topic Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC?? in Credit Cards

WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:47:27 GMT

What's going on everyone!

Been reading these forums like crazy lately since I've been on my rebuild journey and have been inspired by the rebuild stories and the success of NFCU members. On top of that, have gained a ton of credit knowledge. I wanted to get some input from the NFCU thread heads as to when to app for my 2nd card. 91/3 or 6 months?

Here's some DP's.

Fico Scores when starting with NFCU

TU 547, EX 560, EQ 575

Fico Scores as of last report

TU 665, EX 695, EQ 686

Income 93k

DTI around 5%

Inquiries Last 6 months- TU:5 (4 from car dealership in the same day from shopping) EQ:2 (Same car dealership)

Current CC: Nrewards $200 (2% Uti), Discover it $200 (0% Uti will let a small balance report next cycle), USAA Rate Advantage $11,2300 (AU 7% Uti)

Baddies: Setlled Charge-Off with multiple late's (Bloomingdale's), 1 late car payment 3 yrs ago (Carmax bought the car and didnt follow policy. Tried to dispute multiple times), Affirm reporting 2 collection months on 12 month loan term *EX Only* (2 collection months are 5 months AFTER account was paid in full and on time with agreement. Tried to dispute multiple times)

Joined NFCU in February, transfered funds from chase and made it my main bank. As of now I set up DD with 4500-5k a month, 17k in Flagship Checking, 15k in MMS, 1K in Special Easystart Cert Opened in Feb, Opened $500 6 month Pledge Loan(tested the waters) in Feb, Opened $5k 61 month Pledge Loan in March(after testing the waters lol), and $200 Nrewards Secured opened in Feb(3rd statement is on the 20th)

My scores have drastically changed since starting my journey with Nfcu and was wondering if it would be a good idea to go for the 2nd card a little after 91/3. Loving Navy right now as they've helped me a ton on this journey so far and the customer service is on point. Let me know what you guys think!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

ptatohed — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:15:13 GMT

GOOD LUCK!!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:15:48 GMT

Thanks!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

JoeRockhead — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:40:36 GMT

You can apply for an additional card after 90 days has passed from the approval of the last card with NFCU. Not saying you don't have a shot at an approval, but being I usually recommend a more conservative approach to adding accounts, I'd wait for the 6 month mark to build more positive history and some higher scores.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Mon, 12 May 2025 16:37:21 GMT

@JoeRockhead wrote:
You can apply for an additional card after 90 days has passed from the approval of the last card with NFCU. Not saying you don't have a shot at an approval, but being I usually recommend a more conservative approach to adding accounts, I'd wait for the 6 month mark to build more positive history and some higher scores.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

Im so tempted to app after my third statement lol. Thank you, I appreciate the advice!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

ptatohed — Mon, 12 May 2025 16:58:36 GMT

@i_need_credit wrote:
Thanks!

I was being a little facetious, implying that you didn't exactly need all caps and two question marks in your thread title.

But, seriously, best of luck!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Mon, 12 May 2025 21:57:50 GMT

haha my bad. Just thought it would help the post get seen by the navy heads lol. Thanks again!!

@ptatohed wrote:
@i_need_credit wrote:
Thanks!
I was being a little facetious, implying that you didn't exactly need all caps and two question marks in your thread title.

But, seriously, best of luck!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

LivingTheAmericanDream — Mon, 12 May 2025 22:28:54 GMT

Looks like you're doing all the things NFCU likes but give it a bit more time. If NFCU likes what they see in your credit file, they most likely will offer you a pre-approval. Have you joined PenFed or USAA? Both offer lots of great services.

Pre-Qual Credit Card Sites. Allows you to 'test the waters' to find out where you are at in your credit journey:
- Patelco Credit Union: https://www.patelco.org/s2s/creditcard
- Gesa Credit Union: https://apply.gesa.com/
- NASA Federal Credit Union: https://applycs.nasafcu.com/
- Dover CU: https://apply.doverfcu.com/product/
- Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU): https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards.html
- American Express (AmEx): https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/
- BofA: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/secure-offers/public/customizedOffers/
- USALLIANCE Financial: https://www.usalliance.org/pre-qualification
- KeyPoint Credit Union: https://kpcu.com/Loans/Credit-Cards
- Regions Bank: https://apply.regions.com/creditcards/
- FNBO: https://www.fnbo.com/personal-banking/credit-cards/
- Apple Card: https://card.apple.com/apply/start
- Discover: https://www.discovercard.com/application/preapproval/initial
- CapitalOne Platinum: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/preapprove/
- Synchrony: https://www.synchrony.com/financing/credit-cards
- TD Bank: https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/credit-cards (not for California residents)

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

KatzNDawgs — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:44:03 GMT

Since you have a secured card with them currently, I would personally wait until after it graduates.

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:18:37 GMT

@LivingTheAmericanDream wrote:
Looks like you're doing all the things NFCU likes but give it a bit more time. If NFCU likes what they see in your credit file, they most likely will offer you a pre-approval. Have you joined PenFed or USAA? Both offer lots of great services.

Pre-Qual Credit Card Sites. Allows you to 'test the waters' to find out where you are at in your credit journey:
- Patelco Credit Union: https://www.patelco.org/s2s/creditcard
- Gesa Credit Union: https://apply.gesa.com/
- NASA Federal Credit Union: https://applycs.nasafcu.com/
- Dover CU: https://apply.doverfcu.com/product/
- Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU): https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards.html
- American Express (AmEx): https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/
- BofA: https://secure.bankofamerica.com/secure-offers/public/customizedOffers/
- USALLIANCE Financial: https://www.usalliance.org/pre-qualification
- KeyPoint Credit Union: https://kpcu.com/Loans/Credit-Cards
- Regions Bank: https://apply.regions.com/creditcards/
- FNBO: https://www.fnbo.com/personal-banking/credit-cards/
- Apple Card: https://card.apple.com/apply/start
- Discover: https://www.discovercard.com/application/preapproval/initial
- CapitalOne Platinum: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/preapprove/
- Synchrony: https://www.synchrony.com/financing/credit-cards
- TD Bank: https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/credit-cards (not for California residents)

I've been a member of USAA for about 12 years and got a bank account with them earlier this year around the same time as I joined navy. Don't have PenFed though. Appreciate your advice!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:20:22 GMT

@KatzNDawgs wrote:
Since you have a secured card with them currently, I would personally wait until after it graduates.

I think I may wait until the 6 month mark. Everyone graduates at different times so there's no telling when my card will graduate. Even though I am doing everything right lol.

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

PayAndProsper — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:10:48 GMT

@KatzNDawgs escribió:
Since you have a secured card with them currently, I would personally wait until after it graduates.

Being somewhat conservative, in this regard, I would do the same. OP is doing everything right, so far; but, maybe a bit more time to show the consistency would help. Who knows, for sure?

If it were just a regular card, I'd say "pull the trigger." However, it being a secured product that was recently opened, I would wait until the institution felt comfortable graduating my card or a full year, whichever is shorter, before requesting another card, unless my profile were stellar.

Either way, good luck @i_need_credit!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:53:44 GMT

@PayAndProsper wrote:
@KatzNDawgs escribió:
Since you have a secured card with them currently, I would personally wait until after it graduates.
Being somewhat conservative, in this regard, I would do the same. OP is doing everything right, so far; but, maybe a bit more time to show the consistency would help. Who knows, for sure?

If it were just a regular card, I'd say "pull the trigger." However, it being a secured product that was recently opened, I would wait until the institution felt comfortable graduating my card or a full year, whichever is shorter, before requesting another card, unless my profile were stellar.

Either way, good luck @i_need_credit!

Appreciate your input! Looks like 6 months is the first step

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:36:53 GMT

UPDATE!!!
CLI on NRewards from $200 to $600 after 3rd statement cut.
All 3 of my Fico scores are in the 700's now. EX-709, EQ-713, TU-705
4th statement cuts on the 20th. Should I go ahead and App?! Im ITCHING haha

@i_need_credit wrote:
What's going on everyone!
Been reading these forums like crazy lately since I've been on my rebuild journey and have been inspired by the rebuild stories and the success of NFCU members. On top of that, have gained a ton of credit knowledge. I wanted to get some input from the NFCU thread heads as to when to app for my 2nd card. 91/3 or 6 months?
Here's some DP's.

Fico Scores when starting with NFCU
TU 547, EX 560, EQ 575

Fico Scores as of last report
TU 665, EX 695, EQ 686

Income 93k
DTI around 5%

Inquiries Last 6 months- TU:5 (4 from car dealership in the same day from shopping) EQ:2 (Same car dealership)

Current CC: Nrewards $200 (2% Uti), Discover it $200 (0% Uti will let a small balance report next cycle), USAA Rate Advantage $11,2300 (AU 7% Uti)

Baddies: Setlled Charge-Off with multiple late's (Bloomingdale's), 1 late car payment 3 yrs ago (Carmax bought the car and didnt follow policy. Tried to dispute multiple times), Affirm reporting 2 collection months on 12 month loan term *EX Only* (2 collection months are 5 months AFTER account was paid in full and on time with agreement. Tried to dispute multiple times)

Joined NFCU in February, transfered funds from chase and made it my main bank. As of now I set up DD with 4500-5k a month, 17k in Flagship Checking, 15k in MMS, 1K in Special Easystart Cert Opened in Feb, Opened $500 6 month Pledge Loan(tested the waters) in Feb, Opened $5k 61 month Pledge Loan in March(after testing the waters lol), and $200 Nrewards Secured opened in Feb(3rd statement is on the 20th)

My scores have drastically changed since starting my journey with Nfcu and was wondering if it would be a good idea to go for the 2nd card a little after 91/3. Loving Navy right now as they've helped me a ton on this journey so far and the customer service is on point. Let me know what you guys think!

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

mgood — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 22:09:36 GMT

@i_need_credit wrote:

UPDATE!!!
CLI on NRewards from $200 to $600 after 3rd statement cut.
All 3 of my Fico scores are in the 700's now. EX-709, EQ-713, TU-705
4th statement cuts on the 20th. Should I go ahead and App?! Im ITCHING haha

If they upped the credit limit on your secured card without you putting up more money to secure it, you're on the right track.
I would suggest waiting until full graduation to unsecured.
You could try Navy's prequal to see what it says, but I've read that it's not very reliable. Still, if I were in your shoes, I'd know I should wait until my card graduated, but I'd probably, against my better judgement, still try an app if I got a prequalification. I'm not saying you should do that. I'm saying I probably wouldn't be able to resist the urge.

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:44:23 GMT

@mgood wrote:
@i_need_credit wrote:

UPDATE!!!
CLI on NRewards from $200 to $600 after 3rd statement cut.
All 3 of my Fico scores are in the 700's now. EX-709, EQ-713, TU-705
4th statement cuts on the 20th. Should I go ahead and App?! Im ITCHING haha
If they upped the credit limit on your secured card without you putting up more money to secure it, you're on the right track.
I would suggest waiting until full graduation to unsecured.
You could try Navy's prequal to see what it says, but I've read that it's not very reliable. Still, if I were in your shoes, I'd know I should wait until my card graduated, but I'd probably, against my better judgement, still try an app if I got a prequalification. I'm not saying you should do that. I'm saying I probably wouldn't be able to resist the urge.

Yeah they also sent a letter as well...I prequalified for all the cards but its not reliable...I wanna pull the trigger sooooo bad but it might be best to wait. Honestly, if my scores make a decent jump after things report this month to where my lowest is in the 'teens' I may just do it

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

FlyAwayDay — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:06:41 GMT

Congrats on all of your progress so far! Your hard work and patience is going to pay off. Keep us posted - I'm totally invested in your journey! 😉

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

Tiggr — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:47:35 GMT

Dont pay NFCU pre-approvals any attention aside from seeing how they change over time. I'd say you shouldn't go for another NFCU card, once your Nrewards hits 5k limit, itll become Nrewards+ afaik, and thats a pretty top tier card for non-excellent credit. It may take a long time, but taking out another card will make it take even longer.

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:55:02 GMT

@Tiggr wrote:
Dont pay NFCU pre-approvals any attention aside from seeing how they change over time. I'd say you shouldn't go for another NFCU card, once your Nrewards hits 5k limit, itll become Nrewards+ afaik, and thats a pretty top tier card for non-excellent credit. It may take a long time, but taking out another card will make it take even longer.

I see what youre saying...but im itching and think Ill have a chance at a pretty good SL at the 6 month mark

Re: WHEN TO APPLY FOR 2ND NFCU CC??

i_need_credit — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:55:48 GMT

@FlyAwayDay wrote:
Congrats on all of your progress so far! Your hard work and patience is going to pay off. Keep us posted - I'm totally invested in your journey! 😉

Thank you, I appreciate it! Definitely will keep the thread posted!