flashes from the past

[any ruger]

Never had a credit card.

 

[vito]

My first real job after college was at a big New York advertising agency. One of the accounts I worked on was Carte Blanche, a credit card similar in use to American Express and Diner's Club. Like those others you had to qualify by income to get one. There was no provision for "minimum payments", you were obligated to pay the full balance each month. Even though my income was far too low to qualify, because I worked on that account I was issued that credit card. When I would go out on a date and use that card I was treated very differently than if I used cash since the restaurant or whatever knew that to have that card meant I had real money (ha ha!). I would ask as we entered the restaurant if they accepted Carte Blanche and if they said yes, invariably I would be told that I would be seated at one of their special tables. This always impressed any girl that I was taking out.

Once I left the advertising agency and began my military service as a new Lieutenant, Carte Blanch canceled my card since my Army pay was less than half of what was required for cardholders. After that I got several gas company cards. And then, I guess this was about 1968, Gulf Oil announced that the Gulf card could be used for (if I recall) Howard Johnson motels. This was amazing to me and caused me to seek out those motels when traveling and being short of cash (always). Later I got my first BankAmericard and then my first MasterCharge card. Took me many years to get out of the trouble I got myself into using those charge cards.

 

[OVERLOADDED]

Married 1975, first card 1980, carried over a balance one month! We knew we would make two large payments and be done. Never ever carry over since! Overloadded

 

[sfhogman]

Got my first card in 1971, shortly after I was commissioned and went active. USAA of course, and I still have that account. I have one other card from Amazon (Chase) which I use strictly for online purchases.

Jeff

 

[WAYNO]

My first credit card was American (Standard) Oil. Next one was Master Charge from one of the Washington banks while I was stationed at Ft. Lewis. That remained my only bank card for many years until they got out of the credit card business. Over many years, I had just about every oil company and department store credit card. Now I'm back to just one bank card that I routinely use.

 

[bobski]

my fiancé had a chase card.
how do I know?
I paid off her debt as a wedding gift.
met her in 'the woods' and married her up in Brewster ny.
3 years later she divorced me when I was in roosy roads PR on a navy mission.
nice girl. she used my card while I was away for all her fun.
classic navy wife. 'the cats away, the mice do play.'

I think of her every time I take the 84-684 exit to white plains.
32 years ago. wow.

 

[caryc]

I applied at 35 for my first card. I needed one to travel. They said I was a "credit ghost." I told them You've been my bank since I was a kid you have my only loans on record. You know my account history.
"you didn't use enough credit. If you let us lock up x amount we can give you a card for x amount"
Screw that.
Luckily shortly after that was when rewards cards started and Ford was issuing one. I worked for Ford so it was a no brainer and no issue. So my first was a Ford Citicard

I had the same issue when I went to get a car loan. I told them there is enough in your bank to pay cash for it. Once again, let us lock up your money and you get the loan. At that point I learned how their rules work and abused their system for my gain. In the 25 years since, the credit industry has gained a whopping $34 interest. (dang lost mail... )

They wanted to lock up your money so it would draw no interest then make you a loan with a high rate of interest?

 

[caryc]

My first credit card was American (Standard) Oil. Next one was Master Charge from one of the Washington banks while I was stationed at Ft. Lewis. That remained my only bank card for many years until they got out of the credit card business. Over many years, I had just about every oil company and department store credit card. Now I'm back to just one bank card that I routinely use.

I had a Standard Oil card way back when I was young. I never used it so they wound up cancelling it.

 

[Jeepnik]

Interestingly, the second card I got was after I was discharged. A
Standard Oil card. They seemed to be willing to give cards to young folks. Now I don’t know if that’s stuck in my brain or just geography but I usually by gas at Chevron.

 

[Watchman]

Monkey Wards.