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@axledobe wrote:
@Jamex wrote:Hey guys,
Just wanted to jump in here because I'm in a very similar place. Got pre-qualified for Green, Gold, and Blue Sky, but in my case I do have a few baddies (1 unpaid CO from 2010 and a few paid negative accounts from 2009 & 2010).
My scores are similar to the OP, but given the baddies, should I just stick with the pre-qualified offers? Or might I have a shot at the Everyday? Basically I'd love to get in with Amex, but I don't want to commit to an annual fee just yet. Has anyone had any luck with apping for a "better" card, getting declined, and then settling for a less-awesome card with the same HP?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Sticking with the basic principal of applying for credit you NEED, I wouldn't settle for less than that. If a BCE or BCP fits your need and you're getting those preapproved offers, I would certainly go for what I wanted and if not approved, app again in 6 months.
I replied on this thread before about the same preapprovals popping up for me and I was instantly approved for the BCP. Your EX score is possibly knocking on the door of borderline but if you're getting preapproved offers, I think you just may have it (it's a good sign). You won't know until you app. I think I might go a little against the grain in my thinking. I'm not a huge fan of getting a useless card, barely using it because you already have better cards in hopes you can just get in with a lender then PC to what you need in a year. I'm not convinced that does much for internal scoring, either, due to lack of use. It's up to you if "settling" is okay but that's often times not the way to go.
Good luck if you app.
+1. I got a BCE. They pulled EX at 673. Baddies on EX include a paid CO (falls off next May), unpaid housing collection (falls off in July), and a 120 day late on SL from 2009.
@natecooper75 wrote:
@bernhardtra wrote:If your expenses for food are going to be increasing, then you might actually be better off with the BCP than the BCE. It has 6% on groceries instead of 3%, even with the annual fee it could still make sense. Take a moment and figure out what you spend on groceries, or will spend, and then figure out if it makes better economic sense than the BCE. I personally love to cook, so I buy groceries more than I eat out! Add in the fact that the gas rewards are better too and it might be a better situation.
I actually looked at going with the BCP instead and it does seem like that will be a better option in the long run. I'm leaning more toward going that route now. Initially, the annual fee bothered me but the cash back will pay for it in the long run and I will make more back in return between gas and grocery savings.
I struggled with going with the BCP vs BCE myself and have found the BCP to definitely be worth it. Not to mention, Amex has sync offers throughout the year, and with them I've basically recouped a full year's AF by using them.
@Themanwhocan wrote:The Sallie Mae rewards card gives more cash back than the BCE. It has a much lower spending cap, but the much higher rewards gains a lead that the BCE just can't recover from.
And if you get 2 Sallie Mae cards, you can even beat out a BCP. Though you should ideally wait 6 months between Barclay card applications.
Can you please tell me is Blue Cash (After 6.5K) stands on your list here?