Hey MyFICO fam,
I wanted to share my 3-year rebuild update for anyone who’s early in the process and wondering if things ever turn around.
TL;DR
Burned 6 major accounts in September 2022
Settled all for less than half
First unsecured approvals came 18 months later
Now holding multiple cards, CLIs, and rebuilding relationships with burned lenders
Currently gardening and optimizing limits
The Damage (September 2022)
I went through a rough financial period and ended up burning six accounts:
Capital One: 1 card – ~$8,000
Citi: 2 cards – ~$8,000 total
Chase: 2 cards – ~$17,000 total
Synchrony Bank: 1 card – ~$4,000
Total burned: ~$37,000
All accounts were eventually settled for less than half.
At that point my credit profile was wrecked—charge-offs, low scores, no approvals.
First Signs of Life (18 Months In)
After focusing on staying clean, no new negatives, and letting time do its thing, I finally got my first unsecured cards:
November 2023: Ally – $1,000
March 2024: Capital One Savor – $3,000
Getting Capital One again after burning them was a big milestone.
Momentum Builds (Continuing the Rebuild)
2024
September 2024: Avant – $2,000
October 2024: Venmo (Synchrony) – $2,400 (Visa for Costco)
2025
January 2025: Amex Business Prime – $7,000
July 2025: Capital One Quicksilver – $6,000, SUB $200
August 2025: Amex BCE – $1,000 (Amex is generous with CLI), SUB $200
October 2025: Apple Card – $3,000, SUB $100 (Managed to get approved with Goldman Sachs, because Chase would probably deny me)
December 2025: AAA Daily Advantage (Bread Financial) – $4,400 (New Visa for Costco)
Credit Limit Increases
May 2024: Ally $1,000 → $1,100 (lol)
2025: Ally $1,100 → $2,400
March 2025: Capital One Savor $3,000 → $4,500
January 2026: Venmo $2,400 → $4,000
January 2026: Amex Business Prime $7,000 → $14,000
(Accidentally requested 2x instead of 3x 🤦♂️)
Where I Am Now – Gardening Phase
Primary Cards
Amex Business Prime: $14,000 (Goal: $30K) *Doesn't report to personal credit report
AAA Daily Advantage: $4,400 (Goal: $10K+)
Amex BCE: $1,000 (Goal: $10K+)
Capital One Savor: $4,500 *CLIs recently denied, but long-term goal is $10K+
Sock Drawer
Venmo – $4,000
Apple Card – $3,000
Capital One Quicksilver – $6,000 *May move some limit to Savor
Chopping Block
Avant – $2,000
Ally – $2,400
Settling charge-offs helped long-term
Burned lenders can come back (Capital One, Synchrony)
- Other lenders still remember (Citi, Chase)
If you’re in year 1 or 2 and feel stuck, I’ve been there. You can check out my post I wrote in March 2024 (almost 2 years ago!)
Happy to answer questions or provide more details if it helps someone else rebuilding. 💪
There are some things I would do differently.
@E36 Congratulations on the success story! Much needed for inspiration as I've just started my journey.
The cards in your signature is an awesome mix! I've heard Discover is pretty generous with CLI.
It's amazing that you were able to get Citi and US Bank.
Was there anything special you did to qualify for US Bank? Was there a prequal?
Congrats!
I've been lurking on this board for a while now and it's always encouraging to hear the comback stories. I'm beginning my rebuilding journey now and these always bring hope!
Congrats on the cards, cli's and successful rebuild
Awesome - congrats on your rebuilding success!
This gives me hope! Thanks for sharing.
Starting Score: 700
Congratulations!
Thanks for the history and path (up) taken. Not sure I would have the energy or desire presently to rebuild.
