Card Approval Odds - What Card Can I Get?

[itsmygen80]

When my cards are paid down, I have an average 650 credit score across the three bureaus. Strong income. Average age of credit 5 years. Last late payment was on a credit card from August 2025. No collections. Charge offs fully paid off since summer 2025. One old unpaid repo that's 6 years old still reporting with a balance. Currently reporting high utilization on my two credit cards, but will report low below 30% within the next week when the statement ends. So I'll be between 650-660. 

Current unsecured credit cards:

-Credit One Bank $400 limit

-Aspire $1,000 limit

Secured cards:

-Chime

-Current

Both $0 balances

In the past 60 days, I've applied for BOA (current banking relationship) and Discover. Both denied.

I used the apply with confidence tool with AMEX in April (Blue Cash Everyday) when score was 640 and was denied. Reason saying for FICO Score.

10 years ago burned relationship with Chase and Capital One.

What card(s) can I apply for next? My big goal is to get in with AMEX. 

[DeeBee78]

Capital One is generous with letting people back in, even just a couple of years after being burned. Go for a Savor or Quicksilver with them and you'll likely be approved. The limit won't be high, and it will be what is known as a bucketed card, which experiences little or no CLI growth, but it will get you back in the door. 

Synchrony has a prequalifier for the WalMart OnePay card that will show you if you're eligible for the store card or the Mastercard version. They also have a similar prequalifer for the Belk Rewards+ Mastercard, as well as their basic 2% cashback Synchrony Mastercard. 

Chase is a tough old bank if you don't settle your old debts with them. My stepfather ruined my mother's credit in the 90's and ran up a $10,000 balance on a Chase Visa that was never paid off. Mom didn't get back in with Chase until 2015. I burned a couple of Chase cards about 6 years ago, but I settled with them, and I'm hoping they let me back in sometime in the next few years. 

[pizzadude]

Agree that Cap1 should probably be the next creditor that you try - as mentioned above they are very forgiving to those who burned them in the past, even with BKs. 

[AndySoCal]

IMO Before applying for any credit you need to get your credit utilization under 10 percent preferably under 5%.  Also get to the point of paying the credit cards in full each month. The getting the credit utilization under 10% will  your scores. Paying the cards in full each month will help your wallet. How old are the secure cards?

Secondly I would look at a local credit union. Credit Unions have credit cards that are for people in the situation your in.

[Stuart89]

I’d hold off for now to be honest. You’re better off using your current cards responsibly and maybe even reporting rent/utility payments to the bureaus. I use WalletHub for that. It seems to help.

[ElvisCaprice]

What should I do if I have no credit and I want to establish credit? : u/MFBirdman7

[Shyhova]

Did you check Capital One's pre-qual? You'd be surprised, and I'm speaking from recent experience. I literally burned them on a Quicksilver and a Venture 2 years ago (over $18k total and something I'm not proud of), and they gave me another Venture 3 months ago.