How to build credit without a credit card
Editor's Note
We here at TPG talk a lot about credit cards. From the best credit cards for college students to top travel rewards credit cards, it's safe to say we're a little bit obsessed.
But what if you don't already have credit? Some of the best opportunities available for points and miles reside in premium cards that require a hefty credit score and a relatively thick credit report to qualify.
If you're just starting out and have no idea what to do, worry not. There are other ways for you to build your credit without a credit card.
Related: 6 things to do to improve your credit score
Become an authorized user
This is cheating a little bit here — after all, the title of this guide specifically excludes credit cards — but in this case, the credit card isn't yours. If someone in your family already has a credit card, they can often add you as an authorized user for no additional fee.
While some card issuers, like American Express, require a minimum age to hold a card (13 years), others will allow cardholders of any age.
There's no need for you to use the card, either. Simply having your name on there and ensuring that the primary account holder is making payments means your credit will improve, too. This can be especially helpful for young adults who otherwise wouldn't have credit history.
Even better, if the credit card on which you become an authorized user has some travel perks, you can take advantage too. One of the best perks available to authorized users of credit cards is access to Priority Pass lounges in airports across the world.
Related: Everything you need to know about authorized users
Get a loan
This is a more common approach for those with a thin credit history. No matter what kind of credit you've got, there are options for you to acquire a loan to help build up your report. If you have someone you trust (and who trusts you), you can opt to have a co-signer in order to bring your interest rate down.
If you're not in a position to have a co-signer, you can still be approved for a loan, though you may be at the mercy of the bank in terms of interest rates.
My own first loan was for a car and I was stuck with a murderous 12% rate. I sucked it up, paid it for a year, and refinanced when my credit history improved enough to net me a lower rate. While this wasn't ideal, it did get me a jump-start and allow me to build my credit quickly.
If you aren't in need of actual money and are just looking to build your credit, you can also look into a credit builder loan. Specifically built for those wanting to improve their credit, these loans are generally available at credit unions, banks and online lenders.
Once approved, the loan amount is held by the lender in an interest-bearing savings account. No money is actually withdrawn until the loan itself is paid off (often within a one to two-year time frame), at which point all the money paid and interest accrued becomes available. It's an easy, low-risk way to build history without a ton of effort.
Related: How (and when) to build your child's credit
Report your other payments
While this isn't a foolproof method, it can be valuable to those who are able to take advantage. There are a few different services out there that offer the ability to report other payments — like rent, cellphone bills and utilities — to credit card bureaus in order to establish payment history.
Experian also offers Experian Boost, a free service that allows you to add bills paid to your report. While there's no guarantee your score will jump, if your credit report is looking a little empty, it will probably help. On the downside, this only works for Experian credit reports, not TransUnion or Equifax.
It's also possible to ask your landlord to report your rent to the different credit bureaus, though it may not be feasible for them to do so. In that case, there are a number of companies that you can sign up for in order to have your rent reported. Experian's website lists several it works with. While Equifax and TransUnion don't have a single page that lists all available providers, you can still search online to find which businesses report to which bureaus.
Related: How do credit scores work?
Bottom line
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out the best way to build your credit, especially when obtaining a credit card is off the table. While there's no single solution for everyone, there are a number of different methods for you to try — from score-boosting services to credit builder loans — so that you can improve your credit history.
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