['97ventureowner]

Check with your local bank or credit union, especially if you are a member. Credit unions operate a little differently than banks and tend to be a little more lenient in their requirements. Above all don't start off with a high credit limit like previously posted. Let your good credit handling and on time payment history be a guide to future limit increases. Watch out for the rates, especially the "regular" APR, the default rate, and any associated costs involved with the card such as convenience check charges, over the limit fees, late payment fees. A lot of these fees differ from card to card so it pays to shop around. One trend that the credit card industry is using now is using the excuse of being late in paying one of your other cards or other bills to raise your APR to their default rate which is usually significantly higher. This can look bad on your credit report and hurt you in finding employment, insurance, or housing. I've also noticed some of my card issuers are quietly raising a lot of their rates for other charges like the ones I listed above. This is how many credit issuers make the real money. Some states have websites with banking info as to the issuer of the card and their current rates and fees. This is a good comparison tool. But try your local lending institutions first as they tend to have lower rates and fees, especially if you're a customer.

Edit: One credit issuer you could also try is Citibank. They are the biggest card issuer. They also have bought out other card issuers such as gas companies. My wife and I have about 5 cards issued through Citibank, and they too also have a great fraud detection dept. Last year I received a call about my AT&T card (issued through Citi). I hadn't used the card in 3 years and they were alerted to some suspicious activity. I confirmed I hadn't used the card recently, and they immediately closed the account, sent me a new card and notified the 3 credit reporting agencies to put a "fraud alert" on my file.