Comments on CreditMattersBlog.com: CreditMattersBlog.com Rewrite: Cut Your APRs and I...

Spooky, here's one for you. I have had a Chase car...

2009-01-07T11:47:31.764-05:00

Spooky, here's one for you. I have had a Chase card for more than 8 years. I have had one CLI on the card during that time. I don't like asking for hard-inquiry CLIs. Chase granted -- during the first six months of me having the card -- one auto CLI (for $800).

My Chase card remains one of my lowest-limit cards today.

Anon, I can't answer that question -- because I wo...

2009-01-07T11:45:49.402-05:00

Anon, I can't answer that question -- because I would only be guessing.

I do know this, though, I would not want to cut limits for a new credit card -- unless the new credit card limit was equal to or greater than the limit I was giving up to get the new card.

Citibank (business card), in 2007, asked me to close some of my other cards if I wanted to get approved for a card. I

I HAVE A RELATED QUESTION: Several years ago I or...

2009-01-07T11:37:26.925-05:00

I HAVE A RELATED QUESTION: Several years ago I ordered a new credit card and the issuer wanted me to reduce my limits on my existing cards beforehand. I did so on one card and I was approved. I wonder if having reduced it will ensure I'm never offered an AUTOMATIC limit increase again. Further, I wonder if you need to call to request the system update so you can receive computer-generated

Every time I see or hear a comment anywhere (not j...

2009-01-07T11:16:36.511-05:00

Every time I see or hear a comment anywhere (not just here) about Chase Bank, it's always negative. Always. There's a definite "You should be grateful that we allow you to bask in our aura" arrogance to them. And for the record, I don't have a positive regard for them either. They seem to look at customers as something you harvest for fees or maybe Soylent Green. Or both.

Thanks for the rewrite. Based on the earlier info...

2009-01-07T09:22:47.311-05:00

Thanks for the rewrite. Based on the earlier info here I was thinking about calling Chase to request a CLI since that card is my lowest limit and hasn't seen an increase in 2 years, but now I think I'll continue to lay low for a while longer.

Clutch, you're right. It's not enough these days t...

2009-01-06T21:51:04.680-05:00

Clutch, you're right. It's not enough these days to make token purchases with a Coke and a pack of gum. What's I've been doing is just rotating my cards for purchases that I would have otherwise made with my rewards cards. Sure, I leave a little on the table, but it's generally less than a $1 in rewards.

I'm also using my cards every other month. Every three months seems dangerous.

My rewards cards average 4-7% higher than my highe...

2009-01-06T20:56:30.434-05:00

My rewards cards average 4-7% higher than my highest vanilla card.

This brings up an important point. Since I spend the vast majority on these rewards cards, and still want to keep the vanilla's, what would be a servicable amount to charge on them to keep them open?

I don't think a pack of gum every 3 months is enough anymore

Anon, that's great. If you don't mind sharing, whi...

2009-01-06T20:14:28.080-05:00

Anon, that's great. If you don't mind sharing, which cards?

Generally speaking, rewards cards will have higher interest rates. Cool, though, that you have some cards that buck that.

I have APRs in the 5-6 range on several rewards ca...

2009-01-06T20:10:53.489-05:00

I have APRs in the 5-6 range on several rewards cards including Chase, Citibank and BofA. These are lower than some of my vanilla cards.

Jill, I have one application in 15 months. I've be...

2009-01-06T17:18:03.965-05:00

Jill, I have one application in 15 months. I've been laying low. But then I have so much available credit that I find it totally unnecessary to apply for anything.

My scores have climbed to just under 800 on all three scores. I think a lot of it has to do with not applying for new credit.

That said, does it make sense for you to apply for something? Does the BOA card fit into

What about applying for new credit in the current ...

2009-01-06T17:14:22.476-05:00

What about applying for new credit in the current credit climate? It's been a year since I applied for my last credit card and was planning on applying for a Bank of America card. Should I wait?

Clutch, I don't think I wrote anything positive ab...

2009-01-06T17:07:16.389-05:00

Clutch, I don't think I wrote anything positive about Amex. I did write about my game plan, though.

http://www.creditmattersblog.com/2008/07/american-express-my-game-plan.html

And I did say that I understood their financial review process.

http://www.creditmattersblog.com/2008/09/american-expresss-financial-review.html

But write something nice? Probably not.

I'm trying to remember if you ever wrote anything ...

2009-01-06T16:45:57.345-05:00

I'm trying to remember if you ever wrote anything good about Amex. If so, that one needs some polishing.

Thanks, M. There are some older stories that need ...

2009-01-06T15:34:33.530-05:00

Thanks, M. There are some older stories that need this treatment. And this is a good week for me to do it.

Hoping that these rewrites provide a service to someone.

Great re-write! Sound advice for those who were un...

2009-01-06T15:32:34.578-05:00

Great re-write! Sound advice for those who were unsure about this, given the changes in the climate.