Credit Cards: Anyone get one before BK discharge?

[Anonymous]

We are in a situation where our Chapter 7 is being dragged out and we are having problems with the administrator trying to dismiss it. Meanwhile, my husband's corporate AMEX was cancelled when we filed in October. He had never even used it. Now, he needs to travel in May. He was supposed to use his corporate card, but now we don't have that.

We still haven't been discharged from our 7, and it looks like the administrator now has until April 15. Provided that our case doesn't take another turn. 

Has anyone ever had luck applying for a card with around a $2500 limit before discharge? We don't have the cash to front his travel expenses, so I am trying to figure out options. 

Thanks-

[CH-7-Mission-Accomplished]

Only a secured card (OpenSky doesn't check credit).

Almost no chance of an unsecured card -- you can try Cap 1, but it's doubtful.  And then it could get closed again on you.

Can you get an authorized user card from a family member or close friend or business associate?

[TRC_WA]

Prior to discharge... extremely doubtful.

They see BR on your report without being discharged and it's a huge red flag due to the fact any debt you incur on a new card can technically be discharged along with everything else. 

2 years ago when I got my discharge I went car shopping the next day and every lender was faxing in conditional approvals as long as I faxed them a copy of my discharge because my credit report hadn't yet updated.

[gdale6]

I would not be fronting the company any money at all for their travel related expenses, it is up to them to pay for such things as tickets. I would be requesting their accounting office pay for the major expense up front.

[ezdriver]

As difficult a situation as it is for your hubby, he needs to discuss the trave expenses with his employer. That you all are strucggling with a bankruptcy process should not cause him problems with his employer ... but taking too long to bring it to their attention could cause him pain. If the employer so chooses, they could make him an authorized user on one of the company's own credit cards. I have been in this situation years ago when I ran into personal financial difficulties while being a heavy traveller on the job. I told my boss about it and they simply made me an authorized user on a card controlled by the accounting department.

OP: Are you using a bankruptcy attorney to help you deal with the challenges you are facing? What's causing the delays?

[ojefferyo]

I believe he was on the company card and they cancelled him because of the BK

[Anonymous]

I am currently in chapter 7. Hopefully I should be discharged in April. I filed December 2014. I received an unsecured credit one credit card for $400. I opened a secured card for $500. I received an auto loan for $17900. Score has shot up 40 points just from their initial posting on my credit reports so I am now in the low 600s across all three credit bureaus without being discharged. I wanted to start early.

[ezdriver]

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@ojefferyo wrote:

I believe he was on the company card and they cancelled him because of the BK

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No...he had a card under the company's name but his personal guarantee. That's how corporate Amex cards work. Being added as an authorized user on a company card is a different matter. 

[TRC_WA]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I am currently in chapter 7. Hopefully I should be discharged in April. I filed December 2014. I received an unsecured credit one credit card for $400. I opened a secured card for $500. I received an auto loan for $17900. Score has shot up 40 points just from their initial posting on my credit reports so I am now in the low 600s across all three credit bureaus without being discharged. I wanted to start early.

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Wow.

For the life of me I can't figure out why Ch 13 filers like me who were stuck paying back creditors were 4 years were told "no new credit without trustee approval" but Ch 7 filers are free to wipe out all the debt today and start racking up new debt tomorrow.

Wasn't the bankruptcy law overhauled a few years back?