Trying for prime - shot down - I think

[WorkingOnIt]

I need to get more available credit in order to boost my scores and lower my DTI. I don't have much revolving debt (about 1K) but, I don't have much credit either.

My only CR which doesn't show a BK7 from 1999 is EQ. After researching, I felt that BofA would likely check EQ and Discover might or might not. They both ended up checking EX and I got the "We'll let you know..." screeen.

For BofA, I applied for their Amex card Rewards card. In hindsight, this may be why they pulled EX?? I have an Amex Blue and they pulled EX for it. Should I try again for a different BofA card and hope they pull EQ?

Discover called this morning to verify my personal information. I thought this was a good sign but, then they told me that they couldn't give me a Discover card. They did offer me an HSBC issued Discover. I said go ahead and send it but, unless it has a particularly high limit, I don't really have a need for it. An HSBC Discover card wouldn't open any doors for a future Discover card would it?

[LNY]

I need to get more available credit in order to boost my scores and lower my DTI. I don't have much revolving debt (about 1K) but, I don't have much credit either.

My only CR which doesn't show a BK7 from 1999 is EQ. After researching, I felt that BofA would likely check EQ and Discover might or might not. They both ended up checking EX and I got the "We'll let you know..." screeen.

For BofA, I applied for their Amex card Rewards card. In hindsight, this may be why they pulled EX?? I have an Amex Blue and they pulled EX for it. Should I try again for a different BofA card and hope they pull EQ?

Discover called this morning to verify my personal information. I thought this was a good sign but, then they told me that they couldn't give me a Discover card. They did offer me an HSBC issued Discover. I said go ahead and send it but, unless it has a particularly high limit, I don't really have a need for it. An HSBC Discover card wouldn't open any doors for a future Discover card would it?

More available credit won't have any effect whatsoever on your DTI, only your utilization. They're two entirely different things.

Have you seen any indication anywhere that BoA would pull EQ in your state? If not, it's just a wasted inquiry. I am not sure I've ever heard of them pulling EQ anywhere. Or Discover, either. Only EX or TU for both.

HSBC Discover is just a licensed product that is underwritten and issued by HSBC. It's not a real Discover card. It might open the door to another HSBC card in the future, but not Discover.

[SecretAgentWoman]

Shot through the CR

And you're to blame

Darling, you give credit a bad name!!

[WorkingOnIt]

Have you seen any indication anywhere that BoA would pull EQ in your state?

Yes, but I realized later that they were all Visa cards. I only had 3 inquiries between all my reports. I didn't lose any points for the pulls.

Utilization is what I meant. I did have about $30k credit with Citi but, Sears mistakenly posted a late one month. They fixed it within days but, Citi knew and lowered my limit to $2k. My scores dropped significantly. They said they'd review in six months but, I truly don't believe they'll reinstate previous limits. I'd really like to get more available credit.

HSBC Discover is just a licensed product that is underwritten and issued by HSBC. It's not a real Discover card.

That's what I figured. I'll only keep it if it has a significant CL.

[LNY]

Yes, but I realized later that they were all Visa cards. I only had 3 inquiries between all my reports. I didn't lose any points for the pulls.

Utilization is what I meant. I did have about $30k credit with Citi but, Sears mistakenly posted a late one month. They fixed it within days but, Citi knew and lowered my limit to $2k. My scores dropped significantly. They said they'd review in six months but, I truly don't believe they'll reinstate previous limits. I'd really like to get more available credit.

That's what I figured. I'll only keep it if it has a significant CL.

If I were you, I wouldn't turn down any TL right now. Why would you? Even if it's $500, it helps your utilization, raises your scores and adds a positive TL--which begets other positive TLs--to your reports. You also begin building history on it. Unless it has an annual fee, it is nothing but good.

[lyle7289]

I agree 100% with LNY. The only reason that I would turn down a credit offer is if it cost me money, like an annual fee, or processing fees. The CL, however high or low the limit opens future doors for you. I would use the card once for a small ticket item, pay the balance in full, and sit on it. The positive history alone is worth it's weight in gold once it ages.

[credit_junkie87]

It's not a real Discover card. It might open the door to another HSBC card in the future, but not Discover.

I changed my BoA Visa to an Amex. Immediately after that I was flooded with offers from Amex proper. Coincidence? I don't think so.

[LNY]

I changed my BoA Visa to an Amex. Immediately after that I was flooded with offers from Amex proper. Coincidence? I don't think so.

I wasn't talking about getting offers. I was talking about jumping to the front of the line with Discover proper (Morgan Stanley) because you have an HSBC Discover. It doesn't work that way. Regardless of how many offers you get or whether or not you have an HSBC Discover, to be approved for the real Discover you still have to meet Morgan Stanley's approval standards. They're not going to look the other way or let you slide on certain things just because you have an HSBC Discover. That's what the OP was getting at.

If you get approved for AmEx proper, it's because you qualified for it. Not because you're now considered "a member of the AmEx family" because you have a BoA AmEx.