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I figured waiting till I'm 6 or 8 months established would be best. I'm just anxious for ONE major card. My debit card only allows $500 a day and the day I pay my cellphone and car insurance, I'm left with virtually nothing to use. Lol
I bank with PenFed. But only for the last 3 months (when I moved into my own home)...
I heard PenFed is tough on Thin and NEW files... True or false?
@Charmante wrote:For that wonderful Wells Fargo card, what kind of score and history is typically necessary? (So I know when I should apply)
700 or higher, but that doesn't guarantee approval. I'm not sure what income thresholds and credit history length requirements they have.
For now I still recommend that Discover route of opening a high-yield savings account (if you can) before applying for a card. Doesn't guarantee success, but I think it gives you good chances.
The other possibility (but I would not recommend it) could be to look for something at Citi. Your store card is issued by a Citi subsidiary, so you never know: sometimes an existing relationship carries weight in credit decisions. But I have no idea whether Citi considers their subsidiary part of the same family when it comes to credit decisions. And Citi is certainly not looking for risk now.
@Charmante, If you strike out, I would suggest taking on a Secure card like Discover,
that gives rewards and will actually graduate. JMHO
@Charmante wrote:That's the issue. I applied for Pre-Qual from most all of them. Amex, Disco, Chase, Upgrade...
None offered me Pre-Qual...
Welcome to My Fico Forums, @Charmante !
Keep in mind that Prequal offers are not guaranteed, one way or the other. It would give you pause to wonder before applying, but you could always cold-app and you may still be approved. On the other hand, you can get a prequal offer and still be denied.
I was going to ask you about your banking and you mentioned PenFed. They can be a little conservative with approals but if you bank with them, your foot is in the door! That will help many approvals but especially if you have a thin file like yours. I would consider opening not just savings and checking but also the Premium Online Money Market account if you have extra savings stashed somewhere else. Savings rates are down due to the economy, but overall it's competitive with the market. (Similar to the recommendations about deposits with Discover.) Then apply for the PenFed Power Cash Rewards card. It pays 2% back on everything, uncapped, uncategorized and is a great all-purpose card until you get a better-paying card in categories like dining out or travel. In my opinion, it's one of the best 2% cards available.
If you have an auto loan or a mortgage, you might consider moving it to PenFed. They have good rates and if you give them more of your business, you may have better odds. Credit Unions love relationship.
By any chance, if you have PenFed, do you have an armed forces connection? If so, you might qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union. Membership is a little more strict than PenFed but allows for even family members of military veterans (spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, grandparents etc.) to join. They are more lenient with thin files than PenFed and they are a great financial institution. And they are (by a very wide margin) the largest credit union in the United States.
Anywhere you have a banking relationship is a good place to start with a thin file. If PenFed turns you down, you could also open a small separate checking account at another local credit union or bank to hedge your bets on an approval on one of their cards. While it would be great to get a REWARDS card, right now you just want a major bank card to build history, whether it offers rewards or not. Don't go overboard on adding a bunch of cards. Three is fine. Another store card might be okay but keep your ratio of store cards to major bank cards low. Then garden (let them age and mature) before applying for more.
As an aside, for better reader continuity on these threads, here's a user tip. If you're replying to a particular comment, you can "quote" it (like I did your posting above) which helps to put your remarks in context. If you hit the "Reply" button below the comment you're answering, then hit the "Quote" button (on my browser, located in upper right of reply screen), and the quoted text will appear. You can then edit it (shorten it) to the relevant section if you like (such as I did your remarks above.)
Best wishes and good luck with whichever direction you proceed.
@Gmood1 wrote:Here's a link to that prequal thread.
Sky's the limit! Find the one that suits your spending habits.
Good luck!
I wish people could just pick a card from your siggy G , it would be hella fun......
I know it's terribly hard to not apply for a card when you feel like you need one. But with your score and thin profile, i would definitely go for a secured, like Discover that would give you some rewards for eating out. And even Cap1, which doesn't have any rewards, but you might qualify for an unsecured and also graduate to a better card in a few months. Don't risk the temptation of applying for most of these cards, especially if you didn't qualify for any and a ding on your report. If you must, get 1 card and come hang out in the garden. I will tell you browsing through these forums and reading people's journeys, you will learn a lot. It helps me tremendously. The information here is priceless!
@Charmante wrote:I bank with PenFed. But only for the last 3 months (when I moved into my own home)...
I heard PenFed is tough on Thin and NEW files... True or false?
Tough to answer, but I would say kind of tough right now, as most lenders have tightened the purse strings on lending.
I would continue to build a relationship with PenFed (by continued banking)
and probably would not apply for a CC before the 6 month mark. (a full year is even better)
Also hope they might send you a pre-qual mailer (as those are pretty solid)
or they give you an offer when you are logged on to their site.
Don't waste unnecessary Hard pulls. Patience is going to be key.
ALL JMHO
@Charmante wrote:I figured waiting till I'm 6 or 8 months established would be best. I'm just anxious for ONE major card. My debit card only allows $500 a day and the day I pay my cellphone and car insurance, I'm left with virtually nothing to use. Lol
Maybe get a secure Discover card in the interim for the rewards and build history, It will unsecure and grow.
Try the pre-qualify web page. Try not to get a secure card that will not un secure!
@Charmante wrote:Need advice from you knowledgeable people, please.
Where should I apply for a credit card?
Who would be MOST LIKELY to APPROVE Me?
I have about a 675-680 score.
NOTE: I'm VERY NEW to credit.
I have only ONE account.
A 4 MONTH old Macy's Store Card.
Limit: $10,000
Balance: $94
Inq.: 1
Income: $50,000
Own my home.
Total debt: $94
I would LOVE at least 1 or 2 more cards...
Especially a MAJOR (Visa/MC etc.)...
My Macy's is in-store use only.
Would love a card to pay with at restaurants, gas, etc...
Thanks!!!
Where are you getting your score? 675-680 sounds low for a clean file and low utilization. Is this Fico or Vantage (Credit Karma)? Do you have a mortgage?
I agree with other posters here that if you can't get a regular card, a secured card is a great way to get your foot in the door. I also highly recommend Discover.