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Closing Secure Cards

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Closing Secure Cards

Ok, so I have 3 secure cards... Citi(8/2017), capital one and discover(both 2/2018), I obviously opened then because I didn’t have any other cards besides being an authorized user on my dads 19yr old 25k credit card and wanted to grow my credit. I bank with chase and had some credit offers and decided to apply for slate and got approved for 2k which after I received the card I PC to freedom unlimited. Earlier this month I got approved for Apple rewards and JetBlue plus, so I’m making great progress. Now, I know I want the freedom and sapphire reserve and I dont want to wait 2 years to get them. Is it a good idea to close the 3 secure cards?
Message 1 of 6
5 REPLIES 5
Shadowfactor
Valued Contributor

Re: Closing Secure Cards

I wouldn’t close them.

Maybe consider closing capital one since it will always be stuck in a certain tier for CLI after it graduates.

You took the hardpulls, might as well get some use out of the cards. Discover graduates after 7 months. Citi is a much longer graduation process but you can product change the DP once it graduates.

I count several new accounts opened in the past 6 months based off your post. 6 in the past 6 months. So you are over 5/24 with chase and won’t be able to obtain any more chase cards that 5/24 applies to without a Prequalified offer and even then that’s not guaranteed.

I wouldn’t apply for any new credit and garden your cards for atleast 6-10 months. A year would be ideal.

By then you will have several accounts over a year and you can reevaluate your options.

In regards to the CSR.
Chase likes to see a year of history and accounts with tradelines similar to 10K as that’s the minimum for that card. I would say your probably atleast a year away from getting that card. Maybe 2.

You could always look at product changing your Freedom U card into a CSP after a year. Much more realistic goal. The minimum for the CSP is 5K.





Total Revolving Limits $254,800

Message 2 of 6
kuku4koco
Frequent Contributor

Re: Closing Secure Cards

My personal opinion... I would keep the cards open 1 year. (Those cards might graduate, and limits increase, within the year)  Then close if they don't.  (You already took the Hard Pulls anyway)  Congrats on your progress. Smiley Wink



EQ: 731 TU: 705 EX: 715

Cap1 QS: 9k USBank: 7k Amex BCE: 14.1k BoA: 8k Discover: 4.4k CareCredit: 12k *Various Store Cards: 18.7k
Message 3 of 6
Adkins
Legendary Contributor

Re: Closing Secure Cards

Unless you have a pre-approval showing for the freedom or reserve, you've now opened more than five accounts in the last two years, which violates Chase's 5/24 rule (in branch approvals seem to be the best way to get around this).  Closing those secured cards (you didn't mention their limits) won't make a difference in your card count regarding 5/24. Closing them will, however, lower your overall utilization once they are gone and potentially your FICO scores. I know Chase doesn't like to be your first high limit card, so if you're aiming for the sapphire reserve, you'll have a better chance of approval by getting your other, nonsecured cards, above $5K and showing a good payment history. 


Last HP 08-07-2023



Message 4 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Closing Secure Cards

Thanks for the advise, I’ll keep them open and see what happens after they graduate.
Message 5 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Closing Secure Cards

Like some have wrote; keep them open for now
Message 6 of 6
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