topic Re: What score do you need for prime cards? in Credit Cards

What score do you need for prime cards?

money_talks — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 20:51:35 GMT

In general, around what credit score would you say that you are likely entering into prime land? The answer is probably YMMV since it depends on what's on your CR and also what cards are considered prime, but if you had to guess a score, what would it be?

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

SunriseEarth — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 20:58:23 GMT

Based on my last score of 624, I'm going to assume the answer is higher than 624. :-)

You are right, though, in that it depends on the individual CR. It might also depend on what you consider "prime"

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

p- — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 20:58:27 GMT

For me it was somewhere between 680 and 700.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Swapmeet — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 20:59:36 GMT

Id say 700 is a good spot, though above 685 seems to open doors...Of course YMMV, as you said. And I'm sure there are people with much lower scores that have been approved and much higher that have been rejected.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:03:33 GMT

I think you are starting to see a trend here as in YMMV but 680 or so is a good starting point from a score standpoint only.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:20:31 GMT

@Swapmeet wrote:
Id say 700 is a good spot, though above 685 seems to open doors...Of course YMMV, as you said. And I'm sure there are people with much lower scores that have been approved and much higher that have been rejected.

+1.

Credit score is just one of the many things lenders look at as well. Don't stress out too much over that number.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

SpeeDj — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:29:18 GMT

I would also echo the 680 sentiment but I would add that you can find quite a bit of success in reconsideration, provided you are not trying to just perpetuate bad habits and want to start relationships with other lenders. I went from one lender in my wallet (C1) to a total of eight different ones now even including an AMEX Corporate Card. Just my two cents

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Strepthroat — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:36:52 GMT

+100

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Involver — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:42:30 GMT

I was approved for a Chase Freedom after recon at 692 (not that it is a "prime" card but a prime lender).

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

cyclesport45 — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 22:56:56 GMT

Low 700's with a perfect recent history will get you an Amex or two.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

jamie123 — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 01:13:36 GMT

I agree with a lot of other people here but would add a few items more than the score.

At least 680 score, clean history for at least the last two years and good history of managing at least two CC for the past year.

Fufill all three of those items and you can get most cards in my opinion.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Stralem — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 01:41:43 GMT

680 and up is prime land, but of course it's not that clear cut.

I got both my Freedom and my Discover It while hovering in the 640-650 range with high util and a collections. They were both instant approvals -- no recon! -- but their low initial limits ($500 and $1200 respectively) made it very clear that I just barely squeaked by.

Thankfully I was able to get some nice CLIs on both thanks to some dilligent gardening, but had I gardened before applying, I probably would not have needed to burn a couple HPs for those higher limits.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

money_talks — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 02:01:40 GMT

Thanks all for sharing! Keep them coming. It's clear it's a "YMMV" answer, but these general answers helps those of us with FICOs in the lower 600s to not waste inquiries and continue gardening!

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Swapmeet — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 02:09:46 GMT

@money_talks wrote:
Thanks all for sharing! Keep them coming. It's clear it's a "YMMV" answer, but these general answers helps those of us with FICOs in the lower 600s to not waste inquiries and continue gardening!

Yes. Gardening sucks but it is necessary to get where you want to be.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Thammer — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 02:12:23 GMT

For me it was after I hit 680 and got a mortgage. I was able to get in with Amex at that point and since then have added several other prime cards to my wallet Once you hit 700+ you'll start getting the offers in the mail several times a week.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 02:17:45 GMT

@money_talks wrote:
Thanks all for sharing! Keep them coming. It's clear it's a "YMMV" answer, but these general answers helps those of us with FICOs in the lower 600s to not waste inquiries and continue gardening!

A lot of it depends on what you're after.

For example, if I had scores in the low 600s and wanted to get ahead, one thing I'd do is get some secured cards.

I'd also look around and see if I could get into NFCU, or else take a copy of my report down to my local CU and ask them what they could do for me. I might also contrive to take out a small installment loan and pay it back, to establish some history.

I'm not sure that there's a clear threshold that marks "prime" territory, and there's lots you can do even if some of the big lenders don't like you.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

jamesdwi — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:08:25 GMT

Being in primeville is more than just a score. It's typically 6 months to a year or more of credit history with 2 or more national cards, VISA/MC/Amex/DISC store cards don

t count as much, currenty UTL low typically 30% or less with no card exceeding 40-50%, no baddies with in the last 2 years. Don't need to be perfect, just be good for the last couple of years and no BK or charge offs, I got AMEX revolver with a 6 year old judgement, and 5 year old medical collections. YMMV, and above average income helps them look past baddies.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

unc0mm0n1 — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:15:08 GMT

@cyclesport45 wrote:
Low 700's with a perfect recent history will get you an Amex or two.

Got my Amex xharge card with a sub 680 got the BCE a month later.

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

madnutz — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:40:10 GMT

My fico scores were between 690-712 when I finaly got approved for Barclays rewards and chase freedom

Re: What score do you need for prime cards?

Danizzle — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:56:31 GMT

My lowest approval was 693 for AmEx BCE... but either double or triple pulled me. I had nothing but a old Military (non MC) Star card that was about 3 years old and a car loan that's been paid off since '08.

I kinda went crazy applying for everything without doing my research and knowing what I wanted. AmEx was the 5th of 6 cards I was approved for in less than 2 months, so less than a year AAoA and many new accounts. Ulti was pretty low if I remember right. Oh, and an absolute clean record.