Increasing Score By Adding CC's

[Windfall]

I notice in another thread folks were telling someone they needed to get 3 CC's.  I only have one bank CC (Merrick) and the rest of my cards are all retail cards (see scores in my signature).  Should I get two more CC's?  Will that increase my score?

My credit report is showing $10k+ in credit card balances with $6400 being Merrick (credit limit $7200), Macy's is $3k w/ a $6500 limit.  Last week I did a balance transfer to my fiancee's credit card, therefore my zero balance with Macy's won't show up on my credit report for at least another 3-4 weeks.  I also have a collection account that will fall off my report in February that was Chase (but it doesn't show it as Chase, it's listed as the agency's).  Ironically once my score went above 700, Chase has kept sending me offers in the mail every other week which is tempting because I really want their travel rewards card.  I also happen to bank with Chase as well.

A few years ago I was well below 500 - I'm very happy with how my score keeps increasing - I've been using the snowball method to pay off my balances.  Now that I moved my Macy's balance off my credit to my fiancee's (0% APR until 3/17), I'll be able to pay that off in 6 months.  The Merrick card will be paid off by June 2017 or sooner.

SO, I said all that to say, should I get two additional BANK CC's?  I know I might lose a couple of points with the inquiries but what do you guys think?  Should I also wait until next month when that collection account will fall off?

[CH-7-Mission-Accomplished]

Store cards count as part of your three for FICO scoring.  You don't need any more cards.

Store cards are credit cards.

[Anonymous]

CH-7 is absolutely right.

On the other hand, if you are being courted with an offer of a card that you are certain you want in the long run anyway, and you are certain that obtaining it will not affect the speed at which you are paying off all of your CC debt, then I don't see a reason not to to get it.  It's quite possible, in fact, that your score will increase by a few points, since your utilization will go down with the bigger total credit limit.

I like your idea of waiting until after your collection falls off.