Age: 28
HHI: $148,500
No mortgage and none in the nearest future.

AOR 1.0: 05/15/2006

Current Accounts

Business:
Advanta Business Card opened 05/2006, CL $13,500
*$7,474.00 balance at 0%
AM.EX Plat Busn Premium Cash Reb opened 04/2006, CL $1,000

Personal
AM.EX Platinum Cash Rebate opened 2001, CL $21,500
AT&T Universal Card opened 1999, CL $500
BOFA Rewards Platinum opened 05/2006, CL $500
BOFA Plat Wrldpts (exMBNA) opened 2000, CL $31,300
*$31,202 balance - 99.69% util
Chase Platinum opened 2001, CL $1,000
Chase Cash Plus Rewards opened 06/2006, CL $36,900
Chase Sony opened 05/2006, CL $1,000
Chase Visa opened 1998, CL $1,000
Citi Dmnd Pref Rew opened 05/2006, CL $24,710
*$22,100 balance at 0% - 89.44% util
Citi Dividend MC opened 2001, CL $500
Discover for life opened 05/2006, CL $6,000
*$4,258 balance at 0% - 70.97% util
Discover Card opened 2001, CL $7,750
HSBC Cash Rew opened 05/2006, CL $5,000
Providian opened 05/2006, CL $6,500
RBS #1 opened 05/2006, CL $15,000 CL
RBS #2 opened 05/2006, CL $15,000 CL
USAA-MC opened 12/2006, CL $30,000 CL

Total CL (personal): $204,160
Reported usage: $6,500 on 2 cards (3% overall CL util)
*I'm currently floating $50+k of unreported debt (mbna bill pay + citi BT), $20+k will be reported on 6/20.
Total CL (business): $14,500

Inquiries: TU: 0, EX: 3 (8/2005, 5/2006, 5/2006), EQ: 1 (12/2006)
True.Credit Scores: 787 TU / 752 EX / 745 EQ

*** AOR 2.0 ***

Goals:

#1. Add new 0% BT cards from major issuers so that I can re-allocate and use the existing lines to maximize 0% BT potential.

#2. Add more business cards from major players. If possible re-allocate from personal lines and use 0% BTs since the balances wouldn't report on CR.

#3. Get a few good sign up bonuses (especially United miles, perhaps some Starwood points)

#4. Diversify into smaller creditors both through personal and business.

Potential pitfalls:

i.) Citi will unlikely extend new credit to me, as I'm using $22.1k (89% util) on a 0% BT (12mo noBTfee started 05/07) that is due to report on 6/20. Soft CLIs were denied and Citi has not extended any significant credit to me over the last year. I'll still have to try but perhaps I should get them on a lower spots in the applications order.

ii.) Chase might want to close some of my lines as I have 4 cards with them. However, I'm only willing to close 1 (2006 Sony). Problem might be also applying for a second Sony card while the first one is still active. Some people reported success so I'm hoping. Chase is my high priority.

iii.) I will unlikely do any AM.EX BTs or crazy CLIs. I'm not willing to lose the 2001 line to a FR, so I might get a few cards for the rewards (Starpoints) but nothing out of this world.

iv.) BofA has not really extended much credit to me lately and I might not be able to get much more as I am currently using $31.2k (99.7% util) on mbna billpay. I don't really need a BT card from BofA as I'm happy to use as much CL as possible for BillPay.

Cards I applied for on Tuesday 06/19/07:
AOR started around 2 pm ET and finished 4 pm ET.
These are presented here in the order I applied for them and with their initial results.
B = Business, P = Personal

#01. B Chase Business Rebate Visa (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
- 3% Cash.Back for purchases at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, building supply stores, hardware and home improvement stores, 1% Cash.Back on all other purchases, 0%/12mo/purchases as well!
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: phone call from Chase, verified business, approved $5k CL only, since $40k+ CL available on personal side, card should come in mail
Got the card on 6/30 and it shows only $10k CL - will have to call and complain

#02. P PenFed Rewards Visa (5% gas, 1.25% all else Cash.Back)
Instant Results: Asked for $10k line, Approved
Deferred Results: Upon activation I asked for $5k CLI, which was approved: $15k total line.

#02+ P PenFed Visa Gold (5.99%/$0BTfee)
This was not part of my AOR. However, when I was activating the PenFed Cash.Back card (see above) I asked the CSR if I can get this card as well, and they reused my application. Result: Approved $15k

#03. B BofA Business Power Rewards Visa (0%/9mo/$0BTfee)
- lhendricks and cameron think it's no fee, high lines, it says no fees on the promo page!
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: approved $25k CL, card received w/ terms stating uncapped BT fees!

#04. B Juniper (0%/15mo/$75BTfee)
Instant Results: asked for $20k BT, deferred
Deferred Results: approved $10k CL, card received

#05. P Citi Driver's Edge (0%/12mo/$0BTfee/Cash.Back)
- 6% rebates on everyday purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations for the first 12 months.
- 1% elsewhere
Instant Results: deferred, accessorize page offered
Deferred Results: Denied!

#06. P Chase SonyStyle Visa (0%/12mo/$75BTfee +$100 bonus)
Instant Results: Approved $5k
Deferred Results: Received card w/ $7k CL

#07. P RBS Kroger 123 (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Denied! Too many inquiries.
Reconsideration Results: Denied! Way too many inquiries!

#08. B Capital One no hassle cash biz (need for overseas travel)
- request a high BT (mostly treated as purchases)
- 1% Cash.Back, 0% on purchases 'till July 2008
Instant Results: Approved, no option to request a BT on application
Deferred Results: Card received w/ $7k CL only, no CLI on activation

#09. B AM.EX Business Gold Rewards 25k point rewards (FYF)
Instant Results: Approved
Deferred Results: card received by UPS the next day

#10. B Citi Business MC (0%/12mo/$0BTfee/$150 GC)
Instant Results: deferred, accessorize page offered
Deferred Results: Card received! Approved for $12k CL!

#11. P Suntrust Platinum Visa (0%/9mo/$0BTfee before 6/30)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved $16k CL, received card, will call about CLI & BT
Deferred Results2: No CLI on activation. Can't setup online access, online help division doesn't have my date of birth, while credit card division does. I have to send in a copy of my driver's license to the online division so that I could access the account online...

#12. P Wells Fargo Platinum Cash.Back (0%/6mo/$0BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Denied Insufficient banking relationship. Will call and complain since I've had their checking account since 1996!
Reconsideration: Called in 7/5, denial reversed, new decision in 3-5 business days.
Deferred Results2: Denied Can't match up social security numbers.
Reconsideration2: Called in, denial reversed, new decision in 3-5 business days.
Deferred Results3: Denied Can't match up address info.
Reconsideration3: Called in, walked to a WF office and called the underwriter from there, denial reversed, new decision in 3-5 business days.
Deferred Results4: Approved $14k CL card issued on 7/25 - 37 days after original AOR!

#13. P Juniper National Park (0%/12mo/$50BTfee)
Instant Results: asked for $20k BT, deferred
Deferred Results: approved $22k CL, card received

#14. P HSBC 2% Cash.Back
- After filling up the pre-application, you may be offered one of their three cards.
- You are only allowed 1 HSBC credit card. If you have any others, you will be declined from this card. If you already applied, cancel your other HSBC card, and then call the application status line to have them review the application again. 1-877-707-3605 It might take up to 48 hours for the canceled card to show up in their system.
- check prequalification offers
Instant Results: nothing good was offerred, application skipped
Instant Results2: DENIED! I guess I did apply for HSBC card but I applied for it as #34 - and got a denial "you already have a bankcard account of this type". I applied for the same Cash Rewards card as I already have, hoping to take another 0%BT and combine the cards together...

#15. P FIA (Fidelity) 1.5% Cash.Back
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved for $8k CL! Asked for CLI upon activation - approved - new line: $10k!
Note: it is a Visa Signature card - doesn't report CL - will need to see what can be done

#16. P BofA (0%/12mo/$0BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved $5.5k CL, card received

#17. P FIA NFL (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved $2k CL, card received, didn't ask for CLI on activation.

#18. B National City Visa Business (0%/6mo/$0BTfee) <- elan card
- 0% on purchases as well
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: DENIED: unable to verify business, product not offered on terms requested (whatever that means)
Reconsideration: Approved for $20k CL!

#19. B M&T Bank - Business Card (0%/6mo/$0BTfee) <- elan card
Instant Results: Tax ID needed for application, since I don't have one - I cancelled the App
Instant Results2: 06/29 - Used SSN instead of EIN (per kherty's advice) and got a deferred decision. Will need to call.
Deferred Results: Called in to check on the application 7/5, verified info, still processing.

#20. P Chase United MP (25k miles, FYF)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Got a letter that card was approved with $10k CL, unfortunately they're moving $10k from my old chase card, so no new credit here. Haven't received the card yet.
Got a letter that they can't open it, since "not enough time passed since I opened my last account with chase" will have to call and see what can be done

#21. B Chase Business United MP (25k miles, FYF)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: got a phone call from Chase Fraud - verifying if I submitted the application, no results yet
Deferred Results 2: Card approved for $15k CL! This seems to be new credit (not moved from any of my older cards!

#22. P National City (0%/6mo/$0BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved for $10k CL! No CLI on activation. For CLI they wanted to pull credit report again.

#23. P Wachovia Bank (0%/6mo/$0BTfee)
Instant Results: not sure if I applied for it, if I did - it was deferred
Deferred Results: I get a feeling that I didn't apply...

#24. P ESPN WaMu/Providian (0%/06mo/$0BTfee)
- check for offers online, WaMu competes w/ high lines, request high BT!
Instant Results: Approved $7k
Deferred Results: Card received. No CLI on activation. They wouldn't combine CL with my old Providian card. They wouldn't even re-allocate.

#25. P Integra Bank (0%/6mo/$0BTfee) <- elan card
Instant Results: Approved $5k
Deferred Results: Card received, no CLI on activation, 3 months minimum for CLI.

#27. P Principal Bank (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: DENIED: excessive CRA inquiries, haven't called yet.

#28. P Union Bank of California Bucksback (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: DENIED: excessive CRA inquiries, haven't called yet.

#29. B Citi Business PremierPass (0%/12mo/$0BTfee/15kTY/FYF)
- 0% doesn't apply to purchases
Instant Results: deferred, accessorize page NOT offered
Deferred Results: DENIED: excessive CRA inquiries, haven't called yet.

#30. B AM.EX Starwood Preferred (10k pts, FYF)
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Received letter that card was approved but they're just using my CL from personal. CL from my personal card was decreased from $21.5k to $500!
Deferred Results2: Card approved for $24k CL, card received, it seems that they used $21k of old credit and added $3k of new. Will re-allocate back to my old personal card soon.

#31. P Hooters
Instant Results: deferred
Deferred Results: Approved $15k CL, card received.

#32. P Citi AA (20k miles, FYF)
Instant Results: deferred, accessorize page offered
Deferred Results: Denied!

#33. P FIA (Schwab) $50 bonus
Instant Results: not sure if I applied for it, if I did - it was deferred
Deferred Results:

Other Cards I considered - but eventually didn't apply for:
# B Citi Business AA (20k miles, FYF)
- miles after $250 purchase
# P Citi Premier Pass (25kTY, $75 annualfee)
# P Capital One (whatever I'm offered)
- request a high BT (mostly treated as purchases)
# P Compass Bank (phone app)
# P B NWA (us bank) WorldPerks
# P LaSalle Bank (0%/12mo/$75BTfee)
# B AM.EX Simply Cash
- 5% on gas + other
# P AM.EX In Chicago (0%/6mo/$0BTfee)
# B AM.EX Blue Cash for Business (up to 5% Cash.Back)
# P USAA

New CRA inquiries
TransUnion: 5
Experian: 7
Equi.fax: 17

ELANFINSVC 07/05/2007 Equifax
FIRST USA,NA 06/22/2007 Experian
NCBCARDSER 06/22/2007 Equi.fax
NCBK-NCCS 06/22/2007 TransUnion
KROGER 06/21/2007 Equi.fax
BANK OF AMERICA 06/19/2007 Experian
AMEX 06/19/2007 Experian
CAPITAL ONE FSB 06/19/2007 Experian
WELLS FARGO BANK 06/19/2007 Experian
WASH MUTUAL/PROVIDIAN 06/19/2007 Experian
FIA CSNA 06/19/2007 Experian
PENTAGON 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
FIA CSNA 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CITI 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
FIRST USA 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CAPONEFSB 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CHASE 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CBUSA/CBSD 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
INFI/STI 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
ELANFINSVC 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
INFIBANK 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CITI 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
HSBC NV 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
FUSA, NA 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
CITI 06/19/2007 Equi.fax
NCBK-NCCS 06/19/2007 TransUnion
HOOTERS CARD 06/19/2007 TransUnion
CAP ONE FSB 06/19/2007 TransUnion
BRCLYSBANKDE 06/19/2007 TransUnion

CLIs requested after AOR
Chase - denied 3 times
CitiDiv - filled out a form, $5k requested (from $500), deferred, $5k CL approved

Total new CLs approved (so far):
Personal: $134,000
Business: $82,000

Notes

To-Do:
- I still need to open all the bank accounts that require CRA pull and might be useful
- Need to start figuring out BT targets and calling in to activate the lines and ask for CLIs

... to be continued and updated ...

Current Scores (07/06):
True.Credit Scores: 755 TU / 719 EX / 700 EQ

EDIT 06/29 - I submitted the M&T Business app today (10 days past AOR), others have had success getting the card approved, so we'll see. <- unfortunately it seems to have pulled Equifax, which has way too many inquiries now.

keep us updated on who you sed BT convience checks with, who did BT to checking, credit refund checks, etc. thanks

jairocon said:I have a denial letter from First Bankcard dated 6/22, reason: excessive cra inquiries, but I have no idea which account is it tied to
Union Bank of California? Smaller issuers are always getting their panties in a bunch over inquiries.

BofA seems to like you. Wonder if they're going to steal any credit line from your other cards with them.

markkundinger said:BofA seems to like you. Wonder if they're going to steal any credit line from your other cards with them.Not likely - since on the 31.3k line I'm once again using 31.1k There was only a window of 2 days when I paid it down to $0 and right away pumped it back up to almost 99%.

kaiotes said:Key to getting more CL from Citibank is to state a High Household income. I was rejected auto increase in CL until I applied new cards w/ much higher HHI.That seems to be true - since I was rejected for auto-cli on my old CitiDiv before the AOR and after the AOR when I actually filled out the form with the new HHI (the old one was about $47.5k), the CLI was approved. I probably could have asked for a higher line, but didn't want to push it.

Well written report.
You get 50% increase of your current total CL.
great.

If you are married, you can do the same with your wife's account.

You did well so far. It will be interesting to see what happens with the deferred accounts. I think you will get more approvals. You did do a huge amount of apps at 33 but I guess since you had some high scores you might as well to the max.

Good Luck
Rob

Congrats Jairocon on youe second AOR. Can you also post the total bonuses you will receive? Since the BT offers have been drying up lately, I am planning to target card bonuses when I do my second AOR later this year.

i'm loving these 2nd round AORs. great write-up.

good find on Integra Bank. i did some poking around, and there's also a 0%/6months/no BT offer on their business cards. seems like there a few Elan-issued cards with this deal (like M&T). it'll be interesting to see if we can do some reallocation games with these cards (doubtful, but here's hoping.)

speaking of which, not sure why you bailed on the M&T app because of the tax ID. there's an option for "sole proprietor," so i bet you could have just used your SSN.

looking forward to updates.