topic Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ? in Credit Cards

Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

Red1Blue — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 13:18:28 GMT

I have Cominty Store cards from Venus and Williams Sonoma. I am wondering, at some time in future, if we can ask for upgrade from store cards to Visa ? If they do upgrade to Visa will they keep the same number/account or will they add a new account to the credit report? Will it be a soft pull or will it cost a hard inquiry?

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 18:03:24 GMT

Edited as to not perpetuate incorrect info

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

K-in-Boston — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 18:00:39 GMT

@Anonymous, @Red1Blue is definitely talking about store cards being upgraded to cobranded bankcard products. There are numerous cards available in both store card and Visa or MasterCard or Amex versions, with store card versions being issued to those not meeting higher credit criteria. From other lenders off the top of my head, Macy's from DSNB, Target from TD Bank, and the Walmart Card from Synchrony (although the non-store card version is now issued by Capital One).

I don't believe the Williams Sonoma Card can be upgraded to the Visa version. I think some other Comenity cards can, though, although it is an automated selection process and not something you can request. Card numbers will always change as the first six digits of the card number signify the payment network and issuing lender; whether Comenity retains account history and simply replaces the existing card on credit reports I am unsure.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:42:14 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous, @Red1Blue is definitely talking about store cards being upgraded to cobranded bankcard products. There are numerous cards available in both store card and Visa or MasterCard or Amex versions, with store card versions being issued to those not meeting higher credit criteria. From other lenders off the top of my head, Macy's from DSNB, Target from TD Bank, and the Walmart Card from Synchrony (although the non-store card version is now issued by Capital One).

I don't believe the Williams Sonoma Card can be upgraded to the Visa version. I think some other Comenity cards can, though, although it is an automated selection process and not something you can request. Card numbers will always change as the first six digits of the card number signify the payment network and issuing lender; whether Comenity retains account history and simply replaces the existing card on credit reports I am unsure.

A poster just reported a $3K CLI with his Williams Sonoma Card Visa. New CL $25K so you can verify it in this Forum.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

Red1Blue — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:46:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
A poster just reported a $3K CLI with his Williams Sonoma Card Visa. New CL $25K so you can verify it in this Forum.

Thanks. I'll check it out. Right now I am in the rebuilding. It might take some time for me to qualify for upgrades or CLIs. So far I have

Macys $100 ( 14 years old)

Dillards $1000 ( 14 Years old)

FingerHut $400 ( 9 months old)

Khols $300 ( 2 months old)

Williams Sonoma $400 ( 2 months old)

Venus $200 ( 1 month old)

I am not going to apply for any more store cards. I am not going to close any store cards either. Hoping that I might get some CLIs and product changes on these cards in the next year or two.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

K-in-Boston — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:06:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous, @Red1Blue is definitely talking about store cards being upgraded to cobranded bankcard products. There are numerous cards available in both store card and Visa or MasterCard or Amex versions, with store card versions being issued to those not meeting higher credit criteria. From other lenders off the top of my head, Macy's from DSNB, Target from TD Bank, and the Walmart Card from Synchrony (although the non-store card version is now issued by Capital One).

I don't believe the Williams Sonoma Card can be upgraded to the Visa version. I think some other Comenity cards can, though, although it is an automated selection process and not something you can request. Card numbers will always change as the first six digits of the card number signify the payment network and issuing lender; whether Comenity retains account history and simply replaces the existing card on credit reports I am unsure.
A poster just reported a $3K CLI with his Williams Sonoma Card Visa. New CL $25K so you can verify it in this Forum.

Yes, but his card was always a Visa and was not upgraded from a store card to a Visa, which is what concorduser was asking about. I'm not sure what I need to verify? Comenity cards can grow large (I have a $30k BJ's MC); I've just not seen any data points of "graduating" from a Williams Sonoma card to a Williams Sonoma Visa or Visa Signature card.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:11:58 GMT

I don't believe that comenity can graduate from store->visa/mc although they can go from visa->visa signature, etc. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. Otherwise I echo what @K-in-Boston mentioned.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

cashorcharge — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:14:20 GMT

I would add Nordstrom has a store card that can graduate to a Visa without an HP

In my case, it was offered to me, yes my account number changed and I received a CLI from them in the process

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

SunriseEarth — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:49:29 GMT

AFAIK, I haven't heard of Comenity cards upgrading to Visa. Nordstrom (TD Bank) can upgrade to Visa, Target (TD Bank) and many Sync cards can upgrade to MC, and Macy's (Citi/DSNB) may or may not upgrade to AMEX (it seems like it changes every few months).

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

KLEXH25 — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 23:34:04 GMT

According to this post, the Williams Sonoma store card does not upgrade to the Visa version. You'd need to apply for the Visa version separately.

Re: Does store cards graduate to Visa ?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 09:36:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous, @Red1Blue is definitely talking about store cards being upgraded to cobranded bankcard products. There are numerous cards available in both store card and Visa or MasterCard or Amex versions, with store card versions being issued to those not meeting higher credit criteria. From other lenders off the top of my head, Macy's from DSNB, Target from TD Bank, and the Walmart Card from Synchrony (although the non-store card version is now issued by Capital One).

I don't believe the Williams Sonoma Card can be upgraded to the Visa version. I think some other Comenity cards can, though, although it is an automated selection process and not something you can request. Card numbers will always change as the first six digits of the card number signify the payment network and issuing lender; whether Comenity retains account history and simply replaces the existing card on credit reports I am unsure.
A poster just reported a $3K CLI with his Williams Sonoma Card Visa. New CL $25K so you can verify it in this Forum.

My error as the brain must have missed looking for the upgrade when I recalled the poster CLI on a Visa product (which was irrevelvant to the question). Nothing to verify on anybody's part. The follow-ups were clear from various posters. Will offer that JC Penney had an upgrade from their store card to a JC Penney MasterCard that they claimed would only upgrade on their intitiative not the cardholder's. It's h**l getting old as a Dinosaur with the memory not as sharp