Hey Ben!

No worries. I've only been in the credit card game for a little more than a year now. It doesn't take long to be rewarded. Though, remember it's a marathon not a sprint!

1st Sign up with www.mint.com That's what I did and they recommended a basic citi card that I used for a good year to get my credit up. I'd work on one card for now just to get your feet wet. The rewards were minimal.

2nd Check out www.creditkarma.com It has a lot of great suggestions as well.

A year later I now have 4 different cards and I'm just getting started.

I signed up for a Delta Sky Miles Gold card in the airport ( Not the greatest deal but a deal nonetheless.) They generally have high acceptance rates in airports, or so I've been told. Once I was in the American Express System it's been fairly easy to be approved for both the SPG starwood preffered guest, and more recently the Premier Rewards Gold Card.

Don't rush. But don't sit on your ... either!

Best of luck man,

-Bud