I don't know if this will work, but suppose you go in to a Best Buy, pick out a high priced (but under your old credit limit) item and try to buy it with your old card, when it rejects have them get the manager (actually it would be better to see him first-more legal) and see if they will reinstate so you can buy the item. I'm thinking if you are border-line having a sale at stake might help. Once you've purchased the item you can return it later (keep your receipt and understand if there will be re-stocking charges. Now you have your credit line re-opened, it shows a transaction and a 0 balance. Some cards give you a better credit profile than others. Best Buy used to be one of the worst to have, but I think that has changed. What you want eventually are the cards that reject most people.