topic Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition in Credit Cards

The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

Razeus — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:39:40 GMT

This thread is those of you leaving the world low, toy-like credit limits and have graduated to more mature, big boy (and girl) limits.

Share your stories and tips and give motivation to others!

Welcome to the club!

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

webhopper — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:59:12 GMT

No offends but this thread is not significantly different from another thread you started. Why not read the posts on that thread rather than start a brand new thread?

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 04:01:32 GMT

I thought of myself as having terrible credit for so long that when I started to receive offers in fall 11 I was very surprised. I have HUGE MASSIVE student loan debt, but have been slowly paying it off by sending in double payments for the last three years, this has caused my debt to gradually decrease to a point where I am not mortified to tell people the amount I owe ($72,000 down from $122,000, my husband helped me a great deal by putting some of his savings towards it, which was very nice and a gesture of generosity that I do not take lightly). Luckily our mortgage is very low, so both payments are not killing us.

I had had a CapOne "Platinum" card as well as an Amex Optima since 06, both with limits of $1000. Oddly just last spring the CapOne went from $500 to $1000 without me even asking. The first non-toy limit I was given was the BoA card ($5000) and the Citi card followed several months later ($10,000). About six months later I received a Discover card ($9750) and a bank visa ($10,000). Since being on this board for the past two weeks I have gotten rid of the CapOne and the Optima, which as an oasis card was seriously holding me back. Last week I was approved for a Chase Freedom ($10,000) but after applying instantly realized I wanted the CSP instead. I called them and they offered me both with the CL split between the two cards. I also was approved for the Delta Skymiles ($10,900) last week,

I would say that the biggest factor in my transition has been the fact that for the past six months I have PIF on every card except one balance here or there. Also because my amount of available credit increased significantly, my util dropped a great deal. Unlike my 20s when I was a supremely stupid person with credit cards, I've finally learned my lesson (the hard way) and have made a huge effort to only put charges on the cards that I know I can pay off at the end of the month. One thing that helps me PIF is that I get paid at the end of the month and all my statements cut around the 15th, so I seem to be always on top of what is due when and have the money to pay for it.

For people who are frustrated or impatient BELIEVE ME I have totally been there: jealous of friends who could effortlessly pay for their meals with an Amex Platinum meanwhile I was ordering the cheapest thing on the menu stressing roomI had left on my Cap One ; terrified checking into a hotel for work that my card would be denied, etc. Time is your best friend, I am proof of that!

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

webhopper — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 04:23:30 GMT

@severin

You realize that you will do yourself a world of good by adding another amex card; maybe a blue or blue cash everyday. You will gain 6 yrs of history for each new American. Express card because they go by your "member since" date. I'm sure your member date is probably earlier than 2006. If I were you I would app for amex today and see what open date they assign you on your credit report. If you have no clue what I'm talking about; Google amex backdating.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:46:38 GMT

@webhopper Funny you should mention that...I app'd for the BCP on the same day that I was approved for the Delta Skymiles card. Because that app was still showing as "in the system", the computer put a hold on it. I called and was told that they then had to manually pull the app and that I would find out within a week. The waiting is killing me, needless to say!

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

webhopper — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:45:57 GMT

@severine

Good luck on your amex apps. I bet you get them as long as oasis is reporting as closed in their system.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

LS2982 — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:50:19 GMT

Mine happened in March when I had enough history with subprime cards to get AMEX and Discover in my wallet. On of the high points in my credit history. I had a year history on 3 cards, a lot of INQ's but was able to recon Discover. Felt so good to shutdown CreditOne, FP, Household.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

DVH1980 — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:15:05 GMT

Mine happened in June, got my Discover and USAA card, would have had an Amex but Teletrack derailed me. No worries, I found a way to get past that. Sicne then Ive been dropping the builders and trying to put together the perfect wallet.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

wreith — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:50:37 GMT

@DVH1980 wrote:
Mine happened in June, got my Discover and USAA card, would have had an Amex but Teletrack derailed me. No worries, I found a way to get past that. Sicne then Ive been dropping the builders and trying to put together the perfect wallet.

What is your way past Teletrack? I have one line on there that will fall off in Nov, but if there is a way around waiting for that to happen I would love to hear.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

DVH1980 — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:06:36 GMT

Its just a theory that another member said he had success with. I called Teletrack and asked if it was possible to lock my report like the other CB's will do, the lady said it was and the cost was 10 bucks. She said it normally takes a few days. I figured with that locked up Amex wont be able to use that info. I figure I will get denied outright or approved since thats what was holding me back. Another member was denied because of Teletrack, he locked his report, app'd Amex and was approved. Figurd for 10 bucks its worth a shot. My baddie on there wont be off for 2 more years so I figured what the hell. I'll send you a PM if I have any luck, plan on applying for Amex at the end of next week.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

codimom — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:39:38 GMT

Groucho Marx used to have a line "I'd never want to join a club that would have me as a member" (paraphrased..). That was my thinking about myself for so long. I have been rebuiilding my credit, like I mentioned in another thread, for 8 years. I went for a long time not applying for anything because I just figured it would be a low limit, or high fees (or flat out denial). After a while I thought I'd give it a try with a few lenders.. first up was Target..and was approved. thought their biggest requirement was that I was breathing That one had a 200limit, but after 2 months went to 1k. (and thats where it sits). Then I got smallish limits on an HSBC platinum (3500) and a WAMU visa (3k). Getting better... until chase took over wamu and gave me a slate card.. and cut my 3k limit to 1800 (with the explanation that it didn't look like i NEEDED a bigger limit). That was my thank you for paying it off. Then I was approved for a Barclay Frontier MasterCard..since i fly a lot and fly Frontier as much as I can. They gave me 4500 (closer to prime but . . .)

Fast forward 2 years. I started reading here. I apped for an AMEX, naively because i went straight for a BCE instead of a charge card. Approved for 2k. I hit the luv button on my Barclay card as asked for a 100% increase (see? still naive) but they approved it.. so now I have 9k with Barclays. Still wondering when they are gonna figure out its me and take all my cards away, i applied at my CU for their Rewards Visa, and they appproved me for...10k! Couple that with getting an awesome interest rate on my car loan, I feel like I've crossed the line into Primeville...where i hope to take up permanent residence! (of course, when I tried to PC my slate into a Freedom, Chase said no and to reapply...nope...wont leave the garden for that.)

Moral of my novella? Patience and baby steps. Rebuilders have a purpose, just like baby shoes. We outgrow them, we replace them.

Re: The Big Boy (and Girl) Club - September 2012 Edition

wreith — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 02:45:53 GMT

@DVH1980 wrote:
Its just a theory that another member said he had success with. I called Teletrack and asked if it was possible to lock my report like the other CB's will do, the lady said it was and the cost was 10 bucks. She said it normally takes a few days. I figured with that locked up Amex wont be able to use that info. I figure I will get denied outright or approved since thats what was holding me back. Another member was denied because of Teletrack, he locked his report, app'd Amex and was approved. Figurd for 10 bucks its worth a shot. My baddie on there wont be off for 2 more years so I figured what the hell. I'll send you a PM if I have any luck, plan on applying for Amex at the end of next week.

Thanks, will have my fingers crossed for you. I only have til Nov for it to fall off, so not sure if it'll be worth the 10 or not for me since it would only be a I just don't want to wait thing lol.