No credit card required
Browse credit cards from a variety of issuers to see if there's a better card for you.
Today (12/05/17) I received a pre-approval in the mail (snail mail) for a Citi double cash card. Be it right or wrong, I went online, applied and bam! Instant approval for a $1,000 CL. I'm excited as this is my first card from Citi, so if anyone knows anything about them, how they are with CLI's, etc. please chime in!
Last month I recevied a CLI on my Capital One Platinum which started at $300 a year ago August then after 3 months went to $400, 6 months $750 and last month $850. My first card was a secured card from First National Bank of Omaha with a $300 CL. They sent my deposit back over a year ago with a letter that they no longer needed my deposit but they haven't budged on that $300 CL. I don't really need it anymore as a $300 CL is good for building credit to get to better cards, but I guess I have to keep it as it was my first credit card.
For my Store cards, my favorite is my Menards Big Card, it started at $2,700 then last month I received a CLI to $3,700. I figure that's good for a store card and it's really helped with utilization as the most I've charged on it has been $400. Last month I was approved for a WalMart store card with a $200 CL and an Amazon Prime store card with a $200 CL. Last year I got an Overstock store card $250 CL (shopping cart trick) and only placed one order on it, haven't used it since.
I'm thinking Citi will now be my go-to card for the next year or so and Cap 1 will be my backup. Menards Big card when I shop Menards and Walmart and Amazon when I order online from each place. Now waiting the 7 to 10 days to receive my new card.
Congrats on the improvement in your credit lineup! I like Citi, since they started me off with a nice limit on my AAdvantage card. Keep doing what you're doing and being responsible. It's paying off! Enjoy your new card.
This is what I've learned from others experience and my own:
You may be able to get the SL increased but it will require another HP.
Hit them up on chat to reduce the APR. I was able to do this 4 times before I was told no. It was reduced about 2% each time I asked.
If you ever see a CLI screen and it doesn't ask you for the amount you want, it's a SP. Otherwise, if there are three fields, it will be a HP.
I grew my $7,900 SL (took a recon to get over the intial denial for too many inquiries) into $20,000 6 months later. All my SP CLIs attempt before that failed for too many inquiries. That huge increase in Oct was a HP and I specifically requested that amount to match 5 of my other credit card accounts I have elsewhere. I had just taken a HP for a Costco card and was hoping they would be combined. I had yet to use that card but they still granted me that amount. It was not instant, I got an email the day after that it was approved.
If you're good with the SL, let it ride.
Citi did you well.
Thanks guys. I've been discussing this with some friends and while we would all like a lager SL, they did give me $1,000 to get my foot in the door and that's by far better than a denial. I also have a couple recent inquiries from Wal-Mart and Amazon Prime, so maybe wait 6 months or so to show them I'll use the card and repay it, then take the HP if they don't give me the SP option.
Honestly, I throw these pre-approval things in the trash because the terms normally suck but this one was from Citi and I actually had my sights set on 2 cards, Citi Double Cash and Chase Freedom. I'd rather get cash back than points or air miles. It's funny because I was also pre-approved for a card I never heard of before that was riddled with ridiculous fees. It's one that you don't really charge anything on, just pay the monthly maintenance fee and build credit. I was almost certain Citi had made a mistake, but I was appoved.