topic Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying?? in Credit Cards

Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 05:59:17 GMT

We are closing on our house on Friday. I have been in the garden all year. I have been checking the pre-qualifiers to help me decide on which cards I want to apply for. Chase is the ONLY site I pre-qualify for - Freedom, Slate and Sapphire. I am opted in so it isn't that. I have a QS1, $4.5k limit with Cap One and they don't even have offers for me! Scores are almost 700 EQ and EX, 756 with TU. AAoA is 2 yrs EQ and TU. 4 yrs with EX. NEW credit is 8 mo. INQ is 5- EQ. 3 - TU and EX. Only had one HP for our mortgage loan. The credit prior to getting a cap one card in November was back in 2005. That account closed in 2011 due to lack of usage. Only baddie was a medical collection from 2010 for $150 on EQ and EX. I have never had a late payment. I plan on apping anyway but am concerned that if I can't even pre-qualify, I will have to recon or deal with toy limits.

Which banks like people with new credit? Am I better off waiting a couple more months til our mortgage reports or should I do it before they see that huge debt sitting there?

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Closingracer99 — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:15:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
We are closing on our house on Friday. I have been in the garden all year. I have been checking the pre-qualifiers to help me decide on which cards I want to apply for. Chase is the ONLY site I pre-qualify for - Freedom, Slate and Sapphire. I am opted in so it isn't that. I have a QS1, $4.5k limit with Cap One and they don't even have offers for me! Scores are almost 700 EQ and EX, 756 with TU. AAoA is 2 yrs EQ and TU. 4 yrs with EX. NEW credit is 8 mo. INQ is 5- EQ. 3 - TU and EX. Only had one HP for our mortgage loan. The credit prior to getting a cap one card in November was back in 2005. That account closed in 2011 due to lack of usage. Only baddie was a medical collection from 2010 for $150 on EQ and EX. I have never had a late payment. I plan on apping anyway but am concerned that if I can't even pre-qualify, I will have to recon or deal with toy limits.

Which banks like people with new credit? Am I better off waiting a couple more months til our mortgage reports or should I do it before they see that huge debt sitting there?

the only banks who give me one is Capital one.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:22:55 GMT

Comenity is the only bank that seems to like me. I got a mailer this week pre-approving me for the sportsman guide visa. I get pop ups on every site that is backed by comenity. I already have the total rewards visa, overstock and VS through them.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Revelate — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:26:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Comenity is the only bank that seems to like me. I got a mailer this week pre-approving me for the sportsman guide visa. I get pop ups on every site that is backed by comenity. I already have the total rewards visa, overstock and VS through them.

Unless you shop there mims, skip the store cards. Dead capital tradelines from a personal credit file perspective.

Prequalifiers only can do so much, if you're qualified for Chase at the levels you describe, you're qualified for the majority of typical cards in the industry. Don't worry about pre-qual, close on the house, and get the keys (if you're in a dry funding state there's a delay before the loan is actually finalized) and then apply for cards you actually want based on your spending patterns in terms of rewards.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

takeshi74 — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:11:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have been checking the pre-qualifiers to help me decide on which cards I want to apply for.

Do not rely on prequals. Select cards that suit your needs/wants -- not just the ones that you prequal for.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Jerry45 — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:56:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
We are closing on our house on Friday. I have been in the garden all year. I have been checking the pre-qualifiers to help me decide on which cards I want to apply for. Chase is the ONLY site I pre-qualify for - Freedom, Slate and Sapphire. I am opted in so it isn't that. I have a QS1, $4.5k limit with Cap One and they don't even have offers for me! Scores are almost 700 EQ and EX, 756 with TU. AAoA is 2 yrs EQ and TU. 4 yrs with EX. NEW credit is 8 mo. INQ is 5- EQ. 3 - TU and EX. Only had one HP for our mortgage loan. The credit prior to getting a cap one card in November was back in 2005. That account closed in 2011 due to lack of usage. Only baddie was a medical collection from 2010 for $150 on EQ and EX. I have never had a late payment. I plan on apping anyway but am concerned that if I can't even pre-qualify, I will have to recon or deal with toy limits.

Which banks like people with new credit? Am I better off waiting a couple more months til our mortgage reports or should I do it before they see that huge debt sitting there?

First of all, chase is a solid pre qual, as long as you have fewer than 5 new accounts in the last 2 years. the CSP is a great card, go with that

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Jerry45 — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:58:09 GMT

@Revelate wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Comenity is the only bank that seems to like me. I got a mailer this week pre-approving me for the sportsman guide visa. I get pop ups on every site that is backed by comenity. I already have the total rewards visa, overstock and VS through them.
Unless you shop there mims, skip the store cards. Dead capital tradelines from a personal credit file perspective.

Prequalifiers only can do so much, if you're qualified for Chase at the levels you describe, you're qualified for the majority of typical cards in the industry. Don't worry about pre-qual, close on the house, and get the keys (if you're in a dry funding state there's a delay before the loan is actually finalized) and then apply for cards you actually want based on your spending patterns in terms of rewards.

Get the Keys. LOL. That is perfect. so True

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:54:40 GMT

Thanks everyone! I plan on apping regardless of the prequalifiers. I was just wondering if they look for something that I need to work on, AAoA, amount of credit etc. I don't want a bunch of junk cards from comenity. I needed them to open a couple cards to get my credit going and they served that purpose. I would rather have a bank card that I can shop anywhere vs being limited to one store.

Rev, as usual, you are making me feel much better about it. I am giving serious consideration to Chase Sapphire. I have a total of 5 accounts. 2 bank, 3 store. (edited - 4 accts, 2 bank, 2 store. I am an AU on the sams card) All opened in Nov/Dec. NFCU is definitely on the top of the list. I would like a Lowes card or something similar - I need a gas stove and want to build a bigger island in the kitchen. My main thought process is find a couple cards offering no interest for at least 12 months so I can buy what is needed for the home and get it paid off, interest free.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Revelate — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:33:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks everyone! I plan on apping regardless of the prequalifiers. I was just wondering if they look for something that I need to work on, AAoA, amount of credit etc. I don't want a bunch of junk cards from comenity. I needed them to open a couple cards to get my credit going and they served that purpose. I would rather have a bank card that I can shop anywhere vs being limited to one store.

Rev, as usual, you are making me feel much better about it. I am giving serious consideration to Chase Sapphire. I have a total of 5 accounts. 2 bank, 3 store. All opened in Nov/Dec. NFCU is definitely on the top of the list. I would like a Lowes card or something similar - I need a gas stove and want to build a bigger island in the kitchen. My main thought process is find a couple cards offering no interest for at least 12 months so I can buy what is needed for the home and get it paid off, interest free.

I'm right there with you when it comes to replacing consumable appliances; the Lowes card falls under the "if you shop there" clause in my book, and if you have home renovations / upgrades to do, go for it.

Home Depot / Lowes kinda get a pass on my normal "skip the store card junk" opnion with their financing offers on the things which are probably #3 through even #5+ in terms of major life expenses anyway. I have spend bonuses to meet on my planned CSP post mortgage so will likely go that route as I can cut the check right now; however, if I were having to dump 100K after purchase into any of the SFH homes in the good school district which most need MAJOR updating then those cards would no doubt be on my list.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:36:25 GMT

Definitely get the CSP first..... especially if you're pre-qualified... they are very strict these days about number of cards in the last 2 years.

CC companies definitely want to see usage of cards if they're going to give you one.

NFCU is amazing but they aren't inquiry-sensitive so do that one whenever.

The Cap1 Venture will likely give you a big starting limit.

Those are probably enough for one spree... haha Oh, don't forget Discover. No annual fee and nice 5% categories, so why not?

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:39:25 GMT

@Revelate wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks everyone! I plan on apping regardless of the prequalifiers. I was just wondering if they look for something that I need to work on, AAoA, amount of credit etc. I don't want a bunch of junk cards from comenity. I needed them to open a couple cards to get my credit going and they served that purpose. I would rather have a bank card that I can shop anywhere vs being limited to one store.

Rev, as usual, you are making me feel much better about it. I am giving serious consideration to Chase Sapphire. I have a total of 5 accounts. 2 bank, 3 store. All opened in Nov/Dec. NFCU is definitely on the top of the list. I would like a Lowes card or something similar - I need a gas stove and want to build a bigger island in the kitchen. My main thought process is find a couple cards offering no interest for at least 12 months so I can buy what is needed for the home and get it paid off, interest free.
I'm right there with you when it comes to replacing consumable appliances; the Lowes card falls under the "if you shop there" clause in my book, and if you have home renovations / upgrades to do, go for it.

Home Depot / Lowes kinda get a pass on my normal "skip the store card junk" opnion with their financing offers on the things which are probably #3 through even #5+ in terms of major life expenses anyway. I have spend bonuses to meet on my planned CSP post mortgage so will likely go that route as I can cut the check right now; however, if I were having to dump 100K after purchase into any of the SFH homes in the good school district which most need MAJOR updating then those cards would no doubt be on my list.

Agreed. This is one store card where having a $20,000 limit is actually useful and not just for "utilization"

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

kdm31091 — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:43:47 GMT

I don't like the blanket CSP recommendations. Just because OP is qualified for it doesn't mean it will suit them.

Beyond the bonus, CSP requires a pretty decent spend level to justify, and if you aren't traveling much (which OP hasn't elaborated one way or the other), the cash back redemptions aren't worth the fee (you're getting 2% on a couple things for $95). It's only worth it for fairly large spend and transferring points for travel. Since this does not apply to every individual, "get CSP it's a good card" is an oversimplification. CSP's bonus requires such high spend because the card is marketed towards higher income and higher spending individuals who would find $4000 in 3 months no big deal at all to spend.

OP you need to go for cards you want and that will benefit you, and there's no rush to apply for anything if nothing is jumping out at you. Prequal does not mean something suits you.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Beckhsrules — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:43:16 GMT

Prequalifying is not at a matter in many cases. I was never prequalified for any of the cards I got which is listed in my signature except the ThankYou Premier. So you never know whether you get a card or not until you go ahead and apply for it actually.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 22:03:25 GMT

If the CSP is too much for you, then I'd still most definitely have you think about the Freedom.

My personal opinion is that a Chase-branded card is great in one's CC arsenal, but I could be jealous because I can't get either one of those two right now...

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 22:08:38 GMT

I don't get any pre qualies either. Just Cap One. I just cold app. I don't get toy limits. So could be just a mistake? I think If I wasn't pre qualified, I wouldn't get the card and with a decent sl.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:01:21 GMT

Ugh i know! My scores are lower of course but just once i would like to get a prequal. Sct works for me so i know im not opted out, but cap one, chase, and amex never have (obviously score too low for the last two). But ive been with cap one a couple years, and really want a Venture or Venture one. I am planning on just taking the leap sooner or later. I "think" they like me, as i got a $1000 cli a few months ago on one of my QS. But waiting for utilization to update and paying another balance down. Its so hard reading all these venture and amex ed cards, as i really want them! And wish Barclays had a prequal still, as i think my TU couldve gotten me a prequal from them.

Sorry for the rant! Best of luck in your applications!

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:13:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ugh i know! My scores are lower of course but just once i would like to get a prequal. Sct works for me so i know im not opted out, but cap one, chase, and amex never have (obviously score too low for the last two). But ive been with cap one a couple years, and really want a Venture or Venture one. I am planning on just taking the leap sooner or later. I "think" they like me, as i got a $1000 cli a few months ago on one of my QS. But waiting for utilization to update and paying another balance down. Its so hard reading all these venture and amex ed cards, as i really want them! And wish Barclays had a prequal still, as i think my TU couldve gotten me a prequal from them.

Sorry for the rant! Best of luck in your applications!

The SCT works for most anyone 18 or over. Don't take the pre-qualification as the end all-be all.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:18:29 GMT

I just meant thats how i know im not opted out. It wouldnt work if you were opted out, right?

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

taxi818 — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 01:46:22 GMT

@takeshi74 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I have been checking the pre-qualifiers to help me decide on which cards I want to apply for.
Do not rely on prequals. Select cards that suit your needs/wants -- not just the ones that you prequal for.

+1 pre quals mean nothing. Your profile is strong. so you will be approved.

Re: Why am I not pre-qualifying??

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:52:35 GMT

When apping right after buying a home, how is the address handled? The old address is linked to the credit report. If I put the new address, will it get kicked out?