Approved for AMEX Zync - -> want to app for 1 more card - Help?

[Anonymous]

After much thought, I finally decided on applying for Amex Zync and was approved this morning. I am thinking of app'ing for 1 more CC today, Any ideas of what card is good for a young professional like me?  Should I app for Cap 1?

Purpose for the card is just for gas & groceries (typical everyday use) and I don’t plan on any big purchases anytime soon.

Addt'l Info:

JCP Credit Card - 0 balance (opened since 2001)
Macys CC - 0 balance
Toyota Car Loan - Paid off
Infiniti Car Loan - Paying as agreed
Citi CC - AU under DH
Lexus Financial CC - AU under DH

Any advise will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Amex Blue cash everyday gives 3% back on groceries and 2% back on gas and dep't stores. 1% everything else. No annual fee.

Amex Blue case preferred gives 6% on groceries and 3% on gas and dep't stores, but there is a $75 annual fee. I have the everyday card and am debating this one myself. AMEX pulls from EX. I have a 746 EX score and was approved for BLUE.

Chase Freedom has great rotating catagories that give 5% back. For July to Sept 30th it is Gas, Hotels and Airlines. For October to December it is dining, dep't stores, Movie theaters and charity. You ahve to go online and activiate it each quarter to make sure you are getting back 5%. Also, if you shop online through chase, each store lists the bonus back awarded. Some are up to 10%. I love that benefit.

If you eat out a lot, it appears that Citi forward is the best card, 5 points per dollar.

I hear PenFed has the best rebate for gas. 5% back and automatically credited to your statement every month. You have to belong to that credit union, but I looked online and you make a donation to one of their approved places, it qualifies you to become a member. I've heard PenFed is picky. I do not have their card. I am good with what I have.

Try this link:

http://creditcardtuneup.com/

It allows you to input your expenses and recommends the card that is best for you. Ironically, it recommends Chase Sapphire preferred for me, and I never travel. LOL But I guess it just shows you which card will maximize your expenses best and give you the greatest rewards.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Raenys! Will definitely look into that. 

 Also, out of all those mentioned? What is the easiest one to get ? I am worried since I already app'ed for AMEX today that it will lower my chances due to a new inquiry.

[Anonymous]

Cap1 cards have no FTF, which makes it a good addition.

[Guava]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks Raenys! Will definitely look into that. 

 Also, out of all those mentioned? What is the easiest one to get ? I am worried since I already app'ed for AMEX today that it will lower my chances due to a new inquiry.

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All 3 cards are pretty tough to get, with Penfed being the hardest to obtain. Chase Freedom may be the easiest one of 3, just my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that if you apply for 2 different cards from AMEX the same day, it is one pull. That is what I have read on here, but I cannot confirm that through personal experience. 

You may want a MC or VISA now since you already have an AMEX card. AMEX is not accepted everywhere (almost everywhere LOL), and a MC or VISA would probably be what I would do for a mix. Charge cards, like the AMEX zync, are generally easier to approve than credit cards (revolvers).

Your TU score appears to be the lowest, so you probably want to apply to companies that pull EX or EQ. I remember seeing a link on here that referenced what each company pulls from. 

CITI appears to give the best credit limits and are generous with increases. They have other products aside from the Forward that I have. I would say if you want a chance with a higher CL, then try CITI. I also have read that the Forward is easier to get than than the CHASE Freedom.

Chase for me was the stingiest CL, but I really love the rewards on that card and use it a lot.  CHASE pulled from EX, and I live in NY. I enjoy using it much more than the Forward card because the awards are better for me. Forward is only good for my dining habits.

Chase Freedom right now has $200 cash back reward after spending  $500 in purchases within the first 3 months. Nice deal but is harder to get than the Forward card.

http://www.creditcards.com/reward.php

I am not too familiar with Cap1 products so I have no opinion on them.

Some people love Discover MORE. It is also a rewards program that has quarterly rotating 5% catagories. Again, discover is not accepted everywhere but at least where I live in NY, I have not seen any places it is not. I do not have it because I find for myself that 4-5 cards is the magic number for me. Any more and they would end up in a drawer collecting dust and I would get too confused with the rewards. Some of the cards overlap reward catagories as well.

My vote goes to AMEX blue, and if you want a Visa or MC (which is my recommendation), then the Chase Freedom. Your score seems high enough for it, so it will depend really on other factors on your credit report. These companies look at more than just the score. They look at whether or not there are any baddies reported, the average age of accounts, the oldest account, etc.

[andre181]

If you applied and were approved for the Zync today, then you should definately apply for one of the AMEX Blue Cash Cards. Typically, if you apply for multiple cards on the same day, AMEX only pulls your report once and therefore you only have one inquiry for multiple applications. So it can't hurt you to apply even if you don't really want it.

I would recommend the Blue Cash Everyday, that way you don't have an annual fee (Blue Cash Preferred has a $75 annaul fee, but has higher rewards).

If you want a card from another bank, look at Citi, and especially look at the Citi Forward Visa. It has no annual fee and pretty good rewards. And Citi tends to give higher limits and they are good with credit limit increases. Most people here (including myself) have this card and love it.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Ok guys... 

I hit that apply button for Cap 1 venture card and got the dreaded " we are unable to approve, we will notify you" message.

I figured I should try first with Cap 1 since it is fairly easy to get.. But unfortunately was denied.. is it because of the AMEX inquiry I have?

I guess, plan B is to just age my AMEX;  then  try app'ing sometime next year.. =(

or..........

App for Chase freedom or Citi Forward. One last try today.. ?

Any input?

[Anonymous]

CITI Forward is rated as good credit and Chase Freedom is rated for Excellent credit.

I think Forward should be easier than Freedom. Venture is not an easy card from my understanding. Also rated as excellent credit needed.

I would go with Citi Forward.  

I would still also try the BLUE card since you applied for Zync today. Should only count as one inquiry. Nothing really to lose there. I got the need further review on that one, but in a couple of days I was approved. Forward was still easiest for me, and also gave me the highest CL.

[Anonymous]

Also....it looks like you are already an AU on a CITI account. This is a plus so long as the account is in good standing with no baddies.