topic Re: Help) College student credit card questions in Credit Cards

Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:39:56 GMT

Hello, I just joined here! It is my honor to meet you all!

Here is my basic information:

Age - 18

Income - $25,000

Credit card - Discover IT ($500) opened few weeks ago.

I would like to ask three questions.

1) This might sound super stupid, but there was an error with the website while I was applying for the Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card. The website did not show me anything for several minutes after I pressed apply. so I had to apply again. Then I was instantly declined for applying more than once and got a mail few days later asking for proof of my income. Do you think they pulled my scores twice or just once? Well, I still don't have any score since I just opened one cc few weeks ago, but I heard having too many inquiries are bad for the credit score.

2) Should I get the Citi Dividend Platinum Student card? I already applied and they are asking for my proof of income in order for me to get the card. My original plan was to get two credit cards (Discover IT & some sort of Visa card). I applied for Citi because I heard it is one of the easiest cards for the students to get; however, I travel a lot and really want a Chase CSP later, so I feel like it might be better for me to wait for few months for my credit score to build and get Chase Freedom instead. Also, I opened Discover IT card few weeks ago, and I heard opening two credit cards within few weeks is not the greatest choice. I know I should have thought about it before applying, but I already applied, so I am not sure whether I should open it or not.

3) I accidentally made an error on my Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card application, entering a much lower income than what I actually make. I am honestly surprised they even asked for my proof of income with that income. I tried to call the service center and make a correction, but their phone service was WAY different from the Discover and kept telling me call different number every time I called, so I am not sure what to do. I will send my proof of income with a correct amount if I decide to open it, so do I have to make any action?

P.S. Even though I read many posts here, I would still ask to ask for some tips. I know basic stuff like paying off all balance, keep utilization low, etc. I would love to get AMEX BCE and Chase CSP as soon as possible, which I bet is going to take few years.

Thank you so much for reading this long post and I hope to hear some good answers.

Have a great day!

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

MT936 — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 13:27:46 GMT

What are your current scores

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

nachoslibres — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 17:28:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello, I just joined here! It is my honor to meet you all!

Here is my basic information:
Age - 18
Income - $25,000
Credit card - Discover IT ($500) opened few weeks ago.

I would like to ask three questions.

1) This might sound super stupid, but there was an error with the website while I was applying for the Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card. The website did not show me anything for several minutes after I pressed apply. so I had to apply again. Then I was instantly declined for applying more than once and got a mail few days later asking for proof of my income. Do you think they pulled my scores twice or just once? Well, I still don't have any score since I just opened one cc few weeks ago, but I heard having too many inquiries are bad for the credit score.

2) Should I get the Citi Dividend Platinum Student card? I already applied and they are asking for my proof of income in order for me to get the card. My original plan was to get two credit cards (Discover IT & some sort of Visa card). I applied for Citi because I heard it is one of the easiest cards for the students to get; however, I travel a lot and really want a Chase CSP later, so I feel like it might be better for me to wait for few months for my credit score to build and get Chase Freedom instead. Also, I opened Discover IT card few weeks ago, and I heard opening two credit cards within few weeks is not the greatest choice. I know I should have thought about it before applying, but I already applied, so I am not sure whether I should open it or not.

3) I accidentally made an error on my Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card application, entering a much lower income than what I actually make. I am honestly surprised they even asked for my proof of income with that income. I tried to call the service center and make a correction, but their phone service was WAY different from the Discover and kept telling me call different number every time I called, so I am not sure what to do. I will send my proof of income with a correct amount if I decide to open it, so do I have to make any action?

P.S. Even though I read many posts here, I would still ask to ask for some tips. I know basic stuff like paying off all balance, keep utilization low, etc. I would love to get AMEX BCE and Chase CSP as soon as possible, which I bet is going to take few years.

Thank you so much for reading this long post and I hope to hear some good answers.

Have a great day!

1) Likely once. Most banks have systems in place to check if someone is applying twice before they do a credit check.

2) Depends on if you want/need it. You said you have a Discover IT and you can build your credit with one card. Yes, 3 or more cards is optimal for FICO scoring but it isn't necessary (I only have 2 cards personally). I would not apply for additional cards just to build credit - I would garden until you have established history and then get the cards that you want.

3) I prefer calling someone because you can get a straight answer pretty easily - but as you have stated you can't find the right person. Try sending in your proof and then go from there. It seems like you are on the fence about this card anyway so I wouldn't think you need to worry about being approved quickly.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

GlocksAndCredit — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 17:33:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello, I just joined here! It is my honor to meet you all!

Here is my basic information:
Age - 18
Income - $25,000
Credit card - Discover IT ($500) opened few weeks ago.

I would like to ask three questions.

1) This might sound super stupid, but there was an error with the website while I was applying for the Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card. The website did not show me anything for several minutes after I pressed apply. so I had to apply again. Then I was instantly declined for applying more than once and got a mail few days later asking for proof of my income. Do you think they pulled my scores twice or just once? Well, I still don't have any score since I just opened one cc few weeks ago, but I heard having too many inquiries are bad for the credit score.

2) Should I get the Citi Dividend Platinum Student card? I already applied and they are asking for my proof of income in order for me to get the card. My original plan was to get two credit cards (Discover IT & some sort of Visa card). I applied for Citi because I heard it is one of the easiest cards for the students to get; however, I travel a lot and really want a Chase CSP later, so I feel like it might be better for me to wait for few months for my credit score to build and get Chase Freedom instead. Also, I opened Discover IT card few weeks ago, and I heard opening two credit cards within few weeks is not the greatest choice. I know I should have thought about it before applying, but I already applied, so I am not sure whether I should open it or not.

3) I accidentally made an error on my Citi Dividend Platinum Student credit card application, entering a much lower income than what I actually make. I am honestly surprised they even asked for my proof of income with that income. I tried to call the service center and make a correction, but their phone service was WAY different from the Discover and kept telling me call different number every time I called, so I am not sure what to do. I will send my proof of income with a correct amount if I decide to open it, so do I have to make any action?

P.S. Even though I read many posts here, I would still ask to ask for some tips. I know basic stuff like paying off all balance, keep utilization low, etc. I would love to get AMEX BCE and Chase CSP as soon as possible, which I bet is going to take few years.

Thank you so much for reading this long post and I hope to hear some good answers.

Have a great day!

Why not Garden your Discover for 5 or 6 months until you can get a credit score and the ball rolling officially, when you get a score you can then get higher tiered cards.... That's what I did.... after you get a score and manage your Discover responsibly you'll start getting cards that aren't toy limits (i.e $500) I would give it 5-6 months before you get your second card. You're moving in the right direction. You'll hear this alot in this forum: Your credit journey is not a sprint, but a marathon. This stuff doesn't happen over night... Good luck!

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 18:55:00 GMT

I do not have a score yet since I just opened my first cc few weeks ago

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 18:57:10 GMT

So should I drop my application for the Citi Dividend Platinum student card? Thank you.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 19:15:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So should I drop my application for the Citi Dividend Platinum student card? Thank you.

If you haven't been going app crazy then sure, give it a shot.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

newhis — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 19:17:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So should I drop my application for the Citi Dividend Platinum student card? Thank you.

You already applied, you took the hit. Work with it and do whatever is needed to try to get the card (calling, sending proof).

Then don't apply anymore. Use the cards, PIF, watch your %, wait until you have a score, then apply for the cards you want with better limits.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:00:12 GMT

Hello, I've been thinking about it a lot yesterday and today.

I am 100% sure I will get Chase Freedom next and Citi Dividend's categories seem to be much worse than Discover and Chase's categories.

I can already tell I won't use the Citi card in few months and I really don't want to get a card I'm not going to use.

I think I can survive with the discover IT for 6 months - 1 year till my credit history establishes.

However, as you know, I already made an inquiry, which is a hard pull, and not getting the card after that seems like a huge loss too.

Given my status, would it be more beneficial for me to get it or not?

P.S. I really didn't like Citi customer service compared to Discover's. Is Chase any better?

Thank you.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

heyarrnold — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:07:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello, I've been thinking about it a lot yesterday and today.

I am 100% sure I will get Chase Freedom next and Citi Dividend's categories seem to be much worse than Discover and Chase's categories.
I can already tell I won't use the Citi card in few months and I really don't want to get a card I'm not going to use.

I think I can survive with the discover IT for 6 months - 1 year till my credit history establishes.

However, as you know, I already made an inquiry, which is a hard pull, and not getting the card after that seems like a huge loss too.

Given my status, would it be more beneficial for me to get it or not?

P.S. I really didn't like Citi customer service compared to Discover's. Is Chase any better?

Thank you.

You already took the hit. Might as well just provide proof of income and get the card. After a year, PC the account to something else. They are quite reasonable about PC's.

Chase CS and Discover CS have both been great to me. I no longer have a Discover, but I did like their CS team. And Chase CS has always been excellent, to me at least they have. No complaints for either.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

BluePoodle — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:07:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello, I've been thinking about it a lot yesterday and today.

I am 100% sure I will get Chase Freedom next and Citi Dividend's categories seem to be much worse than Discover and Chase's categories.
I can already tell I won't use the Citi card in few months and I really don't want to get a card I'm not going to use.

I think I can survive with the discover IT for 6 months - 1 year till my credit history establishes.

However, as you know, I already made an inquiry, which is a hard pull, and not getting the card after that seems like a huge loss too.

Given my status, would it be more beneficial for me to get it or not?

P.S. I really didn't like Citi customer service compared to Discover's. Is Chase any better?

Thank you.

Get it. As others have stated, you have already apped and taken the HP. It will help in your total utilization and build your file. But you do need to hold off apping for anything else for at least 6, preferably 12 months to let these age and show a good history of use. Make sure in the future to only ap for what you really want/need. Let us know how it turns out for your Citi ap and congrats on your new Discover CC.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:42:39 GMT

Good evening!

I just called the Citibank and changed my income.

One thing I forgot to do was when they asked me if I had any housing monthly payment, I said no but I forgot that I pay housing fee to school...

Do I need to call them and tell them this? I thought it was a part of school tuition cost, so I am extremely confused.

I'll send them a copy of my student ID card tomorrow and let you guys know if I get approved!

Thank you so much for all your help and let me know about this housing cost if I should call them again or not.

Re: Help) College student credit card questions

heyarrnold — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:50:51 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Good evening!

I just called the Citibank and changed my income.

One thing I forgot to do was when they asked me if I had any housing monthly payment, I said no but I forgot that I pay housing fee to school...

Do I need to call them and tell them this? I thought it was a part of school tuition cost, so I am extremely confused.

I'll send them a copy of my student ID card tomorrow and let you guys know if I get approved!

Thank you so much for all your help and let me know about this housing cost if I should call them again or not.

No, you're fine! Don't stress it. Just send them the ID. It sounds like you're approved if they are requesting that. So you should be fine.