How I Opened 4 Credit Cards by Age 23

Back in July 2023, I was 21 years old and had zero credit history — no cards, no score, nada.

A month later, I applied for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, a solid starter card thanks to its low annual fee and generous welcome offer.

I was immediately denied. 🫠

But I didn’t give up. I called the reconsideration line, explained my situation (student, steady income, trying to build credit, willing to plead my case), and — against the odds — I was approved with a small credit line.

It was my first win, and a reminder that getting denied isn’t the end of the road.

Why You Should Use the Reconsideration Line

If you’re ever denied for a card, call the bank.

Seriously. Many banks offer a reconsideration line where you can talk to a real person, explain your financial situation, and potentially reverse the decision.

I’ve done this multiple times, and it works more often than you might think.

Slowly Building My Credit Score While Earning Points

By November 2023, I had hit the $3,000 spending requirement and earned 50,000 American Airlines miles. At the same time, my credit score had climbed into the low 700s, thanks to responsible spending and on-time payments (patting myself on the back as we speak).

By January 2024, my score was sitting at 736 — proof that credit cards, when used responsibly, can actually help your financial health. And as a college student, this felt so, so good.

My Favorite Card (and My Biggest Win)

In January 2024, I applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — arguably the best first travel card you can get.

I was denied... again.

But I called Chase, pleaded my case, and was approved (yay!).

A year after getting my very first credit card, I had the most popular travel card in the game and a whole new set of travel opportunities.

I even referred my husband, which got us elevated offers and a nice referral bonus. Between the two of us, we now had over 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points.

Not Every Application Is a Win (and That’s Okay)

In February 2024, I tried to snag the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card to work toward the Southwest Companion Pass. It was a long shot, and I got denied, even after calling for reconsideration.

Chase had just approved me for the Sapphire Preferred a month earlier, so it made sense. Sometimes, it's just a matter of timing.

Moral of the story: You won’t win every time — and that’s normal.

Big Welcome Offers, Big Trips

Once I had a couple of cards under my belt and my credit was solid, I went big, y’all! After cranking Julie Andrews’ “I Have Confidence,” I decided to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express and received a targeted 175,000-point offer. I was on vacation, I wanted lounge access, and it just made sense. Julie was obviously the key to my success.

Those points, combined with a Flying Blue transfer bonus, covered a full round-trip to Italy. So yeah, you could say that hooked me. Another earlier redemption? Two round-trip tickets to Europe with Chase points, completely free, minus taxes and fees.

The Cards That Helped Me Get Started

Here’s a quick timeline of the cards I opened and when:

Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners

If you're starting from scratch, these are great first steps:

• Sapphire Preferred: A favorite around here for beginners and seasoned pros alike, with flexible points and great transfer partners.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: You’ll be part of the Capital One family, which is a really good family. Plus, this has a low annual fee and solid perks.

• Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Airline perks and a solid intro offer (great for domestic and international flights).

• Bilt Mastercard®: No annual fee and ability to earn points on rent. Now, you can use this card to pay off student loans and earn on-campus housing.

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: If cash back is more your style, this is a great option that has no annual fee and pairs well with other Chase cards down the road.

How I Stayed Financially Responsible With Credit Cards

Friends — all of this works because I stick to a few key rules:

• Pay every statement in full

• Never spend just to hit bonuses (plan around real expenses)

• Monitor your credit score and report regularly

• Use budgeting tools or apps to stay organized

• Set up automatic payments on your cards and try to pay early when possible

Travel rewards aren’t “free” if they push you into debt. Be strategic and treat your cards like debit cards: spend what you can afford, then pay it off.

Real Trips I’ve Booked With Points

This strategy has taken me pretty freaking far — literally. Some highlights:

• Round-trip to Europe using 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Direct flights from New York to Seoul for just 42,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards and from Hong Kong to New York for just 38,000 American Express points

• Hotels in Vietnam, Italy, China, Thailand, and more

• Hotel for two nights in Italy using my Amex Platinum credit

• Domestic flights paid for with airline statement credits

These weren’t once-in-a-lifetime trips — they were all booked within my first two years of earning points.

Final Thoughts

When I got my first credit card, I had no points, a low credit score, and no idea where to start.

Two years later, I’ve earned over 250,000 points, booked multiple international trips, and maintained a strong credit score — all without falling into debt. Along the way, I made mistakes, celebrated some big wins, and learned a lot. Most importantly, I’ve traveled more than I ever thought possible, without draining my savings or wrecking my financial health.

This whole “miles and points” thing isn’t a sprint. It’s a slow, steady game — but trust me, it’s a fun one.

If I can do it, you can too.