 TITLE: How Credit Cards Work CONTENT: How Do You Get a Credit Card?\n-----------------------------\nCredit cards come in many different forms, so you'll need to choose a type of credit card you want to apply for. There's a lot of variety among the credit cards on the market, but here are a few types you should familiarize yourself with:\n*   **Secured credit cards**: If you're new to the world of credit, a secured card can help you establish yourself as a borrower. You'll have to put down a security deposit, which becomes the amount you can borrow up to. Because the card is secured with collateral, credit card issuers are usually more open about granting these to new borrowers. Once you've used the card responsibly for six or more months, you may be eligible to move up to a traditional unsecured credit card and get your deposit back. Secured cards may come with fees charged on regular intervals, such as annual fees.\n*   **Unsecured credit cards**: An unsecured card doesn't charge a security deposit but may be harder to qualify for. Unsecured cards don't require collateral, but may charge fees to maintain your account.\n*   **Student credit cards**: College students may be best served by a student credit card, which is geared toward those with no credit history.\n*   **Store credit cards**: You may have been offered a card like this at the checkout counter of a major retailer. These cards can help you build your credit just like any other card, but you may be limited to using it at only certain businesses.\nOnce you've decided what type of credit card you'd like to have in your wallet, it's time to apply for a credit card. If you know which card you want, or which bank or issuer you'd prefer to work with, you can usually apply online directly. If you're not sure which card you want, or you're unsure what you could qualify for, you can try Experian's free CreditMatch™ tool to get personalized credit card offers based on your credit profile. Once you select one, you'll apply with the credit card issuer.\nTo apply, you'll have to provide some basic personal and financial information, such as your income and your Social Security number. In some cases, you'll receive an immediate decision. You may, however, have to wait for your application to be reviewed before you find out if you're approved or declined. If you are declined due to reasons related to your credit, the issuer has to explain why. END