Want Rewards Card

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I am a member of M&T Bank and it does say FICO from EQ on the page. The score has steadily risen over the last few months after I discovered it is best to PIF vs carry a balance. I am hoping for a score on Jan. 5 closer to 700. I want a rewards card to use instead of my debit for obvious reasons. My research has lead me to believe a charge card may not benefit me long term since they do not report or have a CL (wont improve FICO).

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They improve your FICO in a sense by not reporting Util on the card.  AAoA also helps since AmEx backdates (as you open more cards).. (assuming you're looking at AmEx when refering to charge cards)

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if i was u i would look at the amex family

[Anonymous]

I am referring to Amex, after wearing out google over the last few weeks I have seen some sights allege a score around 695 will get you in the gold or platinum club. I tried getting pre approved for an Amex and Discover but A) I recently moved and B) I have never applied with them so they do not have me on file(?). I do travel for pleasure a few times per year so some type of rewards card like this or along the lines of the Sapphire would be fantastic.

[Anonymous]

btw welcome to the forums,,,, go check the americanexpress.com page

[quest208]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@JustMe77 wrote:

They gave me a $2000 CL, but my income is lower than yours. 

My other current open cards are: 

Capital One Platinum $2000 (opened Sept. 2011) 

Banana Republic Visa $3000 (opened Oct. 2011, converted from Banana Republic store card opened in March 2011) 

Orchard Bank $600 (opened August 2010) 

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I highly doubt that income plays a huge part with it.. I got a 6k limit with 8k income.

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wow, did amex not question the income?  maybe im just being paranoid before i eventually apply for it (amex, chase freedom, barclay, etc)

[Anonymous]

Thank you dalebb, this is an awesome community of folks that I will be contributing to for some time... Are you referring to amex's website (scoured that) or an amex channel in this forum?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you dalebb, this is an awesome community of folks that I will be contributing to for some time... Are you referring to amex's website (scoured that) or an amex channel in this forum?

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amex prequal site, have u been there yet?

[Anonymous]

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@quest208 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@JustMe77 wrote:

They gave me a $2000 CL, but my income is lower than yours. 

My other current open cards are: 

Capital One Platinum $2000 (opened Sept. 2011) 

Banana Republic Visa $3000 (opened Oct. 2011, converted from Banana Republic store card opened in March 2011) 

Orchard Bank $600 (opened August 2010) 

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I highly doubt that income plays a huge part with it.. I got a 6k limit with 8k income.

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wow, did amex not question the income?  maybe im just being paranoid before i eventually apply for it (amex, chase freedom, barclay, etc)

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Nope, they have no reason to question it.  I have a fully clean report and I pay in full before the statement cuts usually.  Also, knowing HSBC (I'm sure they know this)  Its hard to get an initial limit of 5,000 for your first card (Let alone an approval from HSBC).  The fact that I was able to get one says alot.

[quest208]

^^^^^^ that's great.  impressive especially at 20.

you'll definitely make your goal of 800

[Anonymous]

I believe I have, clicked a link I found on this forum. I entered my name and last four of my ssn to "check for any pre approved deals". The response was they had no pre approved offers in their files. I then clicked a link that said "why do I not have any offers" and it reported I may not have any offers if I recently moved. I recently moved on November 20th 2011...

[SevenNEW]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I believe I have, clicked a link I found on this forum. I entered my name and last four of my ssn to "check for any pre approved deals". The response was they had no pre approved offers in their files. I then clicked a link that said "why do I not have any offers" and it reported I may not have any offers if I recently moved. I recently moved on November 20th 2011...

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I would suggest keeping your util under control (i.e., paying off all your CCs so that they will report $0, except for one, which you should let report 1-9% of CL) and see how much you can improve your score. Not sure about chase Freedom -- you can search this forum, I am sure people have talked about it, or look up www.whogavemecredit.com -- but for and Amex revolver you want to be at least above 720, and possibly close to 750. (People have been lucky with lower scores, but I would avoid gambling here, also because any inqs will take you a step back from prime cards).

Good luck and keep us posted!