Make no mistake. If you are receiving an average wage, getting a credit card is hard. I know, I've tried this. But there's a silver lining. In this post I will show you how to bootstrap your way to get your best credit card. Yes, there's a workaround.
Low salary = Hard to get a credit card
My monthly salary in my first job was just Php 13,500. And every time I applied for a credit card, I got rejected. Failed. I didn't know that there's a minimum income requirement of Php 20,000. I was short with Php 6,500.
So I wondered, there are only two variables I could change: salary and credit card issuer.
Shooting for the stars
I landed on my second job with a higher salary. Almost there. Very near. But it didn't reach the minimum income of Php 20,000. But I thought it wouldn't make any difference as my salary was almost Php 20,000.
My salary was deposited in BPI savings account. It's where I automate my savings and pay bills online. Since I am a BPI client it would be easier for me to get a credit card, I thought. Feeling confident, I went to BPI's website for credit card online application.
Weeks passed. Months. No response from BPI.
I told my boss about it and he laughed. I was surprised to hear that major card isuers don't really approve applicants without prior credit card from other banks for at least 9 months!
So how would I even acquire my first credit card when they want an existing account from other banks?
Credit Card Application Spree
Desperate, I went on online application spree to all credit card issuers (or companies) in the Philippines - SecurityBank, BPI, Metrobank, BDO, PNB.
I filled out the online application forms, scanned my company & valid IDs and sent sent it together with the last 3 months payslips.
Another weeks passed. No response. 2 months. But wait, after 2 months and few days I got an sms from SecurityBank telling me that my credit card application was approved! I was stupified! (You can also apply for SecurityBank credit card)
Of all the banks I applied, only SecurityBank has granted my application. Quite amazing and was very happy then. Kudos to them, for giving me a chance.
2 months after, BPI has emailed me that my application has been approved! Woah, is this a coincidence? Why did it take them so long to approve my card?
Tips on Acquiring your Best Credit Card
1. Clear all your unsettled debts. Your unpaid loans and balances are visible to banks so it might hamper your application.
2. Get a credit card with a low income requirement. I personally recommend SecurityBank card. Their income requirement is just Php 15,000 per month. No existing card requirement too.
3. Like I did, do an online application spree. In this way you can save more time and money. You don't need to go personally to the banks. And if you get approved by all (which rarely happens), you have the option to choose the best and decline others
4. As soon as you have your first credit card, the second one should be easy.
Conclusion
When I discovered the wonders of travel and e-learning, I was hooked. I went to Boracay and El Nido. I'm learning web development in Udemy. It was awesome! But this couldn't be possible without using a vital financial instrument - credit card.
Not all debts are created equal. There are good debts and bad debts. I have both. I consider my udemy courses as good debts but the iPhone I bought is a bad debt which affects my personal net worth. Bottomline, if debts are managed properly it shouldn't mess your life.
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