Beginning A Credit Card History
Guest: WellManicuredMan
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:15 am
Hello, I'm new to the board but have been reading it and learning a lot in a short period of time.
Unfortunately, I started building my credit history late (I used a debit card for many years thinking I didn't have any need for a credit card as I had enough money in my checking account all the time).
I'm currently 26 and got my first credit card a year ago. I was actually rather surprised with what I was able to get with practically no credit history what-so-ever. I've had a Wells Fargo checking account for some time and decided to try getting their Cash Back Visa Card, mainly to build credit but also because its nice to get some cash back. To my surprise they approved my application with a $3000 CL. 6 months later I applied for a Citi Dividend Platinum Select card (because the cash back on the Wells Card was very bad) and was approved with an $1100 CL (I had to mail in proof of a utility bill with my name and address on it).
Also, since I've had the Wells card for a year, they just instantly approved a CLI for me on the phone. I haven't had the Citi card for 6 months yet but will be doing the online CLI as soon as I hit 6 months as I need a LOT more credit on that sucker.
I've since gotten my free credit report from all 3 companies but I didn't want to pay to see my credit scores so I still don't know what they are (although I'm really dying to know).
My question is, how was I able to get the above cards so easily when I didn't have any prior credit history? On these boards I read about how people have to get gas cards, store cards, secured cards with annual fees, etc when they don't have any credit history.
Thanks for reading.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
Guest: beyond platinum
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:22 am
By your own admission, you have already answered your question. One suggestion I always give is that if you have a limited history or you’re going after your first credit card; try applying for credit with your bank or credit union first.
You had an existing account with Wells Fargo in good standing which makes getting a card from them painless. You want their business and they want your business. After having the Wells Fargo credit card for 6 months, you established a good payment history on your credit record which made getting a Citibank card even more effortless despite the low credit limit.
There are a lot of rewards cards out there so don’t feel limited by your choices.
_________________
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible." --Einstein
Guest: Polonius
SENIOR MEMBER (Member for 2 yrs.+)
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:43 am
Quote:
You had an existing account with Wells Fargo in good standing which makes getting a card from them painless.
Yeah--you'd think so, wouldn't you?
I was turned down for the Prime Rate Wells Fargo card in 11/03 and was NOT offered another card.
I've had three accounts with Wells Fargo for the past 13 years--two checking and one savings. All have always been in good standing. I'd never applied for credit with Wells before. My CREDIT PLUS score was 745 when I applied with no negatives on ANY of my credit reports except for one paid-off tax lien (which was put on, paid, and taken off within three months in 2002). I had about two dozen cards active at the time, all in good standing, utilization around 50%, but a fairly high total amount owed (about $150,000).
Two weeks after I was rejected for that card, Wells Fargo mailed me a check for about $2000.00. If I decided to cash it, I would have to pay 18.99% interest on the loan. I had never received any such check from Wells before, so I assume it was connected to my card application. I threw it away.
I have no idea why some computer at Wells thought I was desperate for $2,000 when I had over $10,000 in my three accounts with Wells at the time.
Banks bewilder me.
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:15 am
Hello, I'm new to the board but have been reading it and learning a lot in a short period of time.
Unfortunately, I started building my credit history late (I used a debit card for many years thinking I didn't have any need for a credit card as I had enough money in my checking account all the time).
I'm currently 26 and got my first credit card a year ago. I was actually rather surprised with what I was able to get with practically no credit history what-so-ever. I've had a Wells Fargo checking account for some time and decided to try getting their Cash Back Visa Card, mainly to build credit but also because its nice to get some cash back. To my surprise they approved my application with a $3000 CL. 6 months later I applied for a Citi Dividend Platinum Select card (because the cash back on the Wells Card was very bad) and was approved with an $1100 CL (I had to mail in proof of a utility bill with my name and address on it).
Also, since I've had the Wells card for a year, they just instantly approved a CLI for me on the phone. I haven't had the Citi card for 6 months yet but will be doing the online CLI as soon as I hit 6 months as I need a LOT more credit on that sucker.
I've since gotten my free credit report from all 3 companies but I didn't want to pay to see my credit scores so I still don't know what they are (although I'm really dying to know).
My question is, how was I able to get the above cards so easily when I didn't have any prior credit history? On these boards I read about how people have to get gas cards, store cards, secured cards with annual fees, etc when they don't have any credit history.
Thanks for reading.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
Guest: beyond platinum
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:22 am
By your own admission, you have already answered your question. One suggestion I always give is that if you have a limited history or you’re going after your first credit card; try applying for credit with your bank or credit union first.
You had an existing account with Wells Fargo in good standing which makes getting a card from them painless. You want their business and they want your business. After having the Wells Fargo credit card for 6 months, you established a good payment history on your credit record which made getting a Citibank card even more effortless despite the low credit limit.
There are a lot of rewards cards out there so don’t feel limited by your choices.
_________________
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible." --Einstein
Guest: Polonius
SENIOR MEMBER (Member for 2 yrs.+)
Post subject: Beginning A Credit Card History
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:43 am
Quote:
You had an existing account with Wells Fargo in good standing which makes getting a card from them painless.
Yeah--you'd think so, wouldn't you?
I was turned down for the Prime Rate Wells Fargo card in 11/03 and was NOT offered another card.
I've had three accounts with Wells Fargo for the past 13 years--two checking and one savings. All have always been in good standing. I'd never applied for credit with Wells before. My CREDIT PLUS score was 745 when I applied with no negatives on ANY of my credit reports except for one paid-off tax lien (which was put on, paid, and taken off within three months in 2002). I had about two dozen cards active at the time, all in good standing, utilization around 50%, but a fairly high total amount owed (about $150,000).
Two weeks after I was rejected for that card, Wells Fargo mailed me a check for about $2000.00. If I decided to cash it, I would have to pay 18.99% interest on the loan. I had never received any such check from Wells before, so I assume it was connected to my card application. I threw it away.
I have no idea why some computer at Wells thought I was desperate for $2,000 when I had over $10,000 in my three accounts with Wells at the time.
Banks bewilder me.
posted by CardRatings.com at 9:29 AM
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