low score when should i apply for unsecured cards?

[rootpooty]

i know the answer would be simply when i have a better score. i know my tu score is 556 which isnt good. I applied for a cap 1 secured and bofa secured and got denied so then i was thinking how am i supposed to rebuild credit. well then i got an offer from premier bank and got a secured card from them for 200. then i lurked here and found back door numbers so i called bofa and after i sent them 300 they issued me a secured card so i also called cap 1 and they sent me a letter stating all i have to do is fund a min of 200 and they will issue me a secured card.  i have several thoughts on what to do so any advice would be helpfull.  im thinking of getting the cap 1 card and when i get it ditch the premier bank card. I knew nothing about premier bank before i recieved their card. they have ridiculous fees its almost impossible to pay them if you pay by phone its auto only if you opt to speak to someone to take payment there is an 11 dollar fee and to make matters worse they arent even listed through online bill pay through my chase account.

so im thinking im better of with bofa and cap 1. im not gonna leave my cc limit on bofa at 300 im gonna increase it to at least 1000 that way come 12 months from now assuming they graduate it ill get at least a 1000cl and my security deposit refunded. i know cap 1 doesnt graduate cards but ive heard they are really good to get with for rebuilding credit. can you increase the limit on a secured card through cap 1 by funding more money?  i bank with chase and if they dont approve me in a year for a card im gonna bank with bofa instead. im not trying to go out on an app spree and get 10 cards i just want within a year to have 3 or 4 with about 1000 limit on each and i know it would be hard with cap 1 but i think im gonna use them to assist me with credit rebuild then move on to chase and discover then eventually amex.

so everyone knows my situation my score is low due to 2 medical bills that happened a year ago which im on the ball in repairing and a 4 year old cell phone bill and electric bill and i left an old savings account from wachovia bank go 250 in negative. ive never had a loan nor a cc before and im going to pay for all this debt and hopefully be successfull at removing some of these off my report.

Suggestions?

[Guava]

It's totally up to you to get Cap1 secure card or BoA, or both. At the base level, one credit card is all you need to rebuild, and this process happens very slowly. Patience is probably what you need most. Endure the low limit secure card(s), build payment history and age them. A year from now, other options may be viable, like a credit union.

Another way to improve your score is writing good will letter to the owners of your derogatives. If succeeded, your scores will get a nice boost.

I know what I said isn't much, but it's how I see it. Rebuilding credit is tough and it'll take a while. Good luck and hang in there!

[rootpooty]

i have the chance to join navy federal but i want to raise my score to raise my chances at getting a good cc through them. its been suggested for rebuilding credit for my situation for example is to get with a credit union