Spend - NFCU vs QS1

[md_rebuild]

I am almost 2 years out of Ch7, and my rebuild has been slow and steady.  I immediately got a NFCU Secured ($500) and after some patience and nurturing is now sitting at $7K unsecured, keep the balance at less than 10%.   

I also have a 2 Cap 1 QS  cards, one at $3.5K and another at $2.5K.  I've had these for about 18 months and typically just put one or two charges on them a month, less than 10% and PIF each month.   Needless to say, the last attempt at CLI was not successful but that was no surprise.

I just recently got my NFCU up to $7K (latest increase was 2 weeks ago from $4.5K to $7K).   Now I'm undecided about the spend.  I've heard horror stories about Cap1 being very stingy with the CLI amounts but my last NFCU CLI statement (I've lost the letter) made it seem as if I had maxed out my CLI limit (assume I should check with NFCU to confim).   I put at $4.5K spend on the NFCU every month, but not sure if it's time to switch that over to Cap1 and see if they will reward heavy spend with a higher limit or keep it with NFCU and go long-term with them.

Any suggestions?

[M_Smart007]

My humble opinion is, don't put heavy spend on a certain card just to try to buy CLI

If you can use the card for great rewards on a big purchase, and then are rewarded a CLI?

Then that is great. Trying to buy a CLI does not always work.

[AllZero]

Agreed with Smartie. Put spend on where you would get the most cash back or rewards.

For your reading pleasure:

From  Curious_George2,  How to get a CLI from Capital One

From Aim_High, Woo Hoo !!!! Reached my Capital 1/QS CLI Goal!

[Anonymous]

Maximum unsecured limit is a time-based limit the majority of the time. There are a few of us with limits well beyond our income with NFCU. Capital One, on the other hand, is the stingiest lender I have. I don't even bother asking anymore. My NFCU Platinum is up to $19K right now despite me only using it for a $1 every 3 months. Similar story with the cashRewards at $8500. Capital One slashed my QS from $8250 to $2K last year for only spending like $160 on it for comparison. 

[AverageJoesCredit]

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@md_rebuild wrote:

I am almost 2 years out of Ch7, and my rebuild has been slow and steady.  I immediately got a NFCU Secured ($500) and after some patience and nurturing is now sitting at $7K unsecured, keep the balance at less than 10%.   

I also have a 2 Cap 1 QS  cards, one at $3.5K and another at $2.5K.  I've had these for about 18 months and typically just put one or two charges on them a month, less than 10% and PIF each month.   Needless to say, the last attempt at CLI was not successful but that was no surprise.

I just recently got my NFCU up to $7K (latest increase was 2 weeks ago from $4.5K to $7K).   Now I'm undecided about the spend.  I've heard horror stories about Cap1 being very stingy with the CLI amounts but my last NFCU CLI statement (I've lost the letter) made it seem as if I had maxed out my CLI limit (assume I should check with NFCU to confim).   I put at $4.5K spend on the NFCU every month, but not sure if it's time to switch that over to Cap1 and see if they will reward heavy spend with a higher limit or keep it with NFCU and go long-term with them.

Any suggestions?

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NFCU every day and twice on Sunday!

[Anonymous]

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@md_rebuild wrote:

I am almost 2 years out of Ch7, and my rebuild has been slow and steady.  I immediately got a NFCU Secured ($500) and after some patience and nurturing is now sitting at $7K unsecured, keep the balance at less than 10%.   

I also have a 2 Cap 1 QS  cards, one at $3.5K and another at $2.5K.  I've had these for about 18 months and typically just put one or two charges on them a month, less than 10% and PIF each month.   Needless to say, the last attempt at CLI was not successful but that was no surprise.

I just recently got my NFCU up to $7K (latest increase was 2 weeks ago from $4.5K to $7K).   Now I'm undecided about the spend.  I've heard horror stories about Cap1 being very stingy with the CLI amounts but my last NFCU CLI statement (I've lost the letter) made it seem as if I had maxed out my CLI limit (assume I should check with NFCU to confim).   I put at $4.5K spend on the NFCU every month, but not sure if it's time to switch that over to Cap1 and see if they will reward heavy spend with a higher limit or keep it with NFCU and go long-term with them.

Any suggestions?

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You can put all kinds of spend on the Cap 1 and I bet you you'll only get $500-$1000 everytime you ask for a CLI if they give you anything at all.  Those cards grow very very very slow.   Navy isn't really about spend.  It's about relationship, time you're with them and income.  The more income (low DTI ratios) the more they will give you for a CLI.   You can spend to the cows come out with Navy I don't think that really matters to them.  Again they are about income (DTI) not spend

[babygirl1256]

@md_rebuild What is the benefit to move $4.5k monthly spend from NFCU to CapOne? Listen to our myFICO forum experts that have responded . . . save your time and energy with CapOne . . . you'll get no return on your investment!!!

[Total80sKid]

If you are looking for a card with a higher limit, why not go for card #2 with Navy?

2nd cards are known to have higher limits than the first.

CapOne is great for building and rebuilding credit. At least in my own personal experience.

Good luck!

[805orbust]

Agree with @Total80sKid on this one. It would seem to me that you're using CapOne properly. I wouldn't look to them to level up. A 2nd Navy card is a great idea, and you may be able to begin branching out, especially if your scores support it. Perhaps check a few prequal sites and test the waters as well. Good job on the rebuild! 

@Anonymous $1every 3 months?  SAVAGE!!!! I love it!

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I wouldn't switch that amount of spend to Cap1 if I was in this situation. 

I think you have massive potential with Navy. The max unsecured with Navy is only temporary, in a month or 2 it could change, we've seen that happen here.

I would definitely stick with big Navy!