After much work on improving credit, I am finally tipping the scales toward the 800 club.
EQ: 810
EX: 801
TU: A stubborn 740 (the other bureaus dropped a 90-day late after 6 years and 10 months, but it's still reporting to TU).
I pay CC balances in full and carry no other debt (house and car paid off).
When I saw 800s with EQ and EX, I pulled the trigger on an app spree to build a portfolio of cards that will benefit me. Prior to the app spree, the only credit card I had only a US Bank Kroger Card (limit $21,500), but I no longer have a Kroger store in my vicinity, so the big rewards from that card went *poof*
- My spree started with an instant denial with the WF Active Cash app
Bummer, because I really wanted no-brainer cash back. They pulled TU (740). I thought my previous positive relationships with WF (furniture, a camper) would pull some weight, but no. - Next was Chase. WHAT A RIDE. I knew to put them at the top of the list so as to avoid the 5/24 rule. I applied for the Freedom Unlimited, got the "we'll let you know within 2 weeks" message, and found that to be a good sign. Responded to an email later in the day requesting verification of date of birth and proof of address. Uploaded DL and got confirmation. A week later the "2 week" message changed to 7-10 days per the robolady. A week after THAT, received a letter stating "We're concerned someone may be using your personal information fraudulently and declined an application because of this. If your application is valid, please contact us." I did so, they did a verfication via text to my phone and stated they sent it back to applications. Two days later, robolady still said 7-10 days. At this point it was 15 days since initial application. I called AGAIN, and went through the whole spiel. This time fraud dept did a more in-depth verification (which of these... schools, addresses, cars, etc), updated info, coordinated with applications, and 5 minutes later - "Thank you for holding, congratulations, your application has been approved with a limit of $18,000." WHEW!! They pulled EX (801) and EQ (810).
- While piddling back and forth with Chase, next on the list was Citi Double Cash. This one was an instant approval of $9000, and it gave me satifaction of 2% cash back without worrying over where to spend and what promos to use. Also eased the blow of the WF decline. They pulled EX (801).
- Last was AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass. We favor the Hilton brand when traveling and the immediate gold status and SUB are lucrative to me. Another instant approval of $10,000 rounded out my spree. Interestingly, they pulled only TU also (740), which WF used for a big fat negative.
Sorry so lengthy but I thought the info (particularly re: Chase) might be helpful to others!
Starting Score: Jan 2012 – EQ 582, TU 615
Congratulations on your app spree successes!
Congrats on the approvals!
congrats on the approvals!!
was your Chase HP on your report when you were approved for Citi?
@clg1231 wrote:After much work on improving credit, I am finally tipping the scales toward the 800 club.
EQ: 810
EX: 801
TU: A stubborn 740 (the other bureaus dropped a 90-day late after 6 years and 10 months, but it's still reporting to TU).
I pay CC balances in full and carry no other debt (house and car paid off).
When I saw 800s with EQ and EX, I pulled the trigger on an app spree to build a portfolio of cards that will benefit me. Prior to the app spree, the only credit card I had only a US Bank Kroger Card (limit $21,500), but I no longer have a Kroger store in my vicinity, so the big rewards from that card went *poof*
- My spree started with an instant denial with the WF Active Cash app
- Next was Chase. WHAT A RIDE. I knew to put them at the top of the list so as to avoid the 5/24 rule. I applied for the Freedom Unlimited, got the "we'll let you know within 2 weeks" message, and found that to be a good sign. Responded to an email later in the day requesting verification of date of birth and proof of address. Uploaded DL and got confirmation. A week later the "2 week" message changed to 7-10 days per the robolady. A week after THAT, received a letter stating "We're concerned someone may be using your personal information fraudulently and declined an application because of this. If your application is valid, please contact us." I did so, they did a verfication via text to my phone and stated they sent it back to applications. Two days later, robolady still said 7-10 days. At this point it was 15 days since initial application. I called AGAIN, and went through the whole spiel. This time fraud dept did a more in-depth verification (which of these... schools, addresses, cars, etc), updated info, coordinated with applications, and 5 minutes later - "Thank you for holding, congratulations, your application has been approved with a limit of $18,000." WHEW!! They pulled EX (801) and EQ (810).
- While piddling back and forth with Chase, next on the list was Citi Double Cash. This one was an instant approval of $9000, and it gave me satifaction of 2% cash back without worrying over where to spend and what promos to use. Also eased the blow of the WF decline. They pulled EX (801).
- Last was AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass. We favor the Hilton brand when traveling and the immediate gold status and SUB are lucrative to me. Another instant approval of $10,000 rounded out my spree. Interestingly, they pulled only TU also (740), which WF used for a big fat negative.
Sorry so lengthy but I thought the info (particularly re: Chase) might be helpful to others!
Well you got 3 great cards there, who needs Wells Fargo? Congratulations. And thanks for the detailed reporting 
Patience and discipline are two of the biggest factors I believe when it comes to managing one's credit profile and you my friend have exemplified that. Congrats on the approvals.
Sorry to hear about Wells Fargo. They are so finicky and I don't understand them (previous customer).
Starting Score: 570
