OK, I’m late. It took some time sorting out what was best for Katybug and me this time around. We have had so many credit card successes we seemed to be running out of options. Thanks to all of you for suggesting a few cards we may have passed by.

To start I checked my scores and inquiries.

CreditSesame.com FICO type score is 762, well within the Good Range. 850 is the top score on this range.

My scores and inquiries from TrueCredit.com which follow the VantageScore scale are as such:

Transunion  73 accounts of record, 4 inquiries the last two years and  score of 890. Remember 990 is tops.

Experian 94 accounts of record, 18 inquiries the last two years and score of 990. Thats right Top Score

Equifax  72 accounts of record, 11 inquiries the last two years and score of 866

Check your credit scores before applying for credit cards. There are free trial links on the left hand blog column. You are looking for scores of over 700 on the FICO style scale and above 800 on the VantageScore scale. Below those scores, don’t waste you time and further lower your score. I can’t believe I have a top score on my credit report with 18 inquiries on my report in the last two years, but it is what it is.

Tassojunior suggested the Bank of American Virgin Atlantic Airlines card with up to 65,000 miles. I’m doing it but only for 50K. As I doubt I will renew for the last 15K. The transfer of miles will be 1 to 2 into Hilton Honors points. Result: Delayed Decision

I chose the Mercedes Benz 50,000 point Amex card. I cancelled The Platinum Card® from American Express last week as the annual fee was coming due. Result: Instant Approval

My Barclays card choice is a second shot at the US Airways MasterCard for a 40,000 mile sign up bonus. Many of you suggested you can have more than one, but I’ve seen emails telling me different. We’ll soon see.
Result: Delayed Decision

Chase: I’m stuck and won’t pay for the Ritz Carlton card and its huge application fee. My next application day (90 days from now) I’ll throw in a Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card as I will be two years since closing my last one, but this time: Nothing from Chase.

Citi I’m in the same position. I’ve had them all. My only chance is a redo of one of the AAdvantage cards at 50,000 miles but the last time I tried I got the  “You’ve had this card before. Too Bad. So Sad” Some of you get lucky with a second card approval. Katy can and has. I’ve been shut out. Depending on how the other three apps go, I may give it a try “One More Time”

I’m an experienced successful card applicant, now with limited options until we see some new card products offered. For those of you that have not had them all, here are my current suggestions:

Chase Sapphire Preferred^SM for 50,000 Points
The New Ink Bold® Charge Card for 50,000 Points
Citi American Airlines 50,000 miles or Citi ThankYou Premier card for 50,000 ThankYou points
US Airways Dividend Miles Premier World MasterCard for 40,000+ miles
American Express: The 50,000 point Mercedes card IF you need lounge access, or the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express for 30,000 SkyMiles with no first year fee if you don’t.
Bank of America: the Hawaiian Airlines card for 35K and then pick up the Bank of Hawaii Hawaiian Airlines card for another 35K as well to transfer all 1 to 2 into HIlton HHonors points. There is also the Virgin Atlantic card I mentioned above (thanks Tassojunior), also for transfer to Hilton HHonors.

NOTE: I usually apply for Katy’s cards on the same day. Being a conservative, I’m going to hold up on her applications with the hope of a few new offers showing up within the next month or two. I have no concrete  knowledge of a monster offer in the future. Just hedging our bets.
And in my wallet right this minute:

Chase Sapphire Preferred^SM
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Citi Forward® Card (for our dining spend)

Best of luck to all of you and your next round of applications. Remember, your credit is one of your most important assets. I’ll report my success in the days to come.

30,000 Delta Miles No First Year Fee