I've been rebuilding s-l-o-w-l-y and steadily since 2008 or so. I chose to go WAY s-l-o-w b/c I was VERY VERY VERY careless w/credit when I was younger (pretty much every 'big name'- BA, Citi, Amex, etc. was charged off (most repaid))- and paid the price for many years. So I wanted to really take time and get my finances in order before going on a crazy app spree. I know some like to rebuild fast and furiously, but for me, slow and steady is how it HAD to be.
Prior to today, my 'best' ccs were NFCU Cash Rewards $12k and Chase Amazon $2.5k. The others were pretty much the 'rebuilder' CCs like Cap 1 ($3.7k QS) and Synchony ccs.
I recently paid off my CCS in full after carrying a balance for a few months. My EQ FICO is 709. Utilization is showing 8%. Baddies= unpaid tax lien for a few $1000 (currently being resolved) from 2010. I assume my EX FICO's roughly the same as the reports are identical other than EQ has 2 inquiries and EX has 1.
I had recently gotten some 'prequalified' offers on Amex's site (BCP, Delta, and Platinum), but was hesitant to apply. Today I figured why not, so hit BCP..
APPROVED $8K
I don't really have a need for Delta as I'm not a big traveler currently.
The Platinum "prequalified" is still showing me the 100k points offer. But the $450 AF seems crazy to me.
Applied for Discover IT...
APPROVED $6.5k
Now, BACK TO THE GARDEN 