What to app for next after my FICO updates come in?

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I made my first payment towards federal student loans, my utilization in credit cards has dropped significantly. So hoping this will boost my scores well enough and past the 639 in scores even if barely.

I currently have the following:

CreditOne - $300 SL, now $450 [one full year this month] | balance of $27

Milestone Gold - $450 SL | balance of $0

MyGenesis [ssued by MattressFirm, no card] - $3000 SL | balance of $668~

Auto loan with CU, balance of $8100~

Federal student loans of $30k~, made my first payment this month

I do have one defaulted private student loans that was charged off 6 years ago. Expected to come off my report September 2019. The only baddie I have.

I'm not sure if MyGenesis is something that counts toward my credit revolving history, does it? Regardless of that, the utilization has dropped significantly recently and series of my MyFICO scores update will start rolling in within the next week.

Last month I applied for Barclay's AAdvantage Red Aviator, was denied after recon because I have not established one full year of revolving history and because of my BK7 on my credit report.

Here are my plans for this month after MyFICO update is complete:

1) App for PenFed

2) App for Barclay

3) App for Merrick Bank

I understand that credit card offer may not be immediately available with PenFed and they will do a hard pull, which is why I would like to do PenFed first. Or should I move PenFed after Barclay app attempt?

I want a Barclay card. If I am denied after recon, I will settle for Merrick Bank. I received an offer in mail to double my line, the SL is $700, double to $1400 in 7 months. 

But, if I go with Barclay, which Barclay do I go for first? Should I do Apple or Uber Visa? Apple and Uber Visa seems to be more BK friendly than Red Aviator, no? I will ask Barclay to do another HP since it will be app'd within 90 days from app date unless they will consider my app from recently to give this another thought.

Any thoughts on what I could do? 

[Anonymous]

Cards should be applied for and acquired because they'll add value to your wallet based on your spend.  If you have to worry about which you may be approved for or not approved for and aren't strictly weighing just the benefits of one card verses another, IMO you aren't apping for the right reason(s).  I don't believe in adding cards simply to add cards.

[marmaladepie]

Ditto

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I want to get out of the subprime cards and get better returns in rewards.

You know CreditOne, and especially Milestone Gold, are the cards to avoid. That’s why I want to be sure I look for the ones that are better and be more likely to be approved for.

FWIW, I will spend well more than $2000 per month. My business expenses are reimbursed by the company and I have a corporate card. I would like to be able to use my personal cards with rewards and reap the benefits as well as value.

[Anonymous]

My personal experience I started with Cap One Platinum. It auto CLI increases over time. Also my personal experience I did a PC to the Cap One QS card for the cash back at about 8 months after getting the card.

DP started at $750. In July 18. Auto CLI to $1750.00 Jan 18. PC to QS Apr 18. Denied CLI in May 18 due to PC ( never asked for one prior/ I think I have to wait 6 mths for a CLI request ).

Just sharing hope it helps

[Anonymous]

Here is some of my data points. Last month, I was approved for the Barclays Uber Visa for $2,000 with a TU FICO 8 of 654. Then I joined PenFed and app for the PenFed Power Cash Rewards. Denied with a EQ FICO 9 score of 650. It was a SP, same pull used for membership checking and checking line of credit. I still have a lot of unpaid charge offs and collections about 6 years old. Hopefully, your scores jump into the 650-660 range with your lower utilization. And good luck!