How do I get started?
 

I am completely new to travel hacking. I did my research and thought chase preferred was the best credit card to choose with the best mileage deals. However I am 18 and have only had a debit card so my request for a chase credit card was denied. Now that you have heard about my background, which credit card with mileage points has the best mileage deals that I will actually be approved to use?

Welcome to FT!

Do you have a job? What is your annual income?

You will probably not be able to get one of the better credit cards until you have more of a credit history, showing that you pay your bills on time. I'd suggest starting with a credit card from a store that you patronize, perhaps a department store. Pay your monthly bills on time, and then, after six months or a year, try for a major credit card. If you will be attending college, see if any of the local banks solicit credit-card applications from your college's students.

The Discover IT student card is a good starter card. Also if you have a bank that you have a history with, you can see if they have a student CC.

In this game you've gotta walk before you can run, and your first year if starting from scratch, you're gonna be walking.

There is none unfortunately.

Since you practically have no history, the very first thing you need to do is to get yourself a student credit card, even the one without reward.

Getting started is always pain and yet important. Once you have established a history (6-12 months). Your chance will be improved.

I think this is way too personal. Beside, OP's age pretty much told us #1 reason for denial - lack of history.

I concur with most that have been said here. Having any income is a good advantage. Even a weekend job will make you more appealing to extend credit. Being a college student puts you into a desirable category for banks. They love to get you hooked on using credit and know most are able to depend on family for payment so it's a safe(ish) gamble for them.

The 3 "best" student cards I see available are:
-the Capital One Journey for Students with $0 annual fee and 1-1.25% cash back
-Citi Thank You Preferred for Students with $0 annual fee and 1-2 points earned per dollar spent based on category.
-Discover It card for Students with $0 annual fee and 1-5% cash back depending on category and bonus periods.

If you're going to get into the Travel Rewards (it's not so much a "hacking") game I'd personally go with the Citi card if you feel you can satisfy the requirements. Thank You points have their advantages in the awards game. The current bonus isn't great for that card but it's better than nothing.

Another option is a secure card. Many banks offer these with an annual fee. Discover is an example of one that does not charge an annual fee for the secure card and offers a cash back program. The way it works is you deposit with them money and they extend you this amount in "credit" but you cannot use that deposited money to pay the bill. If you have no documented income and not attending college this may be the way to go to establish yourself.

Some banks/CC companies have a "see if you qualify" section that isn't a full application but will show you what the banks feels you qualify for. It's not a guarantee though.
For example: https://www.citicards.com/cards/cred...~Citicards~3D3

When you come up with a strategy it might be a good idea to let us give some comments incase you're missing out on something.