Terms of Orchard Bank credit card

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As part of my credit rebuild I added an Orchard Bank credit card.  It started out at an annual fee of less than 100, a very low limit, and high interest rate.

Over the last two years, my limit has increased to $570, and my credit has improved quite a bit (see my journal linked below).

My question:

Will HSBC lower the rate and/or reduce or eliminate the annual fee?  Has anyone had success requesting this?  What method is best, a letter or phone call?  Would a request like this result in a hard pull?

Thanks for the help. 

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Still no luck with OB converting to a better product.  *sigh*

[Creditaddict]

Just get a couple new prime cards now that your scores are good and close Orchard... they are terrible once you have good credit but great to help you rebuild.

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@Creditaddict wrote:

Just get a couple new prime cards now that your scores are good and close Orchard... they are terrible once you have good credit but great to help you rebuild.

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Yeah, that's what I'm finding...  I'm holding out for a USAA card so I can do the instant deposit with them.

[Anonymous]

I've had a secured Orchard card for about 14 months.  I was paying my bill online and emailed CS about when it would convert to unsecured.  Answer came back it wouldn't - I could close and apply for one of my other cards (this was December.)  After reading a bunch of posts here I called the backdoor number in January and the CS agent I spoke to told me that accounts aren't reviewed until there is an 18 month history and that review comes automatically.  I'm not sure I believe her, but that's the story I was told!

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've had a secured Orchard card for about 14 months.  I was paying my bill online and emailed CS about when it would convert to unsecured.  Answer came back it wouldn't - I could close and apply for one of my other cards (this was December.)  After reading a bunch of posts here I called the backdoor number in January and the CS agent I spoke to told me that accounts aren't reviewed until there is an 18 month history and that review comes automatically.  I'm not sure I believe her, but that's the story I was told!

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Mine has been unsecured from the start; what I really want is conversion to a no annual fee card.

[Anonymous]

I've had my Orchard card for years, it was the first card that I got when I rebuilt. I get my annual fee waived every year for the last 4 years. If you are with them awhile and by that I mean several years, show a good history, never late they will waive the fee.

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've had my Orchard card for years, it was the first card that I got when I rebuilt. I get my annual fee waived every year for the last 4 years. If you are with them awhile and by that I mean several years, show a good history, never late they will waive the fee.

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Thanks for the heads up;  Did you just call customer service each year before it posted, or after it showed up on the bill?  Any suggestions on how to approach the request?

Thx;

[tinuviel]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've had a secured Orchard card for about 14 months.  I was paying my bill online and emailed CS about when it would convert to unsecured.  Answer came back it wouldn't - I could close and apply for one of my other cards (this was December.)  After reading a bunch of posts here I called the backdoor number in January and the CS agent I spoke to told me that accounts aren't reviewed until there is an 18 month history and that review comes automatically.  I'm not sure I believe her, but that's the story I was told!

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I just called the backdoor number a couple of days ago and was told the same thing. When I first activated the account, they told me it would be due for a CLI in six months. I wonder what's going on?

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@tinuviel wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

 the CS agent I spoke to told me that accounts aren't reviewed until there is an 18 month history and that review comes automatically. 

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I just called the backdoor number a couple of days ago and was told the same thing. When I first activated the account, they told me it would be due for a CLI in six months. I wonder what's going on?

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I got my first CL increase way earlier than that, but lately they tell me that they aren't doing increases at all.