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I have a Credit One card too. My initial limit was $350. I had just happened tobe on the ph one day with a csr & she told me I was eligible for a CLI...do I want it? You Bet! $100. Now, every 6 mos I ask for another increase & get it.
If you're considering switching banks...go to wherever...let them know your main goals. Tell them you need free bill pay, also ask what are the criteria for a CC through them! You may have to start with a secured card. I have wachovia. I had low 6's when I apped online for a card...I got 7k!
I cried! I couldn't believe that I got a card with that kind of limit, NO FEES and my average int rate has been about 9%.
Find yourself a good bank to stick with for the long haul.
Also....right now I have ao bal on my Cr One...in fact, my balance is a -$20.00 Yes...negative. That way if I don't use the card, the monthly fee is already covered. They tripped my up a few mos ago. I knew I was PIF, didn't use the card all month...then next statement had something like a $35.00 balance due to late fees! I had totally forgotten about the $6.50 monthly fee!
I called, spoke with a manager (csr was clueless...said I had to pay) & I got the late fee removed. Now...my backside is covered!
This is a good card to start with, but after maybe 6 mos...try with a good reputable bank in your town, or better yet...a credit union. Better cards, they will know you and their fees won't kill ya!!
@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for the advice. Where I live there are NO national or even large chaing banks. THe largest chain serves all around the state. But I am switching to one that has free billpay and lots of checking/savings/and lending options. They seemed friendly when I talked to them so on the next payday we are switching banks and I will start using their billpay to pay credit one and all my other bills for that matter. The bank I am with now gave me a free student checking when I first moved here so I bit but they are a limited bank only two or three savings options and do virtually no lending. I will just wait til the sixth month and chase that CLI. Until then on to using and PIF to hope I hit the magic usage payment ratio for max CLI.
You might consider going over to one of those big credit unions everyone here talks about. Get yourself in for $5-25 and maybe even put a little bit of savings in it. A year from now your scores may well be in the eligible range and having a year history with the credit union may even help you get a card.