BOA 1-2-3...best way to apply?

[isoldmyatlas]

My SO just received a preapproval in the mail for BOA's 1-2-3 card, his first preapproval ever.  His credit score hovers around 600 - low because of a med collection due to fall off in February, and he's never had a credit card before.  He's a student and his income is around $25k.

I imagine he'll probably be denied for the card, but we want to give him the best shot (and we'd be happy if they countered with a secured or partially secured card to at least get him started!)...he banks with BOA but when he apps will they look at the accounts he has with them?  Those total around $9k.

How should we have him apply?  Phone, online, or in a branch?

[trumpet-205]

Banks don't really care about if you bank with them or not, just your credit report.

It makes no difference if you apply by person or by phone vs. online, since representative/teller will still type the info to the computer and let the computer decide. They don't have authority to overrule the computer decision. 600s score is borderline score, and preapproval means nothing really.

[isoldmyatlas]

OK, then we will just do the online app tomorrow and keep our fingers crossed for something, even a secured counteroffer!

[BrokaToe]

Have to agree with the previous recommendation.  But please keep us posted and let us know how it goes.  I was countered the 99/500 partially secured card with EX score around 650-660, can't remember exactly.  Plus I had 1 CA for medical, and School Loans in default for 24,000+ (which I'm currently rehabing).  I apped for the Visa 3-2-1 cash rewards and was issued the same card but partially secured.  Hope this helps.

Keep us posted

[isoldmyatlas]

OK, so he just applied and got the 30 day message.  Tomorrow after work he will call one of the BOA backdoor numbers and try and get a credit analyst on the phone!

[BrokaToe]

Nice, GL!  Did he apply for the secured version, or the regular Cash Rewards version?

[isoldmyatlas]

The regular one.  Even if he gets denied for that one we're hoping they'd counter with a 99/500 or fully secured one!

[Anonymous]

I keep getting this offer everytime I log off BofA, I just don't need the hard pull on my credit so I'm not going to do it!

I really don't even need the card so it's just not for me.

[isoldmyatlas]

Well, he just got off the phone with one of the backdoor numbers (the 2nd one listed on the Backdoor #s list here), and he's been denied for the unsecured one but they did offer him the 99/500 card!  Hopefully the paperwork will come soon and his credit journey can begin

[jamie123]

Congrats!

You will be amazed at how fast his scores will climb with some positive information reporting.

The BoA secured card does take 3 weeks to a month to get in hand. I know, I have one.

After he has 4 months of reporting under his belt he should appy for a Walmart card. They seem to be pretty good with scores as low as 630ish.

Good luck!