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should i just close it?

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krazy
Established Member

should i just close it?

Hi everyone,

So i applied for a new discover credit card and I found out that they gave me a 18%interest rate. I have a decent 770-780 credit score and usually get offers of 9-14%(I have 3 CC within that range). Honestly, I was hoping for the 11% rate but they gave me there highest. Should I just cancel it? I read it will be a bump in my score for a while but it will eventually go away. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


Exp 719 - Equi 723 - TU 709
Message 1 of 13
12 REPLIES 12
FocusOnFICO
Regular Contributor

Re: should i just close it?

Krazy---welcome to the forums!

 

It depends on your goals.  If you are a PIF cardholder, the interest rate is not an issue.  Over time you may be able to talk them down, but there are better alternatives to carrying at even 11%.

 

Many posters are now writing about Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union, their good customer service, and yes---their 5.24% Visa.

 

You may want to check into this card.  Otherwise, if your PIF, the Discover rate should not affect you.


Starting Score: TU 766 EQ 788
Current Score: TU 788 EQ 811
Goal Score: TU 800 EQ 800


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Message 2 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: should i just close it?


@krazy wrote:

Hi everyone,

So i applied for a new discover credit card and I found out that they gave me a 18%interest rate. I have a decent 770-780 credit score and usually get offers of 9-14%(I have 3 CC within that range). Honestly, I was hoping for the 11% rate but they gave me there highest. Should I just cancel it? I read it will be a bump in my score for a while but it will eventually go away. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


My guess is that you're going to see a lot of banks give higher APRs at approval in anticipation of the new credit card laws going into effect next year.  I wouldn't take it personal.

 

If you PIF, or keep low UTIL, the APR is not significant.  In addition, Discover is still one of the better cards in terms of rewards, customer service, and consistency.  

 

Message 3 of 13
krazy
Established Member

Re: should i just close it?

thanks for the quick reply!

I tend to carry a balance more, as for talking interest rate down in the past I have been unsuccessful. I will definitely check out Addison Avenue federal credit union in the future but as for right now, I am still unsure of keeping it. If I were to close this recent Discover account how much will it affect my score and how long?


Exp 719 - Equi 723 - TU 709
Message 4 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: should i just close it?


@krazy wrote:

thanks for the quick reply!

I tend to carry a balance more, as for talking interest rate down in the past I have been unsuccessful. I will definitely check out Addison Avenue federal credit union in the future but as for right now, I am still unsure of keeping it. If I were to close this recent Discover account how much will it affect my score and how long?


I don't see any advantage to closing the card.  You've already burned an inquiry and it will show as a new account.  Just curious, could you share the CL given to you?

Message 5 of 13
krazy
Established Member

Re: should i just close it?

I guess,  there is no advantage to closing. The credit line was only 3,000 .(still  student who barely works part time : / )

Exp 719 - Equi 723 - TU 709
Message 6 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: should i just close it?


@krazy wrote:
I guess,  there is no advantage to closing. The credit line was only 3,000 .(still  student who barely works part time : / )

$3k CL from Discover for a student who barely works should be embraced, not closed.  Keep it, use it, enjoy it.

Message 7 of 13
krazy
Established Member

Re: should i just close it?


@Anonymous wrote:

@krazy wrote:
I guess,  there is no advantage to closing. The credit line was only 3,000 .(still  student who barely works part time : / )

$3k CL from Discover for a student who barely works should be embraced, not closed.  Keep it, use it, enjoy it.


This is what I am leaning towards... thanks for your input.


Exp 719 - Equi 723 - TU 709
Message 8 of 13
smallfry
Senior Contributor

Re: should i just close it?


@krazy wrote:
I guess,  there is no advantage to closing. The credit line was only 3,000 .(still  student who barely works part time : / )

Little income student 3K initial limit and you want to close because the interest rate is too high? The credit card companies are going to love you until they don't. Careful. 

Message 9 of 13
haulingthescoreup
Moderator Emerita

Re: should i just close it?

Sounds like you're leaning toward keeping it, but as a general fyi, you shouldn't get a score change in either direction by closing a newly opened card. You might want to read fused's "Closing Credit Cards", linked in my siggy.

If you've had a card for a while, and you close it, and you have balances on other cards, your score might drop because your util will rise (same total balance in the numerator, smaller total credit limit in the denominator.)

I would strongly advise you to get out of the habit of carrying balances on your cards. That puts a giant bulls-eye on your accounts for banks looking to milk some extra money out of consumers. You're in their power when you owe them money, and if you read many posts here, you'll see how ugly it can get.

If you haven't already, please read Understanding Your FICO ® Score and Credit Scoring 101 (at least the first post.)

These will give you the background knowledge you need to understand what you read here on the forums.
* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007
Message 10 of 13
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