Hello all!

[Dusty83]

I need advice on how to move forward with my wife's credit we are looking to get a few cards at once after we let her NFCU auto loan age like 6 months etc. Navy Federal gave her a 25k SL cash rewards card my big question is should we continue going after NFCU trifecta for the high limits and better overal utilization or do we go after some of the bigger banks that really don't like to start people with high limits, but great point systems AMEX, Chase, etc 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated I just don't know where to go from this point and I want to set her up success.

Thanks for taking the time to read. 

Her profile 

FICO 750

Total accounts: 2 main and 2 AU on my cards total 4

Payment history 100%

No baddies 

AAoA 2yrs, 4 mos

HP T2/EX0/EQ0

[Roger1071549]

Hi and welcome!

So a question that comes to mind, what is your goal with the new cards? Is it to get rewards or just some utilization padding? Knowing why you want a card will assist with better recommendations. 

[Dusty83]

Good question! I think right now more utilization padding, but also her file being so thin i'm really not 100% sure what is the most efficent way to go about it. I do know a great grocery/gas card would be really benefical if you have any recommendation on a card that would be awesome. 

[SouthJamaica]

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@Dusty83 wrote:

I need advice on how to move forward with my wife's credit we are looking to get a few cards at once after we let her NFCU auto loan age like 6 months etc. Navy Federal gave her a 25k SL cash rewards card my big question is should we continue going after NFCU trifecta for the high limits and better overal utilization or do we go after some of the bigger banks that really don't like to start people with high limits, but great point systems AMEX, Chase, etc 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated I just don't know where to go from this point and I want to set her up success.

Thanks for taking the time to read. 

Her profile 

FICO 750

Total accounts: 2 main and 2 AU on my cards total 4

Payment history 100%

No baddies 

AAoA 2yrs, 4 mos

HP T2/EX0/EQ0

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The way I have it divided in my mind is that I mostly use credit union cards for balance transfers and cash advances (mainly platinum non-rewards cards with low interest, no balance transfer fee, and no cash advance fee), and I use mostly big bank rewards cards for purchases and bill paying.

[Ilinferno]

@Dusty83 

If you're looking for grocery/gas plus helping with utilization then you might want to go with a second Navy card. The More Rewards AMEX should fit into what you're looking for nicely. Just remember to wait 3 full statements and at least 91 days from when she got the Cash Rewards Card to apply for the second card with them.

[coldfusion]

(welcome to the forum!)

2 thoughts.

a) NFCU doesn't usually give high limits on 2 cards back-to-back.  It's more typical to be a bit conservative with card #1 and be generous with card #2 but in your DW's case they were generous with card #1 so you should temper your expectations if applying now for a 2nd card.

b) For a number of reasons it's best to diversify across multiple issuers.  There's nothing wrong with trying for card #2 with NFCU now but in the long term you want to have eggs in multiple baskets.

Just to toss out a couple of ideas, If the DW is interested in getting her feet wet in the AMEX ecosystem, given the interest in gas and groceries, the Blue Cash Everyday is a good starting point, 3% cash back on up to $6K worth of groceries (assuming you don't shop for groceries at WalMart) and 2% cashback on gas at the pump.   Another option might be be the Citi Custom Cash card with 5% cashback on the 1st $500 spend in your highest category each month as a dedicated grocery card.

[Dusty83]

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@SouthJamaica wrote:

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@Dusty83 wrote:

I need advice on how to move forward with my wife's credit we are looking to get a few cards at once after we let her NFCU auto loan age like 6 months etc. Navy Federal gave her a 25k SL cash rewards card my big question is should we continue going after NFCU trifecta for the high limits and better overal utilization or do we go after some of the bigger banks that really don't like to start people with high limits, but great point systems AMEX, Chase, etc 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated I just don't know where to go from this point and I want to set her up success.

Thanks for taking the time to read. 

Her profile 

FICO 750

Total accounts: 2 main and 2 AU on my cards total 4

Payment history 100%

No baddies 

AAoA 2yrs, 4 mos

HP T2/EX0/EQ0

---

The way I have it divided in my mind is that I mostly use credit union cards for balance transfers and cash advances (mainly platinum non-rewards cards with low interest, no balance transfer fee, and no cash advance fee), and I use mostly big bank rewards cards for purchases and bill paying.

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That makes a lot of sense and a great idea 

thank you for your feedback. 

[Dusty83]

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@Ilinferno wrote:

@Dusty83 

If you're looking for grocery/gas plus helping with utilization then you might want to go with a second Navy card. The More Rewards AMEX should fit into what you're looking for nicely. Just remember to wait 3 full statements and at least 91 days from when she got the Cash Rewards Card to apply for the second card with them.

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That was the nice card we were actually thinking of getting and yes we can't forget about the 91 day rule. Thanks for your feedback really appreciate it! 

[Dusty83]

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@coldfusion wrote:

(welcome to the forum!)

2 thoughts.

a) NFCU doesn't usually give high limits on 2 cards back-to-back.  It's more typical to be a bit conservative with card #1 and be generous with card #2 but in your DW's case they were generous with card #1 so you should temper your expectations if applying now for a 2nd card.

b) For a number of reasons it's best to diversify across multiple issuers.  There's nothing wrong with trying for card #2 with NFCU now but in the long term you want to have eggs in multiple baskets.

Just to toss out a couple of ideas, If the DW is interested in getting her feet wet in the AMEX ecosystem, given the interest in gas and groceries, the Blue Cash Everyday is a good starting point, 3% cash back on up to $6K worth of groceries (assuming you don't shop for groceries at WalMart) and 2% cashback on gas at the pump.   Another option might be be the Citi Custom Cash card with 5% cashback on the 1st $500 spend in your highest category each month as a dedicated grocery card.

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Yes, it was very strange she got such a high limit to start but maybe it has to do with her banking relationship with them? Multiple savings/checkings and auto loan. I think Amex is the way to go that blue card is perfect for our situation. Thank you for your feedback!