Okay folks. Her's the final update for anyone who has been following with baited breath (that's everyone, right?) Mark LA's FUSA application- we-need-more-verification-well-then-maybe-i-shouldn't-have- applied-your application-is-under-review- its- been -almost -3 - weeks-I-can't-stand-the-rain-on-my-window SAGA! Well - all those who told me to wait it out - and if I didn't get the Readers Digest Platinum with the much better terms (if u don't qualify the give you a standard with bad terms) I could always close the card - WERE RIGHT!!! (Sorry Saar) This morning, after I had my morning soy coffee (hey - this is Los Angeles - don't snicker!) I made my usual morning phone call to the FUSA app line - ready to hear the usual "your application is under review. we will notify you witihn 30 days blablabla" However - this time - (ohmigod breath breathe breathe) the sweet lovely recording said in the most radiophonic voice YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED. You will receive your card in the mail...." Calmly. serenely, and elegantly I pressed 0 for an "adviser" thats what fusa calls cs reps - and sweetly asked - by any chance - do you know my credit line on this lovely new card I've been APPROVED for. May i put you on hold? Sure thing! and a minute later: "Your credit line is $12,000 sir." This matchs my highest cl (bofa) and has better terms - see below. I'd like to thank all of you who helped me through these difficult times (waiting, the agony, the pain, etc) I promise to be CAREFUL - and watch em like a HAWK for any rate changes or financial mischief. Btw - when I applied - they checked Experian. my score at that time was 695. And I had 2 inquiries within the last 6 months - theirs made it 3 inquiries. here are the terms for the card: Readers Digest Platinum MC Card Category: Reward - Retail * Introductory Rate:Â 2.90% * Time Period:Â 6 Months * Applied Towards:Â Purchases, Balance Transfers * APR (Purchases): 9.74%Â Variable * APR (Cash Advances): 18.74% Variable * Finance Configuration: Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) * Annual Fee: $0 * Additional Cardholders: $0 * Grace Period: 20 Days (Min.) * Minimum Credit Limit: $5,000 * Maximum Credit Limit: $100,000 * Late Payment Fee: $29 * Over-The-Limit Fee: $29 * Cash Advance Fee: 2%, $5 minimum * Balance Transfer Fee: 2%, $5 minimum, $50 maximum Reward Program Details * Points per Dollar: 1 Point * Additional Points: 5 points for every dollar spent on purchases from Reader's Digest * Expiration: 4 Years * Yearly Limit: None Additional Perks * Free one year subscription to a Readers Digest publication -New Choices Magazine or The Family Handyman Magazine. * $1,000,000 travel accident insurance. * 100% protection against unauthorized purchases. * Auto rental insurance. * Lost and stolen card reporting. * Emergency credit card delivery and replacement. * Various travel and emergency assistance services.
Mark, you are quite funny. Congrats on the card and the credit line. You should submit your FUSA saga to Readers Digest for publication re "the perils of navigating credit applications" or "FUSA as the Borg: how my application got assimilated".
Hello MarkLA, Hey Major Congrats!!! cool now you can buy me dinner since we are almost neighbors!! wow that is a super credit line from First USA I apply with them last year no go with them.... oh well.... enjoy your new card..... give me an email..... Thx, Kev
you got it Kev we're working this weekend - but next weekend looks good - i'll email you. Regards, Mark
Glad to see a happy ending to this saga. I must admit...I expected some funk to jump off. Don't forget to watch them like a HAWK! B-) FUSA has been known to have jokes here and there so....be careful.
Yup, 2 account one for 25k and one for 17.5k, and then I combined them for a total of 42.5k which is now my highest. So far no problems. I've just used if for the 0% bt deal they offered me. fiance got one for 25k and we're also using part of that for a 0% bt deal too.
Thanks MP I promise to be on the lookout for ANY hanky panky - and will notify this board IMMEDIATELY if Fusa pulls any fast ones
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark I'm sure you'll excuse me if I don't join the mainstream here by offering my congratulations for your being admitted to the mob. I was against it not because I thought you wouldn't qualify, but because I knew eventually you'd regret it. However, if it's any confort, I won't be among those saying "I told you so". Yes, there are many customers who've had great experience with them; The problem is, for every of them there are 9 who've had an awful one. May you be among the lucky 10%. Saar
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark I had NOTHING but good luck with them...till they "JACKED" one of my 2 accounts...so I PAID OFF AND CLOSED ALL 3 OF OUR ACCOUNTS OF ABOUT $72,000... (22.49%)
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark Saar - you KNOW that your opinions are of great VALUE to me and that I HOLD you in the highest regard - as a board member, and as a friend. I also, as you know, tried to cancel the application after reading your warnings. however - now - with the 12K limit - I ADMIT - I am not strong enough - to activate it and close it on the spot. I will monitor this card closely - as I am wary of them - due to your post and others - (and the firstusa scam thing on the web). Thankfully - i now have more than enough other cards (8 more actually - DAMN!) so that if FUSA plays dirty I'll close em down before they have a chance to say - in small print - "please note a change in your interest rates starting September 1, 2002." Yes, I realize that things could screw up beyond apr changes - and that no matter what I do there's a chance of getting screwed - and to a degree I am risking it. That's why I do have mixed feelings about the approval - while the card terms are good - the company itself has a bad reputation. I will be on HIGH ALERT with this one. P.S. I'm fine with the fact that you didn't join the "mainstream." i'm not exactly a "mainstream" dude myself (cough). You're a classy guy, Saar. Don't go changin' just to please me yours, Mark LA
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark Reading your response, it almost seems like you think I was offended by your not taking my advice LOL It is your DUTY not to take my advice when it doesn't make sense to you. But being the self-made man that you are, I believe you already know that Saar
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark ah, but it did make sense to me - that's why I was (am) so conflicted. i know you weren't offended... OT - when you comin to my neck of the woods?
Re: First Usa Finale - Sorry Mark GEORGE ! )) Just curious - when u called them regarding the rate hike - did they give you a reason for the madness? (I know that you and the wife have PERFECT credit since 1972 - that's why I'm confused) Mark LA
