@kristin93 wrote:Hi FICO Community,
I've been gardening for quite some time, and for a profile like mine, I've decided to consider doing a product change, or 'PC' on one or a few of my cards instead of opening new accounts. However, I have never done a product change before and dont really know the ins and outs of what a PC entails, so I was hoping to get some advice from the community.
Questions:
Do all credit companies allow PCs?
No, some do, some don't, some do but have peculiary hoops for you to jump through to get it done.
(If it helps, the companies I'm concerned with are American Express,
Amex will let you do it after 13 months but will limit you to a handful of cards eligible to change to
Barclaycard,
Barclays won't, but will let you move credit limits from one card to another. If you totally want to close out one card and transfer to another, you need to apply for the other card, and then -- if you're accepted -- move the limit over from the first card and close the account. If you're not accepted for card no. 2, you may still be able to get it done by calling the credit analysts' phone number, telling them you're willing to give up card #1 if they reverse their decision on card #2, and they might transfer the limit that way.
Chase, Citi, and DIscover)
These I don't know about
When you initiate a PC, is your credit report hard pulled, or soft pulled?
It varies, you should ask
When you complete a PC, is it considered a "new account" on your credit report?
It depends. When I pc'd an Amex card it kept the same date.
Or does it just take the place of your old account?
It depends
Do you normally receive a credit line increase with PCs?
No you normally (maybe always) keep the same credit limit
Is there anything else I should know about PCs before trying one? I am really new at this aspect of the credit game, so any information really helps.
Thanks in advance!
@kristin93 wrote:
Is there anything else I should know about PCs before trying one? I am really new at this aspect of the credit game, so any information really helps.
I'd suggest reading the forums carefully and using lender-specific key search words such as " Barclay PC", " Citi PC" , or card-specific terms such as "Double Cash PC" and other terms specific to the card and lender you are interested in.
Realize also that there is no one pat answer to your questions - Barclay's, for example, sometimes allows a PC and sometimes does not depending on the situation, your profile, and other factors.
Try to arm yourself with the knowledge for a specific lender and situation and work on that specific lender and situation. Amassing a large amount of knowledge on all lenders is difficult to do at one time and as mentioned above, can be variable in terms of result. Good luck! 
@kristin93 wrote:Hi FICO Community,
I've been gardening for quite some time, and for a profile like mine, I've decided to consider doing a product change, or 'PC' on one or a few of my cards instead of opening new accounts. However, I have never done a product change before and dont really know the ins and outs of what a PC entails, so I was hoping to get some advice from the community.
Questions:
Do all credit companies allow PCs? (If it helps, the companies I'm concerned with are American Express, Barclaycard, Chase, Citi, and DIscover)
When you initiate a PC, is your credit report hard pulled, or soft pulled?
When you complete a PC, is it considered a "new account" on your credit report? Or does it just take the place of your old account?
Do you normally receive a credit line increase with PCs?
Is there anything else I should know about PCs before trying one? I am really new at this aspect of the credit game, so any information really helps.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Kristin, I have two examples from my experience. Earlier in the summer I PC'd from my regular Freedom to the Freedom Unlimited, soft pull, very easy. I also recenty PC'd my Amex Blue Cash Everyday to the Blue Cash Preferred, also done though secure chat, also soft pull, very easy. Chase and Amex make it very easy to PC.
Gardening until September 2025