Churnability?
 

I wanted to seek expert advice on my ability to churn credit cards (churnability) based on my credit scores.

Current Scores:
Equifax (via myFICO): 722
Experian (official Vantage Score): 835
Experian (via Credit Sesame): 766
Transunion (via myFICO): 717

I have one negative on my credit report (charge off in May 2009). Result of a joint account unpaid by spouse after divorce (can't do anything about this (please don't ask); letting it die eventually).

According to myFICO I use only 4% utilization.

Do you think I am in good shape to make a first churn? The reason I want to churn is that I travel a lot for work charging airfare, car rentals, hotel and food on the road. And then I like to travel in my free time. Until now I have accumulated a lot of miles by flying on business, hotel points on business and amex rewards on the rest. I think I can do better with better credit cards.

Thanks!

There are some credit card sites that will tell you what type of scores you need to qualify for particular cards. A search would help there. Your Transunion score is pretty low, perhaps you should stay away from any cards that would pull a Transunion cr. Your utilization is low, so that's a good thing.

Which points/programs did you have in mind? There are cards with extra bonus points available in all of the categories that you mention above.

Also, by booking using special offers, you can boost your points balances even more. There are frequent car rental and hotel special offers that can really add up if you use the click through or special code options at the time of booking.

Fire off an app or two. Credit Karma/Sesame are often low compared to the "real" number I get from a mortgage refi or the like.

What's the worst that happens, they say no (after a call to recon) and your scores dip a couple points for a few inquiries only to bounce up in a few months?

Thanks SSD!

So I updated my TransUnion score based on what myFICO said it is: 717

I know about the credit pull website, but it seems to be inconsistent really.

I was hoping for the following cc's:
SPG Amex
Chase Sapphire Preferred
AA Citibank

As far as booking, I am forced to book via corporate travel.

99% that you'll get the citi AAs. Not sure about the other 2.

SPG Approval Instant for $16,700
Sapphire Preferred: more processing, called reconsideration, approved for $5,000
AA Amex: got asked to call for more information (was provided reference #), called, then got denied. Called again and got them to have a supervisor call me within 24 hours. We'll see.
AA Visa: more processing. Didn't want to risk calling and giving SSN in case they see both applications. Will wait for verdict.

Overall, I'm quite happy since I got the 2 cards I really wanted anyways. The AA cards was simply for extra AA miles of which I already have plenty anyways.

Debating whether to hit BoF A and Barclays, but don't really need them right now. So probably best to wait for next turn around no?

Great! I would just go for the Barclay's and BoA...it is your first churn...

These are the only "real" scores and, as you've noticed, they're right at the lower limit of what will gain you approvals.

What would be interesting to know is what your score is in TWO months, after all these inquiries and new credit lines report. I would guess something around 680. Maybe a little lower. But I'm really curious about it...

So I went all in with the initial plan:

Barclay's US Airways: immediate approval
Bank of America Hawaiian Airlines: pending, called reconsideration, approved
Bank of Hawaii Hawaiian Airlines: pending, called reconsideration, approved (same call as BofA)

So only the Citibank AA's are in limbo. Once I get more information, I'll write letter.

The Hawaiian Airlines cards were simply for 140K in Hilton points and I get to start relationship with BofA.

I'm happy with my first Churn. I think Experian took a hit, but I'm good for a while.

Citi wants nothing to do with me. Turned down for both cards. Called reconsideration line, talked to supervisors, mailed letter to Executives, got called by someone there from the letter. Nada.

They hate me for a charge off 4 years ago (it's a lingering c/o due to my ex not paying it off as we were joint). She's now deceased and I am not going to pay it.

Everyone else gave me love (Amex, Chase, BofA/BofH, Barclays).

Oh well, I can play with the others.

Was the charge off with Citi?

Not even. US Bank.

If I may, that charge-off is going to haunt you for another three years. On a joint account, the passing of one party doesn't eliminate the responsibility of the other. Why not offer a pay-for-delete settlement for, say, 50% of the debt and be done with it?

I have considered that. I made the mistake when I go divorced to not look at my credit report and clean up any "joint" accounts. The card in question was the only one as a "joint", unknown to me really. In our divorce decree she was supposed to pay that one off. I paid all mine off. I was just uneducated in the whole credit report thing back then.

Since I'm active with Chase, BofA, Amex, Cap 1, I think I' just going to do nothing and let this blow over in 3 years. My scores are around 730 now. I'll keep trying Citi every now and then and plead. Maybe they will get sick of me applying.

You are making a good suggestion to deal with the charge-off. The only issue that I see is that US Bank (?) most likely sold the paper for pennies on the dollar, and that the debt has probably passed through several hands by now, so identifying the current holder might present a challenge. At the same time, this could present an opportunity since the holder might be willing to settle for something even below 50 percent of the face, if the payment is delivered quickly.