Hi Everyone,
This is my first time posting on this forum; however, I have been reading up for the past few months. I just turned 18 in October of 2016 and decided, as a legal adult in many instances, I should start building credit now for the future. I have a full time job and make a very decent salary, so I wanted to take my finances in my own hands by opening a brokerage account, Roth IRA, and 401(k) with my company.
So, a few days after my birthday, I went into my local Chase bank in Manhattan and spoke with my banker about getting my first credit card. She suggested I apply for the Freedom Unlimited, which we both said at the same time, as I had already done my research 
. So, I applied in branch and a few days later recieved a meager $500 credit limit. Still, better than nothing!
Fast forward two months later, I am planning a vacation and the plane ticket I would like to purchase is $509 with tax 
. So, I figured, why not go in and see if an increase could be arranged. I had paid my card off religiously with heavy usage, letting both months report at $35 or 7%. I also spent over $2500 in those two months, 5x my limit. My banker said it was a good idea and that I should give it a shot. She handed the phone to me to speak with the CSR and I was instantly denied. We then called the recon line and again, denied. Looking back on it, I realize it was silly to ask w/o at least 6 months, let alone a year with Chase. So my banker (who also happens to be a Private Banker, but I am not a Private Client) whispered to me that I should run up the street to Captial One and apply for one of their cards ASAP.
So, I did just that and low and behold I got their Journey card with an even more meager $300 limit. Oy vey! Anyways, I am enrolled in their credit steps program, so we will see in 4 months what kind of increase will come my way. If it is petite, I will reach out to the EO and explain my situation and maybe they will understand. I would like to see at least $1000, just for the purchasing power of a plane ticket or long hotel stay for a buisness trip.
Now I have the itch for more (not the best with my thin file, I know)! I have 2 INQ on TU (Cap1 and Schwab), 3 INQ on EXP (Cap1, Chase, Chase), and 3 INQ on EQF (Cap1, Chase, Chase). Anyways, I have done some reading that Amex likes clean, thin files. But of course, not too thin. I saw 3 people on this fourm approved for PRG with only 6 months and 2 of those then approved for BCE. I plan to apply for a PRG first and BCE same day to take advantage of the soft pull for second app, once my Cap1 hits 6 months and Chase 8 months. My mom also said it was okay to add myself as an AU on her new Cap1 (June 2016) with $3000 limit (7% reporting). Being an AU on that card, given an eventual higher credit line on my personal Cap1 (after steps hits), and having my Chase card, do you think it will then be a good time to apply with Amex? This plan is also dependant on the new card member offer at the time because I know Amex only now gives out 1 per lifetime, so if it really isn't that great, I will keep waiting until I see one that tickles my fancy. Therefore, the plan might be delayed for a few months.
Fast forward two years from now. My ultimate goal: the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Once my first Chase hits two years, I think I want to go for this baby. Assuming I will be in the garden until then and have no new CC accounts, my total will be 4/24 (well techincally 3/24 if you don't count my AU status I will have on my mom's card, but I see sometimes Chase can still count them). By then, I hope to have an account greater than or equal to $10k with heavy, perfect use of my other cards (doubt that will ever happen with my Freedom Unlimited 
). But this is just in the clouds now.
So, any advice about my Amex idea or any other helpful tips?
Thanks!!
@peghede wrote:Stop this nonsense with banks and the bs they give...go with NFCU and win already.
Lmao a condensed version of what I said
I think there is one thing people forget when starting out their credit journey: It takes TIME!
As you build your payment history and show responsible usage, the floodgates will open. Stop trying to do too much too soon or your score will suffer with useless INQ's and no one will extend you credit, or you'll get stuck with toy limits.
Garden for 6-12 months, and get thae SP Capital One CLI's. Heavy PIF usage through a Capital One card (running it up to the limit and paying it off several times a month) will get you a substantial CLI, sometimes automatically. Executive Office recon works very well if you don't get a decent CLI and have the usage to support it. Less than two years ago, my Quicksilver was a $300 QuicksilverOne. After a couple of mediocre CLI's, I sent an email off to the EO, and boom - 3K, then 5.25K, then 6.5K.
And on a side note, how many business trips are you taking at 18? 
