What should I get?

[ninjaalex]

Im 21 make about 900 a month and go to school. I opened my first CC, a Discover Open Road card ($1,300) in August 2012, a Sams Credit line ($2,100) in December 2012 and opened a CITI ThankYou Preferred card ($2,000) in January 2013, during all these cards my score was 688. Also recently PC my Discover to a Discover IT.

I recently about paid off the Sams Credit about a week ago (trying to get rid of it) I have about ~$100 balance left on it currently. I owe some on the other two cards as well, my utlization is about 28%. It was about 46% before I paid the Sams credit. And I'm planning on paying some more in about two weeks. I always made more than the minimum payments on time on all the cards but always carried a balance with them.

Now to my question:

I want a new card(s) and am unsure on what to get. Some cards I have in mind are:

-Amex Gold card

-Bank of America Better Balance Rewards card (I currently have a checking and savings with them)

-Chase Freedom

-Dillards American Express card

(My original plan was to apply for the Amex and Freedom on the same day)

-I always wanted an American Express card but am unsure if it will benefit me since I do not travel often and will likely use it as my debit card and PIF each month, basically it'll be nice to have just to have.

-The BofA BBR card seems attractive and easy to get because I have a relationship with BofA already.

-The Freedom looks like it has good rewards for gas etc., but isn't it basically the same as my current Discover IT and harder to get?

-I'm afraid to apply for a Dillards card because I want the American Express version and do not want to be stuck with another store card like the Sams.

What are your opinions? Is 28% util still to high, should I wait until I pay more on the other two cards? Do I have a better shot with BofA then anywhere else?

I really don't want to get denied. Also, is it wise to close the Sams credit once 0 balance, or just don't use it and keep it open?

Thanks! Sorry for all the questions 

Edit: Guess I should also mention I've recieved offer letters:  From Americans Express, 2 Gold offers and 1 Green. And 2 offers from Chase, Freedom & Slate.

[sccredit]

With an income of $900 a week I don't see how you can spend enough on the Gold to make up for the Annual Fee

[myjourney]

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@ninjaalex wrote:

Im 21 make about 900 a month and go to school. I opened my first CC, a Discover Open Road card ($1,300) in August 2012, a Sams Credit line ($2,100) in December 2012 and opened a CITI ThankYou Preferred card ($2,000) in January 2013, during all these cards my score was 688. Also recently PC my Discover to a Discover IT.

I recently about paid off the Sams Credit about a week ago (trying to get rid of it) I have about ~$100 balance left on it currently. I owe some on the other two cards as well, my utlization is about 28%. It was about 46% before I paid the Sams credit. And I'm planning on paying some more in about two weeks. I always made more than the minimum payments on time on all the cards but always carried a balance with them.

Now to my question:

I want a new card(s) and am unsure on what to get. Some cards I have in mind are:

-Amex Gold card

-Bank of America Better Balance Rewards card (I currently have a checking and savings with them)

-Chase Freedom

-Dillards American Express card

(My original plan was to apply for the Amex and Freedom on the same day)

-I always wanted an American Express card but am unsure if it will benefit me since I do not travel often and will likely use it as my debit card and PIF each month, basically it'll be nice to have just to have.

-The BofA BBR card seems attractive and easy to get because I have a relationship with BofA already.

-The Freedom looks like it has good rewards for gas etc., but isn't it basically the same as my current Discover IT and harder to get?

-I'm afraid to apply for a Dillards card because I want the American Express version and do not want to be stuck with another store card like the Sams.

What are your opinions? Is 28% util still to high, should I wait until I pay more on the other two cards? Do I have a better shot with BofA then anywhere else?

I really don't want to get denied. Also, is it wise to close the Sams credit once 0 balance, or just don't use it and keep it open?

Thanks! Sorry for all the questions 

Edit: Guess I should also mention I've recieved offer letters:  From Americans Express, 2 Gold offers and 1 Green. And 2 offers from Chase, Freedom & Slate.

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IMO the freedom works best for your current portfolio and it has a 15 month BT should you need it within that period

[enharu]

I would recommend you to get freedom or BofA better rewards. You can also check out citi if you are interested.

You will be wasting money for Amex AF right now.

[LS2982]

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@sccredit wrote:

With an income of $900 a week I don't see how you can spend enough on the Gold to make up for the Annual Fee

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Agreed, I would take the Gold off of the table.

[LS2982]

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@ninjaalex wrote:

Im 21 make about 900 a month and go to school. I opened my first CC, a Discover Open Road card ($1,300) in August 2012, a Sams Credit line ($2,100) in December 2012 and opened a CITI ThankYou Preferred card ($2,000) in January 2013, during all these cards my score was 688. Also recently PC my Discover to a Discover IT.

I recently about paid off the Sams Credit about a week ago (trying to get rid of it) I have about ~$100 balance left on it currently. I owe some on the other two cards as well, my utlization is about 28%. It was about 46% before I paid the Sams credit. And I'm planning on paying some more in about two weeks. I always made more than the minimum payments on time on all the cards but always carried a balance with them.

Now to my question:

I want a new card(s) and am unsure on what to get. Some cards I have in mind are:

-Amex Gold card

-Bank of America Better Balance Rewards card (I currently have a checking and savings with them)

-Chase Freedom

-Dillards American Express card

(My original plan was to apply for the Amex and Freedom on the same day)

-I always wanted an American Express card but am unsure if it will benefit me since I do not travel often and will likely use it as my debit card and PIF each month, basically it'll be nice to have just to have.

-The BofA BBR card seems attractive and easy to get because I have a relationship with BofA already.

-The Freedom looks like it has good rewards for gas etc., but isn't it basically the same as my current Discover IT and harder to get?

-I'm afraid to apply for a Dillards card because I want the American Express version and do not want to be stuck with another store card like the Sams.

What are your opinions? Is 28% util still to high, should I wait until I pay more on the other two cards? Do I have a better shot with BofA then anywhere else?

I really don't want to get denied. Also, is it wise to close the Sams credit once 0 balance, or just don't use it and keep it open?

Thanks! Sorry for all the questions 

Edit: Guess I should also mention I've recieved offer letters:  From Americans Express, 2 Gold offers and 1 Green. And 2 offers from Chase, Freedom & Slate.

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Welcome to the forums!!!!

28% is still highIMO, I would get it down to below 10%.

Also if your interested in an AMEX charge card the Green would make the best sense for you for the lower AF.

[09Lexie]

+1 then after the green go for the BCE

[ninjaalex]

Thanks for the input guys.

Would I have a shot at applying for both on the same day? If so which one to apply for first Green or Freedom?

[blondy250]

I'd go for the Amex green, the ability to account back date will be very useful to you years in the future.

[Dustink]

A little off topic, but.... Stop carrying balances. You are going to get yourself in over your head with interest charges. PIF every month, or don't use the cards. I think an AMEX charge card would be good in that it would force you to PIF, but you just need to exercise self control instead of wasting money on the AF.

If you have to carry a balance occasionally. Then I would recommend you find a card specifically designed around a low interest rate. That will likely imply a no rewards credit union card. Then only use that card for the occasional large purchases that might take a few months to pay off.

For the rest of your purchases that are being PIF monthly, I suggest a cash rewards card that fits into your spending habits.