If you have at least one credit card and a car payment and/or student loan in your name, you may be surprised to learn that you already have a good credit mix.
The two most common types of credit accounts are revolving and installment credit. Both can have an impact your credit score, however their borrowing and payment structures differ.
Your credit card account, which you charge and make varying payments on each month, counts as revolving credit. Your balance is forever changing and there is no particular end date to having this type of credit (unless, of course, you close your credit card account).
Your car payment or student loan, for which you make the same, fixed payment on each month, counts as installment credit. With this type of credit, you have a set balance divided out equally into a series of payments due each month until the specified end date.
Having both revolving and installment credit makes for a perfect duo because the two demonstrate your ability to manage different types of debt. And experts would agree: According to Experian, one of the three main credit bureaus, "an ideal credit mix includes a blend of revolving and installment credit."
How to get a good credit mix
If you are aiming to achieve a good credit mix, first know what counts as installment credit: student loans, auto loans, mortgages and personal loans. Since there's a good chance you already have an installment account in your name, now you just need to focus on paying it off within the window of time specified. Do this by making sure your set monthly payments are made in full and on time when due.
For those who are new to credit cards, consider opening one to have some form of revolving credit and use it wisely — only charge what you know you can pay off in full by the due date. This way, you never have to pay interest on a revolving balance.
Credit card beginners should start with cards that are geared toward building credit. For example, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has no annual fee and varying minimum security deposits starting at $49, $99 or $200 — based on your creditworthiness.
Most secured credit cards require a deposit upfront that is equal to your credit limit (usually $200), but qualifying cardholders of the Capital One Platinum Secured can still access at least a $200 credit limit while only depositing a minimum deposit as low as $49 or $99. In addition to lower security deposits, Capital One gives cardholders access to a higher credit limit after making their first five monthly payments on time.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card can help you build, or rebuild, your credit because you can be approved with no credit or bad credit.
- No annual fee
- Low minimum refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- No rewards on purchases
- No welcome offer
- High APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
For those looking to open a revolving credit account and have only a fair credit score, consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card. This card is open to applicants with less-than-stellar credit ( Fair/Good) and comes with no annual fee nor foreign transaction fees for those traveling outside the U.S.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit-builder card that offers a path to upgrading to a more rewarding credit card in as little as six months.
- No annual fee
- No security deposit required
- No rewards on purchases
- No welcome offer
- High APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Bottom line
Making timely payments on all your credit accounts, no matter if it's installment or revolving, is important if you want to be rewarded for having a mix of both. Having both revolving and installment accounts in your name gives you a good variety, shows you can handle multiple loan types and also boosts your credit score. It may not be the biggest factor, but your credit mix counts for 10% of your FICO credit score.
