@Linnaea, your approach and current mindset is sound. I kinda-sorta went through the same thing back in 2020 when I got my Chapter 13 discharge. At that point in time I had been nearly 7-years without a credit card, and after several initial denials, I was thrilled to get approved for the CapOne secured Platinum card; the bloom fall off that rose shortly thereafter when they started holding my frequent payment due to triggering an AML protocol; I closed that card just over 6-weeks after it arrived in the mail. I then landed a secured TDCash card with a $5,000 limit, and if anything, it is still my go to card.
At this point I have six fairly solid cards which serve me quite well and I won't be applying for anything new until after my wife and I close on a new home (hopefully) sometime in few months. Once the mortgage is set in stone, I have a few cards in mind for applications, but nothing pressing:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold or Reserve*: it is unlikely I'll get approved, so no harm/no foul if I don't.
- NFCU More Rewards: I've already been coaxed to apply, and given I'm becoming annoyed by CapOne's refusal to grant me a CLI, so this would be a nice card to replace my SavorOne with, and I already have a CFU to (mostly) replace my Quicksilver.
- United Quest or Club*: if my company puts me back on the road (my job is supposed to entail 26-weeks per year of travel), United is their preferred carrier.
* Regarding the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and/or the United Club card; if I start traveling only occasionally, then neither of these cards will be in my sights, but if I go back to the 26-week per year thing, then having lounge access will be worth the high AF.
