topic Re: Finally, I am prime again! in Credit Cards

Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:01:05 GMT

I am very excited because I just received my first prime cc offer in a few years. It is for a card I previously had a CO for. It is a BOA Alaska Airlines Platinum Plus Visa. I am stunned to get this offer because the CO is from 2005 and I just finished paying in a settlement for 1/3 of the amount owed in December. Do you guys think I'll get approved. My scores are TU 620, EX 653, EQ 637 as of 2/29. Now, here is my current cards, when i got them, AF, and rates.

Amex Delta Gold             $1000, 17.24%, $85 AF, opened 02/08
Wamu Platinum MC        1500, 16.49, 0, 01/08
Chase Plat Visa               300, 20.49, 0, 12/07
Hooters MC                     3000, 26.99, 72, 12/07
Care Credit                      2000, 0, 0, 10/07
Capital One Visa             1000, 12.90, 39, 09/07
HSBC Gold MC                600, 14.49, 0, 09/07

I did have an Orchard, opened in 12/06 and it was the catalyst for all of the great cards I have obtained since. So, all you Orchard haters, hang in there! Also, AMEX and Wamu still haven't reported. Now I know AMEX is a strange beast and I would like to stay in their good graces b/c I plan on having an AMEX card for a long time to take advantage of the Premium Car Rental insurance program they offer where i can get a flat rate for insurance rather than paying by the day to the car rental companies.

So, here is what I was thinking.

Since I live in Alaska, it is obvious that I use Alaska Airlines more than any other airline. I have tons of Alaska Airlines miles already because I get them through my job at about 2000 a month. Delta does fly to Fairbanks, but only in the summer and only directly to SLC. I would much rather get Alaska Airlines miles, but I thought with a CO from BOA, they would never offer me a card again. So, I was thinking before the first year is up on my AMEX, I would product change to Blue. I don't want to rock the F/R boat right now with them, so I'll leave it be right now. I'll get a free ticket on Delta out of the deal. Good for the summer. This will eliminate the AF, so I can justify the Alaska Airlines $75 AF.

And since I don't want too many cards, I was thinking of getting rid of the HSBC MC. It is obvious right now that they have no intention of giving me a decent limit. They combined my Orchard with my HSBC card, then a month later, removed the additional CL the Orchard would have given me. I don't feel like taking that kind of BS from them.

Is this a good plan? I guess I am worried about angering AMEX more than anything. Let me hear your opinions.

Message Edited by heirophant on 03-13-2008 10:01 PM

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:23:55 GMT

Congratulations heirophant !! Keep going ....

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:33:49 GMT

bunnyrabbit wrote:
Congratulations heirophant !! Keep going ....

Thanks bunnyrabbit, but what does that mean?

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:58:47 GMT

I mean ... keep up your good work on your CCs. Keep paying as you agreed.

Sorry I forgot to say these earlier:

Postpone to apply to more CC now. You got 7 CCs in 6 months. Let the CCs get settle ... let it get old ... CC's average age needs to be older. Build the history and good relationship with those CCCs. Target to increase the CL on your CCs.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:02:21 GMT

Well, I couldn't resist the call and I just applied for the card while sitting here at work. I was not instantly approved and got the dreaded 7-10 day message. I guess the CO may have not factored into the preapproval, although it seems kind of bad that they sent a preapproval and would not approved based solely on that.

They did, however, pull EX, my best score. I just pulled my True Credit report. Keep in mind AMEX and WAMU have not reported yet, but they did both also pull EX, so pretty recent. If I do get denied, I hope that is the reason and not the CO. God, I am so weak right now. I told myself that I was done for a while after the AMEX. I need the sleigh center. I'll keep you guys posted on the results, though. It will interesting to find out either way.

Does anyone know a number to call to find out status? I applied a couple of hours ago and went to the check status link and entered the info. It couldn't find my app. Anyone have a phone number to call to check status? Maybe it doesn't show status on pre-approved offers?

Message Edited by heirophant on 03-14-2008 12:02 PM

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:02:04 GMT

...and the BOA CO was the reason they denied me. I just got off the phone with them. They said they want 3-5 years of clean history before they will grant me a card again. That bit of information is straight out of the mouth of one of the underwriters I talked to. I asked them why the preapproval if they knew I would be denied b/c of it. They said, they only go off information they have purchased from the CA's. Great. Alright, lesson learned. I tried to get them to turn it into a soft and they wouldn't budge. Anyone even hears of me thinking about apping for the next year, please send me a virtual slap in the face.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:03:11 GMT

FEEL GOOD DON'T IT?

CONGRATS!!!!!

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:58:53 GMT

Brammy wrote:
FEEL GOOD DON'T IT?

CONGRATS!!!!!

Yes and no. It feels good to get a preapproval, but it doesn't feel good to get denied for reasons the bank was aware of whenever they preapproved me and then get an inquiry that they wouldn't recode to soft.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:11:20 GMT

You know, figure that once the offers start coming in te mail, you're not too far away from being approved.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

heirophant — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:46:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
You know, figure that once the offers start coming in te mail, you're not too far away from being approved.

True, I do know now to stay away from BOA for a few more years yet...probably Discover, too. I have pretty decent cards right now anyway. I am happy. I just hope I didn't rock the AMEX's F/R boat by applying for another CC. Pushed over 1.8K through my 1K limit this month, though, so they should be happy with the multiple payments.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:14:28 GMT

@heirophant wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

You know, figure that once the offers start coming in te mail, you're not too far away from being approved.

True, I do know now to stay away from BOA for a few more years yet...probably Discover, too. I have pretty decent cards right now anyway. I am happy. I just hope I didn't rock the AMEX's F/R boat by applying for another CC. Pushed over 1.8K through my 1K limit this month, though, so they should be happy with the multiple payments.

Yep, Discover was my litmus test!!!

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

fused — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:18:49 GMT

Mine too! lol

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:05:54 GMT

Discover gave me a new card after I IIB 2 cards on them in 2001.

Re: Finally, I am prime again!

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:57:04 GMT

Now you learned ! & It's good !!

We always learn something new everyday ... in many different ways ...

Focus on to build the history and trust between you and CCCs for at least next 1~2 years.

Then apply to new CC if you still want to do it. Take care!