I currently have: FCNB 5/98 $1500 Providian 8/98 $5200 Citibank 12/01 $11,500 Sears 12/01 $900 JCPenney 1/02 $2000 BestBuy 1/02 $3600 I only use FCNB for online purchases. They have not raised my limit since I unsecured back in 2000. I just BT'd Providian balance to Citibank. My total balances are about $5000. I have not used the Sears yet, but anticipate using it in the near future. I would like to close out FCNB. I also would like to get rid of Providian, but realize that I need to keep it open to help out my ratios. I have paid student loans that take my history back to '93. Should I close anything or leave things as they are? I would like to apply for a Discover Platinum card in a couple of months and would also like to try for Juniper. Can't get AMEX Blue or LOC because my Experian is still not up to snuff (2 chargeoffs and paid collection showing). cariba
FCNB is your oldest open tradeline, so I would keep it open if they're not charging you an annual fee. Just put it in your sock drawer, and let it work for your fico. Another thing to consider is that providian's future is unclear. I wouldn't risk losing both your old tradelines (from '98) and being left with only your newly opened ones. BTW, have u tried applying for AMEX delta skymiles card? it is considerably easier to get then the Blue (FICO needed is around 650. but they have an internal score which is even more obscure than that)... -Roman
Thanks romanduv. I don't think I can get any AMEX product because my Experian has a paid tax lien, 1 paid collection and 2 unpaid chargeoffs! Some older tradelines are student loans paid between 8/93 and 1/97--do these help, or not really because they are paid? There are 6 separate loans with these dates. Thanks again. cariba
