<p>If you can’t get a “real” credit card (due to age restrictions and the absence of a qualified cosigner), look into secured cards. You would deposit money into a collateral account and then get a credit card with credit limit equal to that amount. Apparently it shows up as a real credit card on your credit report.</p>
<p>Disadvantages: you need some money to spare for the collateral, and you might have to pay annual fees without the perks of a regular credit card.</p>