives you Section 75 protection - debit card doesn't.

jonanice wrote: »

where should i go to get my first credit card?

Login to your A&L account, then go to the bottom left "Apply online" area and hit the Credit Card button.

Apply online

• Current Account
• Personal Loan
• Savings
• Mortgage
• Credit Card

jonanice

yeah i will set up a direct debit to pay it off automatic when i get one. I was thinking before just simply get one from my bank i figured some credit cards must be better then others and if so wanted to know which ones were and why.
i also thought something like building up your credit maybe should start as soon as possible? so that helps me in future; but again i dunno enough about it and i don't wanna continue to just be oblivious about it all

will-in-estoril

It is a good idea to apply for your first credit card through your own bank: at least it was twenty something years ago when I did!

They are best placed to assess your credit worthiness, as there will be little on your credit file.

Operate this card wisely for a while and you should then be able to apply for the best buy cards.

Finally, don't fall into the trap that many do by getting your card maxed out in the first few weeks and having to spend considerably longer repaying it! Whilst setting up a direct debit to pay off 100% each month you also need to ensure that there are funds in your current account to cover it, otherwise A&L/Santander will hammer you with all sorts of charges.

jonanice

okay then my bank it is, thanx