Marty, I haven't gotten a SW alert in over 4 Months and have a message into CR. Everything is on, settings haven't changed, but Oh well, there must be some glitch.
My net worth is 60mm+ and I used to have Fico hovering between 790's to 803. Since I applied for new credit near the end of last year, Discover gave me 5% savings on Gas and Automotive. An getting AA citibank MC kept me from losing expiring miles. Also Saks gives you 15% off when you open and account on a big purchase, and darned if those Macy's folks don't make $25 for getting you to open and account. I had 9 of them when I checked my credit file several years back. Then they send you a Master Card you didn't even ask for. Got rid of all of those 3 years ago. So those 3 new accounts happened in the last quarter. My score fell to 767. Alltel accesses my CR even though I've been a customer for over 15 years. So think about this when you change calling plans.
I have always been an convenience user paying off my credit card balances in full every single month with never ever missing a payment. No mortgages now an any of the residences I own. Always when purchasing a car, I pay cash. But the fleet mgr (never deal with a regular sales person) insists on checking my credit score. I don't know they insist on doing if I'm writing a check. I've never ever have had a car loan. And I haven't had a mortgage in several years. Several years ago, I took out a HELOC to help my credit. Yeah, right. Didn't do a thing. Never a bad mark in my credit file, either.
During the political season, and with charity at the end of the year, I run a couple cards with 100K CL's to 50 or 60% but only do that once or twice a year. But I pay them off right when the bill comes. So I thought that getting a Black Centurion Amex Card with help my score a couple or 3 years ago when I got it. It didn't do squat. Great to have the airline privileges, though. Not impressed with the annual fee. I guess I'm an Frequent Flyer whore. I have mileage programs on all my credit cards. I also know that canceling and opening new accounts through the years doesn't help my score.
I've had credit since 1975 when I had my first MC that my parents co-signed on with a $300 CL. Of course most banks have changed names or gone away, so it's impossible to stay with the same one forever. But I will vow to not keep closing and opening old and new accounts. Been a few years since I have done this.
Anyone have any advice beyond not opening and closing accounts that I could use to increase my Score? Inquiries from Direct TV (I already had an account with) and others like Cox Communications, drive me crazy just because I change something or add premium channel or two. What gives? I haven't ever checked my other scores, and maybe I will. I'll be a more loyal customer with my revolving from now on, but if there are other suggestions, I'd sure love to hear them.
edited to add paragraphs, to make post more readable
Message Edited by haulingthescoreup on
03-26-2008 05:06 PM