Applying to both NFCU and PenFed, need advice

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone I've been a member to NFCU since march and I've been banking with them since as my secondary. I want to apply for to their cash rewards card on August 1st. I also want to join Penfed and apply for their points rewards card. I wanted to know if it would be a better idea to apply to penfed before I apply for the NFCU card since I've heard they're inquiry sensitive and very picky in general. Or if it's ok to go for the NFCU card first. Also wondering if I should be worried about a denial from Penfed for the cc. Thank for your help in advance!

Fico 08: EQ:687 TU:698 EX:675
AAOA: 3yrs
Inquiries: 3 on EQ
Deroga on EQ:1 paid charge off 1 year old and 1 unpaid collection for $72
1Act open in December: Amex charge card AU
3 accounts open in January: Capone 750, BofA 2300, Overstock 2300

[Gmood1]

I'd definitely hit Penfed before NAVY. You look like your in a OK place for both CU's by looking at your scores. Don't let your fear of denial stop you from getting what you want. Everyone will eventually be denied for something. Even those with the best scores.

[Anonymous]

I agree with gmood... Penfed first. Honestly unless you need a mortgage, I'd try out Penfed and their products first since their credit cards are definitely more competitive then Navy. I used to compare the two and glad I ended up going to Penfed first people of their platinum reward card and giant limits

[AverageJoesCredit]

Lol, Dskye15, are you sure you dont have that giant limits reversed? Penfed can give big limits for sure if your profile supports it but in my opinion they are apples and oranges in limit ranges

[Anonymous]

As far as I was concerned NFCU is known for generous limits... but what's your opinion on the matter Joe? Does it matter which CU gets the first inquiry?

[B335is]

I definitely agree with applying for Penfed first. Navy is more forgiving with inquiries and Navy is hard pull happy.

[BPebbles]

I agree with the others - PenFed first as they are more inquiry sensitive.  Navy doesn't seem to mind lots on inquiries, but they are HP happy (e.g. a HP for membership and then generally one HP for each additional credit product).

[Anonymous]

From my experience PENFED pulls Equifax for account and credit cards while NFCU pulls Trans Union for account and credit cards.  If you ask for CLOC NFCU pulls Equifax.  So as long as you stick to credit cards it shouldn't matter the order.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate tbe insight! Should I be worried about the number of new accounts ive opened recently when applying to PenFed? Because I was also looking into the AMEX everyday card that I was prequalified for a few weeks ago. I just want to be sure I make the best decision and dont waste a hard pull because these are going to be my last two applications and then im gardening for at least a year. Thanks for the advice!

[Gmood1]

IME, Navy pulls EQ for membership and TU for credit products and CLIs. Navy is all over the map on credit pulls though. Penfed does one EQ pull for everything and more conservative than Navy. This is why I recommended Penfed first. Amex pulls EX. Amex won't have any bearing on the other two. Unless you wait for it to report to all three CBs.

Inqs aren't permanent, neither are new accounts. The accounts will age together and in 12 months the inquiry will hold no weight.