Managing Credit cards.

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I am a student and current do not have an SSN. However I do have a citi thankyou and an American express credit card. My goal is to drop the thankyou card and get a citi double rewards card as it offers a better cash back. Later on I would want to get a chase freedom card for the same reason. I am choosing these particular cards only for the benefits.I have never missed a balance so far. What is the best approach to achieve my goal without hitting my credit history later on. Please advice.

Thank you.

[coldnmn]

By NEVER missing a payment is your best chance of advancing your credit journey. 

YET is not an option! Good Luck!

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:

What is the best approach to achieve my goal without hitting my credit history later on.

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It's all going to hit your credit history.  I'm guessing you mean with minimal negative impact?  It's difficult to say as it really depends on your credit.  To open a new account you're going to incur a hard pull and take a hit to your AAoA.  You could possibly avoid those with the DoubleCash if Citi will allow to to PC your ThankYou card into a DoubleCash card.

[Anonymous]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

What is the best approach to achieve my goal without hitting my credit history later on.

---

It's all going to hit your credit history.  I'm guessing you mean with minimal negative impact?  It's difficult to say as it really depends on your credit.  To open a new account you're going to incur a hard pull and take a hit to your AAoA.  You could possibly avoid those with the DoubleCash if Citi will allow to to PC your ThankYou card into a DoubleCash card.

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I agree. I PC'd my ThankYou to the Double Cash this week without any hassle. Six minute phone call and most of that was listening to the rep read the new terms.

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot, that was a good idea. Over the phone they told me I wasnt eligible to convert my card for some reason. I'll visit the bank . I'm still wondering if all these would get carried on when I later get an SSN or will my credit score start fresh from the time I get the SSN.

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiosity, how did you get a credit card without a Social Security Number? I looked into it, myself, and couldn't find a credit card company that would let you apply without one. (Which is stupid, because no credit history is no credit history, with or without a number.)

[Anonymous]

CITI bank, American express at costco offer credit card without SSN.

[catienza15]

I  was able to establish a credit history from my itin then when I got my ssn, all my credit histories from my tin were transfered to my new ssn.