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Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

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Anonymous
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

So I'm back again, folks, with good news and a long dream realized. I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred!

A bit of context:  About two years ago, I was in the process of moving from the completion of my PhD program to my new job in a new state.  Being a grad student (somewhat poor lol) took its toll, while I generally paid all my bills timely, I fell behind on a few occasions, resulting in a few delinquent accounts (8 to be exact).  Fast forward to Summer 2016; I had just moved, and my scores were all roughly in the 590ish range (the lowest was 546).  Once we got settled in Maryland, the first thing I did was sit down and get all the accounts current, and develop a plan to pay off all the debt in a year.  I was able to do so in 6 months, and as a result, my scores went up a good 30ish points, with most of the scores being around 600-620. It was also around this time that my first Chase Freedom card was paid off (Chase closed it).  After this point, I basically just gardened--just paid my rent, paid student loans, car notes, and didn't use much credit at all.

Now here's where the really miraculous part of the journey emerges.  Around the beginning of the year 2017, I started doing more research into credit and things I needed to do to bump up the score, etc.  It was also around this time that the wife and I started looking for a house.  While we were cutting costs and saving, I made the decision to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited after reading the reviews here and hearing good things about the bonuses.  I was approved for a SL of 1.5K (663 pulled from Equifax at the time).  That I was able to get this card with all those previous lates (which were not even a year old at that point), was nothing short of miraculous to me.  I wanted to be sure to prove to Chase that I was a worthy customer, so ever since April, I used that CFU religiously, PIF every month, and always low utilization.  I've been doing that since April.  3 weeks ago, I applied for a SECU Visa Signature card--again on a whim, because I wanted to take advantage of bonuses in time for Christmas--I was approved for a SL of 13K (this is my highest limit to date).

Since getting the SECU, my scores have all jumped at least 20 more points.  As of tonight, my scores are:  TU 721, EQ 715, EX 718.  My utilization is constantly between 2-3%.  I still have those 8 lates reporting, and they will not drop off for another 5 years or so. Inquiries are fairly high as well (mainly due to the house hunt):  TU 8; EQ 8; EX 12.   
So here we are tonight, December 6, 2017, 8pm.  Once again, I had been feeling restless about this CSP that I've wanted so much--came back to this forum...read all the same posts I have mined through already lol, said a prayer, and rolled the dice.  Instant approval for 8K as a SL *was totally expecting only the standard 5K*  Never got a pre-approval green check online on my Chase account; and the odds on CK were "good".

A few other data points about me:

Income: 109K
Oldest card: 16 years
Average age of credit: 7 years
Util. 3%
Negative information on my report:  8 lates/delinquincies (I've only been current with no lates for a year and two months--also currently working to get these removed; been successful with two)

Logically speaking, there's no way in hell someone like me should have been able to get a CFU and CSP in less than a year with a 'dirty file'.  Apparently I'm one of those weird cases who falls outside of the norm. What I think really helped is my income and the fact that I've been with Chase (checking and savings) since I finished college in 2006--perhaps loyalty counts for something.  Beyond that, the only advice I can give to you all navigating the wonderful world of credit--get current--pay down the debts--and keep util. low by paying in full.  Good things will happen; I promise.  Also seek out the sage advice from folks here; they know what they are talking about--particularly the senior contributors. 

Here's to gardening indefinitely....  Happy hunting, folks.

Message 1 of 11
10 REPLIES 10
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

I'm sure your income was a big factor. Very glad to see Chase is treating you well because you've earned it! Smiley Happy 

Message 2 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

Great read. Congrats.

Welcome to Maryland!
Message 3 of 11
Hotcoals91
Regular Contributor

Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

I bet income and age of accounts helps a lot. Its my holy grail but im waiting to apply until i make a lot more than i do currently (30,000 if im lucky)
Message 4 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

4theloveofpoints--

Stupid question, but I gotta ask--

How do you get your credit card 'icons' on your profile? lol

Message 5 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

Not a stupid question at all.

 

Here's a link from a previous post:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/SmorgasBoard/how-do-I-post-images-of-all-credit-cards-I-own/m-p/3669...

 

Generally, you'll need to copy a url for an image of the card you want to post.  You can find these on Goolge Images.  Right click on the image and copy the link address.  Below is an example of what you'll put into your signature line in your profile.

 

You will want to delete the link address in my html code below and insert the link of the card image you copied.  Insert your card image link address between the quotation marks.  You'll also want to leave the width and height as is.  If you want to provide the name of the card and limit, you can just delete the info I have below and insert your info between the quotation marks. 

 

After this is complete, copy the entire html line from < to > and paste it into your signature.  You can check to see if it's there by revisiting any post where you have posted.  Do this for each of the cards.  Pasting them one after the other.  

 

If you want to format them a particular way (like five on each row) insert this <br> between each html line.  It will cause a break that will move the images to the next line.

 

Hopefully, this helps.

 

Example:

<img src="http://s28.postimg.org/w2wlyg4bx/NFCU_Go_Rewards.jpg"width="70" height="50""title="Navy Federal GoRewards $19.6K">

Message 6 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

thanks!

Message 7 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

Looks good @ddh4.
Message 8 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

Your scores are very good for having those recent baddies! Many of us had to fight longer with baddies to get over 700. Great job!

Message 9 of 11
Anonymous
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Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Approval--my story/journey

Congratulations! You put in the work, you earned the rewards...nice job!

Message 10 of 11
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