Need advice. Good score. 13 Inquirys. Thin file.

[Anonymous]

Looking to bulk up file with more credit cards. Could use a good balance transfer among them (not chase). Problem is I only have 2 open accounts a car payment and a cap one entry tier. Both in good standing. I have 12 inqs across all 3. Barclays wanted none of me 10 months ago. My avg score is 760ish and a pretty decent income.

Preapprovals treat me like a newb: amex blue cash everyday, discover it cash back, etc..decent but looking for higher limit or balance transfer friendly cards.

Am I asking for too much? 

Which direction should I take?

[K-in-Boston]

I would strongly suggest that you consider a local credit union, or a large one such as Navy FCU if you are eligible for membership.  Very limited revolving credit history, balance transfer, high starting limit, and aggressive recent credit-seeking are not terms that often go together well outside of CUs.

[Gollum]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Looking to bulk up file with more credit cards. Could use a good balance transfer among them (not chase). Problem is I only have 2 open accounts a car payment and a cap one entry tier. Both in good standing. I have 12 inqs across all 3. Barclays wanted none of me 10 months ago. My avg score is 760ish and a pretty decent income.

Preapprovals treat me like a newb: amex blue cash everyday, discover it cash back, etc..decent but looking for higher limit or balance transfer friendly cards.

Am I asking for too much? 

Which direction should I take?

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The car payment and the Capital One credit card will help your credit rating/score. Keep making your payments on time to improve your credit rating/score. You have quite a few inquiries, so I would wait a year or two before applying for new credit or a credit limit increase.

[Gmood1]

@Anonymous 

Are those your FICO scores?

When you say higher limit BT CC, what's the limit you are looking for?

Also how old is your credit history? The inqs spread acorss 3 credit reports isn't a factor. Especially if they are 12 months or older.

[Anonymous]

Thanks a good cu may be an option.

[Anonymous]

Yes Fico scores 750 - 770

Looking for +15k limit

Inquiry history:

I can only see 12 mos. back 

Took a bunch of inq's early 2020 shopping a mortgage. Turns out seller took cash offer.

[Gmood1]

Ok, yeah a credit union would be you best bet.

Maybe be one that allows you to request your SL.

Consumers credit union of Illinois(TU puller)

SECU of Maryland ( EQ puller)

AOD FCU (EQ puller)

First Tech FCU (EX puller)

If in one of their states, BBVA compass. (EX puller). They have a pre-approval site that's been 100% accurate for me. You know your starting limit before you pull the trigger.

PNC bank pulls EX.

Seem generous, though you can't request your SL.

[KJinNC]

I can't help but ask, how do you have 13 inquiries and only two accounts? Do you have some closed accounts you didn't mention? Those would still also count, making your file maybe not as thin as you're thinking.

I don't know if you'd be able to get a Chase card, but if so, that is something to consider, since I guess you are below 5/24 for now. Also, I agree with the previous advice about credit unions, especially Navy Federal if you are eligible (more people are eligible than realize it).

Barring that, I'd probably go ahead and pick up the Amex Delta Blue and the Discover you mentioned. Then sit on those four accounts for a few months, and I think you'll start getting some better options showing up. What I would not do is sit on two accounts waiting for inquiries to fall off before my next step. As far as qualifying for better credit cards, that cure is worse than the disease. Credit-seeking behavior does hurt, but you have to break eggs to make an omelette. I think people sometimes underestimate the problems of a thin file and overestimate the damage of inquiries. Of course, other goals (eg mortgage, car loan etc) may favor different strategies. JMO, good luck!

[Anonymous]

It's up to you if you want to answer this. What is the purpose of a balance transfer card if you don't have any balances? If your plan is to collect balances and transfer them around, I would urge you to reconsider.

[K-in-Boston]

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@KJinNC wrote:

I can't help but ask, how do you have 13 inquiries and only two accounts?

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@Anonymous wrote:

Took a bunch of inq's early 2020 shopping a mortgage. Turns out seller took cash offer.

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