Citi Platinum Select or Amex Blue?

[Anonymous]

My wife is going to apply for her first CC.  Scores:  TU 700, EQ 713, EX 703  No baddies, just short history(2.5 yrs)  We've narrowed it down to these two.  Both have up to 12 months 0% intro APR on purchases(up to 15 mths on Amex).  This is something we are looking for currently.   Which card do you think is the better choice?

[Anonymous]

honestly if you intend to get a decent cl and revolve a balance right out of the gate citi is your best chance.

that being said amex usually pulls ex and citi pulls a cr depending on your region. if citi pulls other than ex i say try for both. let us know how it goes.

[fused]

Your wife is apping for her first CC, does this mean she has no CCs whatsoever? Or is she joint or an AU on one or some cards. I ask these questions because although her scores are very good, if she no CC accounts on her reports an approval will be tough...with AmEx being the more difficult of the two.

[Anonymous]

She was an AU on a WAMU card of mine.  WAMU sold that account to SST and they don't report AU's.  But the old WAMU history shows on her 3 reports.  She also shows a current auto loan & mortgage and a PIF secured loan.

[fused]

The single WAMU CC trade line might be enough to get an approval. I have both cards and I prefer my Amex Blue by a MILE. I recommend she app for both...I say this because you always a need a back-up card if AmEx is your only card. AmEx almost always pulls EX and CITI is a big EQ puller but they have been known to pull TU and even EX but to a much lesser extent. Does your wife have any inqs? If so, how many on each report less than 1 year old?

[Anonymous]

She has 2 inquires on TU within last 12 months and 1 on EQ, & 1 on EX.    

Message Edited by flyers on 02-23-2008 07:46 PM

[fused]

I'm inclined to suggest your wife app for a major card such as a Visa or MC with a bank or credit union she has an established relationship with. If you and your wife insist on apping for CITI and/or Amex this is what I would do.

- App for a AmEx Gold Delta Skymiles and ask to convert to the Blue Card

- App for a CITI Premiere Pass (or other card) and convert to the Platinum Select Card

These two cards I'm suggesting she app for have less stringent underwriting. If she does app, call and do not do it online. Make sure before she apps that both companies are still allowing these conversions.