Deciding what to apply for

[kc12286]

I just bought a car, a little more than a week ago.  TU score was higher than I expected. So I figured I'd use the time to get some lower aprs and possibly apply for a card or two. 

Here's what I currently have;

Cap 1 (since 08/04, first card) limit currently $2150

TD Bank (formerly TD Banknorth, since 07/06) limit currently $500

Chase Amazon (08/07, likely to close this one) limit currently $2000, I only owe $445, as the APR was ridiculopusly high.

I've been getting some really good offers for BTs and APRs from Discover, Citi, Amex (got my first two mailers the other day, that was exciting). I regularly toss those in the trash, because I wasn't looking to apply. But after I heard what my TU score was I figured it's worth a shot.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I was looking for a card that will offer cash back or points on gas (not Chase Freedom, had one closed it, paying off the balance) which is why I thought of Discover, but a few recent threads about not-so-great cash back rewards is making me weary.

[tntexans72]

---

@kc12286 wrote:

I just bought a car, a little more than a week ago.  TU score was higher than I expected. So I figured I'd use the time to get some lower aprs and possibly apply for a card or two. 

Here's what I currently have;

Cap 1 (since 08/04, first card) limit currently $2150

TD Bank (formerly TD Banknorth, since 07/06) limit currently $500

Chase Amazon (08/07, likely to close this one) limit currently $2000, I only owe $445, as the APR was ridiculopusly high.

I've been getting some really good offers for BTs and APRs from Discover, Citi, Amex (got my first two mailers the other day, that was exciting). I regularly toss those in the trash, because I wasn't looking to apply. But after I heard what my TU score was I figured it's worth a shot.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I was looking for a card that will offer cash back or points on gas (not Chase Freedom, had one closed it, paying off the balance) which is why I thought of Discover, but a few recent threads about not-so-great cash back rewards is making me weary.

---

Is there an AF on the Chase Amazon card? If there is no AF, keep it open, just PIF and you don't worry about the APR being high. There's nothing wrong with having multiple cards open and the balance showing ZERO. Lenders will see that you know how to manage your credit. If anything, pay that card to Zero, call CSR and ask for a lower APR since you've been a card member since 07. While you have the CSR on the phone, ask for a CLI. Keep that card in the sock drawer or pay 1 utility bill to keep it cycling than PIF.

@I think what you need is a good/great Rewards CC as your main card. Something you can grow with like a Amex, Chase, Discover to name a few. Just figure out what kind of rewards you want - flight miles, groceries, hotels, etc...and apped for that card. Amex SPG is a great rewards CC cause there are no blackouts. You can take hotel points and convert to flyer miles @ 20,000 points (SPG will give you 5,000) = 25,000...enough for a free domestic flight or a few nights for a little trip. The signup bonus for a SPG card = 10,000 miles + 15,000 if you spend $15k within 6 months. So there are alot of perks out there. Do your homework.

Amex tend to pull EXP, sometimes all 3....Chase likes EQ and Discover likes EQ, TU. Good luck !! 

[kc12286]

---

@tntexans72 wrote:

---

@kc12286 wrote:

I just bought a car, a little more than a week ago.  TU score was higher than I expected. So I figured I'd use the time to get some lower aprs and possibly apply for a card or two. 

Here's what I currently have;

Cap 1 (since 08/04, first card) limit currently $2150

TD Bank (formerly TD Banknorth, since 07/06) limit currently $500

Chase Amazon (08/07, likely to close this one) limit currently $2000, I only owe $445, as the APR was ridiculopusly high.

I've been getting some really good offers for BTs and APRs from Discover, Citi, Amex (got my first two mailers the other day, that was exciting). I regularly toss those in the trash, because I wasn't looking to apply. But after I heard what my TU score was I figured it's worth a shot.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I was looking for a card that will offer cash back or points on gas (not Chase Freedom, had one closed it, paying off the balance) which is why I thought of Discover, but a few recent threads about not-so-great cash back rewards is making me weary.

---

Is there an AF on the Chase Amazon card? If there is no AF, keep it open, just PIF and you don't worry about the APR being high. There's nothing wrong with having multiple cards open and the balance showing ZERO. Lenders will see that you know how to manage your credit. If anything, pay that card to Zero, call CSR and ask for a lower APR since you've been a card member since 07. While you have the CSR on the phone, ask for a CLI. Keep that card in the sock drawer or pay 1 utility bill to keep it cycling than PIF.

@I think what you need is a good/great Rewards CC as your main card. Something you can grow with like a Amex, Chase, Discover to name a few. Just figure out what kind of rewards you want - flight miles, groceries, hotels, etc...and apped for that card. Amex SPG is a great rewards CC cause there are no blackouts. You can take hotel points and convert to flyer miles @ 20,000 points (SPG will give you 5,000) = 25,000...enough for a free domestic flight or a few nights for a little trip. The signup bonus for a SPG card = 10,000 miles + 15,000 if you spend $15k within 6 months. So there are alot of perks out there. Do your homework.

Amex tend to pull EXP, sometimes all 3....Chase likes EQ and Discover likes EQ, TU. Good luck !! 

---

There is no AF on the Chase card, but I have a feeling they'll say no to an APR reduction. While I do shop at Amazon quite a bit, it seems the $25 gift certificate to Amazon when you hit 2500 points is automatic. Even though the rewards say you can use points for other things.

Citi and Amex just sent me offers for a Thank You Mastercard and Green card, respectively. SO my score must still be pretty decent even with the denials and one approval for the auto loan. I'd like to apply for a card within the next week or so. The offers are good, 15 months 0% APR for Citi and Amex is waving the AF for the Green Card.

[CreditKnight_850]

2/16/2011 Transunion - 675

3/11/2011 Equifax - 688

5/13/2011 Equifax - 704

6/28/2011 Transunion - 724

I guess you can see in future

[kc12286]

---

@KhawarAshraf wrote:

2/16/2011 Transunion - 675

3/11/2011 Equifax - 688

5/13/2011 Equifax - 704

6/28/2011 Transunion - 724

I guess you can see in future

---

Whoops. That should say 5/28. I'll change that right now.

[tntexans72]

Looking over your credit profile above, you made be better off getting a Amex zync if it's your first Amex app. You can try for the green but if declined, you would have to app for a zync. You are going after 2 prime cards so make sure your UTIL % is not over 25%.

[kc12286]

---

@tntexans72 wrote:
Looking over your credit profile above, you made be better off getting a Amex zync if it's your first Amex app. You can try for the green but if declined, you would have to app for a zync. You are going after 2 prime cards so make sure your UTIL % is not over 25%.

---

Let me clarify, I wouldn't apply for both. One or the other. I'm not real interested Amex yet, other than being able to possibly backdate because I was an AU on my mother's accounts at one point. Those cards are still listed in my "accounts" history. So I have no problem waiting to get an Amex. I've heard it's difficult to backdate with Zync.

[tsquad131]

for my amazon rewards the redemption isnt automatic, I redeem it for a $50 statement credit whenever I have enough points I use it as my everyday card and its great the rewards system is good but I will be using my chase freedom when it comes in the mail also for the 5% categories

[kc12286]

---

@tsquad131 wrote:

for my amazon rewards the redemption isnt automatic, I redeem it for a $50 statement credit whenever I have enough points I use it as my everyday card and its great the rewards system is good but I will be using my chase freedom when it comes in the mail also for the 5% categories

---

Hmm. For whatever reason, anytime I hit 2500 points, I got a gc in the mail. Never saw an option to wait to redeem rewards. I may have to go through the website to see if I can change it.