I'm going to speculate that a "think file" must be a cross between a thin file and a thick file.
My guess - O6 was stating that he believes you have a thin file. 
If you posted about this, I missed it--While you consider your long term objectives, have you considered keeping that JCPenney account happy? Use it every few months for socks so it doesn't close. It's good to keep around, but you risk losing it if you don't use it. IMO, I would make keeping them open a priority - they're valuable to you.
And you'll get some good responses about cards to get the an EQ 743 or a TU 748 even with little history. If you like CU's, check out a local CU, or any of the others 'round here - there are some favs you'll see as you read the posts. (I like Alliant CU and I think maybe they'd like you). I'm not experienced with starting out with little history, so I'll leave you to our forum experts.......
O6:
Okay, so I should probably not try for the CapitalOne Classic Platinum Card, then. What about the Capital One Cash Rewards for Newcomers Card the I mentioned? I have not found anything one way or the other to indicate whether or not it would be a good idea for someone with a thin file to apply for.
When you say to start with a credit union, do you mean to apply for a secured card with a credit union? I am a member of three banks, two of which are credit unions, and neither has a secured card. One has a points-based rewards card (I have been with this credit union since I was learning to walk, I think, and I'm 27 now). The other credit union has a non-rewards card with a very good interest rate (7.75%). I have been with that credit union for 15 years, I believe. I don't feel confident that I could get approved for either of those cards based on my thin credit file; let me know if that is an incorrect assumption.
beamMEup:
What you suggest about the JCPenney account actually did cross my mind after I made my original post. I'm not really sure how to go about it, but if I did start putting purchases on it every month, I assume that I could increase my credit limit with them, which would help my credit score/file on top of the simple fact of not losing my oldest/only revolving account. What steps would I need to take to increase my credit limit with them?
As to other credit unions, I will check out Alliant, and maybe they will like me, as you say. 
@Anonymous wrote:O6:
Okay, so I should probably not try for the CapitalOne Classic Platinum Card, then. What about the Capital One Cash Rewards for Newcomers Card the I mentioned? I have not found anything one way or the other to indicate whether or not it would be a good idea for someone with a thin file to apply for.
When you say to start with a credit union, do you mean to apply for a secured card with a credit union? I am a member of three banks, two of which are credit unions, and neither has a secured card. One has a points-based rewards card (I have been with this credit union since I was learning to walk, I think, and I'm 27 now). The other credit union has a non-rewards card with a very good interest rate (7.75%). I have been with that credit union for 15 years, I believe. I don't feel confident that I could get approved for either of those cards based on my thin credit file; let me know if that is an incorrect assumption.
beamMEup:
What you suggest about the JCPenney account actually did cross my mind after I made my original post. I'm not really sure how to go about it, but if I did start putting purchases on it every month, I assume that I could increase my credit limit with them, which would help my credit score/file on top of the simple fact of not losing my oldest/only revolving account. What steps would I need to take to increase my credit limit with them?
As to other credit unions, I will check out Alliant, and maybe they will like me, as you say.
I actually applied and was approved for the new comers card from Cap One, when I only had a secured card for like a month, and was added as an AU on a good standing account. They gave me a 1000CL, and I'm in the credit steps program (should be getting a 500 CLI soon). Just FYI, the newcomer's card gives the 2% cashback only on hotels and travel expenses (airfare, trainfare, rental cars) so it's not as good in day to day spending as the regular no hassle cashback.
I don't know tbh if it's easier to get, but I got it no problem with a file just as thin, or even thinner than yours. As always with Cap One, they'll pull all three bureaus.
Hope this helps.
@Anonymous wrote:
beamMEup:
What you suggest about the JCPenney account actually did cross my mind after I made my original post. I'm not really sure how to go about it, but if I did start putting purchases on it every month, I assume that I could increase my credit limit with them, which would help my credit score/file on top of the simple fact of not losing my oldest/only revolving account. What steps would I need to take to increase my credit limit with them?
As to other credit unions, I will check out Alliant, and maybe they will like me, as you say.
JCPenney is GEMB, and they historically offer CLI's after every fourth statement cuts. Maybe buy a little somthin-somthin you'd need anyway and see if the account is still even considered open. JCPenney has reported old accounts open on CR's for both DH and I long after they have actually considered the account closed, so this way you'll know it's really open.
If they are open, they may have decreased your CL, don't be alarmed. Just start workin' it. You don't need to put much on it (a few dollars'll do) and you can PIF. After the fourth statement, ask for a CLI. JCPenney does nice CLI's for quite a few folks - hopefully they'll help you in your building process.
On the other hand, if it's closed they may ask you if you'd like to open a new account. That's your call. Lots of folks like JCPenneys - but you'll still want a good general purpose bank or CU card for lots of reasons - including FICO scoring.
I'd also recommend going into your two CU's with a copy of the credit reports you pulled here and ask them to sit down and talk to you about opening an account. They'll still have to do a hard pull, but they may be able to give you some good insight after seeing the reports you pulled.
Best wishes!
@Anonymous wrote:I'm going to speculate that a "think file" must be a cross between a thin file and a thick file.
My guess - O6 was stating that he believes you have a thin file.
...
Or maybe a cross between a thin file and a stink file?
As usual, beamMEup, your guess was right. I meant to type thin file.
@Anonymous wrote:O6:
Okay, so I should probably not try for the CapitalOne Classic Platinum Card, then. What about the Capital One Cash Rewards for Newcomers Card the I mentioned? I have not found anything one way or the other to indicate whether or not it would be a good idea for someone with a thin file to apply for.
When you say to start with a credit union, do you mean to apply for a secured card with a credit union? I am a member of three banks, two of which are credit unions, and neither has a secured card. One has a points-based rewards card (I have been with this credit union since I was learning to walk, I think, and I'm 27 now). The other credit union has a non-rewards card with a very good interest rate (7.75%). I have been with that credit union for 15 years, I believe. I don't feel confident that I could get approved for either of those cards based on my thin credit file; let me know if that is an incorrect assumption.
beamMEup:
What you suggest about the JCPenney account actually did cross my mind after I made my original post. I'm not really sure how to go about it, but if I did start putting purchases on it every month, I assume that I could increase my credit limit with them, which would help my credit score/file on top of the simple fact of not losing my oldest/only revolving account. What steps would I need to take to increase my credit limit with them?
As to other credit unions, I will check out Alliant, and maybe they will like me, as you say.
I'm afraid I know little about CrapOne's card products so I can't comment about which might be best for you.
I know that with a "thin" file some lenders don't like to take a chance. They believe that a department store card and an auto loan, even though showing 7 years of history, might not be enough to indicate whether one can handle a major credit card.
I would go with a good credit union (maybe like Alliant) and apply for an unsecured card. They might be more willing to approve, if not initially, after you recon their initial decision.
I think other banks like Bank of America or Citibank for unsecured cards might be more difficult, but YMMV. Even if they initially decline, you can try a recon. Still, you don't want to be applying for too many cards because those inquiries will also kill your chances of getting approved. Best to use your inquiries wisely.
A good option would be to get a secured card from, say, BoA or Citibank and then you can be pretty sure that after a year or so it will unsecure.
My strategy might be something like this:
Try for an unsecured card from one of your credit unions. When you get approved for one, stop applying for unsecured credit.
Then get a secured card from BoA and also Citibank. Then stop applying, period.
After a year and a half you have three great unsecured cards (because Citibank and BoA will unsecure) that will grow with you while having only very, very old inquiries still showing on your credit report.