All - HSBC has three (actually four levels of cards with the fourth being Global and assets of $100,000 or more on deposits qualifying you for HSBC Premier services - note HSBC came to the USA through their acquistion of Household Financial Bank where originally they were NOT into the sub-prime market until the USA). Orchard Bank, Household Bank and then to the HSBC Local Bank. I found that it took me several years to work up from the $300 CL at Orchard Bank 2 years to $800 CL and, then on to Household Bank where I increased the CL over three more years to $1800 CL. Graduated if you will to the regular HSBC cards (total of five years) where I have received CL's of $3500 increase in one year. My HSBC American Express Plus Rewards account is now at $10K and my HSBC Platinum Mastercard is now $7.5K. My starting point was a Ch7 BK in 09/2001. You may not know that rebuilding is very slow and frustrating. You cannot do much about it. Once the BK or collections get on your credit bureau reports you will have to earn your way back. I have been out of my Ch7 BK for over eight and one-half years and just found that the banks in the bankruptcy keep records that go beyond the ten year limit and may never forgive their losses. Does that depress me. WOW!!!

I got a HUGE increase from HSBC from $300 to $400 (okay, I'm being sarcastic) but it is an increase. All of my lower tier cards have increased at least $100. I have paid everything in full because I am trying to line up 1 or 2 better cards. I only owe on 2 cards out of 6. (yay! me)

My plan is to be on a zero balance next month with all my cards. ( go, go , go) I will hopefully be on stride to buy a used car then. Where I lived before we had fabulous public transport, where I live now.......I have to beg for rides. This is nuts!

Congrats on the increase ! The CLI high is always good no matter how much ! Its good you have a plan to reach your goal of a car. One thing I do know is that when you finance something like a car. After you you pay on it ontime for a little while. You will see a increase in your score.

I got a HUGE increase from HSBC from $300 to $400 (okay, I'm being sarcastic) but it is an increase. All of my lower tier cards have increased at least $100. I have paid everything in full because I am trying to line up 1 or 2 better cards. I only owe on 2 cards out of 6. (yay! me)

My plan is to be on a zero balance next month with all my cards. ( go, go , go) I will hopefully be on stride to buy a used car then. Where I lived before we had fabulous public transport, where I live now.......I have to beg for rides. This is nuts!

Congrats on your increase MsKiwi!

I got a HUGE increase from HSBC from $300 to $400 (okay, I'm being sarcastic) but it is an increase. All of my lower tier cards have increased at least $100. I have paid everything in full because I am trying to line up 1 or 2 better cards. I only owe on 2 cards out of 6. (yay! me)

My plan is to be on a zero balance next month with all my cards. ( go, go , go) I will hopefully be on stride to buy a used car then. Where I lived before we had fabulous public transport, where I live now.......I have to beg for rides. This is nuts!

Who is HC credit ? I haven't heard of them before !

https://www.hccredit.com/hcprocessingcenter/Default.aspx They are a company which finance those with health issues. How I wound up with them was through NordiTrack. I financed a treadmill with them, and I applied for credit. During the application process, it tells you that ICON is the company to approve your order (and it still says it), but when you actually get approved, HC Processing is who you will end up making payments to. I know this may sound weird, but those are the steps that I went through...lol! When I first applied, their financial backer was GEMB, now they sold over to Cit group. I never had a problem with them and they constantly give me cli's every six months.

Ps, they also have an application on their website for those who need financing with dental work....just incase someone needs some lil extra help

Yeah I'm planning on keeping it! It's my oldest account that is still open.

I have actually been surprised at how nice JC Penney is. I find it a lot more appealing than Kohl's.

Oh yeah, keep the retail card!

Yeah I'm planning on keeping it! It's my oldest account that is still open.

I don't get why Ge money bank cards said I had to have a 4 month payment history, I apply for a increase and they deny me because of too many new trade lines opened, and average of of accounts now..

how freaking retarded.

They probably told you what their proceedure is (to wait 4 months in between CLI's-most banks do require time in between CLI's). But that is just their proceedures. They take other factors into consideration and too many new trade lines or inquiries would be a credit reason not to grant a CLI. GEMB is not known for high limits anyway.

Wow that would definitely hurt your score a little bit! I've had JCP card since 1998.

Oh yeah, keep the retail card!

I don't get why Ge money bank cards said I had to have a 4 month payment history, I apply for a increase and they deny me because of too many new trade lines opened, and average of of accounts now..

how freaking retarded.

My experience with GEMB is you have to maintain that credit limit. With them for at least four months. After that usually they give you an increase. The other reason could be like you said they told you! Too many new trade lines opened . Also if your new to credit and your bureau history is short. You may have to let your accounts age a little before they'll give you an increase.

I don't get why Ge money bank cards said I had to have a 4 month payment history, I apply for a increase and they deny me because of too many new trade lines opened, and average of of accounts now..

how freaking retarded.

Right, that is what I understand as well. They also have a JC Penney MasterCard, Old Navy/Banana Republic/Gap Visa and American Eagle Visa. I think these days if your credit warrants it, you can actually get the Visa/MasterCard/Amex/Discover when you apply at the store, the rarest of course is the JC Penney MasterCard. The one thing to watch out for with GEMB though is that if you do upgrade, they close the retail account and open a brand new tradline for the bankcard version. I saw a credit report where this woman had a JCP card from 1979 and it was "Closed Due To Transfer" and below it was the JCP MasterCard opened in 2006. I mean, you can't buy 30 year old tradelines and she lost it just like that for upgrading to the MasterCard. Now, if you just opened the retail a few years before then no big deal.

Wow that would definitely hurt your score a little bit! I've had JCP card since 1998.

Yeah I don't know either. I've heard that GEMB is the one that initiates the upgrade to American Express Dillards card. That you can't request an upgrade to it.

Right, that is what I understand as well. They also have a JC Penney MasterCard, Old Navy/Banana Republic/Gap Visa and American Eagle Visa. I think these days if your credit warrants it, you can actually get the Visa/MasterCard/Amex/Discover when you apply at the store, the rarest of course is the JC Penney MasterCard. The one thing to watch out for with GEMB though is that if you do upgrade, they close the retail account and open a brand new tradline for the bankcard version. I saw a credit report where this woman had a JCP card from 1979 and it was "Closed Due To Transfer" and below it was the JCP MasterCard opened in 2006. I mean, you can't buy 30 year old tradelines and she lost it just like that for upgrading to the MasterCard. Now, if you just opened the retail a few years before then no big deal.

Hmmm, I wonder if the Dillard's Amex would be any better than your GEMB Universal Amex because the Dillard's Amex is issued by GEMB....

That is great that she is doing so well in opening the accounts, management notices that!

Yeah I don't know either. I've heard that GEMB is the one that initiates the upgrade to American Express Dillards card. That you can't request an upgrade to it.

Yes if they offered I would accept. Then I would probably cancel my current American Express Card. Right now I've got the GEMB Universal American Express card. Which has a high APR now because of our brilliant politicians . Needless to say I always pay in full ! My girl works for Dillards and is very good at getting people to apply. When she gets an app she'll get diiferent little prizes . She also usually gets a gift card as well for each application they take . It doesn't even matter if the application is approved . They still get credit for it ! She's always happy when she gets someone to apply !

Hmmm, I wonder if the Dillard's Amex would be any better than your GEMB Universal Amex because the Dillard's Amex is issued by GEMB....

That is great that she is doing so well in opening the accounts, management notices that!