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Credit Application Questions

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Credit Application Questions

Hey everyone, longtime lurker, first time poster. Going to be applying for a new card and was looking for some advice.

Age:26
Income:46,500
AA: 4.5 Years
Accounts showing: two old store cards long closed, close auto loan, recently bought home but mortgage not yet showing
Limits: BofA Cash Rewards $5000, BofA Platinum Plus $18,000(Joint)
Utilization: Cash Rewards 21%, Platinum Plus 0%
Last Credit scored was Transunion 790 from my mortgage app two months ago

I'm looking to apply for a BofA travel rewards card possibly that it says I've been pre qualified for, at the bottom of the terms it says it is a firm offer of credit as long as I continue to meet the requirements.

My question is with my income compared to the credit limits I have with BofA would it be smart to apply for another card with them? I've had the cash rewards for about 13 months and the platinum plus is something my parents added me on when I was in college.

Would it be wiser to apply for a different bank's card like Chase to build credit up with another issuer? I did their pre qualify tool and it brought up the Sapphire Preferred, Freedom and Slate as offer.

My ultimate goal is to get removed from the Joint account because I don't want it to inhibit building my own credit up going forward. I didn't know if it would be best to apply with BofA and get the travel, then remove myself from the joint account, or apply for a different bank's cards with the high limit showing on the joint account to maybe help with getting large lines.

Sorry for the long post, appreciate any advice!
Message 1 of 16
15 REPLIES 15
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Application Questions

Also I currently have 5 inquires, Only two in the last 6 months for my mortgage, everything else is older than a year.
Message 2 of 16
takeshi74
Senior Contributor

Re: Credit Application Questions


@Anonymous wrote:
Would it be wiser to apply for a different bank's card like Chase to build credit up with another issuer? I did their pre qualify tool and it brought up the Sapphire Preferred, Freedom and Slate as offer.


Never hurts to diversify IMO but if you want specific card recommendations you'll need to clarify what you're after.

Message 3 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Application Questions

Im looking looking for a good rewards program. I've been interested in points for purchases that don't qualify for 3% gas and 2% grocery in the BofA cash back card or once I've hit the quarterly cap. Something that can be used for travel since we do take a few vacations a year or for other redemption offers if we end up not needing points for travel related reasons.
Message 4 of 16
improvingmycredit
Valued Contributor

Re: Credit Application Questions

Hey Tworattle!  Welcome to the forums!

You've done a great job of managing your credit.  With your scores and what you've stated, you should be good to go for almost any products out there.

I'd really take a look at all the different cards out there and see what best suits your current spending patterns to maximize your rewards.  Your profile could definitely use at least 2 more revolving credit lines to solidify your profile.  Cards you may want to look at:  Cash Rewards: BCP- Freedom- It / Travel:  BOA Travel- CSP- Arrival- Amex EveryDay.  I do recommend diversitfying your portfolio with other lenders.  Let us know what you decide.  Smiley Happy


Starting Score: 642
Current Score: EQ 773, EX 780, TU 777 (All FICO)
Goal Score: 800+

Cards: NFCU Flagship 50K, DC 30K, BCP 28.6K, Arrival+ 25K, Citi DP 22.8K, CSR 20.5K, TotalRewards 25K, QuickSilver 20K

Message 5 of 16
improvingmycredit
Valued Contributor

Re: Credit Application Questions


@Anonymous wrote:
Im looking looking for a good rewards program. I've been interested in points for purchases that don't qualify for 3% gas and 2% grocery in the BofA cash back card or once I've hit the quarterly cap. Something that can be used for travel since we do take a few vacations a year or for other redemption offers if we end up not needing points for travel related reasons.

Based on this information, I'd take a look at Chase and the Freedom/CSP combo.  The UR points are very versatile and can be combined and transferred to one account or the other.  The CSP is offering $400 in travel rewards and the Freedom is $100 cash back at the moment.  Nice thing about UR points... they are transferable 1:1 for travel on frequent flyer programs if you've got the CSP or you can use them as straight up cash back on purchases.  


Starting Score: 642
Current Score: EQ 773, EX 780, TU 777 (All FICO)
Goal Score: 800+

Cards: NFCU Flagship 50K, DC 30K, BCP 28.6K, Arrival+ 25K, Citi DP 22.8K, CSR 20.5K, TotalRewards 25K, QuickSilver 20K

Message 6 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Application Questions

I'll definitely start looking into some of the cards mentioned. How many applications would you recommend at once? I've never done a spree, just always applied if I liked it, didn't even know spree's existed until I found this wonderful forum. If I did more than one, I'd probably limit it to 2.
Message 7 of 16
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Application Questions

Would you recommend applying to both of those at the same time, or apply for one now, then another down the road? I did have prequalify on Chase's website when I checked. Discover and Citi couldn't verify me since my address is still so new.
Message 8 of 16
improvingmycredit
Valued Contributor

Re: Credit Application Questions


@Anonymous wrote:
I'll definitely start looking into some of the cards mentioned. How many applications would you recommend at once? I've never done a spree, just always applied if I liked it, didn't even know spree's existed until I found this wonderful forum. If I did more than one, I'd probably limit it to 2.

I wouldn't recommend a "spree" at all.  You've already done a great job of managing your credit.  I think in order to ensure a strong profile, you could use a couple more cards that fit your spend (2-3 at the most).  Perhaps you might need the extra credit later on to float a balance for a big purchase or an emergency.  Using a large portion of your single BOA CL could potentially hurt your credit profile.  Having a utilization buffer of a couple of extra cards would help your profile through this issue.  Also, having a few cards added now might help your AAoA for any future credit needs by buffering the effect of a new account down the road.  Just my thoughts.  Definitely look at the Chase cards and I'd also look at the Amex Everyday cards.  Both are great choices.  Smiley Happy


Starting Score: 642
Current Score: EQ 773, EX 780, TU 777 (All FICO)
Goal Score: 800+

Cards: NFCU Flagship 50K, DC 30K, BCP 28.6K, Arrival+ 25K, Citi DP 22.8K, CSR 20.5K, TotalRewards 25K, QuickSilver 20K

Message 9 of 16
improvingmycredit
Valued Contributor

Re: Credit Application Questions


@Anonymous wrote:
Would you recommend applying to both of those at the same time, or apply for one now, then another down the road? I did have prequalify on Chase's website when I checked. Discover and Citi couldn't verify me since my address is still so new.

If you are applying for the Chase cards... I'd start with the Freedom then wait 6 months and go for the CSP.  I'd also look at the Amex Everyday now too.  Me personally, I'd only look to add 3 cards at the most.  The Everyday card can be used as a travel card because of the MR points transfer.  These are just my suggestions.  I'd look and see how my spend adds up to see if any/all fit my ability to maximize the benefits.  


Starting Score: 642
Current Score: EQ 773, EX 780, TU 777 (All FICO)
Goal Score: 800+

Cards: NFCU Flagship 50K, DC 30K, BCP 28.6K, Arrival+ 25K, Citi DP 22.8K, CSR 20.5K, TotalRewards 25K, QuickSilver 20K

Message 10 of 16
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