Changing HHB to another HSBC card

[dlm0820]

This post is mainly for Brammy, but I'll accept all answers...LOL.

Do you know if you can change your HHB card to a regular HSBC card?  HSBC owns both of them obviously, but I was just curious if you could do a cross upgrade.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm!! Since both are issued by HSBC, it may be possible to upgrade.  That being said.  HHB is slowly moving into the near prime/prime market as evidenced by their new offering of a 2% cash back card with an interest rate that rivals Amex.  Not to mention the starting limit for this new card is 5K.  If you can't convert, as soon as you can, get the better version.  HSBC has a habit of sending new offers as soon as you reach their cutoff criteria.  Try calling every six months or so and asking if they have any offers for you.  You may get anything from a reduction in interest rate, to a waiver of the fee, to an offer of a new product.

Just remember as soon as you graduate to no annual fee.  Close the annual fee card (the only reasn I recommend closing a card is for an annual fee).  You can only have two products issued by HSBC at any one time.  Beides who wants to pay when you don't have to.

Message Edited by Brammy on 03-25-2007 05:42 PM

[dlm0820]

They wouldn't do a hard pull when I ask them about upgrading my HHB card will they?  I didn't eve know that HHB had another near prime card.  Do they have another webiste for this?  Also, which number would I call to see if they have any offers?  The number on the back of the HHB card?

Thanks.  Your posts are great and very informative.

[Anonymous]

HHB rarely gives real LUV.  Usually when you request a credit limit increase or anything they inform you that they may require a pull.  However the card you have will increase without that pull (do they still require payment for an off-schedule limit increase request?)  those don't even require a pull as with their subprime cards they are htting you with softs on a monthly basis to make sure you are walking the straight and narrow.

As far as the new card, with the exception of an invitation, the only way I see to apply for it is to roll the dice on the Household bank website.  I'll keep looking though.

Yep invitation only but it is making a lot of noise over on fatwallet

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/288784

Those guys scare me.  Strictly prime stuff over there.  This is the one I got by invite.

Last edit I promise.  It looks like HHb is soliciting the prime and near prime with this card.  If you give me a card with a prime interest rate, great cash back While CiTi, AMex and Chase won't even look at me.  I have no motivation to close the card once those offers start coming in.  My scores are 676, 696 and 702.  To hit Prime I have to be 700-720.  HHB I believe is taking the gamble that even with the BK on my report, reviving my credit, I will be a prime candidate for those OTHER cards in a matter of months.

Message Edited by Brammy on 03-25-2007 05:56 PM

Message Edited by Brammy on 03-25-2007 05:57 PM

Message Edited by Brammy on 03-25-2007 06:07 PM

[dlm0820]

Yeah, they still require you to pay a fee for a non automatic cli...it's down to $10 from the $25 that I used to pay.  Does that mean I'm getting better? LOL.

I was actually talking to my mom today and she agreed to add me as an AU on one of her high limit long term cards.  Hopefully that will help some.  I don't know all the ins and outs of being added as an AU as far as how it increases your FICO, but it might allow me to get better invitations for other prime cards.

Anyway, thanks again for your help.  I'll just keep looking in my mailbox and maybe something will come along.

[Anonymous]

Just for future reference, if you call and ask for an increase and they try to charge you, politely say no thank you.  I did that the first tieme and was told 25.00.  I told the rep I saw no reason to pay for a limit increase whe I used my card and PIFd every month.  Within a month or two I got an increase and got them regularly every four months after that and never paid for one.

[Anonymous]

You can always ask, but you may have more luck getting an HSBC card and combining the HHB card into it.

[dlm0820]

and see what they say.  I don't want a ding on my file if I don't have to have one.

[Anonymous]

MY beautiful new uprgraded platinum HHB - I was very dissapointed in my communication with HHB and was told to call HSBC and then was sent back to HHB.    A week ago today I called for an upgrade to my first cc since BK.  which has a AF and is 24% interest with a 3 digit CL. with one $75 CLI for 100ggggs back in '04.  They really want to earn my business.  What should I do.  I spent close to 3 hours on this tonight.  And am socking it away for the age of the card PIF.   NO negotiating on a perfect record.  Sad I really did have respect but now I choose not.

[Anonymous]

On their subprime cards they rarely move.  I wound up closing mine after being approved for WaMu and Juniper.  They.  After shredding every offer they sent for the past 9 mos I finally accepted their 2% cash back card.  This is in another tier and I can't say at this point I'm disappointed.  I am keeping my other card open though.  One misstep and this one will also see the shredder.

When they want to, they will send you offers for better cards but you may have to wait awhile.  While you're waiting, if you see anything that says WaMu in your mailbox, jump on it.