Definitely don't plan on getting more than two more cards right now, just trying to start the planning now so I have the diversity for total accounts, start aging up more accounts, and can do a bit better on getting cash back.
APR isn't a huge concern for me since I wouldn't carry any balance beyond the grace period (which I'll start making sure I post some sort of balance more frequently).
Starting limit and ability to get a CLI without a HP are kinda important (raise overall revolving credit, lower util for when I do post balances).
Extra features like warranty extension are nice to have too.
So what I'm thinking right now is something like:
- BoA Cash Rewards: 3% for online spending
- Citi DoubleCash: 2% all else
- with one of these two:
- WF Propel AmEx: 3% for food/bars/gas/streaming (+$200 SUB)
- OR US Bank Altitude Go: 4x for food, 2x gas (+$200 SUB, $15 credit for streaming service)
- Just based on quick streaming math of $30 per month, I'd save a whopping $11.40 over the year with the $15 credit from Alt Go. Can't really tell if the Alt Go card covers bars or not though, with a spend of at least $570 there for the year, the Propel would make more sense if Alt Go doesn't cover the bars (570*2% difference = $11.40). Either way they are close enough that I could swing either way. Seems like neither is a definite SP for CLI. Any thoughts?
Found the Propel card with some more searching after my initial post and it seems like a better alternative to the Savor card for me. Greater SUB and covers gas and streaming in addition to food/bars, just doesn't have the Concierge (likely wouldn't use) or Credit Wise (never used, so not sure how useful it would be).
US Bank Cash+ card seems like it could be decent too, but don't have high enough spending in those 5% categories really.
BCE is not really up there with the other ones after more looking just because it's 2% gas is beat by the Propel or matched by the Alt Go, 3% grocery doesn't apply for me, and 1% loses to DoubleCash.
In terms of moving forward with any of them, would it make sense to just wait until the new BoA CL shows when this month posts? Thinking that might encourage higher starting limits with any of them.
as of 1/1/23
Just figured I would update here that my BoA statement came on the 20th, reflected on EX today, nothing so far on TU or EQ.
Not sure if my bump came from the higher limit or just letting a balance post (3%), but my EX score jumped 25 points from 793 to 818. I think that'll definitely help when I go ahead with the apps either later this week or next week as EX was the only one below 800.
Not sure if my bump came from the higher limit or just letting a balance post (3%), but my EX score jumped 25 points from 793 to 818. I think that'll definitely help when I go ahead with the apps either later this week or next week as EX was the only one below 800.
@RSX wrote:US Bank is Inq and new account sensitive
so my advise is to Start with the US Bank if you really want it
That's a good point, I was planning on sticking to just two new cards but might go for the three all together and hope I get lucky with instant approvals.
I went ahead and submitted three apps this morning: US Bank Altitude Go, Wells Fargo Propel, and PenFed Power Cash Rewards (that's the order of hitting the submit button, all were within a minute of each other).
- Got an "instant approval" for the Altitude Go (approval thread here)
- Got "We need to verify a few pieces of information before we can give you a credit decision." for the Propel
- Got "Your application is being reviewed. You will be contacted if additional information is needed to complete your application." for the Power Cash Rewards - this may be because I upped the income on this application compared to when I just created the account earlier in the month because now I know what my parttime job schedule is supposed to be going forward.
Hoping for good news on the other two in coming days - is it usually an email that comes for approvals or snail mail? I know a denial will for sure come in the mail with the details.
Wells Fargo will call or you can call them and speak with UW. It's normally a couple of business days if you wait on them.
Penfed, you should know sometime today.
Congrats on your other US bank approval.
Just called WF to see if they'd have any more information and the gentleman said it's showing under review which means they should have an answer within 48 hours and to try and call back then or wait 5-7 days for a letter in the mail.
Good enough for me right now on that, don't *need* the card so no rush.
Good enough for me right now on that, don't *need* the card so no rush.
@ccquest wrote:
Just called WF to see if they'd have any more information and the gentleman said it's showing under review which means they should have an answer within 48 hours and to try and call back then or wait 5-7 days for a letter in the mail.
Good enough for me right now on that, don't *need* the card so no rush.
I received the same response, when I applied. I'd look out for a call from a number you don't recognize, possibly Monday for verification.
I'd guess it might have processed today. But this Covid stuff has slowed everything down.
@Gmood1 wrote:I received the same response, when I applied. I'd look out for a call from a number you don't recognize, possibly Monday for verification.
I'd guess it might have processed today. But this Covid stuff has slowed everything down.
My unknown number just called, verified my identity, and number from a text message...Then she said I was approved with a SL of $4,000 with the card to come in the mail in 7-10 days!
The call came within 30 seconds of Experian emailing that there was a hard inquiry by WF.
That makes 2 of 3 so far.
Update to close it out unless I get antsy and go for the AmEx BCE to get my foot in the door there:
- US Bank Altitude Go - $5k SL (pulled EQ)
- Wells Fargo Propel - $4k SL (pulled EX)
- PenFed Power Cash Rewards - $10k SL (pulled EQ)
- US Bank Altitude Go - $5k SL (pulled EQ)
- Wells Fargo Propel - $4k SL (pulled EX)
- PenFed Power Cash Rewards - $10k SL (pulled EQ)