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Need Advice: need to close and open?

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aaxelson
New Member

Need Advice: need to close and open?

Hi all, 

 

So I just recently had a total of 8 cards. They're all pretty much 'starter cards'. I have the full intention on opening at least a NFCU and an Amex but I'm having a go at what cards I should keep before applying for those and which I should close. Here's the list of what I have currently and what I've already closed:

 

Cap1 QS: $1650 AF:$39 - 4y/o

Cap1 Plat: $700 AF:$0 - 5y/o

Cap1/Wal: $800 AF:$0 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1050 AF:$99 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1400 AF:$39 - 2y/o

Destiny: $300 AF:$99 - 3y/o

(CLOSED this month)

Milestone: $300 AF:$99 - 4y/o (CLOSED this month)

Indigo: $500 AF:$125 - 3y/o 

(CLOSED this month)

 

Auth User:

Shell: $700 - 20y/o

Chase Business: $20k - just added 

 

I am thinking about combining all of my cap1 to the 0 AF and closing the rest, as well as closing both creditone cards, but then that will basically leave me with only one card left in my name, but the CL would be at $3,150. So, should I apply for the new Amex and NFCU and then change & close the cards or should I do all of that first and then apply? 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

S/N: I just got my score to 700

16 REPLIES 16
JoeRockhead
Community Leader
Super Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?


@aaxelson wrote:

Hi all, 

 

So I just recently had a total of 8 cards. They're all pretty much 'starter cards'. I have the full intention on opening at least a NFCU and an Amex but I'm having a go at what cards I should keep before applying for those and which I should close. Here's the list of what I have currently and what I've already closed:

 

Cap1 QS: $1650 AF:$39 - 4y/o

Cap1 Plat: $700 AF:$0 - 5y/o

Cap1/Wal: $800 AF:$0 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1050 AF:$99 - 4y/o    Close

Cred1: $1400 AF:$39 - 2y/o     Close

Destiny: $300 AF:$99 - 3y/o    Close

(CLOSED this month)

Milestone: $300 AF:$99 - 4y/o (CLOSED this month)

Indigo: $500 AF:$125 - 3y/o 

(CLOSED this month)

 

Auth User:

Shell: $700 - 20y/o

Chase Business: $20k - just added 

 

I am thinking about combining all of my cap1 to the 0 AF and closing the rest, as well as closing both creditone cards, but then that will basically leave me with only one card left in my name, but the CL would be at $3,150. So, should I apply for the new Amex and NFCU and then change & close the cards or should I do all of that first and then apply? 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

S/N: I just got my score to 700


I'm in the camp of closing the sub prime cards highlighted... as for the order of which to do all this, I'd probably apply for your desired cards and if you get approvals, then close the unwanted cards down at that time.

Message 2 of 17
House1204
Regular Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?

I don't think Cap One combines cards anymore.








Message 3 of 17
ForwardLooking
Frequent Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?

While the Credit 1 cards are not the best, I would keep them open until you get something to replace their credit limits.  Both NFCU and AMEX have been great to me and extended me enough credit to where I felt comfortable closing my old Credit 1 cards.  Just be careful with AMEX and understand that their charge cards (Platinum, Gold, Green, etc...) will not count towards your total credit limit on your reports and will not be a good replacement for your Credit 1 cards in this reguard.  Also, you may want to look at Discover it, it is a great intermediate card and could replace your Credit 1 card limits with no annual fee.

Message 4 of 17
SouthJamaica
Mega Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?


@aaxelson wrote:

Hi all, 

 

So I just recently had a total of 8 cards. They're all pretty much 'starter cards'. I have the full intention on opening at least a NFCU and an Amex but I'm having a go at what cards I should keep before applying for those and which I should close. Here's the list of what I have currently and what I've already closed:

 

Cap1 QS: $1650 AF:$39 - 4y/o

Cap1 Plat: $700 AF:$0 - 5y/o

Cap1/Wal: $800 AF:$0 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1050 AF:$99 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1400 AF:$39 - 2y/o

Destiny: $300 AF:$99 - 3y/o

(CLOSED this month)

Milestone: $300 AF:$99 - 4y/o (CLOSED this month)

Indigo: $500 AF:$125 - 3y/o 

(CLOSED this month)

 

Auth User:

Shell: $700 - 20y/o

Chase Business: $20k - just added 

 

I am thinking about combining all of my cap1 to the 0 AF and closing the rest, as well as closing both creditone cards, but then that will basically leave me with only one card left in my name, but the CL would be at $3,150. So, should I apply for the new Amex and NFCU and then change & close the cards or should I do all of that first and then apply? 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

S/N: I just got my score to 700


I think you need to approach it gradually, don't do anything drastic. Just close one at a time, and then give it some time before the next.  I would not close the Capital One cards. 


Total revolving limits 568220 (504020 reporting) FICO 8: EQ 689 TU 691 EX 682




Message 5 of 17
ptatohed
Senior Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?

I'd for sure ax those AF cards.  I'd keep them until close to the renewal time but, one by one, I'd close each right before the renewal / AF.  In the meantime, you can apply for new cards you want.  You may want to choose cards that will show you a preapproval and your limit using a SP before you apply. 

 

Does Cap 1 allow a PC of the QS AF card to the QS1 non-AF card?      

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)
Message 6 of 17
Snook_on_the_Line
Established Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?

I'm my own recent experience credit one will waive your annual fee for six months at a time if you call and tell them that you are thinking about closing all your af cards 


I called them in march and talked to a CSR and asked if they could waive the fee and give me a cli so I could justify keeping the card seeing as my scores are good enough now to get no fee cards with better limits.  

they transferred me to an account manager who said no to the cli because I just got one two weeks prior but did waive the annual fee and credited back the last two months of fees that I'd already paid.   

5% Gas: Citi Custom Cash 9.4k
5% Amazon: Chase Prime VS 15k
3% grocery and streaming: Cap1 Savor 2500
2% catch all: NFCU CashRewards+ 13k, USB Smartly 2k
Sock Drawer: Jovia Elite 25k, Suncoast CU 20k, Lowe’s 35k,
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red 3k, CreditOne 1k



^^^Fico8 scores as of Dec ‘24
Total Revolving CL: $126,900


Message 7 of 17
Snook_on_the_Line
Established Contributor

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?


@ptatohed wrote:

I'd for sure ax those AF cards.  I'd keep them until close to the renewal time but, one by one, I'd close each right before the renewal / AF.  In the meantime, you can apply for new cards you want.  You may want to choose cards that will show you a preapproval and your limit using a SP before you apply. 

 

Does Cap 1 allow a PC of the QS AF card to the QS1 non-AF card?      


If your looking for a preapproval tool that will tell you your Apr and credit limit you could try Regions Bank.   

5% Gas: Citi Custom Cash 9.4k
5% Amazon: Chase Prime VS 15k
3% grocery and streaming: Cap1 Savor 2500
2% catch all: NFCU CashRewards+ 13k, USB Smartly 2k
Sock Drawer: Jovia Elite 25k, Suncoast CU 20k, Lowe’s 35k,
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red 3k, CreditOne 1k



^^^Fico8 scores as of Dec ‘24
Total Revolving CL: $126,900


Message 8 of 17
aaxelson
New Member

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?


@JoeRockhead wrote:

@aaxelson wrote:

Hi all, 

 

So I just recently had a total of 8 cards. They're all pretty much 'starter cards'. I have the full intention on opening at least a NFCU and an Amex but I'm having a go at what cards I should keep before applying for those and which I should close. Here's the list of what I have currently and what I've already closed:

 

Cap1 QS: $1650 AF:$39 - 4y/o

Cap1 Plat: $700 AF:$0 - 5y/o

Cap1/Wal: $800 AF:$0 - 4y/o

Cred1: $1050 AF:$99 - 4y/o    Close

Cred1: $1400 AF:$39 - 2y/o     Close

Destiny: $300 AF:$99 - 3y/o    Close

(CLOSED this month)

Milestone: $300 AF:$99 - 4y/o (CLOSED this month)

Indigo: $500 AF:$125 - 3y/o 

(CLOSED this month)

 

Auth User:

Shell: $700 - 20y/o

Chase Business: $20k - just added 

 

I am thinking about combining all of my cap1 to the 0 AF and closing the rest, as well as closing both creditone cards, but then that will basically leave me with only one card left in my name, but the CL would be at $3,150. So, should I apply for the new Amex and NFCU and then change & close the cards or should I do all of that first and then apply? 

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

S/N: I just got my score to 700


I'm in the camp of closing the sub prime cards highlighted... as for the order of which to do all this, I'd probably apply for your desired cards and if you get approvals, then close the unwanted cards down at that time.


Okay. The Destiny was already closed along with the two below it. That's the order I was thinking, but I just wanted to be sure before making any moves. Thank you!

Message 9 of 17
aaxelson
New Member

Re: Need Advice: need to close and open?

Oh no! I guess it won't hurt me then to double check with them first. I thought I had seen the option somewhere in my app but on second look, it's not there.


@House1204 wrote:

I don't think Cap One combines cards anymore.


 

Message 10 of 17
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