Went on an app spree!

[drochelle37]

Equifax Fico 8: 698 as of 8/17/22 – 1 recent inquiry in the past year before app spree

Transunion Fico 8: 657 as of 8/17/22 – 3 recent inquiries in the past year before app spree

Experian Fico 8: 648 as of 8/17/22 – 2 recent inquiries in the past year before app spree

Average age of accounts: 5 years, 7 months – oldest 14 years, 8 months

Utilization: 35%

Income including salary, bonuses + commissions: $168,000 annually

So my utilization is high and I made the mistake of leaning towards subprime cards in the past.

I went on an app spree this week and was approved/denied for the following:

• PenFed Gold – Approved $5,000 – pulled Equifax
• PenFed Platinum – Approved $5,000 – used the same pull from Equifax
• Citizen’s Clear Value MC – Denied - pulled Equifax
• Langley Credit Union Platinum – Denied - pulled Equifax
• NFCU Platinum – Approved, but only for $500 - pulled Transunion
• Alphaeon/Comenity Bank – Approved for $5,300 (will use for Botox once a year and pay off right away) – pulled Equifax
• NASA FCU Classic – Pending – pulled Experian was pre-qualified however Experian is my worst score so the chances seem slim

So I think overall with my approvals my utilization will decrease to under 30%. I also plan to transfer all of my existing balances with high interest over to the PenFed cards and utilize the 18 month (Gold) and 12 Month (Platinum) 0% APR balance transfer offers. I’ll pay $300 a month to each of the PenFed cards and extra whenever I receive bonus pay to clear the balances before the transfer offer expires.

I know that my NFCU limit received is very low, any tips on how to get a significant CLI or new card offer in 3-6 months? I’ve been using Goldman Sachs Apple Card as my daily driver and can switch over to using the NFCU card and paying in full each month/multiple times per month.

Is there any suggestions for cards I might have missed that primarily pull Equifax? I’m open to one more app with a strong approval chance and then will be in the garden for the next year or so.

[FireMedic1]

Welcome to the forums @drochelle37 

Congrats! Were those scores before the spree? If so. They will drop some. With 4 new accounts. No more apps for a while like next year. The itch is there to keep going. Comes a time to let all those new accounts age. Tip. I waited until I hit 700. Apped. Approved. Score dropped. Waited until 700 appeared again. Rinse and repeat. That was after researching each card on here to make sue there wasnt a denial. Nice job on your little spree.

[Anonymalous]

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@drochelle37 wrote:

I know that my NFCU limit received is very low, any tips on how to get a significant CLI or new card offer in 3-6 months? I’ve been using Goldman Sachs Apple Card as my daily driver and can switch over to using the NFCU card and paying in full each month/multiple times per month.

Is there any suggestions for cards I might have missed that primarily pull Equifax? I’m open to one more app with a strong approval chance and then will be in the garden for the next year or so.

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You can apply for a CLI from Navy in 3 months (91 days/3 full billing cycles), and then every 6 months thereafter (181 days/6 cycles). The max these days is either +$8,000 or x3 your SL (so for you, they'll probably bump it to $1,500). Do it online or in the app, and it should be a SP. It'll grow, and quickly, but probably not as fast as you want. To maximize your chances, build the relationship: Direct deposit, checking, maybe a few thousand in one of your deposit accounts, etc. You should get a letter with your internal score, and negative factors, which might give you a few more hints. High spend doesn't seem that important to Navy.

But if Navy's giving you a SL like that, that's probably a sign you need to enter the garden.

[MCM1]

What was the reason for denial at Langley?  I had heard they were pretty easy to work with?  I am thinking about appplying but dont want to waste an inquiry.  Any info is helpful.  THANKS. 

[cashorcharge]

WooHoo!! Congratulations on all your Approvals!!👏🏼🍾🥂

[CreditAggie]

Congratulations on your approvals!

[nytokyobred79]

@drochelle37 Grats on your approvals during this spree. 

[gdale6]

Pretty good run, this will help your overall util. There is one but not now, next year (huntington bank) voice card pulls EQ. Grats on all your new approvals and good luck on the pending!

[KingRue8500]

Congrats on your approvals

[drochelle37]

I'm not sure honestly, I haven't received the denial letter yet. I think it was either overall utilization slightly over 30%. I'll let you know when I find out!