Suggestions for one more

Anonymous · ‎12-06-2014

So, I have been reading through threads here the past few days. My FICO score just bumped up to 711 from a messy 553. I have been using a capital one MC with a $300 limit the past 3 years, paying on time and finally paid off all derogatory accounts on my file (hospital bills). Now that I finally have a decent score, I decided to go for some big girl cards so that I can take my time and let my credit age.

I was approved for Discover it CL 5000 and Amex Everyday CL 3500. I applied for a j. Crew card as well, just to have a store card.

I would also also like to have a Visa card of some sort, but I am having a hard time deciding which to choose. My major expenses are gas and groceries, but we dine out often, BF is buying a house so I'll be furnishing it, and we plan to travel a lot down the road. Which cards would play well with what I already have?

I am looking toward chase and Citibank but both have a lot of options.

Also, is it possible to "upgrade" my little MC? It's my oldest line of credit right now @3 years so I can't just get rid of it.

Thanks for the help, this forum is wonderful!

TheGardner · ‎12-06-2014

If you are a Sams Club member that MC is good 5% gas 3% Dining. I suspect your capital one will not be used often so threw that in as a MC alternative (TU pull Amex was EX and Dis was likely EQ). Sally Mae is also a TU puller, won't help dining out but grocery is nice + gas and Amazon.

Chase Freedom is visa but redundant with your discover card..

Without your goals and or lifestyle information it's hard to say..

Travel? United Plus? CSP with the AF? Cash back? Maybe Quick Silver?

If anyone needs me I will be In The Garden. Goal Score: 760 for all in 2015.

Current FICO Scores EX: 715 EQ: 756 TU: 762
Last APP April 21, 2015.
Victim of The great AMEX HP heist of Dec 1st, 2nd and 3rd of 2014.

Anonymous · ‎12-06-2014

Well, I don't really know what my exact goals are. I'm thinking that if say 10 years from now we do a lot of traveling (which is the plan) it would be nice to have a card with saved up miles or travel benefits.

I currently eat out often and do a fair amount of shopping $1000-1500/mo and then 300-400/mo on groceries plus 200ish on gas.

I guess I'd like to upgrade the MasterCard and acquire a visa, one of them would be for travel and one for cash back. I don't plan on taking out an auto or personal loan for 5-10 years, I want a few cards that cover all my bases for that period.

TheGardner · ‎12-06-2014

Sally Mae would cover your gas and groceries spend nice upgrade on MC. If your shopping includes Amazon this is your dream card.

CSP has an AF but converts well for travel. Freedom can be transferred to CSP if you prefer no AF but with Discover your doubled up on rewards so not sure this will help you. If you like a particular airline you can see if they have a visa version. I think alaska airlines, United and Virgin are Visa cards with good sign up bonuses. 10 yrs from now no telling who will merge or gain partners for redemption.

If anyone needs me I will be In The Garden. Goal Score: 760 for all in 2015.

Current FICO Scores EX: 715 EQ: 756 TU: 762
Last APP April 21, 2015.
Victim of The great AMEX HP heist of Dec 1st, 2nd and 3rd of 2014.

Anonymous · ‎12-06-2014

@Anonymous wrote:
So, I have been reading through threads here the past few days. My FICO score just bumped up to 711 from a messy 553. I have been using a capital one MC with a $300 limit the past 3 years, paying on time and finally paid off all derogatory accounts on my file (hospital bills). Now that I finally have a decent score, I decided to go for some big girl cards so that I can take my time and let my credit age.
I was approved for Discover it CL 5000 and Amex Everyday CL 3500. I applied for a j. Crew card as well, just to have a store card.

I would also also like to have a Visa card of some sort, but I am having a hard time deciding which to choose. My major expenses are gas and groceries, but we dine out often, BF is buying a house so I'll be furnishing it, and we plan to travel a lot down the road. Which cards would play well with what I already have?
I am looking toward chase and Citibank but both have a lot of options.

@Also, is it possible to "upgrade" my little MC? It's my oldest line of credit right now @3 years so I can't just get rid of it.

Thanks for the help, this forum is wonderful!

Best gas and groceries card is Sallie mae, with 5% back on gas and groceries (up to $250 spent per month) and 5% on bookstores, including Amazon (on up to $750 spent per month)

Best restaurant card I've found is Chase AARP. However, if you have student loans, you get more mileage out of the uPromise Sallie Mae card, which I think gets up to 8% at qualified restaurants.

If you don't like those, AMEX BCP has an annual fee, but gets 6% on groceries and 3% on gas.

For furnishing, it will depend on how you do it. You may have good success with a store card, depending on how many places you use.

For travel, I don't have any great advice. A generic "travel" card would be CapOne QS, which gives you 1.5% on everything, domestic and abroad, but has no foreign transaction fees. However, I'm sure there are better travel cards out there.

NRB525 · ‎12-06-2014

@Anonymous wrote:
So, I have been reading through threads here the past few days. My FICO score just bumped up to 711 from a messy 553. I have been using a capital one MC with a $300 limit the past 3 years, paying on time and finally paid off all derogatory accounts on my file (hospital bills). Now that I finally have a decent score, I decided to go for some big girl cards so that I can take my time and let my credit age.
I was approved for Discover it CL 5000 and Amex Everyday CL 3500. I applied for a j. Crew card as well, just to have a store card.

I would also also like to have a Visa card of some sort, but I am having a hard time deciding which to choose. My major expenses are gas and groceries, but we dine out often, BF is buying a house so I'll be furnishing it, and we plan to travel a lot down the road. Which cards would play well with what I already have?
I am looking toward chase and Citibank but both have a lot of options.

Also, is it possible to "upgrade" my little MC?@ It's my oldest line of credit right now @3 years so I can't just get rid of it.

Thanks for the help, this forum is wonderful!

If you are getting Discover and Amex now, you probably will be able to update the Capital One. Then you can watch your little girl card grow up (wipes a tear...)

Congratulations on the improvements to your score!

High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765

CreditDunce · ‎12-06-2014

If you search the forums you will find many people have been able to upgrade their starter Cap1 cards to effectively the Cap1 QS no fee card, albiet still a MC. You may need to go through the executive office (EO). Cap1's front line CSR's can't do that much.

For one more card, I would pick the Chase Freedom Visa. It is one of their easier cards to qualify for. Save the points up. In a few years, you can get the CSP and transfer the saved points to various airlines.

I wouldn't get a travel card right now. Instead, wait until you have an idea of where you will be traveling. Then pick up an airline card with a nice sign up bonus. It is an easy way to earn 40-50k miles. But most have AF's that you don't want to be paying unless you are frequently flying on that airline.