Limited Credit

The average US FICO score hit a record high of 703 in 2019, as more Americans continue to monitor their credit reports through a wealth of free online services. While that may seem all fine and well, with 66% of US citizens having a good to exceptional FICO score (670-850), that still leaves 34% of Americans with a fair to very poor score (300-669).

A healthy credit history is the key to unlocking great credit card deals. Below, we’ve listed 5 simple ways you can build up your credit score no matter where you’re starting from.

When applying for credit cards, first-time borrowers can feel like first-time job seekers. Credit card providers will use your credit history to determine your creditworthiness, just like possible employers ask about work history. Without any experience, employers often won’t take a chance on a first-time employee.