After two years in the subprime underworld I think I'm ready to move on to a better life... I am establishing credit for the first time, I have a Sterling secured for 2 years, Providian gold for 1 year, Macys for 1 year and Amex green for 6 months. All with perfect payment records. I'd like to dump sterling or providian for a prime visa/mc. What's a good card to start with? I'd love a rewards card (preferably miles) but if it's beyond my reach I don't want to bother with it. I don't want to waste inquiries for nothing.
Have you tried the AAdvantage cards from Citibank?? You may also want to keep your oldest account until you others mature in age.
"SILVER" AAdvantage. NOT WORLD.... go here to apply: http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/worldcard/aasilver.htm If you get instant approval, print out all account info and immediately apply for "GOLD" using same info (i.e. annual income, years at residence, etc.) that you put on the Silver application. http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/worldcard/aagold.htm If you recieve both cards, wait until they come in the mail and then combine them. That's what I did. Both cards came at the same time. I activated the gold and then called the number on the back to combine the silver. It was done immediately.
What kind of credit did you have when you got AMEX green? I'd love to try for that or gold in a year or so...... I, with an inflated score of 608 and actual 534 on EQ, was denied Citi AA Advantage silver. However, I wrote them a letter using Planet Feedback, explaining that my medical collections were almost all from when I was underage and that the few derogs are over 2 years old, I was a college student, and really wanted the card. Instead of a "sorry try later" reply, I returned home from the late shift last night and got a "welcome" letter and the card should be here any day. So try it. Your scores and tradelines sound good, and if you get denied, you can either call (most people have done this but I'm phone shy) or PF. Good luck! Steph
