HSBC Maximum Amount of Cards Allowed?

Anonymous · ‎08-06-2008

So, I am new to the forums. I've been lurking for about a month now and I have learned a lot. I've been trying to avoid too many apps, but its HARD! This forum is tempting, so I have been applying for cards here and there, and today decided to apply for another HSBC.

My current cards are as follows:

Orchard MC: $700
HSBC Platinum MC: $500
Juniper MC: $300
Juniper iTunes Visa: $750
HSBC Discover: $1600
WaMu Visa (formerly Providian): $2000
Merrick Bank Visa: $2100
Capital One Visa: $300
Nautilus/Bowflex (HSBC): $1700

Unfortunately, my cards are like 80% uti atm, except for the iTunes, which has no balance, and the HSBC, which will be paid off by Sept. My husband and I got into a lot of debt last year when he lost his job and we're digging ourselves out of that hole.

I am starting a business, for which I was trying to get a CC with $3000 limit for some computer equip that I need, which will in turn allow me to pay off my balances rather quickly, but first I need the startup money... I got my hopes up when I was pre-approved for another HSBC Visa (I did the online pre-app thing) but when I went to hit apply, I got a denial message saying:

You already have the maximum number of HSBC cards allowed.

I have the 4 listed above...Is there anything I can do? Any other card anybody would recommend that would possibly give a CL around $3k?

I did have a bankruptcy that was discharged in 2002, fresh out of college. I had 17 CCs and it was way too much for me to handle. I knew nothing about credit and got into $10k worth of debt, 2 judgments, and a few chargeoffs, a couple of which just fell off. I think I have like two 30 days late in the last 12 months... FICOs are a little above 600, but not quite 650.

Message Edited by Morenita on 08-06-2008 10:33 AM

_andClimbing · ‎08-06-2008

I got the same message from HSBC with one open Orchard, one open HSBC Discover, and one closed HSBC Plat. I honestly thought three accounts was their max, but then, ya never know anything when it comes to HSBC, right?

As to your question - I'd recommend a CU if you can get in. I see lots of folks around the forum (myself included) getting good CLs through their credit unions.

In any case, hang in there - and good luck!

5/11/08 FICOs: EQ - 551
8/6/08 FICOs: EQ - 659, EX - 663, TU - 683

Anonymous · ‎08-06-2008

Thank you for the advice. Three may indeed be the maximum. I have 4 issued through HSBC if you count the Nautilus, but only 3 are actually "branded" as HSBC. I will look into the credit unions...

Anonymous · ‎08-06-2008

I was told by HSBC that max was 2. My cardmember agreement stated 2 as well... But you proved that wrong!

Good luck!

islandchild82 · ‎08-06-2008

emasta wrote:
I was told by HSBC that max was 2. My cardmember agreement stated 2 as well... But you proved that wrong!

Good luck!

I thought the limit was two as well, unless responding to preapps.

Anonymous · ‎08-06-2008

islandchild82 wrote:

emasta wrote:

I was told by HSBC that max was 2. My cardmember agreement stated 2 as well... But you proved that wrong!

Good luck!

I thought the limit was two as well, unless responding to preapps.

For about a year, their max has been one card, unless the second is received via a preapproved offer.

They seem to enforce this rule sporadically, however, and there are many, many exceptions, so YMMV as always. This rule does exist, however, and the fact that this rule exists at all should be enough to keep existing HSBC accountholders from applying for a second card, IMO, unless they don't mind burning an inquiry.

Anonymous · ‎08-06-2008

@Anonymous wrote:

@islandchild82 wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:
I was told by HSBC that max was 2. My cardmember agreement stated 2 as well... But you proved that wrong!

Good luck!

I thought the limit was two as well, unless responding to preapps.

For about a year, their max has been one card, unless the second is received via a preapproved offer.
They seem to enforce this rule sporadically, however, and there are many, many exceptions, so YMMV as always. This rule does exist, however, and the fact that this rule exists at all should be enough to keep existing HSBC accountholders from applying for a second card, IMO, unless they don't mind burning an inquiry.

i I received pre-approvals in the mail for the HSBC Platinum as well as the HSBC Discover, so maybe that is why they allowed me to have 3. Wish I would have known this before I wasted another inquiry today

Anonymous · ‎08-07-2008

Cards are not free money. You've got to pay these off some day ya know.......

Anonymous · ‎08-07-2008

beenthere wrote:
Cards are not free money. You've got to pay these off some day ya know.......

It's funny u say that i use to think that back in the day lol

Anonymous · ‎08-07-2008

Hello good afternoon all, I have 3 cards from HSBC one is MC opened 15 yrs ago the other 2 are Best Buy and Best Buy Reward Zone MC opened 1 year ago. I also heard the same thing max of 2 I guess they just change the rules when they please.