Which card to get started with?

[pat81]

I listed out my scores in my signiture. I have a very good TU score. I currently have a cap1 secured card with a $300 limit opened in May 2011 with all on time payments. Utilization is below 10%. I have 1 hard inquire on my TU from may 2013, and 2 negatives on the report from 2006 in low amounts (from verizon and chase). I have no other debt (installment or cc).

After reading the boards here, it appears that barclays pulls from TU and in my mind it's likely I would get approved, but I'm nervous about taking the leap. I tried the pre-approval page listed here and didn't get the 'congrats' message. Thoughts?

Also, where else should I be looking? I cannt get cap1 to extend me more credit (tried), so I'm trying to find another option. I would like to have this mess cleared up in about a years time so I can start looking for a house, and the next step seems to be to get another card. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance, this place has been invaluable in the advice department.

[striehl8212]

---

@pat81 wrote:

I listed out my scores in my signiture. I have a very good TU score. I currently have a cap1 secured card with a $300 limit opened in May 2011 with all on time payments. Utilization is below 10%. I have 1 hard inquire on my TU from may 2013, and 2 negatives on the report from 2006 in low amounts (from verizon and chase). I have no other debt (installment or cc).

After reading the boards here, it appears that barclays pulls from TU and in my mind it's likely I would get approved, but I'm nervous about taking the leap. I tried the pre-approval page listed here and didn't get the 'congrats' message. Thoughts?

Also, where else should I be looking? I cannt get cap1 to extend me more credit (tried), so I'm trying to find another option. I would like to have this mess cleared up in about a years time so I can start looking for a house, and the next step seems to be to get another card. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance, this place has been invaluable in the advice department.

---

With a TU score like that I would definitely consider Barclays. I have the Sallie Mae World Mastercard and I love it. 5% Gas 5% Groceries and 5% Books (Amazon). 

[Kenny]

I agree. Barclay and GE cards are the only ones I would think about.

Seriously consider Sallie Mae...doesn't have the huge sign up bonus but it's more of a long term bonus than the shorter term one.

if you're looking for a large sign up then maybe consider the arrival.

[pat81]

Congratulations!

You've been approved for the Sallie Mae Platinum MasterCard with a credit line of $750.00

Thanks so much to both of you!!! Can't believe how nervous I was about applying and being rejected...glad that's over with haha. I've read success stories here about people calling someone and getting the limit increased, is that something I should consider? What do you tell these people to increase the limit? I don't actually want more credit...just a higher score. I doubt that's a super good reason for them to give it to me though...

[bigblue7722]

---

@pat81 wrote:

Congratulations!

You've been approved for the Sallie Mae Platinum MasterCard with a credit line of $750.00

Thanks so much to both of you!!! Can't believe how nervous I was about applying and being rejected...glad that's over with haha. I've read success stories here about people calling someone and getting the limit increased, is that something I should consider? What do you tell these people to increase the limit? I don't actually want more credit...just a higher score. I doubt that's a super good reason for them to give it to me though...

---

congrats I love my sallie mae card! You can call back and try to recon the limit it should not be  a hard pull as long as you do it the same day you got approved. I would tell them that you are planing to make it your main card and 750 is just too low. I have never had any success with my two barclaycards  but others have. 

[09Lexie]

---

@pat81 wrote:

Congratulations!

You've been approved for the Sallie Mae Platinum MasterCard with a credit line of $750.00

Thanks so much to both of you!!! Can't believe how nervous I was about applying and being rejected...glad that's over with haha. I've read success stories here about people calling someone and getting the limit increased, is that something I should consider? What do you tell these people to increase the limit? I don't actually want more credit...just a higher score. I doubt that's a super good reason for them to give it to me though...

---

Reconning a limit would depend on your credit profile/income.  I would call and ask for double the CL. Indicate that you would like to use this card primarily.  Stress the perfect pyt history with Cap1.  Keep in mind your lack of rev cc may hinder the approval but it can't hurt to ask. 

[pat81]

Just got off the phone with them after calling the number in this thread:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Backdoor-Numbers/m-p/408066

The rep informed me immediately that it wouldn't be another hard pull on the report because I had just applied.

Asked for a $2k limit and stressed it would be my primary card and that I had been handling the cap1 card well.

Was countered with an offer for $1k limit which I accepted. Very happy about the outcome of all of this!

[striehl8212]

---

@pat81 wrote:

Just got off the phone with them after calling the number in this thread:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Backdoor-Numbers/m-p/408066

The rep informed me immediately that it wouldn't be another hard pull on the report because I had just applied.

Asked for a $2k limit and stressed it would be my primary card and that I had been handling the cap1 card well.

Was countered with an offer for $1k limit which I accepted. Very happy about the outcome of all of this!

---

You should be happy!! Congratulations! Pumped for you!!

[gdale6]

---

@pat81 wrote:

Congratulations!

You've been approved for the Sallie Mae Platinum MasterCard with a credit line of $750.00

Thanks so much to both of you!!! Can't believe how nervous I was about applying and being rejected...glad that's over with haha. I've read success stories here about people calling someone and getting the limit increased, is that something I should consider? What do you tell these people to increase the limit? I don't actually want more credit...just a higher score. I doubt that's a super good reason for them to give it to me though...

---

Nice, grats on your Sallie Mae card

[09Lexie]

---

@pat81 wrote:

Just got off the phone with them after calling the number in this thread:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Backdoor-Numbers/m-p/408066

The rep informed me immediately that it wouldn't be another hard pull on the report because I had just applied.

Asked for a $2k limit and stressed it would be my primary card and that I had been handling the cap1 card well.

Was countered with an offer for $1k limit which I accepted. Very happy about the outcome of all of this!

---

Much better.  Congrats again.