I never had enough credit history for a CC for years, despite never overdrawing my bank account, paying all bills on time, etc. Even after I had been married for a couple years, and my wife had had credit cards (but still good credit), nothing. I had a mortgage before I got a credit card. I switched jobs to a company that had a credit union, joined that, and they finally gave me one. *shrug*
The credit union's card had a $9000 limit, and all these other banks wouldn't give me a f'in $500 card. Guess the banks were too busy selling subprime mortgages or something.