First Credit Card -Which One to Apply for?

Hi all,

I'm 25 y.o. and just thinking of getting the first real credit card to use. I'm not really a heavy user. probably around $500 to $700 a month for transport, groceries and couple of shopping here and there. Can I borrow your collective wisdom on which one to go for. I don't mind paying yearly fee as long as it will be worth the money.

My shopping interest includes:

technology, gadget, etc.
video games
food (eating out)

I have my eye on having 2 CC, one is Amex card (due to its occasional cash back offers, and one general rewards CC).
Please enlighten me what do i need to know and such.

THANKS!

Comments

  • First Credit Card to own

    Credit cards own you, not you own them!

    I have my eye on having 2 CC, one is Amex card

    Then you'll need both, as Amex isn't accepted everywhere. So if you have a amex, you need a backup visa/mastercard.

  • A good combo is

    ANZ QF black card

    Amex Qantas ultimate card

  • When you pick your AMEX, max out the Supplementary cards as well so you can get multiple offers per card.

  • Why do you want to lose more money? Peer pressure?

    • Credit cards have saved me hundreds over the years. Never paid a cent in interest. Depends how you use it. I'm currently just using the Coles Rewards mastercard.

  • Amex discovery card nets you 10,000 points with a referral, no annual fee and 1 point per dollar. I use this with a bankwest zero platinum (also $0, no rewards scheme but no international transaction fees + usual platinum card benefits). Use the amex preferentially, bankwest is backup (mastercard) and for international spend.

    I then rotate rewards deals every 12 months or so, cancelling in some cases before the second year annual fee rolls around. e.g. Currently it's the qantas platinum for $149/yr + 75,000 points, and as this particular card is also a mastercard which earns points I use it in place of the bankwest/amex cards at the moment.

    The Amex and the Bankwest are a good $0 annual fee base combo; or if you don't do overseas travel or don't earn enough to get the platinum card, something like the ING credit card in lieu of the bankwest.

  • If you get an Amex be sure to get one with high bonus for first card, then you can downgrade after first year.

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