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Rank These Cards

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Jazee
Frequent Contributor

Rank These Cards

I've got an Intro APR deal expiring I want to move the balance to a new card. Curious how people would rank these cards as far as likely approval + initial credit line amount combined + length of 0% Intro Apr. In other words a card that is $1500 initial line with 21 months Intro APR ranks lower on a card that is $6000 that is 12 month Intro APR. Also note if there's a pre-approval soft pull form is obviously a big plus.

 

Fico score should be around 710 +/- 20 depending on timing of application. 0/12 2/24 hard pulls.  Banking relationships with BofA (checking and Cash rewards card), Chase (checking), USBank (checking and Altitude card), Capital One (checking - not really used.), NFCU (already have two cards).  High UTI ~60%.  Cards considering:

Chase Freedom Unlimited or Flex (due to existing relationship and no cards with them)
BofA Travel Rewards or Bankamerica Card (I have both personal and business banking relationships, if my memory serves me the Bankamerica had higher than average starting limit compared to other cards but I already have a card with them with high UTI)

Wells Fargo Active Cash/Reflect
Discover It
Citi cards I'm on the fence about as I thought I read starting lines can be small and they may be more sensitive to UTI?
Any card I'm missing?

 

 

Message 1 of 7
6 REPLIES 6
FicoMike0
Senior Contributor

Re: Rank These Cards

The usb shield goes 0% for 24 months.

None of these offers is really 0%, since most have an initial fee of 5%. Nfcu offers 1.99 % with no fee, a better deal.I

Starting cl is often based on current high limit.

I think your biggest problem will be the 60% util, many banks will flat turn you down.

Message 2 of 7
Stuart89
New Visitor

Re: Rank These Cards

I’d put Wells Fargo Active Cash at the top of the list for rewards and Reflect at the top for financing. Freedom Unlimited is the runner-up.

Message 3 of 7
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Rank These Cards


@Jazee wrote:

Curious how people would rank these cards as far as  ... initial credit line amount

 

High UTI ~60%.  Cards considering

 

Any card I'm missing?


You're asking the wrong question, @Jazee.  The problem is that you're unlikely to get an approval for any new card carrying 60% utilization, much less one with a higher credit limit.  And credit limits vary based in-part on the credit reported utilization.  We could tell you cards that would give a higher SL (on average) but those might be for someone carrying 5% UTI, not 60%. 

 

My better suggestion would be to (1) try to get credit limit increases on your existing cards; (2) pay down utilization before applying for a new card; (3) try to roll the expiring balance onto one of your existing cards with a BT offer; (4) consider a personal loan if you don't have any other options to consolidate or pay down the debt in a reasonable time frame. 

If you want to post more details about the cards you have, the CLs, where the balances are located, APRs, and that sort of thing then the community might be able to help you come up with a pay-off plan. 


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 42 years; Total Credit Limits > $947K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.9 - CITI 97.5 - AMEX 95.0 - NFCU 80.0 - SYCH - 65.0
AoOA > 32 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Oct 2024)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 4 of 7
zerofire
Valued Contributor

Re: Rank These Cards

I agree with @Aim_High. Your starting with asking how can I save myself but provide examples of products that will only kill you. The BT era has ended. Most cards no longer offer 0% periods and the few that do have a BT fee of at least 3% and usually now up to 5%. I recommend selecting between the US Bank Shield Visa and the Bank of America BankAmericard MasterCard depending on how long you want to keep it at 0% vs the fee. USB will do 24 statements for 5% and BoA will do 18 statements for 3% during first 60 days 4% after. The other cards are all out of the question since you have too much debt. Even this however is a hail mary.

TU:816 12/19/24 Bank of America--EX: 809 01/03/25 Experian--EQ:836 01/06/25 myFICO--Gardening since N/A
Active:
Bank of America (Customized Cash Rewards VSC, Unlimited Cash Rewards WMC{PT}), Capital One (Discover It DC, Savor WEMC), Chase (Amazon Prime VSC, Freedom Flex WEMC [x2]), Citi (Custom Cash WEMC, Dividend MC), Citizens GreenSense WMC, Curve WEMC{S}, FNBO Ducks Unlimited VSC, GBank VSC, Imprint Rakuten AC, PenFed Pathfinder Rewards VSC, Santander Ultimate Cash Back WMC, Synchrony (OnePay Walmart CashRewards MC, PayPal Cashback WMC), UMB Simply Rewards VSC[Milford Federal], US Bank (Cash+ VSC [x2], Kroger Rewards WEMC, Pick n Save/Metro Market Rewards WEMC, Shield VC)
Wishlist: AAA Daily Advantage, AOD Signature, Aven, Bellco Colorado Rewards, Nusenda Platinum Cash Rewards, PCMCU Platinum Rewards, Redstone FCU Signature
Message 5 of 7
Aim_High
Super Contributor

Re: Rank These Cards


@zerofire wrote:

I recommend selecting between the US Bank Shield Visa and the Bank of America BankAmericard MasterCard depending on how long you want to keep it at 0% vs the fee. USB will do 24 statements for 5% and BoA will do 18 statements for 3% during first 60 days 4% after. The other cards are all out of the question since you have too much debt. Even this however is a hail mary.


The problem with applying for new 0% APR balance transfer cards is:

 

(1) Starting limits on these types of cards tend to be more conservative overall.  In my opinion, the lenders are trying to minimize not only risk of default but the lost interest expense, so they accomplish both of these with lower limits during the intro period.

 

(2) If an applicant is carrying high utilization on other cards, it's more likely to either get a denial or have that approved SL further reduced.  For example, US Bank is known for sometimes giving out toy $500 limits even to strong profiles. Smiley Sad  I'm sure OP would be very frustrated to waste a HP on a $500 limit.  US Bank will reconsider, but usually requires an additional HP with no guarantees.   

 

So again, my best suggestion is not to chase after a new card for a BT at this time. Either find offers on existing cards for a BT or pay down at least some of that high utilization before applying for one to manage the remainder. 


Business Cards


Length of Credit > 42 years; Total Credit Limits > $947K
Top Lender TCL - Chase 156.4 - BofA 99.9 - CITI 97.5 - AMEX 95.0 - NFCU 80.0 - SYCH - 65.0
AoOA > 32 years (Jun 1993); AoYA (Oct 2024)
* Hover cursor over cards to see name & CL, or press & hold on mobile app.
Message 6 of 7
LiamDavis
Member

Re: Rank These Cards

Citi Simplicity is the best for balance transfers in my opinion. It has the best combo of long 0% promo and low fees. If you don’t need as long, the Chase/BofA cards are good.

Message 7 of 7
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