Chase, I take it all back! Approved $16K CL!

[OnWayUpinTexas]

Edit: I've tried in vain to fix the messy formatting in this post, but the board won't cooperate ... sorry if it's hard to read ...

Second and Third Edits below: updating hard-pull info

Ok, I said I was done app'ing less than a month ago, but 4 things happened today that made me pull the trigger on my (personally) most coveted card -- the Chase Continental Airlines OnePass Plus MasterCard -- coveted because I fly the airline a lot and am willing to do just about whatever to get more miles (and coveted because I never thought I would get a card like this!).

The things that happened were:

1.  For better or worse, I happened to re-read NewWorldMan's Veni, Vidi, Vinci, Visa or How to Master Your MasterCard pinned under "Helpful Threads" above, and in particular his paragraph: "'Don't apply for credit unless you really need it' is a canard, in almost all cases."  So, I was thinking about (as NewWorldMan advises) diluting more of my (now diminishing) bad credit with some more good credit;

2. I got reading the "TU only credit cards" post currently floating around the top of page one on this board, and got thinking about Chase;

3.  I talked to a colleague of mine today who mentioned he had just gotten approved for the same Chase Continental Card at $11K CL, and I know from previous conversations with him that our credit scores are very similar; and

4. I checked my TU report and score, and saw that in my recent "app spree" -- (Amex Zync (approved), Barclays Apple Visa (approved), WFFNB World MasterCard (stupid, stupid waste of an inquiry--declined), and Zion's Bank Plat Visa (approved)) -- ONLY Barclay's had reported the recent inquiry to TU.  (My score had also dropped 7 points from 708 to 701 due to a new balance on my old Sears card that just started reporting (new washer and dryer), but that is now paid off as of today.)

So, I figured, what's one more inquiry on my TU? (preparing myself for almost certain disappointment).  INSTEAD, instantly approved and instantly activated on my Continental OnePass profile, and I called in and checked the CL and it was -- unbelievably -- $16K!!!  I've never, never, never had a Visa/MC CL that even sniffed over $2K (until very recently--at $2500), even before my and DW's credit problems back in 2005-06.

I'll have to take back all the bad things I've said about Chase because even though I kicked them to the curb on both my mortgage and checking accounts within the past two years, I am thrilled to have this card, and beyond thrilled to have this CL!

Note: I'm not CERTAIN that the pulled only TU, but I have no reason to suspect otherwise.  Will update post when I find out for sure ... EDIT: Chase (at least) pulled Experian, I just learned.  (It was pulled under the moniker First USA, NA, which other posts on this board suggest is Chase.  And, it was the only inquiry I initiated yesterday.)  Will update with EQ and TU as I find out if Chase hard-pulled there too.

Final update:  Chase pulled EQ and Experian (and NOT TU) in Texas.  Go figure.

(Sidenote: It is hard for me to believe that only 1 1/2 years ago, I applied for a Macy's store account as my first card coming out of a DMP thanks to advice that I read on this board, and was simultaneously ashamed and pleased to have been approved for a meager $100 CL (which is now $2500).  Thanks to all the great advice (and advisors) on this board!)

[ArisGreek]

Congrats! I just got approved Monday for Continental Airlines OnePass Plus, as well and I got a $15k limit! I was stuck at stupidly low lines and I used to say I was on the "Island of misfit credit lines" and I am now in the 15k club! Yay!

However, since it's a World Mastercard I do not think the credit line will post on credit reports...As I mentioned in a post the other day, it seems that some people's World MCs report a line and some do not. Mine however, does not report a line for my American Airlines World MC, we'll see if this one does!

Congrats again!

[OnWayUpinTexas]

Now I remember your post!  (I think I responded to it w/ obvious card envy.)  I sure hope the CL reports.  But, it's good to have the large CL regardless!

Thanks and congratulations yourself!

[MrShush]

Sweet! Nice approval and limit!

I have a World Mastercard and the limit definitely reports. Although, the card was upgraded from a regular Mastercard so that may be a factor.

[OnWayUpinTexas]

Good to hear.  I've researched the CL-reporting issue on here a little bit, and am seeing some mixed results.  Haulingthescoreup has a couple of posts confirming two World Cards as I recall that report their limits as well.

Thanks.

[BungalowMo]

Way to GO Texas!!!!!   Congrats on that sweet limit! 

I know how you feel about being in the "credit-crapper" just a short time ago.  That was me too.  My first attempt at rebuilding was a car loan at 18%.  I knew it was nuts, but I felt that it would serve me well down the road, and it did.  My first cc approval was a Credit One card w/25% int & a $300 limit! 

But after all this, I also thanked the wonderful members of this forum for their help.  After reading up for hours, doing GW letters, restraining myself from unnecessary apping, I now have a stable of some nice cards that I use sparingly.  Just 2 days ago I got a nice card from my Credit Union, so I know the look that was on your face when you saw that limit!

Feels good, doesn't it??? 

Hard work & time pay off in the long run.  Congrats again.

[OnWayUpinTexas]

---

@BungalowMo wrote:

Feels good, doesn't it??? 

---

You know it does!  DW thinks I'm a little obsessed about this issue of credit-rebuilding, but I was trying to convey to her last night how GOOD my financial decision making has gotten (and it was atrocious  before) since I've been reading this board.

Thanks again for the kind words.

[ArisGreek]

As a side note, since I was approved on Monday, I got 3 chase offers in the mail today!! One for Sapphire Preferred, one for Freedom, and one for United MileagePlus! Geez. Word travels quickly I guess, hahahaha!

[OnWayUpinTexas]

---

@ArisGreek wrote:

As a side note, since I was approved on Monday, I got 3 chase offers in the mail today!! One for Sapphire Preferred, one for Freedom, and one for United MileagePlus! Geez. Word travels quickly I guess, hahahaha!

---

Wow(!)  Please post if you decide to do anything with any of those ...

[ArisGreek]

Oh I most likely will not take action. I mean, I have enough credit cards as it is. This is truly my last one because I do not want my AAoA to lower too much.  But I'm hoping this one will help balance me out in the "Too many accounts have balances" window.  I mean, the main one I use anyway is Home Depot and AMEX Zync. I only use AMEX SPG when I stay at a Starwood Hotel which is at least once a month so it gets use. My AA World Mastercard I usually only use when I fly American which has been less and less lately as they are just too expensive.  I've been flying a lot of Star Alliance airlines in the last couple of years so I figured I have a lot more options ot use the Continental card than the AA card.  I may even close the AA World Card though I've had it since January 2008.  I'm not sure yet.  

But I'm done with apping for any credit cards.  Zync was great in September, Banana Republic in October I think it was or early Nov and now this one. So I'm done for a couple of years so I do not hurt my AAoA, and get the dreaded "Too many accounts are too new".