Having a credit card or a small personal loan will give you a credit rating. Showing that you can pay off small amounts at a time, on time, shows lenders that you are responsible enough to establish credit.
An unsecured credit card is considered to be the kind of card you want having minimum boundaries and no prepayments. This is not an unattainable card for those who have had credit problems in the past. There are many lenders willing to offer unsecured credit cards, even to those who have struggled with repayments, but your interest rate will be higher than those who have a high credit standing.
Unsecured credit cards range from no perks to cash back bonuses. You can earn reward points for airlines, hotels and more. The issuer will approve you, and bonuses will be determined after a review of your credit report. If you don't have perfect or near perfect credit, it is unlikely you will get approved for a Platinum Unsecured Card. There are other unsecured credit cards between these two ranges as well.
In the future, when you want to purchase a car, or a home, this established credit history is what proves to lenders that you will repay. There are many lenders willing to help you re-establish and rebuild your financial future even if you have had trouble re-establishing your credit in the past.