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I think the following information for all the major issuers would be useful.
Issuer:
Convert to another card type:
Combine Credit Lines:
Reallocate Credit Lines:
Max Number of cards:
BT Checks:
BT to checking account: Ys
Period between CLI:
To get a human on the phone:
Disscution threads:
I don't know all the information for all these issuers, but I'll update the Quick Summary if people post what they do know.
TBD: Advanta (Business only)
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____: 1
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____: yes, gave them my checking account and routing #s over the phone (1/30/07) (2nd, Pakaderm 3.31.07)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
AMEX
To reach a human ___: 1-800-AXP-1000
Change card type ___: yes
Reallocate CL ______: yes (unusual in that personal/biz reallocation is possible)
Max # of cards _____: NONE
BT Checks __________: yes for SOME users.
BT to checking _____: no
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: yes (online, with generous increases)
Time between CLI ___: 30 days
Personal cards _____: Blue, Blue Cash, Clear, Delta Sky Miles, IN:NYC, IN:LA, Starwood Preferred Guest
Business cards _____: Blue for Business, SimplyCash
App-O-Rama notes ___: up to 3 personal 1 USAA 1 business, but beware financial review.
* Other data points: 2 personal BoA Amex
* several get approved for 1-2 credit cards PLUS 1-2 CHARGE cards (for signup bonus)
* risky to go negative and have them send a check (though may work)
* Have twice used an AMEX card (with small convenience purchases on it) to BT 10K to. AMEX sent credit refund check without problems, once by FedEx! (winaudit)
Max CL on new card _: $25,000 without financials (and staying below this level seems to reduce the chance of financial review)
Special offers _____: occasional $ for $ CLI on BT for existing cardmembers
Threads:
Bank of America (BoA / BofA)
To reach a human ___: 1-800-732-9194
Change card type ___: yes, but the APR will not move, and you cannot convert back to original card in the future.
Reallocate CL ______: yes (Jagd71 10/24/06, therivler1 11/06, CardJuggler 12/06; earlier reports said NO)
Max # of cards _____: NONE (CardJuggler 12/06: when I applied for a new card, they granted it BUT reduced an existing CL - which is no big deal except that they didn't ask first)
BT Checks __________: yes. BT fee can be waived if you call. Some offers have no fee, but not all. Tread carefully. Login to www.easybt.com to check current offers. (CardJuggler 12/06 for BoA Bus: received checks in 3 weeks; BT only but no fee)
BT to checking _____: yes (by phone)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: "always a soft pull" (fafura on 2007-04-07) but YMMV
Time between CLI ___: 1 week (ask for $500 or $1000); http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/671714/9768099; earlier report: 9 months
Personal cards _____: Cash Rewards, Elite Rewards, Financial Rewards, MilesEdge, Money Return, Pet Rewards, Platinum Plus, Quantum, Rewards AMEX, Signature, Total Rewards, Trip Rewards, World Mastercard, WorldPoints (and more)
Co-branded cards ___: Alaska Airlines, amtrust.com, Anne Geddes, Apple Bank, Asiana Airlines, Bass Pro Shops, Charles Schwab, Choice Privileges (Comfort Inn), Ducks Unlimited, Effectiva, Fidelity, Hawaiian Airlines, Lehman Brothers, Major League Baseball (MLB) Extra Bases, Make-A-Wish, Merrill Lynch, Mexicana Airlines, Motley Fool, NASCAR RacePoints, Quixtar, Sovereign Bank, TD Bank North, US Airways? (may be Juniper), World Series of Poker (related brands: FIA Card Services, former brands: Fleet, MBNA)
Co-branded URLs ____: applyonlinenow.com
App-O-Rama notes ___: 2 is typical, up to 5 (including BoA, MBNA & FIA) though 2 of them at much lower CL
Max CL on new card _: $25,000
NOTE - I was able to get CL reallocated by going into a local branch and talking to one of the personal bankers at BofA. therivler1 11/06: it took me 3 phone calls to get a CSR who knew what they were doing to reallocate; all others said no. CardJuggler 12/06: I spoke to 2 different people (on different days) at 800-347-1135, both surprisingly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.
...
MBNA (now Bank of America; I've kept this section in case it's still useful)
To reach a human ___: "800-297-2326 All the mbna customer service numbers seemed to be on the same phone system. Took me mistyping my zip code to get a real person. Here is the number you would call if you wanted to get financial stuff done, like up your credit line: 1-877-494-7694." - djninjastar
Change card type ___: yes, but new credit pull, new CC#. (Some affinity cards cannot be converted.)
Reallocate CL ______: yes
Max # of cards _____: NONE. There is a total CL exposure and you will be forced to reallocate CL from your existing card to fund the new one, but MBNA will (may!) get your permission first.
BT Checks __________: yes for MOST users.
BT to checking _____: BT fees absolutely not waived. max varies: $75, $99, $250, or no max
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___: 6 months (djninjastar)
Threads:
Capital One
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___: no for "subprime" "low limit" cards, yes for the higher tier cards.
Reallocate CL ______: no? (though "combine credit lines" was shown as "yes" in a previous version; CardJuggler 12/26/06)
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: NO FEE purchase checks. yes was able to request one 3/10/07 to self 10 months into 0% offer (teammjs)
BT to checking _____: yes (During initial card sign up over the phone, check sent in mail to CU - byex0039)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___: no CLI requests, auto only (except via retention; TBD: link to the thread)
App-O-Rama notes ___: only 1 allowed at a time ("In the interim, please do not submit another application, as only the first ... will be considered valid.")
Max CL on new card _: $30,000?
Reports CL to CRA __: no
Special features ___: no fee on international purchases?
Threads:
Chase
To reach a human ___: 1-800-334-0601
Change card type ___: yes
Reallocate CL ______: yes (including personal/biz per this thread)
Max # of cards _____: NONE. However, there is a MAX allowable total CL exposure. If you apply for a new card and the CL threshold is crossed, Chase will reallocate a partial CL from one of your other Chase cards to your new card without warning (rather than decline) and you will not know until it is approved. You have to call to put it back and will cost a hard inq.
BT Checks __________: yes for SOME users. (SonyCard: 1 included in welcome package; CardJuggler 12/06)(yes card carrier for Sony, Home and Biz cards Aug 07 jackcrawfish)
BT to checking _____: usually NOT within first 3 months (exception: Chase Perfectcard in March 2005 -s0meguy)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: not possible, but if denied online may get approved by calling (while the credit report is still on file)
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____: Cash Plus Rewards, Free Cash Rewards, Marriott Rewards, Priority Club (and MANY more)
Co-branded cards ___: Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Texas, Countrywide, GM Business (but not personal!), Sony Style, UPS Capital Visa Business Rewards, Volkswagen (former brands: BankOne, First USA)
App-O-Rama notes ___: 2 co-brand (e.g. SonyStyle) is typical; sometimes 2 total (CardJugger 12/06: 3rd was rejected, though it was the only phone app and required several followup calls)
Threads:
Citi (Citibank)
To reach a human ___: 800-374-9700 1 online support; 2 billpay; 3 non-online; 4 credit card; or 0 to human
Change card type ___: yes
Reallocate CL ______: yes, including business (therivler1 11/06); exceptions: Home Rewards (CardJuggler 12/06), Citi Professional and some branded cards such as Quicken, though some were able to move CitiBusiness to CitiProfessional; AT&T: some can't move credit line (e.g. here), some can (e.g. here)
BT Checks __________: yes - can order them from web page (Simplicity: received 3 checks; checking ok; CardJuggler 12/06)
BT to checking _____: yes with checks (CSR says they don't do ACH anymore, 1/22/07)(Sign into account online, click "Accept your Balance Transfer offer," then choose option to have a check sent made out to you. Deposit into your account. -VanceWade, 02/08) (You can also BT straight to your Checking again now -Eirek 02/08)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: when requesting online, if it does NOT ask you to fill out a form, then it gets approved with only a soft inquiry (if it does present the form, just cancel to avoid the hard inquiry)
Time between CLI ___: 1 month (dlr3); others report 6 months
Personal cards _____: Dividend Platinum Select, Home Rewards, Professional, Simplicity (and more)
Co-branded cards ___: AT&T Universal, Quicken
App-O-Rama notes ___: generally 2 personal 2 business ( the oddball Professional?) at a time; perhaps more with co-branded cards
* Hindustani received Professional Simplicity AT&T
* CardJugger received Home Rebate Simplicity but was declined for AT&T due to multiple applications
* dbalkunjr received 5 personal 2 business
* the only (?) CC that reliably allows negative balance for getting cash from an AOR
Reports CL to CRA __: yes in general (TBD: add links to exceptions)
Edit 6/19/07: Citi does not report CL for Citi PremierPass Elite level. Not even after disputing with Experian (diazfranco)
Special offers _____: Online BT Request may show CLI possible with BT (see also: AMEX $ for $)
Special links:
VISA/MC Promo Code Verification URL: http://www.apply.citicards.com
AMEX Promo Code Verification URL: http://www.signup.citicards.com
Threads:
Discover
To reach a human ___: 800-347-2683 then ****
Change card type ___: yes
Reallocate CL ______: maybe (Yes: dr84, jimbocobb, CardJuggler 12/06) (Yes, required hard pull hair Mar08) (NO: mhudson, Pakaderm) (Only when applying for an additional discover card, but never when trying to reallocate w/o a new application pending or requested: grrarrgh 3/07) (yes personal to biz, both brand new: scripta Oct07) Yes, moved $16K from old personal to new biz w/0% offer, but not allowed to move more even though I had it. Told biz CL could not exceed 20K.
Max # of cards _____: 4 (1 biz card per business)
BT Checks __________: yes
BT to checking _____: maybe (YES - my BT on Open Road Card to checking just went through) - brettdacosta; others reported NO
BT to LOC w/ app ___: yes (in theory, though it hasn't arrived yet)
CLI w/o hard pull __: can ask for immediate by phone (soft pull); if that's not enough can ask for reconsideration (hard pull; and my result in a lower offer!); over $15K may require a hard pull (dlr3); wouldnt let me do a CLI without a hard pull until account has been open 6 months (drdavidge)
Time between CLI ___: 3 months (dlr3); 6 months (unknown)
Personal cards _____: Platinum (including the Clear card), Gas, Miles (related brands: Morgan Stanley)
App-O-Rama notes ___: only 1 personal application within 30 days (CardJuggler 12/06); 1 personal 1 business have been approved (therivler1 11/06); requested BTs paid lowest to highest (I think most are the opposite); highest limit without financial docs = 24,500
Threads:
TBD: Elan
To reach a human ___: (866) 354-3246
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: yes, PNC sent no-fee BT checks 3-6 weeks after approving app
BT to checking _____: no (at least, not PNC card)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: yes, call in but only in $1500 increments
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
Co-branded cards ___: CenturyBank.com, Heritage Bank, IndyMac Bank, PNC, PNC Business (for others, Google "young adult visa" "select rewards visa"); part of US Bank (?) (former brands: was Firstar Bank)
App-O-Rama notes ___: PNC: 1 personal 1 business approved; may get a call to confirm information and/or ask about the number of inquiries (therefore may be worth doing early in an AOR); for CLI: can call after approval and/or use their site: worked for nymgiants (and at least one other); not for CardJuggler
FIA Card Services - see Bank of America
First National Bank of Omaha
BT to LOC w/ app ___: yes (in theory anyway; the application asks for an address)
BT to checking _____: no, but will send BT check of up to $11,000
Personal cards _____: BucksBack (SM), Rewards Advantage, First AirMiles Rewards, Signature, Henry Doorly Zoo
Co-branded cards ___: Amcore, Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Texas, Bank United, Emigrant Savings Bank (but not Emigrant Direct!), First National Bank of Kansas ... and many more (related brands: First Bankcard e.g. at CardOffers)
App-O-Rama notes ___: best to apply early AND include BT with the app (AND for no more than $11,000). The account may get closed anyway when the do a second hard credit inquiry 30 days later but the 0% remains in place (CardJuggler). Multiple apps are unlikely to be approved.
TBD: GE Money
To reach a human ___: (866) 423-3796
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: Yes, Call in
Time between CLI ___: 12 months
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
App-O-Rama notes ___: no BT with application
HSBC
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: yes for HSBC (Visa to Visa or MC to MC), no for GM (CardJuggler 12/06, at least between my old "GM Card" and new "GM Flex Card")
Max # of cards _____:
BT to checking _____: yes "allows BT directly to a checking account (of course, as long as it's not an HSBC Bank account) " - crix2001 on 1/13/06; Cash or Fly card sent 2 BT checks soon after card arrived - kittenmittens 6/24/07
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Co-branded cards ___: Direct Merchants Bank, GM Card (but not GM Business), Orchard Bank, Household Bank (former brand: Metris)
App-O-Rama notes ___: for GM, low CL seems typical (e.g. $700) though nymgiants got $18,750 on a straight HSBC card (NOT GM). Also found a bank partner with Sears/Citi. If Citi turns you down for the gold Mastercard, HSBC gets the app (without informing you) and can approve you for their MC which has a $59 annual fee Sears Solutions
Special links:
Promo Code Verification URL: http://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/personal
Threads:
TBD: Infibank
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____: 1 (CardJuggler 12/06: they would approve a second but only for $1K; I declined)
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
Co-branded cards ___: Principal (former brands: Eufora)
App-O-Rama notes ___:
Max CL on new card _: $15,000 without 2 years of tax returns (CardJuggler 12/06); $50,000 with financials
TBD: Juniper (part of Barclays Bank)
To reach a human ___: (866) 419-0881
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: yes. call 866.408.4064 to speak directly with the credit dept.
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: yes(*). checks should come with a new card. you can also ask CSR to send some.*(biz card=NO)
BT to checking _____: no
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: Yes
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
Co-branded cards ___: BankAtlantic, Juniper Partners Emigrant Direct (but not Emigrant Bank!), Frontier Airlines, I Fly America, TiVo, US Airways (some cards are BoA) - Removed National Arbor Day VISA. All existing Arbor Day accounts with Juniper will move to BofA's website on 8/24/08. New cards mailed out week of August 17th. One confirmed report of a CLI on receiving new card.
App-O-Rama notes ___: only 1 at a time ("while your initial app is pending") but Grendhal got one 2 weeks after the AOR
* CardJuggler 12/06: they called 5-6 weeks after the application (perhaps right after a second BT): "we noticed lots of new debut, wanted to make sure it wasn't fraud or some other problem"; I "it's for investment")
MBNA - see Bank of America
National City
To reach a human ___: 800.762.0974 (personal) 877.459.9801 (business)
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: YMMV
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: Not in welcome packet, but come in bunches after 6 months.
BT to checking _____: no, at least not via ACH
BT to LOC w/ app ___: yes (in theory anyway; the application asks for an address)
CLI w/o hard pull __: no (online Aug 2006 pulled TU hard - jackcrawfish)
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____: Elite Visa
Business cards _____:
Max line at opening ____: 20K
TBD: Pentagon Federal Credit Union
To reach a human ___: (800) 247-5626
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: No
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
Pulaski Bank
To reach a human ___: 800-217-7715
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: Yes (post)
BT to checking _____: No (same post)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
App-O-Rama notes ___: requires documentation (e.g. pay stub, nearest relative)
Special features ___: no BT fee, no cash advance fee (!), low interest rate (7.99% on 08/20/07)
You need to be US citizen in order to get their card.
RBS National Bank
To reach a human ___: 1-888-257-6437 (then zero)
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: no
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: (Kroger: 3 included in welcome package; CardJuggler 12/06); 3 checks came for regular Platinum card as well - kittenmittens 7/17/07
BT to checking _____: yes (via checks)
BT to LOC w/ app ___: no (it asked for a payment address but "Account# cannot be less than 15 characters")
CLI w/o hard pull __: not if you are requesting - system does grant CLI's occassionally (jackcrawfish 6/08)
Time between CLI ___: only allowed 2 increases per year (jackcrawfish 6/08)
Co-branded cards ___: Kroger, Charter One, Citizen's Bank, People's Bank on CardOffers
App-O-Rama notes ___: approved for 2 (CardJuggler 12/06: RBS & Kroger; someone else: 2 RBS by accident)
Max CL on new card _: $16,000? (CardJuggler 12/06).... $20,000 (jackcrawfish 6/08)
TBD: State Farm
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
App-O-Rama notes ___: may pull from all 3 credit bureaus; may get rejected anyway due to "too many inquiries" (but not always)
TBD: US Bank
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: Mails a check to any institution with acct # per CSR
BT to checking _____: No
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: by phone
Time between CLI ___: Must wait 6 mos after issue
Personal cards _____: Baylor Alumni Assoc, Platinum Visa...
Business cards _____:
Co-branded cards ___: REI, Gymboree, Harley-Davidson,
App-O-Rama notes ___: 0% offers every now and again
* may not allow applications from all states EXCEPT via co-branded cards
Washington Mutual/Providian (WAMU)
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: no (CardJuggler 12/06: I spoke with 2 different reps though YMMV)
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________: 3 included in welcome package (CardJuggler 12/06)
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___: yes (in theory anyway; the application asks for an address)
CLI w/o hard pull __: Yes but they are automatic and cannot be requested.
Time between CLI ___:
Max CL on new card _: $30,000 (longwood8: I requested $32k in 0% balance transfer)
Special features ___: Free Credit Score (with some cards); appears to be the "credit card FICO" vs. the usual "mortgage FICO"
Threads:
Wells Fargo
To reach a human ___: 1-800-642-4720 (enter card then 0 and 0 again)(jackcrawfish-8/07)
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______: Yes (consolidation jackcrawfish-9/08)
Max # of cards _____: 2 (close 1st card, apply for 2nd card, call to reopen 1st card) (details jackcrawfish-9/08)
BT Checks __________: yes - with welcome kit (jackcrawfish-8/07)
BT to checking _____: yes (jackcrawfish-8/07)
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __: NO*(if asking in 1st 9mo). After 9 months, automatic soft review done(jackcrawfish-8/07)
Time between CLI ___: 9 months (sooner if you request hard pull)(jackcrawfish-8/07)
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
App-O-Rama notes ___: need to have banking relationship already (i.e. checking/savings)
TBD: Zions Bank
To reach a human ___:
Change card type ___:
Reallocate CL ______:
Max # of cards _____:
BT Checks __________:
BT to checking _____:
BT to LOC w/ app ___:
CLI w/o hard pull __:
Time between CLI ___:
Personal cards _____:
Business cards _____:
Co-branded cards ___: National Bank of Arizona, Nevada State Bank, and Vectra Bank Colorado
App-O-Rama notes ___: no 0% offers but may be useful to reduce utilization; $0 BT fee ($50 max on cash)
NOT interesting: some cards to ignore (e.g. when doing research for obscure cards that are worth pursuing)
BankFirst = prepaid
Dakota State Bank = huge fees
First Bank of Delaware = huge fees
First PREMIER Bank = huge fees
FirstMerit: Applicants must reside in western Pennsylvania or Ohio
InTrust Bank: some student/alum cards; high interest rate
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company = prepaid
Metabank = prepaid
New Millennium Bank = high fees
Plains Commerce Bank = huge fees
USA Credit = prepaid
Related threads:
more issuers and brands, including credit unions
Credit Limit Increases: Strategies for CLI Without a Hard Pull
* tip from Vmaxer "see which banks request your info then call up for increase to avoid a hard pull"
Credit cards which allow you to move / shift / reallocate credit lines among various cards from that issuer
List of credit card companies allowing us to convert between credit card types
application status
Cheat Sheet to bypass IVR (Interactive Voice Response) phone systems and get to human here.
Formatting note: I tried the new CODE tag around each field but it inserts an extra line break. Bummer.
this could be an excellent resource, thx OP. I posted what I know in the Quick Summary - that way others can update with complete info
Slight problem is that a lot of these criteria are YMMV...for example someone can have a lot more than 3 Citi cards (I do), though others may be declined for that many. Sometimes CIti allows reallocation, sometimes they dont (based on competence/laziness of CSR).
Thanks OP for your efforts. I am wondering if anyone knows how often you can request a CLI online for AMEX. I've heard stories that people got 2 CLIs on the same day. I've also heard that a few days after the bill closes is the best time to request a CLI, and we can do it every month. It seems like AMEX doesn't really have a set time frame in between CLIs. What are your experiences?
This is a great idea!
I hadn't thought about the fact that there might be a problem reallocating credit between a Visa and MasterCard from the same issuer. Just realized that's what I'm trying to do with 2 of my Citi cards -- I hope it goes through. When I spoke to a CSR the other day he seemed to be having some trouble but told me to call back in a few days to make sure it was processed. I'll update this to let you know how it turns out.
