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Expat looking for next credit card and planning help

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Expat looking for next credit card and planning help

Hey y'all,

 

I'm an expat living in North Carolina on a work visa. Been here since September 2019, so almost 7 months of credit history, and has recently gotten my FICO scores. Looking at which card to get next. Due to the Corona crisis the spending is quite low right now, thankfully I seem to be able to keep my consultant assignment and thus being able to stay in this great country! Also finding this credit game quite fun, we do not have that back home! Credit scores and some other info below.

 

The Cap1 card is mainly used for something minimal each month, hoping to be able to upgrade it to QS when the time comes.

 

Right now I'm mainly looking at BCE or BCP to be able to get cashback from grocery shopping. I'm trying to save a spot for the Chase Amazon card when the time comes (1 year of credit history), since it would be useful when I go back to Sweden as well with the no foreign transaction fee.

 

However, I do not know what to aim for for the fourth card. I'm not loyal to any airline, and do not need any of the premium benefits from the high annual fee cards. Thinking of the basic Hilton no-annual-fee card and hope for an upgrade offer next year. I will do some travelling as soon as we are allowed to, so would be able to use the points.

 

Any ideas or insights? Smiley Happy

 

  • Current cards: 

    • Bank of America Cash Rewards (Secured) - $300 (September 2019)

    • Capital One Platinum - $300 (January 2020)
  • FICO8 Scores: Equifax - 715, Transunion - 720, Experian - 709

  • Oldest account age: Six months

  • Chase 5/24 status: 2/24

  • Income: $70,000

  • Average monthly spend and categories (Considering normal non-Corona-times.):

    • dining $100

    • groceries: $250

    • gas: $50 (Go Prius!)

    • travel: $100

    • other: $100

  • Open to Business Cards: e.g. No

  • What's the purpose of your next card? Cashback as of now

  • Do you have any cards you've been looking at? BCE, BCP, Amazon Prime Awards, AMEX Hilton

  • Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Ok with category spending in the long run.

 

Message 1 of 6
5 REPLIES 5
M_Smart007
Legendary Contributor

Re: Expat looking for next credit card and planning help

 

@Anonymous   Welcome to myFICO forumsSmiley Happy

 

American Express and Discover PreQualify websites? (SP to check)

 

One Chase approval with less than a year, but I personally would not chance it !!

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Chase-Freedom-approval-with-8-months-of-credi...

Message 2 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Expat looking for next credit card and planning help

Thank you! Smiley Happy

 

No pre-qualified offers from any lender yet (Except Credit One, haha) yet, I have opted in on the "OptOutPrescreen"-homepage, but no results yet. Didn't see my FICO from Bank of America until a week ago, so I´m thinking it might be a while before things start popping up. Does it make sense to wait for prequalify offers to show?

 

Won't be trying my luck with Chase until I have a year, I enjoy maximizing benefits, not as big of a fan of playing bad odds! Smiley Wink

Message 3 of 6
M_Smart007
Legendary Contributor

Re: Expat looking for next credit card and planning help


@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you! Smiley Happy

 

No pre-qualified offers from any lender yet (Except Credit One, haha) yet, I have opted in on the "OptOutPrescreen"-homepage, but no results yet. Didn't see my FICO from Bank of America until a week ago, so I´m thinking it might be a while before things start popping up. Does it make sense to wait for prequalify offers to show?

 

Won't be trying my luck with Chase until I have a year, I enjoy maximizing benefits, not as big of a fan of playing bad odds! Smiley Wink


As far as waiting, depends if you really need the card? .. I would say your profile is ripe for a Discover card.

Having said that.. waiting a full year might get you a better starting credit limit.

 

Lets see what others have to say?

 

Message 4 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Expat looking for next credit card and planning help

Went onto the Amex Pre-qualify site before bed time, and tried one extra time in incognito mode, and behold! Pre-approved for BCE with the standard $150 fpr $1000 dollar spend. Approved immediatly for a CL of $1000! Great end of the day! Now, the big question is to decide which card should be card #4!

Message 5 of 6
M_Smart007
Legendary Contributor

Re: Expat looking for next credit card and planning help


@Anonymous wrote:

Went onto the Amex Pre-qualify site before bed time, and tried one extra time in incognito mode, and behold! Pre-approved for BCE with the standard $150 fpr $1000 dollar spend. Approved immediatly for a CL of $1000! Great end of the day! Now, the big question is to decide which card should be card #4!


Congratulations on your approval!

 

Message 6 of 6
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