NFCU Visa approval but low CL, reconsideration? Advice, please!!!

[Noximus03]

Hi everyone,

I've been with NFCU for over 20 years now, and until today, I've never considered one of their credit cards. I've considered them for an auto loan in the past, but I got a slightly better rate with USAA at the time. In truth, I've been a member of nfcu since 98, but I never used them for primary banking opting for usaa instead during the rate wars.

Fast forward quite a while. I wound up getting into a really rough patch in 2013. My business failed when the oil industry tanked, and shortly after I paid off my business creditors, I wound up going through an even worse patch with a divorce. The financial situation was pretty bad. Lost every possession, and almost every asset (she didnt get the truck, thoigh). Not seeing a clear, quick way out, I filed for Ch. 7 in summer 2016 (discharged Nov 2016). I've been rebuilding very cautiously since then.

Now we're at today. Steady job with above average salary ($140k), Cap1 QS1 and Plat cards with constant usage, and constant paid in full literally every week for a year (no cl increase despite regular requests with progress shown), and $35k auto loan (new car, Cap1) on time every time and always paying 25% more monthly. The cards have been stuck at $500 cl/EA for the 14 months I've had them, the car loan in 9 months old, the job is 16 months. As of 9 am est today myfico read TU 651/EQ 635/and EX hates me at 604. This time 18 months ago they were TU 491/EQ 488/EX 482. I've come a long way.

I've recently started moving my primary banking functions over to NFCU, including my direct deposit, and my monthly Navy retirement payouts, and decided to give it a shot for an NFCU Cash Rewards Visa fully expecting a denial based in every other cc company denying me. Nope- easy approval, but the CL is low. I'm trying to get away from low balance cards where everytime I use one all it really accomplishes is to drag my utilization percentage down, and my scores along with it. I have an itch to use a recon letter to request a higher CL based on the good I've done, and bad I've overcame along with the salary, and low debt to income.

After all that heres the real questions

-Has anyone had the same scenario, requested and gotten a higher CL upon approval before the card was in the mail?
- is it better to call, or send a message/write a letter?
- Am I wasting my time thinking about this?

Advice please!!!

[Anonymous]

Sorry about the circumstances and congrats on the recent success. 

That limit won’t stay low for long. 

Keep doing what you are doing. NFCU can and will be quite generous. 

[AverageJoesCredit]

Recon may not work but a couple months sure will lol. Navy will eventually show love, especially on your 2nd card and app when its time. With a 140k income, you should eventually get those massive 25k limits plus. Remember the 90 days plus and 3 statement cuts rule for your first cli request and keep up your great work. Best of luck and thanks for your service ( if served)

[Anonymous]

---

@Noximus03 wrote:
Advice please!!!

---

Mark your calendar for 91/3. Second card will be the charm. 

[Noximus03]

I did serve, and you're welcome. It was my honor.

Forgive me for being new to the boards, and all of your knowledge, but what's the 90/3 rule? I hate admitting this in public, but I'm slightly ignorant, and I get hit in the head a lot....

[Anonymous]

---

@Noximus03 wrote:
I did serve, and you're welcome. It was my honor.

Forgive me for being new to the boards, and all of your knowledge, but what's the 90/3 rule? I hate admitting this in public, but I'm slightly ignorant, and I get hit in the head a lot....

---

Waiting until a minimum of: 91 days from account opening AND 3 statements have cut. Must be both. 

[Jnbmom]

---

@Noximus03 wrote:
I did serve, and you're welcome. It was my honor.

Forgive me for being new to the boards, and all of your knowledge, but what's the 90/3 rule? I hate admitting this in public, but I'm slightly ignorant, and I get hit in the head a lot....

---

First and foremost thank you for your service

What it means is after your first card reaches 91 days and your third statement cuts, you can request a CLI and apply for a second card. You stated your SL is low but I didn't see the amount, but I can almost promise you your second card will be higher Just use your card and PIF and you should have success with your second application. 

[Noximus03]

It was only for a $1k limit. I say "only" because I'm trying to get away from me using the card and it dragging my percentage down. Was hoping for a LOT more....

[Anonymous]

---

@Noximus03 wrote:
It was only for a $1k limit. I say "only" because I'm trying to get away from me using the card and it dragging my percentage down. Was hoping for a LOT more....

---

In June, my first card Cash Rewards was only $1k. They told me to wait 6 months to ask for a CLI. After 92 days, I applied and was approved for $15k for the Flagship. I was declined for a CLI on my $1k Cash Rewards the same day. Should have waited 6 months. lol

[AverageJoesCredit]

Op, its ok to use your card and make payments throughout the month. It would probably build more internal history with Navy anyway. . Please read some if the big Navy thread here in applications. Good stuff. With a low income i went from $500 to $5000 on my first cli request so as you can see only a matter of months with Navy unlike other institutions that can take forever.