https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Option/m-p/108841#M27646 It's hard to give you a valid opinion based on the info provided. Can you share the cards; limits; balances?<BR /><BR />Also, are any of your existing cards old enough to justify a cli? Usually, but not always, the ccc's will consider you every 6 months. I KNOW Cap1 does internal review every 6 months, as does HSBC.<BR /><BR />Applying for new cards to improve your scores is a long term thing, as you get hit with an inquiry when you apply dropping the scores, and takes time to recover.<BR /><BR />Getting the utilization down on the cards, both individually and collective is a sure fire way of increasing the scores. My scores jumped 160 doing that one thing by itself, using the existing cards I had at the time. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:26:26 GMT Anonymous 2007-12-04T19:26:26Z https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Option/m-p/108810#M27629 <DIV>I am looking to improve my FICO scores significantly.&nbsp; My score is in the 580's, and I am looking to increase these scores in order to get a mortgage preferably in the next 6 months.&nbsp; I was reading about secured credit cards, and I was interested because I see that it improves your credit card score as well as doubles in credit limit after 9 months of timely payments.&nbsp; This is an added benefit since I am also looking to increase my CL's.&nbsp; I have a few unsecured credit cards (with small limits, my most being about 1,000)&nbsp; Would this be a good route to go?&nbsp; I have about 1,000 that I can put on a secured credit card, and I am interested in the B of A secured card (I already have an account with them).&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Or would it be better if I use that 1,000 to pay down my other cards?&nbsp; I have a handful of credit cards and store cards.&nbsp; Which would be more dramatic to my credit score??</DIV><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><DIV>Thanks a lot guys!!</DIV> Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:53:59 GMT https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Option/m-p/108810#M27629 Anonymous 2007-12-04T18:53:59Z https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Option/m-p/108841#M27646 It's hard to give you a valid opinion based on the info provided. Can you share the cards; limits; balances?<BR /><BR />Also, are any of your existing cards old enough to justify a cli? Usually, but not always, the ccc's will consider you every 6 months. I KNOW Cap1 does internal review every 6 months, as does HSBC.<BR /><BR />Applying for new cards to improve your scores is a long term thing, as you get hit with an inquiry when you apply dropping the scores, and takes time to recover.<BR /><BR />Getting the utilization down on the cards, both individually and collective is a sure fire way of increasing the scores. My scores jumped 160 doing that one thing by itself, using the existing cards I had at the time. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:26:26 GMT https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Option/m-p/108841#M27646 Anonymous 2007-12-04T19:26:26Z