Hi,

I'm asking a very general question here so I'm aware that the easy answer would be "YMMV", but since I'm a new arrival in the US I was wondering for how long I typically would need to build my credit rating before I can apply for some of the CC programs with great bonuses and good points earning rates.

Is there any way to answer such question in a general or semi-general manner?

I.e:
- Are there some cards that are typically easier/harder to get than others?
- Are there some banks/providers that are tougher than others when it comes to accepting applications?
- Are CCs from some hotel/airline programs easier than others to get, or does this solely depend on the issuing bank/provider?
- Are there some programs that has "entry level" cards that are easier to get than their "full blown elite" CC?

How high should my credit rating numbers be before applying for my first "real" credit card(s)?

Thx in advance.

Yes, some cards are aimed at more established people. I think a good general rule is the higher the annual fee the harder it maybe to get.

Not always the case. As they give away the AMEX plat. But I would just say start with a solid fee free card like Chase Freedom or one of the discover/citi card's that are free and go from there.

Look at the benefits cards give out the more there are the more they are aimed at higher income people.

Pay attention to issuer like AMEX, Chase, Citi, Discover, barclay, etc. Start to build a relationship with their lower tier cards (fee free cards). That is always a nice way to make sure you qualify for their higher cards.

My story if it helps.

I had 0 credit 3.5 years ago. I signed up for a secured credit card where I banked and used that for about a year, I upped the limit, then went unsecured and upped the limit some more. After about 9 months I was able to get a rewards card (not a signature with a lot of bonus miles but a platinum with a 2500 limit) with BOA. After 6 months with that I was able to up the limit to 5000 which is what most of the Chase and BOA minimum limits seem to be on the nicer bonus cards. I called for the signature, moved most of my credit line from the old card to the new one.

I could have probably shaved some time off if I pressed things, but from my experience it took about 15 months to go from no credit to signature card. I just now felt comfortable starting my first churn, never had a chase card before and was approved for 3 and the SPG amex.

I agree with Altoid start small, a chase freedom is a good choice, doesn't need 5k in credit and has no annual fee.

I'd find a similar card with BOA with no fee and low limits and ditto with a Citi one for farther down the road. The reason being I've been told banks like to know that you're a good credit risk from past experiences (and not just a credit report), since all my accounts were BOA I had to talk a lot to get all 3 Chase cards approved due to my lack of history (3.5 years) and never having banked with them before.

Anyway I'm a newbie myself, hope my experience helped.

edit: I also meant to say what will restrict you the most is lack of credit history, it was the largest hurdle I had to jump through.