What is the best “starter” credit card?

UMfan83: What is the best “starter” credit card?
I am interested in building credit. I am 22 and am finishing my Bachelors in business this Spring. The problem is, I have paid little attention to my credit. I now wish to find a credit card that I can use to build up credit. I am looking for one with a moderate interest rate that I can basically buy gas on and pay off monthly. Is there a “best starter credit card” I can look for and can I apply online?

I realize a similar question has been posted recently, but I feel their situation differs from mine.

Answers and Views:

Answer by afterburner
I applied to first premier

Answer by VaTreasures
Get one now as a college student. You should find plenty of offers at your college bookstore. Make sure it does not have an annual fee.
To establish your credit, you just need to use the card and pay the bill on time. Paying the bill in full will prevent you from wasting money on interest and establish your credit history.

Answer by theevilfez
—sometimes paying you bill in full can affect your credit in a negative way too. they will not see a credit history of you paying a debit on time and for several months. If you pay in full you may not buy somthing else for awhile and have a zero balance. Pay 90% of it and drag a small balance for a bit until you buy somthing else. –

Answer by theamishboy
you can obtain an awesome card on www.entrustsystems.com/wow to establish credit and/or improve your current credit score. this is a great card for college students because it will track non-traditional re-occuring monthly bills like cell phones, rent, beepers, electricity, cable, etc. that the big three (transunion, experian and equifax) do not track and this will help establish your credit.

Answer by Credit Guru
This is one of the most common questions on this board.

How do I build/establish credit?

First off you need to be educated about how credit works in the U.S. Every credit decision a lender makes is driven by FICO credit scores. You can go to www.myfico.com and look in the Credit Education section to learn how FICO credit scores are determined. To build your credit you have to place positive credit items on your file that will report positively for 6-12 months minimum. If you want your credit to be in the Excellent category (FICO score 720+) then your goal should be to have 3-6 revolving accounts(dept. store, gas cards, Visa. etc.) and 1-2 installment loans(car, mortgage) that are reporting positively.

I would start out with a Bank of America or Wells Fargo secured Visa card. Both banks have great programs with low annual fees, low starting amounts ($ 300.00) and no junk fees. After 12 months of positive on time payments you will graduate to an unsecured status. Then you will probably be approved for other cards such as dept. store and gas cards.

Good Luck