I requested a cli when my account reached one year--it was a hard pull   I had heard of the "pre-approvals", but according to a few PenFed csrs, those are now less abundant than before. ... View more

Congrats Uncle.  Well done on the cl restore.   Citi has usually been fine for online softs for cli.  Just stay on top of when they come up, etc. ... View more

Z--you raise good questions and it looks like you have given this some good thought.   A couple of ideas: Check into a product change on you $50K card--perhaps you can change it  to a rewards type card Also check into product-changing the others, if possible If you cannot, do a single (small) charge on your non-rewards cards and pay the balance before the statement cuts Charge all else on the Chase card and pay it off twice during the month--once to clear off most of the charges and then the second time to pay the statement. Your utilization, both per card and total, will be the best possible and you will not have sacrificed rewards for charges.  Others on the forum have recommended this strategy and I have used it successfully for the last 18 months. ... View more

Mi--I also have a WFB Platinum.  Although I don't carry a balance, they would only reduce the rate (from 16%) down to 9% for a few months.  I use the card and will keep the card, as WFB is one of the more stable/quality banks IMO.  Sounds like you have a good plan and will do well. ... View more

Lexa--we had the same experience.  Our cards were over 20 years with the previous credit union.  Sorry to hear that for you, too. ... View more

Chem--congratulations!  I know several other people that also had to deal with that, and it can be a tough journey back.   Well done! ... View more

After attempting to re-read the original post, I think that the issue at hand is somewhat more than just FICO.   Nevertheless, I've come to understand some important things from this board in this regard: It is far better to understand how FICO works than to not face financial/credit facts of life FICO best practices, as described on this site, offer an individual the best chance of being prepared for important financial/credit opportunities/challenges as they appear: banking accounts, car purchases, home purchases, cash back, and other reward offerings Too many posters here--as compared to a few writers on the outside--have shared great success stories with the site.  These stories almost always came to be by following FICO best practices. Becoming emotional about credit and credit decisions is dangerous--either during the event or after.  Hindsight is something that has been shared by way too many people here for an intelligent observer to doubt this particular best practice. The vast, vast, vast majority of posters here are quite patient, understanding, experienced, and wise.  I would definitely consider taking their advice or suggestions seriously and with much gratitude.  I cannont count the amount of posts that were thankful for the reasonable reply postings that appeared after the OP had become emotional or had strayed from various FICO best practices. For me personally, when I came to accept FICO best practices and the more-than-reasonable guidance of the great posters here, my credit goals and direction became crystal clear and made my credit life quite simple and constructive. ... View more

Peach--the others' advice is good.  If you don't see a definite need for Disc, best not to apply.  Another way to look at it is to see your total spending for the year and calculate $ gained/lost by having/not having the card.  I did this exercise with Amex/PenFed.  if the difference is enough to make you regreat not having the card, that is a strong indicator.  Your idea about spreading out the relationships is good, but it looks like you have at least two different actual lenders.  if your scores stay high, you should have not problem replacing one or two immediately should a relationship sour. ... View more

If you're pre-approved, it looks like they will run it through.  The bigger question is if you need the card.  If not, let it go.  If you do need it, you can run the pre-approval by their csrs to ensure that it will be accepted.  Some csrs will give you a "hint" of probability of success.  I do have the card and Alliant has been fantastic. ... View more

I did the same thing last year.   Check to see on the site if any preapprovals are available.  (I don't see them for me anymore).   When I did the changeover last year, the cs was very nice/helpful.  I hope it works well for you. ... View more

CB--the Amazon store card is a good one to have.  To your question, do you really need the other credit card?  If so, recon.  If not, best to move on. ... View more

Lexa--my CU has their card running through Elan now.  They have been fine for me so far (about 1 year). ... View more

As one of the other posts mentioned, I too have made myFico a part of my daily education for the last year.  Hauling--you have been a big part of that, with your knowledge, how you impart it, and your general kind and creative manner--and extreme amount of patience.   I feel lucky that I joined when I did, and completely understand your current situation.  I too, am focusing on many other goals now, but because of your help have only a few more checkmarks left to reach the Fico part of my goals list.   I wish you well in your new job and hope to see you here from time to time.  Thank you for setting one of the best moderator examples I have ever encountered.  Your new firm is lucky to have you and your success is already a given.   Take care. ... View more

Amex Blue Cash and PenFed are both great (I have both), but it really depens on how much you will be spending and what you will be spending on.   Last year, my charges pointed to using the Amex predominantly and it very much paid off.  This year, my charges are significantly lower, and PenFed will net me more back, so it will be my main card.   Check the thresholds and what/how you project to spend and one of those two will serve you quite well. ... View more

Here is an article I just found.  The contact you should reach is listed at the bottom.  You may want to let him know that if he really means what he said in the article, he should have your accounts reevaluated.   http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Mixed-blessing-credit-card-apf-2338521177.html?x=0 ... View more

Therajman,   Please reread the posting on your thread--especially the cooling off and CU posts.   Specifically, although perhaps just a fluke of timing, notifying BofA for an interest decrease in these financial times might have given them an opportunity to do this, whereas you might have been able to stay under the radar otherwise.   I would suggest these ideas: Take a cooling off period and use the time to read this forum's posts and get acclimated to the wealth of knowlege/experience that is here Pay down your cards asap, using your best judgment (and info from this forum) on how to do it in the most effective way If there are better options for your banking/investments, then move your money if you still feel strongly about this--but remember that when big banks are involved, it's usually very impersonal--don't get sucked into personal/emotional decision-making--it usually does not end up constructive When your scores improve, consider a rewards cc from a cu such as PenFed or another quality institution--many are listed in this forum No matter the preceding events, you must be in control of your credit behavior from this moment on--respect the challenge and work to make the most effective and appropriate decisions that you can ... View more

While I needed to cancel my cc with them (2 well-documented banking mistakes), I have to agree with DC that otherwise USBank was really great with charges, statements, and customer service.  Even my cancellation call as met with top-flight professionalism.   If it were not for a not-yet-diagnosed glitch in their system for me, I would still be with them indefinitely. ... View more

Woo--I look at your situation and the steps that you have taken as a good route to take, with one note.  It is important--if you need to--to replace the credit line with another of a similar amount to keep your util where you desire it.   Considering your credit cards mentioned, it would not have made sense to spend $2,400.00 to have the fee waived.  You moved in the right direction.   I will most likely be in the same situation shortly, as my one-year with CitiCards is coming up next week.  If I encounter the same situation, I will do exactly what you have done.   You can most likely replace the lost line with a fine cu card that will not give you similar issues. ... View more

I don't know about the BOA card, but I had definitely did well with the Blue Cash--both rewards and service. ... View more

How--not certain as to their approval rates for the card.  I have had mine for 6+ years, no problems.  WF has been an excellent bank to work with. ... View more

Italia---the advice already given is excellent.  Another option to reach the same goal is to pay it down $10,000 to $20,000 at a time.  If paying down the credit card in one shot makes you apprehensive, paying it down of several payments should alleviate most of that apprehension.  After the first large payment, you should better about the process. ... View more

Lady,   Marty's advice is right on, but I think your strategy fits.  You have 4-5 excellent cards with good limits--the rest are probably not necessary.  Just ensure that your util stays low, using the payment strategies on the forum. ... View more

Atom,   Welcome to the forums.  There is a backdoor number listing available on the threadlist page or you can access via this link:   http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=creditcard&thread.id=136936 ... View more

It's funny in a way....I hit the link and watched the CC debt monitor for about 30 seconds.  The amount actually did go down a bit..... ... View more

DickC---thank you for posting.   A Financial Preparer informed me several years ago about how many people "qualified" for homes initially.  They would borrow $$$ from their parents, let it sit in their savings accounts during the home loan process, then pay their parents back via credit card advances.  It's not surprising that this has occurred.  The projected number I heard last year was closer to 1 trillion, but it's all not good. ... View more

Hauling's point is well taken.  Ron 1--it depends on your goals.  If you have thought the rewards through, and the Blue works better for you, excellent.   I carry the Blue Cash because I knew I would have the charges to justify the high thresholds.  This year, PenFed is my go-to card, because when I project my charges, mathematically PenFed gives the superior return according to my goals.   Well done, Ron1 -- enjoy your membership with Amex. ... View more

I currently carry:   Credit Union ATM (main banking) PenFed Rewards Visa Amex Blue Cash   Rounding out my top 5 (at home): Simmons Platinum Visa First Command Platinum Visa   I am happy with my current cards and could let the other 5-6 ccs go, if I had to pare down to 5. ... View more

Realist--yes--If you typically run two cards, pif on one before the statement cuts by 2-5 days, depending on how quickly your ccc posts payments.  The other card can be pif after the statement cuts.   If your typical charges exceed 9% of your total available lines, pay down most of the regular charges on the one card that will report a balance, then pay the remainder (small amount) after the statement cuts.   Example: card 1 and 2 both have $5k lines.  Pif card 1 before its statement cuts.  If you have charged $2k on card 2, pay at least $1k before the statement cuts, then pay the remainder directly after the statement cuts.  Your util (if those are the only trade lines in play) would be 10% or less when util is calculated.   Hauling and a number of others have used this strategy successfully and I have benefitted also. ... View more

Realist--a valid concern.  If you do the pay-ahead-of-the-statement strategy for all but one card, you should be fine.  Getting a cash-back card after your mortgage is finished sounds excellent. ... View more

In response to a number of posters who pointed out the "too many...", it depends.......   Many of us went on app sprees last year and added 10+ accounts to our profiles and have not experienced account closures like this.  In fact, Citi just increased my credit limit again last night.  I have about 15 open lines, 22 accounts showing on my accounts list (open/closed), and my scores are a couple of months from 800 territory.  Some play tight-to-the-vest with the good credit guidelines, others no-so-much.   If you are done with Citi, I would recommend replacing them with another card/line to make up for the lost credit line to help your util and flexibility. ... View more