QuickSilver vs Barclays

seruby · ‎12-02-2014

I know my scores are still fairly low, but they're moving up. My TU and EQ scores have remained relatively constant (mid 620s and mid 650s-660, respectively), but my EX score jumped about 15 points since the end of August, now at 632.

So now I'm thinking of applying for the Capital One QS or the Barclay's card. Cap One's website says I pre-qualify for the QS with the AF, and the Platinum, but the QS has cash back. I heard Barclay's is a good card also, and was mentioned when I asked a few weeks ago(my EX score was 623 then) and my TU&EQ scores were both 2 points lower than they are now(624v626, 654v656). I also think they'd offer a bigger CL than Cap One (I hear CO is a bit low with their CL offers). Plus, the Barclays has no AF whereas the Capital One has a $39 AF, and I'm already paying $29 for the secured card.

I already have 2 open cards (one with Cap One opened May 2013, another non-Cap One card opened Mar 2014) with good payment histories - no lates, always reporting less than 5%. I'm really only wanting another card for 2 reasons: 1) primary reason - the statement dates on the 2 cards I have are too close to each other. 1 reports on the 21st, the other reports on the 24th. So I want a 3rd card that reports more spaced out, so that if I have to use a card on like the 20th or 21st, I can use the one that won't report soon and not worry about the transaction posting and throwing my balance off, and 2)secondary reason - card reward, aside from a score increase.

I'm pretty much at a halt with my credit report, so aside from 1 more collection I may be able to remove from EX, I don't see much else I can do on it given the companies reporting aren't very easy to work it from what I hear, so I don't foresee any big score changes. Not counting the one I may be able to remove, I have a $3800 collection in 2013 (DofD is 8/2012)reporting by PRA and a $980 collection in 2012 reporting by FCO.

Anonymous · ‎12-02-2014

@seruby wrote:
I know my scores are still fairly low, but they're moving up. My TU and EQ scores have remained relatively constant (mid 620s and mid 650s-660, respectively), but my EX score jumped about 15 points since the end of August, now at 632.

So now I'm thinking of applying for the Capital One QS or the Barclay's card. Cap One's website says I pre-qualify for the QS with the AF, and the Platinum, but the QS has cash back. I heard Barclay's is a good card also, and was mentioned when I asked a few weeks ago(my EX score was 623 then) and my TU&EQ scores were both 2 points lower than they are now(624v626, 654v656). I also think they'd offer a bigger CL than Cap One (I hear CO is a bit low with their CL offers). Plus, the Barclays has no AF whereas the Capital One has a $39 AF, and I'm already paying $29 for the secured card.

I already have 2 open cards (one with Cap One opened May 2013, another non-Cap One card opened Mar 2014) with good payment histories - no lates, always reporting less than 5%. I'm really only wanting another card for 2 reasons: 1) primary reason - the statement dates on the 2 cards I have are too close to each other. 1 reports on the 21st, the other reports on the 24th. So I want a 3rd card that reports more spaced out, so that if I have to use a card on like the 20th or 21st, I can use the one that won't report soon and not worry about the transaction posting and throwing my balance off, and 2)secondary reason - card reward, aside from a score increase.

I'm pretty much at a halt with my credit report, so aside from 1 more collection I may be able to remove from EX, I don't see much else I can do on it given the companies reporting aren't very easy to work it from what I hear, so I don't foresee any big score changes. Not counting the one I may be able to remove, I have a $3800 collection in 2013 (DofD is 8/2012)reporting by PRA and a $980 collection in 2012 reporting by FCO.

If your primary reason for wanting another card is the due dates, you can always change them so that they don't report so close together. I actually have both the Quicksilver and the Barclays Rewards for Average credit. It really just depends on what you'll be using the card for. I only use the Barclays card for utilities and groceries and I use my Quicksilver for everything that isn't covered by category spend. If inquiries are a concern, Barclay only pulled TU for me and Capital One pulls all three. For what it's worth, with similar scores Capital One gave me a 2k starting limit and Barclay gave me 1.3k. Good luck with what ever you decide!

seruby · ‎12-02-2014

Hm, that's definitely something to consider since TU is now my lowest at 626. EX was my lowest before the 9 point jump.

I did the pre-qual on COs site and it offered the QS1. Doesn't look like Barclay's has a pre-qual page. I did a quick estimate of what I normally buy (gas, lunch, etc.) and how much I usually spend to compare the rewards and really the difference is minimal. I guess losing the .5% on gas/utilities is countered by gaining it on other purchases.

I may try Barclay's first since they have no AF. If that fails, I'll go for the QS1 and hope I can talk them into waiving the fee.