visa ftw!

Thought I'd update on this. This account is still open, noticed after I applied for mortgage. Will try writing another letter.

I'm buying a house now with less than 20% dp and the conventional was a much better option than the FHA loan for me. The fact that the FHA MIP is calculated at 1.3-1.35% of the purchase price, plus the fact that the borrower must pay upfront for the MIP (I think it's 2% of purchase price?)--um, no. This means if you wanted to originally mortgage 100k, your new mortgage is now 100k + 2% of 100k = 102k mortgage borrowed. There was no mention of this "new" conventional min 3% down to me, but I have much more than that and it wouldn't sway me. I would have preferred to have 20% but being under that has not in the slightest made me want to go in with less. I imagine that the 3% dp conventional will have higher PMI and higher APR.

This is what scares me the most about the world we live in. I finished a managerial accounting course feeling more scared and with trepidation about money and investors than before it. I am not sure that was the course's intention, but that's the impression! Magicians at the wheel. Side note: turning some profit by sending out thousands of AF letters might have helped, though?

I got a letter almost a year ago that my rate variable rate would increase, but it never did. They did KINDLY manage to give me an AF though after the CCA announcement. I'm closing it this year, since I've recouped my AF loss by using points earned (mostly).

I've only got 4 and I'll be down to 2 because I'm chopping the other ones off due to AF letters I got this year. I want to get more cards for just in case, especially since I might end up with no MCs, which is widely accepted...but too afraid to pull the trigger for more denials right now. =/ I never use more than 1-2 for any 6 month period anyway. But there's no way I would WANT to live without one in America right now. It's made my life easier.

Same here, about 3 year mark since my first revolving acct was in 07.

I do it randomly sometimes for certain bank transfers, can't really say what the criteria are. Maybe first time transferring from that bank account to my CC or maybe expecting certain post date w/ rewards or something. I've never had to use it.

Looks like everyone is getting slightly comparable Chase cards now. I just had a regular MC from WaMu that expires very soon. I don't use it lately b/c there is no rewards. Anyone get a Chase Freedom MC out of the conversion? (That would be a dealer breaker to make me close my BOA cards probably b/c of AFs.... )

I see--so if you're carrying a $1000 balance, and your minimum payment is $15, they can apply $15 to the lower APR and then the remaining $85 to the higher balance under CARD Act? Re: AFs, I feel like anyone w/ higher credit scores 780+ aren't getting hit w/ the AFs, so that's my new goal. I just can't justify paying $60/yr with less than 1% return in rewards.

So I got this offer in my login w/BOA this week. IT READS: Premier World MasterCard® services, benefits, and rewards** Introductory 0%†APR only for Purchases, Balance Transfers* and Direct Deposits for your first 7 or 10 billing cycles. The duration of the Intro APR is determined based on creditworthiness. (Balance Transfers and Direct Deposits are subject to a 4% transaction fee, no less than $10. Minimum payments are applied to lower APR balances first and additional payments are applied to higher APR balances first.) After the Intro APR ends, a rate between 12.99 and 20.99% Variable APR, based on your creditworthiness, will apply to Purchases, Balance Transfers and to any Direct Deposit balances that were subject to the Intro APR. 24.24% Variable APR applies to any Direct Deposits that post to your account after the Intro APR ends. No annual fee ----------------- I just don't get the benefits on this. And I'm also wondering why they mention the arrangement of applying payments to lower APRs first after the whole February 22nd deal and having sent tons of BOA customers letters stating that won't happen anymore...?? The offer, in bold letters, jumps out at you "NO ANNUAL FEE"--it seems this is going to become more commonplace then, fees for no apparent reason after they're already earning fees whenever you swipe the card...

I've had a payment post on a Saturday, but I was sending money from my BOA checking to my BOA CC as a "Transfer" to pay the bill (always do it this way). I guess they don't follow that rule if it's their own internal money?

Like other posters, I got the notification about my CareCredit remaining idle (haven't used it since 2008). My dentists and doctors where I've moved to (reasonably priced ones) don't accept CareCredit, so I sort of don't care. I half thought of closing myself, but I can't even be bothered, haha. I don't go more than 5 months without usage because I need the major CCs for utilization purposes. I wouldn't go for more than 3-5 months, OP, for the cards you like for your utilization or other reasons. It's these times...

having a CU card (or 10) is a good alternative. the highest APR on any of my CU cards is 10.15% Oh, no doubt. Always go for the best deal you can. Sorry to hear that, OP! hegemony/Uncle Leo: that's what I thought--my CU was my lowest APR, and just when life through me a curveball and financial crisis hit hard in 2008, they raised my APR to 18% from 10.9%. The one time I have to carry a balance and can't PIF, my APR is upped. I joined another CU recently just for a loan w/ low interest rates and because they offered 1%-back immediately on any loan above $2k after you became a member. But I still have some distrust... Are your CUs the ones that everyone else in love w/ here, Pen, etc.? Ones I can't join? haha

Really? Can we convert them into Schwab? I haven't tried or heard about that... You can NOT convert to a Schwab; however, if approved for a Schwab you can reallocate your BOA CL to the Schwab. Remember the Schwab is a signature card, so it won't help with utilization. I haven't used my BOA in sooooo long they gave me a promotional rewards through March, 3% back on gas, groceries, and pharmacies. Same here...I use it, but only every couple months for a five dollar purchase. I charged some gas on it but for some reason I get the feeling that I won't be getting the 3% back unless I call and hound them about it. Log into BOA online website, check the credit cards "Rewards Points Transaction History." I'm also on this promo and I check to see that I am getting my 3% back at grocery, pharmacy and gas stations. So far, so good. All the points are "pending" though--I guess that they'll post to my account only after the statement cuts. If not, I'll be mad I wasted so many points at BOA and not on my Amazon Visa.

I have/had the same problem with National City. I am sick of telling these people my account is closed. They still send me e-mails saying my balance is $0.00 and below the threshold. *rolls eyes* "really, really mean it." Heh. The first time we were just playin'