@damierFICO wrote:Long time lurker. Have been reading the boards thoroughly since November when I got my first card (BOA cash rewards in Nov '13 - limit 1500). My other cards are Freedom in Jan '14 - limit 1000, Amex BCP in Feb '14 - limit 2000, and a $6000 car note in Feb '14 with $5800 remaining. Mini app spree was done to let the cards age at the same time.
While these cards were all applied recently, my scores are higher than expected since my mom had me open a joint account with her in 2007.
My 61 day CLI for Amex is coming up and I wanted to see how my Experian score compares to when I applied for my BCP. It shows that my score increased from 706 to 714 from my Feb 19 and March 12 reports, but my score watch on Equifax has continuously dropped from 800 to 746. The dropping part I understanding since I've opened more accounts but I don't understand why Experian is increasing? (not that i can complain =), just want to understand better)
The kicker is, I am an AU on my girlfriend's CSP with $12,000 limit since last week. I did not realize that this TL would report to the 3 bureaus since I did not give my social to chase (should've realized they already had it since I have a freedom card from them). I have been practicing ONLY one TL reporting a balance, with that one<10%. However my current reports show 2 TL with a balance since I was unaware of that CSP.
1. Why is this causing my Experian to go up? Because my file is technically thin, is keeping 2 balances reporting more optimal in my case? (Per my report - "You have few accounts that are in good standing." I have no lates, no baddies, just a thin file)
2. With my 61 day CLI from AMEX coming in 9 days, would keeping 1 balance reporting be better for their internal scoring regardless of how it has increased my experian score?
Thanks in advance. I can't stress how much this forum has helped me have a better understanding what are credit myths and what are bona fide facts!
It's not from what you describe.
While we pontificate for folks to only let one tradeline report a balance, realistically it's on the order of less than half of one's cards reporting a balance. I have SW and I get lazy and have between 1-3 cards reporting at any given point and my score doesn't move with the balance changes; it's possible it doesn't either at 4/8 but I did track that I took a ding at 5/8.
In short, I would suggest that your score is going up on EX for some other reason. Take the money and run 
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@damierFICO wrote:Thanks for your reply and example. From what I gathered Amex SP's Experian so I feel more confident with the upcoming 61 day CLI after your response. I wish scores my scores were going up across the board instead of experian increasing while eq is decreasing but I'm sure they'll all adjust after the ages increase.
EX and EQ here currently don't track: '08 and '04 models just behave differently in my and others' experience. Annoying but true.
Regarding Amex I wouldn't worry about it: they are more concerned with how you use the card rather than what your FICO score happens to be likewise from people's experiences here. Personally I have had no problems getting two 3X CLI's and my score isn't pretty, though I'm going to wait till my recent stupid tax lien drops off and then two months after that before going for my next shot instead of the 181 days at 4/1 as originally planned.