New immigrant. Starting credit.

[Anonymous]

Hello.
I’m a new immigrant. I was added as AU to my wife’s capital one platinum card 1 and half year ago. But I still don’t have FICO score. I think they never reported to the CBs. But after I received my SSN This Month I applied for quicksilver and got approved with SL of 5k. I’m very happy with the outcome. Being a soccer player I travel a lot. I want to get a good travel card soon. Also we will be visiting my family in Asia in next few months. I really want to try for Amex Gold. I’ve read they are more open to thin files. Does anyone have experience with Amex gold with being new to credit or low credit score.

On the quicksilver approval notice my TU is 659.

Thanks a lot.

[Anonymous]

No experience with Amex Gold but I’ve heard Amex in general likes thinner files. Congratulations on your approval and starting line!

[Anonymous]

Congrats on your progress so far.

What is the 659 score on TransUnion if its not a FICO score?

[OmarGB9]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Congrats on your progress so far.

What is the 659 score on TransUnion if its not a FICO score?

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Could be the Vantage 3.0 Score.

OP, congrats on the approval and Amex generally does like thin files, though they'll probably want to see some history with that cap one card first (12 months).

[kudosalert]

I dont think the Amex Gold will be hard for you to get. I would wait at least 1 or 2 payment cycles so your Quicksilver has a chance to report and hopefully bring your score up. Do you have any other cards or loans in your name? Your score shouldn't be that low if the QS is your only card.

[Anonymous]

I am AU on wife’s capital one platinum 3.5 years of history, and AU sprint my home credit card 7 months of history.
I had also applied for discover it when I applied for quicksilver but got denied for discover it(on the letter it said my checked my FICO and EQ and the score was 691.
So I’m very confused on what my actual score is.
Both issuers are giving different sources and different scores.
Do I need to get more cards before I apply for Amex gold? To have higher chances of approval? What do they usually look for new applicants with thin file?

[Anonymous]

I’m honestly not sure. I’m just going by what they sent me by letter. QS letter said it’s 659 and discover denied me but said They pulled my FICO but my Equifax is 691. Credit karma doesn’t show any credit score yet. Any where I can check my actual score being new to credit?

[Anonymous]

Capital one uses a different scoring model than Discover and Amex.
For approvals they use Fico but I can’t remember which version I just know it’s not Fico 8 or 9.

Capital ones credit wise shows TU vantage 3.0, I believe.
The best bet would be to do a trial through Experian so you can see your Fico 8 model and select others from each credit bureau. Go to Experian to sign up.

[Anonymous]

Do you have good credit in your former country of residence? Amex will open a new account based on your profile from home country if you're a customer over there. I think HSBC may as well.

If you're Canadian and have moved to the states there are a few banks that can use your Canadian credit score. That may be the case for some other countries as well, but I don't have that information. You may find more useful information on a site based in your previous country.

The nice thing is that you get to start with an essentially clean slate. Good management of your credit will get that score over 700 in no time at all. 

[kudosalert]

I would not open any more cards. After 2 cycles, your new score should be much higher than 700 w/ your 1 QS card reporting. I would apply for the Amex Gold card at that point.