Can't get approved.

[KJamesJR]

Hello everyone. I'm new to these forums.

I've recently undertaken the task of rebuilding my credit. I started with a low fico score of 508. My first (and only) card was a First Progress Secured MasterCard. My current limit is only about $300. My current score seems to fluctuate between 608 and 620. I'm assumeing it's because sometimes I keep a balance on my current card, though I've never missed a payment. I also have a student loan, which is also in good standing. 

The card I've been trying to get is the Barclay Rewards MasterCard. I've been applying for it since October. I probably have quite a few inquries on my report, as I've been trying to open another line of credit. I did get an offer from First Premier in the mail, but their rates and fees are rediculous. So I've been trying to go for the card I know I can get (without having another secured card). I just keep getting denied. 

I had extreme headaches with Cap1 in the past. So I'm not interested in going with them again.

Should I just try to call Barclays backdoor number and see what's going on? Or can someone suggest another lender for me?

[myjourney]

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@KJamesJR wrote:

Hello everyone. I'm new to these forums.

I've recently undertaken the task of rebuilding my credit. I started with a low fico score of 508. My first (and only) card was a First Progress Secured MasterCard. My current limit is only about $300. My current score seems to fluctuate between 608 and 620. I'm assumeing it's because sometimes I keep a balance on my current card, though I've never missed a payment. I also have a student loan, which is also in good standing. 

The card I've been trying to get is the Barclay Rewards MasterCard. I've been applying for it since October. I probably have quite a few inquries on my report, as I've been trying to open another line of credit. I did get an offer from First Premier in the mail, but their rates and fees are rediculous. So I've been trying to go for the card I know I can get (without having another secured card). I just keep getting denied. 

I had extreme headaches with Cap1 in the past. So I'm not interested in going with them again.

Should I just try to call Barclays backdoor number and see what's going on? Or can someone suggest another lender for me?

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Welcome to the forum 

Questions to better help you

Are those Fico scores?

Just how many INQ's in the last year and how many with Barclay

Baddies?

Car,home, other loans?

[KJamesJR]

Those are Fico Scores from myFICO. I did get a denial paper back from an inquiry stating my score was 620. I've had several inquiries in the past year. Probably more than 8. But really... How am I suppose to get a CC if I don't apply? With Barclay I've had four (I actually started applying with them in late Sept.). 

I have no bad loans. I own my car, I rent my living area, and I make a decent wage. I've never really considered my credit score until recently, within a year or so, because I'd like to get a house.

[KJamesJR]

I actually only have two loans on my credit report. A student loan wich I'm working down (current about $6k), and this current First Progress CC. Even if my card were maxed, I'd only have a total debt of $6,300 dollars. Which is only about 9% of my gross annual income.

[myjourney]

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@KJamesJR wrote:

Those are Fico Scores from myFICO. I did get a denial paper back from an inquiry stating my score was 620. I've had several inquiries in the past year. Probably more than 8. But really... How am I suppose to get a CC if I don't apply? With Barclay I've had four (I actually started applying with them in late Sept.). 

I have no bad loans. I own my car, I rent my living area, and I make a decent wage. I've never really considered my credit score until recently, within a year or so, because I'd like to get a house.

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IMHO wait another 3 months 

Continue to pay on time keep UTL 1-9% reported and you should see a scoring bump into the mid 600 range 

Barclay, Discover can be obtained with scores in that area

What's killing your scores right now is you keep applying for Barclay and each time you try you lose 3-5 points so rough EST in 2 month you lost 12-20 point 

I know it can be hard sometimes but good credit is a marathon not a sprint ............so stay the course 

[KJamesJR]

How long do inquiries reflect as a bad mark on your credit?

[Anonymous]

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@KJamesJR wrote:

How long do inquiries reflect as a bad mark on your credit?

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inquiries stay onto your report for 2 years.

Inquiries that are over 1 year old however are not factored into the calculations for your FICO score.

[chwebb1]

I would definitely recon with Barclays to see if you can get approved that way.

[09Lexie]

How long have you had the FP? Which Barclays are you applying for..avg or excellent credit?

[TiggerDat]

I would recon with the backdoor number.

I would also suggest some other more lenient creditors such as GE or Comenity.

Getting a Walmart card would be the way to go.  You get a free credit score with it!  You might not get a good starting limit, but the increases can be good.  I got my Walmart card about a year and a half ago and the starting limit was kinda small, but now it is $3,300.

I had a Marathon card from comenity that had an initial limit of something like $100 or $200 limit.  I got the limit increased up to $1800 within 18 months before I closed it.  I also have the Marathon Visa, so I did not see the need for both.  That limit gets increased pretty regularly too!

Most of the GE and Comenity cards get good increases if you use them and pay them off.

Good Luck!