Advice on which card(s) to apply for

[B335is]

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@Creditaddict wrote:

I would:

1. Apply for the Amex

2. Apply for Chase Freedom (if approved)

2a. go right back and apply for CSP (Many will say since you don't have a $5k line you won't be able to start with CSP, I happen to think since you have longer history despite thin you will get it but the 5% categories won't really go wasted in a freedom card and it has no AF so both won't hurt you and if for some reason others thoughts of not getting csp are true at least you walk away with the freedom.

3. go online and click CLI on your bofa card and ask for $20k (they will probably either give you 7-10 message or a number to call... check back in a day or something if you get message and you will probably see counter offer to your ask, if they give you number call, they will want to know why you want so much and blah blah and give you counter too.

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+1000

I would also try Barclays Sallie Mae.  5% back on gas and groceries on first $250/mo each.

[B335is]

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@facutardeat wrote:

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@Creditaddict wrote:

I would:

1. Apply for the Amex

2. Apply for Chase Freedom (if approved)

2a. go right back and apply for CSP (Many will say since you don't have a $5k line you won't be able to start with CSP, I happen to think since you have longer history despite thin you will get it but the 5% categories won't really go wasted in a freedom card and it has no AF so both won't hurt you and if for some reason others thoughts of not getting csp are true at least you walk away with the freedom.

3. go online and click CLI on your bofa card and ask for $20k (they will probably either give you 7-10 message or a number to call... check back in a day or something if you get message and you will probably see counter offer to your ask, if they give you number call, they will want to know why you want so much and blah blah and give you counter too.

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So you think that I have a greater likelihood of approval with respect to the EveryDay Preferred?

Based on my preliminary reading, I've been concerned about the $5,000 CL with respect to the CSP as well.  

Would it be best to request a CLI on the BankAmericard prior to either of these new applications?

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It definitely helps, but I've read a few people who have been able to get around that.

[facutardeat]

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@B335is wrote:

    Would it be best to request a CLI on the BankAmericard prior to either of these new applications?

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It definitely helps, but I've read a few people who have been able to get around that.

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Thanks again for all the responses.

Another question: do you recommend pulling my actual FICO score prior to any of these actions, or is it safe to rely on the Credit Karma data?  I haven't done enough research yet into the extent to which you can rely on the Credit Karma report / numbers.

I'm trying to imagine the worst case scenario.  Let's say that I pull my actual FICO, that it's in line with the Credit Karma Data, then that I either request the CLI on my existing BankAmericard or apply for the AmEx EveryDay Preferred (and also apply for the Chase Freedom).  What would be the sort of negative impact on my score I'd be looking at if I were to be denied both the AmEx and the Chase cards (assuming denials were maintained after reconsiderations)?

Am I just being overly cautious here?

[fargobzn]

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@facutardeat wrote:

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@B335is wrote:

    Would it be best to request a CLI on the BankAmericard prior to either of these new applications?

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It definitely helps, but I've read a few people who have been able to get around that.

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Thanks again for all the responses.

Another question: do you recommend pulling my actual FICO score prior to any of these actions, or is it safe to rely on the Credit Karma data?  I haven't done enough research yet into the extent to which you can rely on the Credit Karma report / numbers.

I'm trying to imagine the worst case scenario.  Let's say that I pull my actual FICO, that it's in line with the Credit Karma Data, then that I either request the CLI on my existing BankAmericard or apply for the AmEx EveryDay Preferred (and also apply for the Chase Freedom).  What would be the sort of negative impact on my score I'd be looking at if I were to be denied both the AmEx and the Chase cards (assuming denials were maintained after reconsiderations)?

Am I just being overly cautious here?

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Have you tried Chase's site to see if you are pre-approved? You can do the same for Amex as well. 

[facutardeat]

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@fargobzn wrote:

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Have you tried Chase's site to see if you are pre-approved? You can do the same for Amex as well. 

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I haven't done that yet, but was planning to soon.  Would not being pre-approved for a certain card hurt your chances of approval upon actually applying?

[fargobzn]

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@facutardeat wrote:

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@fargobzn wrote:

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Have you tried Chase's site to see if you are pre-approved? You can do the same for Amex as well. 

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I haven't done that yet, but was planning to soon.  Would not being pre-approved for a certain card hurt your chances of approval upon actually applying?

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I don't think it would hurt you nescessarily, pre-approval's to me just mean that if you apply you have a very good chance of being approved. I don't really take them to mean anything negavtive if you aren't pre-approved, two of my cards I have now I got despite not being pre-approved. 

[xsvspd]

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@fargobzn wrote:

I don't think it would hurt you nescessarily, pre-approval's to me just mean that if you apply you have a very good chance of being approved. I don't really take them to mean anything negavtive if you aren't pre-approved, two of my cards I have now I got despite not being pre-approved. 

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Same here. I just app'd and got approved for 3 cards I wasn't pre-approved for yesterday.

As far as Credit Karma, I've found that score to be significantly less than myFICO score, FWIW, YMMV. Nothing wrong with being overly cautious.

Have you pulled your CR's lately? You can see which lenders have done a soft pull of your CR recently.

Here's some links to check for pre-approval, and don't be discouraged if you are for some and not for others. For example, Chase PA'd me for the Freedom and Slate yesterday, and I got the Freedom and app'd for the CSP and got it, even though I wasn't PA'd for it.

Keep in mind, checking for PA does NOT affect your CS. No harm, no foul. Good luck!

Amex

https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/tools/25330?linknav=us-CCSG-ProspectNav-SpecialOffers...

Bank of America

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/customized-offers/find-customized-offer.go?subchannel=ECW...

Chase

https://ccsic.fni-stl.com/redes/index.php/chase_app/psonmarketplace.pl?jp_ltg=leftnav&OVERRIDE_CELL=...

Discover

https://www.discovercard.com/application/fmo?execution=e1s1

[facutardeat]

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@fargobzn wrote:

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@facutardeat wrote:

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@fargobzn wrote:

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Have you tried Chase's site to see if you are pre-approved? You can do the same for Amex as well. 

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I haven't done that yet, but was planning to soon.  Would not being pre-approved for a certain card hurt your chances of approval upon actually applying?

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I don't think it would hurt you nescessarily, pre-approval's to me just mean that if you apply you have a very good chance of being approved. I don't really take them to mean anything negavtive if you aren't pre-approved, two of my cards I have now I got despite not being pre-approved. 

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Good to know.  Thanks.  

[facutardeat]

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@xsvspd wrote:

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@fargobzn wrote:

I don't think it would hurt you nescessarily, pre-approval's to me just mean that if you apply you have a very good chance of being approved. I don't really take them to mean anything negavtive if you aren't pre-approved, two of my cards I have now I got despite not being pre-approved. 

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Same here. I just app'd and got approved for 3 cards I wasn't pre-approved for yesterday.

As far as Credit Karma, I've found that score to be significantly less than myFICO score, FWIW, YMMV. Nothing wrong with being overly cautious.

Have you pulled your CR's lately? You can see which lenders have done a soft pull of your CR recently.

Here's some links to check for pre-approval, and don't be discouraged if you are for some and not for others. For example, Chase PA'd me for the Freedom and Slate yesterday, and I got the Freedom and app'd for the CSP and got it, even though I wasn't PA'd for it.

Keep in mind, checking for PA does NOT affect your CS. No harm, no foul. Good luck!

Amex

https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/tools/25330?linknav=us-CCSG-ProspectNav-SpecialOffers...

Bank of America

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/customized-offers/find-customized-offer.go?subchannel=ECW...

Chase

https://ccsic.fni-stl.com/redes/index.php/chase_app/psonmarketplace.pl?jp_ltg=leftnav&OVERRIDE_CELL=...

Discover

https://www.discovercard.com/application/fmo?execution=e1s1

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Thanks for all the links!  I will try to make some time later today to go through all of this stuff.

Interesting re: Credit Karma.  My uninformed guess would have been the opposite: that the Credit Karma score would likely be higher than the myFICO score.  

I have not pulled my credit reports recently.  I definitely will...I just wanted to do some preliminary research first.  

My other concern, as I mentioned, is that I will be moving into a new apartment within the next few weeks.  I understand that the application process will more than likely require a hard inquiry, so I thought it may be better to wait on any card applications until after that time.  Is there any sense to that?

[xsvspd]

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@facutardeat wrote:

 

My other concern, as I mentioned, is that I will be moving into a new apartment within the next few weeks.  I understand that the application process will more than likely require a hard inquiry, so I thought it may be better to wait on any card applications until after that time.  Is there any sense to that?

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Kind of, it's a YMMV type of thing. I just refi'd my car last month and had three inq, but it didn't stop me from getting approved for 5 great cards two days ago. IMO, you should be fine.