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How to obtain more credit...

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Anonymous
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How to obtain more credit...

This is my first post here. I am 37 years old and just over the last 4 or 5 years started to get my act together. I was a credit criminal for years, not something I'm proud of. I'm wanting a good travel rewards card that I can use for vacation and 3/4 times a year. I currently have a $500 Bank of Americard, a $500 CapOne Quick Silver card and a $1,000 Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles, all of which have a $0 balance. I also have an account with Dell computers which has a $3,500 limit. Currently owe $1,500 on that and an Affirm account on which I owe $2,300 with an approved limit of $3,600. Maybe my utilization is hurting my chances of getting a "better" travel rewards card. 

My Experian is currently 686, Transunion is 709, Equifax is 711. No bankruptcies, no late payments, no collections. My credit is extremely young also with an average age of like 2 years and a few months. Maybe my UTIL and age of credit are hurting my chances? Any advice from you brilliant minds here would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

Message 1 of 8
7 REPLIES 7
Girlzilla88
Valued Contributor

Re: How to obtain more credit...

@Anonymous    Hello and welcome Smiley Very Happy     So yes the higher UTL is affecting you, being over 2 years is pretty good for "fresh credit".     Also it's never to late to start so KUDOS to you on that one.     I would recommend getting the two higher UTL under 30% at first, if possible get both down to 0 and have a very small balance reporting to a Bank Card (Probably your BOA would be best?!) around 8% or so to put your foot in the door for AZEO Smiley Happy    That will help push you in the right start as far as growth, do you have any vehicle loans or Home loan?!    







Message 2 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: How to obtain more credit...

I do have a vehicle loan. Never late, always pay a little more than due. No home loan as my home and land are paid for. My auto loan is also through CapOne. I asked for a credit limit increase to my $500 QuickSilver and they denied me. Asked for a $2,000 limit. Sounds like getting my UTIL to 10% or less would help me out a lot. 

Message 3 of 8
Slabenstein
Valued Contributor

Re: How to obtain more credit...

Depending on what your profile was like when you applied for it, the QS may be bucketed. If so, its growth potential for CLIs will be pretty limited.  But reducing your util will definitely put you in a better position for CLI & SL for other cards.



 


Message 4 of 8
Girlzilla88
Valued Contributor

Re: How to obtain more credit...

@Anonymous       Ok that is good you don't nec. need to have both but having an Auto is good Smiley Very Happy       QS is a bit harder to CLI from what I have read do some more digging on your other cards to see about growing them to help with your UTL (AGG) that may help as well.     Also be aware of what factors they may use in their denial if it's something like nothing is wrong with your UTL but rather 47 inquiries then you know to work on that to help you grow faster too Smiley Very Happy     Did they put in your denial letter why?!   Another side note is to remember a LOT of people are tightening their reigns with COVID going on so even stronger profiles are being told no for very very small things that normally wouldn't be a concern before.  Smiley Happy







Message 5 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: How to obtain more credit...

Noted. I am not very familiar with what bucketing means but I've got a general idea. It sounds like that could be the case. My profile wasn't any different than it currently is. I think a $75 charge on my BOA card. That is the only difference. 

Message 6 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: How to obtain more credit...

Never even thought about the whole COVID thing. That makes sense. Maybe get my UTIL down and let these restrictions loosen a little and see where it takes me. Currently only have 5 inquiries on Equifax, 4 on TU and 4 on Experian. Two of those will come off in January. I'll keep my fingers crossed and try my luck again in about 6 months.

Message 7 of 8
Slabenstein
Valued Contributor

Re: How to obtain more credit...

Bucketing is basically when a lender has internal tiers for what is externally the same card based on the borrower's credit profile at the time of application.  When people talk about bucketed cards here, they usually mean a card w/ Cap1 or another lender like them that they opened early in rebuilding and won't grow beyond meager limits even tho their profile has improved b/c it's stuck in the subprime tier. If your scores when you apped were around what they are now, then it shouldn't be in a subprime bucket.  Cap 1 can be stingy w/ CLI in general, tho.


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