Brief backround:
- 25 yo, grad student, current income $65k. Traveled abroad for undergrad and masters => came back in Aug. 2013, credit file was “fresh” => app’d for few CC => kept getting denials => ultimately approved for BoA secured (CL 500) and Discover (CL 500) in Oct. 2013. Scores were 580-600 range for all 3CB.
- In Jun 2014, I moved to a new apartment => needed bunch of credit checks (new rent, electricity, internet), INQ were on TU. In July, I was added as AU on Amex Hilton which has CL30k. I wish I paid the statements myself through my account (to build history with Amex), instead of sending the payments to my primary account holder to make the payments. I didn’t know it was important till now. I also applied for the Amazon Store Card, since I did a lot of shopping on Amazon and approved for CL 1500. In Oct. 2014 graduated my BoA to CL 3000 and also applied for BoA Asiana - approved with CL 2000. I tried for CLI on Discover and Amazon, but denied - both stating that my file was thin + too many INQ on TU.
- For January 2015, I zeroed the balances on all but one account with 3% overall utilization. Current scores EQ 700 (8 INQ) , TU 700 (12 INQ), and EX 740 (5 INQ). Most of my spending is on gas (1.30hr commute daily), online shopping on Amazon, and grocery stores. So I planned to apply this month for Chase Freedom, AMEX BCP, and Sallie Mae. Tried with Chase, but denied because of thin file (now 1.2 yrs) and 3 overdrafts that happened on my checking account. Going to recon again, even for a low CL, just need a foot in the door.
I need some help/advice with my apps for AMEX BCP (pulls EX) and Sallie Mae (pulls TU, but the analyst said they can pull other CB). I am a bit anxious, do I have a chance and risk the 2 INQ? Or should I wait a bit longer? Is there something that I can do to help my chances? What y'all think 
@Anonymous wrote:Brief backround:
- 25 yo, grad student, current income $65k. Traveled abroad for undergrad and masters => came back in Aug. 2013, credit file was “fresh” => app’d for few CC => kept getting denials => ultimately approved for BoA secured (CL 500) and Discover (CL 500) in Oct. 2013. Scores were 580-600 range for all 3CB.
- In Jun 2014, I moved to a new apartment => needed bunch of credit checks (new rent, electricity, internet), INQ were on TU. In July, I was added as AU on Amex Hilton which has CL30k. I wish I paid the statements myself through my account (to build history with Amex), instead of sending the payments to my primary account holder to make the payments. I didn’t know it was important till now. I also applied for the Amazon Store Card, since I did a lot of shopping on Amazon and approved for CL 1500. In Oct. 2014 graduated my BoA to CL 3000 and also applied for BoA Asiana - approved with CL 2000. I tried for CLI on Discover and Amazon, but denied - both stating that my file was thin + too many INQ on TU.
- For January 2015, I zeroed the balances on all but one account with 3% overall utilization. Current scores EQ 700 (8 INQ) , TU 700 (12 INQ), and EX 740 (5 INQ). Most of my spending is on gas (1.30hr commute daily), online shopping on Amazon, and grocery stores. So I planned to apply this month for Chase Freedom, AMEX BCP, and Sallie Mae. Tried with Chase, but denied because of thin file (now 1.2 yrs) and 3 overdrafts that happened on my checking account. Going to recon again, even for a low CL, just need a foot in the door.
I need some help/advice with my apps for AMEX BCP (pulls EX) and Sallie Mae (pulls TU, but the analyst said they can pull other CB). I am a bit anxious, do I have a chance and risk the 2 INQ? Or should I wait a bit longer? Is there something that I can do to help my chances? What y'all think
Actually, AMEX doesn't care whether the AU or the Basic cardmember makes the payment, at least not for a "risk assessment" standpoint.
I suggest a healthy combo of a Sallie Mae AND a Sam's Club MC with your spending on gas.
@Anonymous wrote:BCP doesn't give you anything that SM doesn't other than drugstores and a higher annual threshold. If you're living alone, there is a decent chance that you won't break the $250 per month cap on groceries. Additionally, once you factor in the annual fee, BCP only gives 4.8% cash back on groceries, assuming that you spend the entire $6k per year ($500 per month).
Both cards are great for groceries - you can't really make a "bad" choice here. One factor that I never really see discussed in this BCP v. SM debate is the value of Amex Offers. As you can see in my signature, I have the BCP and in addition to the 4.75% net CB on groceries I get (we spend $6k per year), I have also redeemed over $250 in Amex Offers in the past 9 months. Most recently, I got $25 for spending $100 at Staples. For the last 2 months I got $25 off my FiOS bill. On Small Business Saturday I used my card and my BF's AU card to get $60 of gift certificates to a local restaurant. Once upon a time I had an offer for $20 back for spending $20 at Amazon - so a totally free gift card! All these opportunities for additional cash far outstrip that $75 annual fee, at least for my pattern of spending.
Thank you for all the great suggestions 
Thus far, SM looks solid for gas and Amazon. I guess BCP may be worth it with the Amazon Prime + $100 cash back, those two will cover the annual fee for two years. I guess I wanted a card with AMEX to have for the longterm. Also, what do you think of Gold's 50k signup bonus? Too much for now? I think I read that it's for new AMEX only, if I am not mistaken.