Appleman gave you some great advice about the SS loan. If you currently have no open installment loans, this is something you should certainly consider doing. Here is some guidance on it. You only need to read the first 2-3 posts:
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Understanding-FICO-Scoring/Adding-an-installment-loan-the-Share-Secu...
Appleman asks good questions about your current AAoA. But regardless of what your account age is, it totally make sense to do this. The benefit you will get from having two credit cards vs. one is substantial. You might experience a brief score dive but in just a few months your score will be higher.
Some goals you should have for yourself for the next 4-8 months.
(1) Use the SS Loan technique if you currently have no open installment loans
(2) Gradually add two more credit cards.
(3) Gradually increase the total number of accounts that you have to 6. This includes closed and open together. (If you currently have only have a few accounts total, your profile is categorized as "thin" by FICO and your are scored seperately, and with some disadvantage.)
Depending how small your current number is for #3, you might find it difficult to increase your accounts to six in a way that is natural and doesn't feel forced. If so, give yourself whatever time you need to do that -- don't rush it. Only add accounts that you see a definite advantage in having and at the speed that feels right. #3 will take care of itself if you make prudent choices. Certainly don't go on a "spree" and add a bunch of crap you don't actually want or need.
A final thought. You write:
"I do not plan to use the new cards much, if at all, they are simply for the benefit of having more than one cc account."
You should definitely use the new cards a little bit at first. Credit cards are much more likely to be cancelled by the issuer (and in a far shorter period of time) if they have never been used. What I do myself (and this is just my style but it makes sense to me) is that I make at least one small purchase every month on a new card for the first three months. I let the card produce a statement showing that positive balance, and then I pay it in full in the few weeks after that. That produces a series of three OKs under payment history on my report and then I stop worrying about its use. In terms of yearly maintenance I do take all cards out storage and use each one once every six months -- if it is a card that is hardly ever used I mean.
PS. Just saw the advice of BBS. Also very sound.
