Need card recommendations please...

[SwiftTone]

So after gardening for the past 6 months, it's almost time for an app spree! The last card I got was Discover More in April '12  with a starting CLI of $3500, which now has a CL of $4000. And before that my Slate in November '11 with a starting CL of $500, but now at $4000. I also have 2 Capital Ones at $1250 and $1000. AAoA is 3 years+, utilization under 5%, inquries on EX: 2 in the last year,6 total but 2 of those 6 are utilities. Income at $48k. I have 2 student loans from last year with a total balance of $4500 but it's defered for atleast another year on paper but I will continue with school. My EQ FICO is 729 as of a couple days ago, and TU should be similar. Since it's been almost 6 months with Discover, I will be requesting a CLI in the next few days and I'm confident that they will give me a total CL of more than $5000.

So I was thinking of PCing my Slate to a Freedom 10/10 when November rolls around.  But before then, I'd like to apply for 3 cards. I have a checking and savings account with Chase, so Sapphire Preferred is a no brainer to complete the trifecta. This would cover my restaraunt, travel + whatever Freedom covers for that quarter. Another is the BCE to cover gas and supermarkets.

I feel like I could apply for another card. Not that I really need it, but just because I could and use it as a backup. But I'd like for it to have some sort of benefit also, let it be rewards, low apr, large signon bonus etc. I'm a bit at a loss for what I should apply for. It would definitly have to have no annual fee. US Bank Cash+ looks good, but I don't think I could qualify for it. But other than that one I don't have any ideas.

After this is all said and done, I will be closing down my Capital Ones.(w00t w00t!)

So give me some ideas guys/gals! Any help would be appreciated!

[jsickz32]

If your approved for the BCE i dont see how you wouldnt for the cash+

[nenuco]

Hey! We are in similar boats. I have the Chase Freedom and I think it's a really useful card. Combining it with your current Discover Card will allow you to get 5% more often on the categories you use most. The Chase Sapphire has a nice signing bonus of 40,000 points, albeit you have to spend $3,000 in 90 days. Are you looking for a CashBack bonus, or on travel and hotels? Good luck with your apps!

[SwiftTone]

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@jsickz32 wrote:
If your approved for the BCE i dont see how you wouldnt for the cash+

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From what I've read, if you have any baddies on your report, you will not be approved. I have a string of like 8 30 and 60 day lates on a car payment in 2008. That was a tough time but that note is now PIF and closed since December '11

[jsickz32]

Dont take this the wrong way but then why you think Amex will approve you with that and us bank wont. Im just curious thats it

[SwiftTone]

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@nenuco wrote:

Hey! We are in similar boats. I have the Chase Freedom and I think it's a really useful card. Combining it with your current Discover Card will allow you to get 5% more often on the categories you use most. The Chase Sapphire has a nice signing bonus of 40,000 points, albeit you have to spend $3,000 in 90 days. Are you looking for a CashBack bonus, or on travel and hotels? Good luck with your apps!

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Spending $3000 in 90 days won't be an issue. I have to travel to Asia in december, and a plane ticket alone is close to $2000 a pop. Plus my regular spendings of around $2000, I think I can take on any reasonable conditions for sign on bonus the next few months.

I guess I'm looking for points that can be redeemed for anything. But since CSP, Freedom, and Discover is going to cover so many categories, it doesn't have to. But I'm sure I'm missing something from the big picture.

I always PIF monthly so no rewards low apr cards are not beneficial.

[TheConductor]

Well, you're going to be pretty set for rewards once you nail down the CSP and the BCE.

My recommendations would be:

- Consider applying for the Citi Forward for students. Their rewards categories target the student lifestyle more effectively than any other card I've seen.  Year-round rewards on your textbooks, music buying, and entertainment at 5 points to the dollar would be pretty sweet.  Obviously you could apply for a more prime card, but this one would be very complementary to your suite of other cards and your lifestyle.

- More likely, apply for the Barclay NFL card just to get the current $400 bonus on a $1000 spend in the first 90 days. In the end, that's probably more money than you're going to get in the remainder of your school career from using the student Citi Forward.  So if you can push $1000 through it in 3 months, go for it!  http://www.nflextrapoints.com/nfl_2012/?campaignId=1717&cellNumber=501

[SwiftTone]

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@jsickz32 wrote:
Dont take this the wrong way but then why you think Amex will approve you with that and us bank wont. Im just curious thats it

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Not at all.

From what I've read, FICO 750+ seems like a requirement, and minimum starting CL is $5000. My gf had 2 years of history, FICO 710ish when she got approved for BCE $2000 CL and Zync NPSL on the same day. She just got a CLI to $6000 after 3 months of use. I think its safe to safe that BCE requirements are lower.

[jsickz32]

Oh ok thanks. Im interested on the cash+ thats why and i already have the BCE.

[charyot77]

I agree with the OP. US Bank is a conservative lender and the Cash+ card seems to be one of their most sought after products.  Unlike the Barclay Ring card which I saw a lot of approvals for, I haven't seen many for the Cash Plus card. It's a Visa Signature card as well so you probably need have or qualify for a $5K limit as well.