when to apply for zync?

[jrcred]

My current EQ Fico is 647.  I have had a FP subprime card since May that has a zero balance.  I also have a cap 1 secured card that I keep increasing the CLfor that hasn't started reporting yet.  (limit currently $700, will be $1100 in a few weeks, plan to increase to at least $1500 figuring it may help initial limits for prime cards down the road) I also got my last CA agree to take the TL off.  

I'm figuring that once the collection is removed and my Cap1 card starts reporting (utilization is < 10%) my score should hopefully take a jump.  I also have some student loans in rehab, so my report will look even better in 7 months.   I also have a car loan that I got in January with perfect history.  Lastly, I'm sitting at 3-4 inquiries for EQ and EX, 5-6 with TU.

I don't want to be declined for this card, when should I apply?  The perfectly safe move is to wait until the loans are completely rehabbed I guess, but I was wondering if approval was possible before then.

[Repo-ed]

YMMV, but if you app now, you MAY get approved, but with a hard limit that may never be raised to NPSL.

My reccomendation would be to check www.whogavemecredit.com and to wait until at least that rehabbed loan falls off in 7 months.

[jrcred]

That's the way I'm leaning, but the waiting is so hard!  I can't wait to get a prime card.

[bamagirl1]

I agree with Repo-ed..You stated things should improve in 7 months, so I would wait until that time to have the best possible chance to get approved..Did you go to Amex site and see if there were any pre-approval offers for you??

[jrcred]

There aren't any pre-approved offers right now, but I'm thinking my score is going to jump in the near future.  The 1 collection still on there is getting removed and my cap 1 card is going to start reporting with low utilization.  

Maybe I'll wait the 7 months and just check their site for pre-approvals after the score climbs.  This leads to another question.......how often is someone pre-approved for an Amex on their site but then denied when they fill out the app?  Anyone have any experience with that?

[rootpooty]

if things will look better for you in 7 mos thats when you should apply. I started building last oct with 4 cc's. i just applied for the zync 2 mos ago, so with 7 mos credit 660 ish eq fico i applied and was denied for time accounts have been established and too few accounts paid as agreed. i tried to recon and they applogized about the too few accounts paid as agreed but said to apply again after a full year. i know its a ymmv thing but wanted to throw my denial out there. however the csr did note that amex does not like to see FP accounts open when applying for one of their charge cards ( i have one) and advised that i close it for future interest in amex products.

[bamagirl1]

I'm not sure about that..You could search the boards or also check whogavemecredit.com.  I never had any pre-approved offers there but I applied and was approved for Zync with NPSL..so who knows..

[jrcred]

Hmm, I may have to rethink my strategy a little then.  I can't wait to get rid of the FP card, but I don't want to close it until I add another card.    I was hoping that my next card would be one that I could keep long term.

Right now, these are the ones I was thinking about:

Amex Zync

Citi Forward

Chase Freedom

I was hoping to get one of those and immediately close my FP card....but if I have to take an intermediate step I guess  I could.  Any suggestions on that?  I don't want another secured card if I can help it.

[wreith]

Try the Discover More card, that would be a nice upgrade from the FP card you currently have.