Removing AF and converting to unsecured with Orchard Bank?

[iltph]

Has anybody had any luck removing their AF with Orchard Bank and also getting them to convert it to an unsecured card after a year? I've maxed out my balance ($300) 3x some months and paid it off 3x each month that happened, have let a balance of around $200 roll over a couple times, and been charged two cash withdrawel fees (so they are making money off me).

This is my only real CC (non store card) that has an AF and I was planning on canceling and getting a secured card with NFCU (since they denied me for nRewards). After reading some of the changes for FICO 08 (see link below) it looks like I should keep it open, but try my best to get them to permanently waive the AF and unsecure it.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/CreditCardSmarts/how-fico-scores-are-changing-3-scenari...

Based on this info, would it be worth it to keep it open even if they don't make any changes and pay the AF and keep my money?  I would prefer to keep things simple and just have one CC with NFCU then eventually switch to a card with PenFed when my scores are in the upper 700s instead of keeping this open.

[azsandshark]

They will NOT UNSECURE this card, if it isn't your oldest account and you now have other cards, see if they will waive the annual fee via the magic number 1-800-395-6090. If they won't then FIRE THEM.  This card has hopefully served it's purpose as now you can qualify for something better with no A/F.

[Creditaddict]

I would CLOSE IT NOW... but prepared to wait a couple months to get your deposit back... it's a disaster card.

[mamalawery]

i asked to get mine converted 1 month ago and was told no. i went over limit 1 time over 1 yr ago. never late. i've had my card since apr 2007. i also have orchard unsercured card, and the af is $79!!!!! the secured card af is only $29, if you can beleive that???

[favor4me2]

Hi I also have a secured card with Orchard bank for two years now. That was one of the cards I received when I was rebuilding my credit after a BK in 05. Every time I called them to get the card unsecured they told me no, I would have to wait a couple more months. Recently I called again and one of their reps finally told me that this card will never go unsecured and they will not reduce the AF. I do have another card with them and she gave me a cli of 400.00. She told me the best thing to do was close the secured card because it will not go unsecured.

[Anonymous]

Although I am not particularly fond of my Orchard card it was unsecured by them after 6 months.  I had a very difficult time getting my deposit back and ended up calling the bank holding the deposit directly which worked great.  They were able to combine the credit line with my second unsecured Orchard with minimum effort.  I do not have an annual fee for the first year. Never believe what the csr states just keep calling back until you  get a different story.

[TooMuchTooSoon]

I have had my HSBC secured card ($400) for a little over a year.  I had bad credit at the time and this really got the ball rolling quickly on repairing my credit; so much so that I even purchased a home this year.  I just sent them an email on their website asking when it would convert to non-secured and lo-and-behold they sent me an email saying "Welcome to the CapOne family, your deposit is being processed for a refund".  I do hope CapOne continues with this service for people trying to get credit repaired; it most definately worked for me.  PS  My interest on the card is not all that high either.  THEY WILL CONVERT TO NON-SECURED.  HAVE NOT YET ASKED TO REMOVE AF.