Thanks definitely encouraging Midnight. I'm so aware of the scoring model, I'm gunshy applying for anything out of concern that my score will drop due to inquiry. I haven't been getting many offers, and they've all been for $300. Perhaps there's a lag between when your score is updated and offers come in.... I
've had a big jump after finally getting Cap One to update the CO past balances that were paid off. The system was recording it as either past amount due, or exceeding available credit limits. When they updated the amount owed to $0 there was a jump, but at the same time the system recorded it as a recent CO (a 30 day late), that suppressed the score. Now that's fixed and the scores are much better
What I've been wonder is, whether I should apply for a card now, or should I wait to get offers?
Also, I don't have store or gas card yets, just 2 small HSBC mastercards, and my auto loan.