CSP strategy

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

I am looking to grab the CSP in the next week in branch. I currently have 3k in cash which I am trying to decide on which account to pay off before I apply.

Chase Freedom (Opened Jan 2018) -> balance 2800/4800

Discover Miles -> balance 3500/9000

Kay Jew -> 0/1500

Total -> 6300/15300

Util 41%

The CF is currently in the 0% APR period and my discover apr has a 18% apr. Should i use the cash to clear the CF and then apply or clear the Discover card. I wondering if the high balance on just the chase card would spook Chase, even knowing that once I pay the discover down, it would bring my UTI to 24%. The reason I want to get the CSP now is because I plan to use the  SUB points to travel this summer.

Scores are  between 680-705 across the 3 bureaus. 

[Caardvark]

In my opinion, you should always do what is most financially advantageous, which is usually to pay down your high interest cards first. 

That said, depending on the SUB and, if you simply cannot wait to apply, it may be better to pay them both down to <28.9% which would give you a nice score boost and increase your odds of CSP approval (with a nice SL).

[Meanmchine]

Unless your Discover card is going to report to the CRAs early next week, Chase wont "see" the payment next week.  If you are bound and determined to app next week, Id pay the Chase card first

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the heads up, Discover does off-cycle reporting upon request, so If i pay it down and request Off cycle reporting, I;ve seen it uodate within two days of my request,

[Anonymous]

I personally would say that with your scores, you may want to wait a little longer until you can push your utility down further. Chase is really easily scared of risk with a new customer and I've seen that if your utility is north of 15%, they don't really like it unless you have really substantial income. 

[SouthJamaica]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hey guys,

I am looking to grab the CSP in the next week in branch. I currently have 3k in cash which I am trying to decide on which account to pay off before I apply.

Chase Freedom (Opened Jan 2018) -> balance 2800/4800

Discover Miles -> balance 3500/9000

Kay Jew -> 0/1500

Total -> 6300/15300

Util 41%

The CF is currently in the 0% APR period and my discover apr has a 18% apr. Should i use the cash to clear the CF and then apply or clear the Discover card. I wondering if the high balance on just the chase card would spook Chase, even knowing that once I pay the discover down, it would bring my UTI to 24%. The reason I want to get the CSP now is because I plan to use the  SUB points to travel this summer.

Scores are  between 680-705 across the 3 bureaus. 

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I would pay off the Freedom card. Chase will report the zero balance quickly giving your scores a little boost.

[CreditInspired]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hey guys,

I am looking to grab the CSP in the next week in branch. I currently have 3k in cash which I am trying to decide on which account to pay off before I apply.

Chase Freedom (Opened Jan 2018) -> balance 2800/4800

Discover Miles -> balance 3500/9000

Kay Jew -> 0/1500

Total -> 6300/15300

Util 41%

The CF is currently in the 0% APR period and my discover apr has a 18% apr. Should i use the cash to clear the CF and then apply or clear the Discover card. I wondering if the high balance on just the chase card would spook Chase, even knowing that once I pay the discover down, it would bring my UTI to 24%. The reason I want to get the CSP now is because I plan to use the  SUB points to travel this summer.

Scores are  between 680-705 across the 3 bureaus. 

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IMHO, if it were me, I would get Disco balance to less than 28.9% ($2592) and Chase balance to less than 8.9% ($422) before applying for the CSP. Chase loves to HP (possibly 2) and it’s not worth it for a possible denial. 

Just my 2cents

[Anonymous]

Agreed with CreditInspired, not to mention if you want a Chase product, I would want to put enough toward the Chase product you already have, to get it down to a good balance position. If you want more from them, show them you’re dead serious with what they’ve given you already. My thought is that with Chase being as risk-averse as they are, show them the money before asking for more from them.

[Merlin3482]

I would agree with @Creditinspired. If you follow those suggestions you will stand a much better chance of approval. Good luck with which ever way you decide to go.

[coldfusion]

OP- to summarize, you currently have $6500 in CC dept of which $2800 is currently at 0% terms.  You have cash on hand to retire $3K of that debt.

Your plan to bonus-chase means you're committing yourself to spending a mininum of $4K in ~90 days.  There is no promotional 0% financing.  What is your plan to pay off this additional $4K? 

The current interest rates on this card are higher than that you currently have on your Discover card and any interest you incur degrades the effective value of the SUB.  You wouldn't be able to transfer BT to the CF as they're both Chase cards.

I'm not looking to discourage you from applying for the card, but rather to confirm, based upon your current situation as outlined, your awareness of what you're committing to.