What card to apply for

[Anonymous]

score is 682, all good history except one 30-day late 1 1/2 years ago. 80% util%.  Trying to bring that down by applying for a card that will give me a high CL.  Who do you think will approve me?

[MarineVietVet]

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@Anonymous wrote:

score is 682, all good history except one 30-day late 1 1/2 years ago. 80% util%.  Trying to bring that down by applying for a card that will give me a high CL.  Who do you think will approve me?

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How many open credit cards accounts do you have? Or is that 80% for just one?

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 10/10-813, TU - 10/10-774

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

[Tazman81]

Well, right now it is hard to say because of your utilization.  A lot of companies are looking heavily at utilization as a red flag that you are not able to pay back your obligations.  I would recommend getting that paid down of the next few months, then your late will be about 2 years old.  Then you can check with a credit union in your area to see what type of cards they have to offer.  Or you may even be able to go in and speak with someone now.  Give them your score, your utilization, and financial info, and they may be able to tell you the likelihood of being approved.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

Given the information in your post, I would hold off on app'ing at this point.  Your FICO score is still a tad shaky,  your utilization is high (whether that's on one card or overall) and you have a fairly recent late.

The best way to get your utilization down at this point is probably to throw as much cash as you can at it.  Any opportunities to sell things, or pick up a little extra income?

It may not be the best option for you at this point, but with the info you've given, that would be my knee-jerk response.  Of course, it may vary depending on what accounts you have and what other info is on your credit report, i.e. AAofA, baddies, etc.

May I ask, why is your primary goal to get utilization down?  Is there a reason you'd rather not/or cannot right now pay it down?

[JayRizzo]

First, take the advice of the prior posters so you'll know what to look forward to when applying.  Next, a good website to sort your score per credit bureau is Finance Globe at http://www.financeglobe.com/Finance/credit-card-status.shtml.

It's not an exact science, but the scores displayed are averages from all of the forum's posters who gave their reviews and statistics while applying to their particular credit cards.  It's intended to give you a ballpark score of cards you may qualify for.

Warning:  Be careful!  Applying can be addictive!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I am scared to pay any more down.  I paid down abut 6-8 K in debt and they just lowered my CL or closed the accounts.  Now I'm stuck with almost no available credit and a high util % for trying to be responsible.  How d I know they won't keep doing that everytime I pay a card off?  My goal to get the util % down is because that is the only thing keeping my score down.  I have no other "baddies"  just the one 30 day late.  Otherwise perfect history.

[laz98]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, I am scared to pay any more down.  I paid down abut 6-8 K in debt and they just lowered my CL or closed the accounts.  Now I'm stuck with almost no available credit and a high util % for trying to be responsible.  How d I know they won't keep doing that everytime I pay a card off?  My goal to get the util % down is because that is the only thing keeping my score down.  I have no other "baddies"  just the one 30 day late.  Otherwise perfect history.

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you don't know.  but if you balance transfer, that's not going to stop them from doing the same thing.  so you have to take that chance no matter what.