So, in the last 6 months, I've opened up 7 new credit cards. I'm moving, and starting from scratch, so I've been applying for cards that have the 15 month 0% APR introductory periods, to pay for furniture, appliances and so on. My credit scores are now in the 680s-710s because of this.
I was on Credit Karma earlier and saw that my odds of getting approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa were "good" and was shocked to see this. I know not to trust Credit Karma, because it's all based on marketing for your approval odds. However, I've never seen "Good" before as an option; it's always been "Very Poor" whenever I looked it up on there.
I decided to actually read the reviews of getting approved, and lots of people with a 750+ credit score reported getting denied left and right. Almost all of them reported having "very good" to "exceptional" approval odds on Credit Karma before applying. Yet, they were all denied. I also read that CITI Bank is very inquiry and new account sensitive. I didn't think my chances of approval would be that great. But, I figured, I already have 7 inquiries/new accounts on my credit report, what is 1 denial out of 7 approvals, right?
I went to CITI's website, and filled out the information. The little wheel spined for about 60 seconds, and I could hear my heart beat in my ears while I waited. The Costco Anywhere Visa has always been my "Goal Card" in terms of accounts. To my pleasant surprise, I was instantly approved for $4,100....which is an odd starting limit. But it made me ecstatic. (I know never to carry a balance, and always pay off twice a month with this card).
If anyone is curious about my application info:
Costco Member for 5 Years
Income: $ 55,500
Credit Age: 12 Years
Total Credit Available: 30,000 (now 34,100)
Inquiries: 7 within the last 6 months
Bureau Pulled: Equifax
Equifax Credit Score: 689
