By: My Latest Credit Card App O Rama: Preparation and Strategy - AA, Annual Credit Report, App O Rama, Chase UR, FICO, SPG, US Airways
[…] credit score. Even with over 20 cards, in order to keep my credit score in the high 700′s (my current FICO score is 796), I have to make sure that I don’t apply for too many lines of […]
By: Harry Campbell
In reply to <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/get-free-fico-score-barclaycard/#comment-17866">William Charles</a>.
Yep that's right, some issuers won't let you downgrade but will give you an AF credit if you threaten to cancel. I would never close a free account though.
By: William Charles
In reply to <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/get-free-fico-score-barclaycard/#comment-17692">Leigh</a>.
If you want to increase your FICO score, you should be keeping your cards open for as long as possible anyway (e.g, you should always downgrade rather than cancel).
By: Harry Campbell
In reply to <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/get-free-fico-score-barclaycard/#comment-17694">Leigh</a>.
Hi Leigh,
Yes <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-55000-point-sign-offer/" title="https://yourpfpro.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-55000-point-sign-offer/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I just did the CSP</a>(MC not Visa I believe btw) for my fiancee when they had a 55k point sign up bonus. CSP is great bc like you mention you can combine the points OR you can transfer to United, Hyatt, SW, etc. OR you can redeem against travel for 1.25 cents per point(similar to Barclay).
When the AF hits, ask Chase to waive the fee, or you could downgrade to the chase preferred or last resort, cancel. Let me know how it goes! Nothing like $500(or more) tax free.
By: Leigh
In reply to <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/get-free-fico-score-barclaycard/#comment-17693">Harry Campbell</a>.
Yep! I'm thinking about doing the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa next :) It seems not bad because I can always combine the points into the Ultimate Rewards account on my Chase Freedom that I'll never cancel since it has no annual fee. I'm really liking the Ultimate Rewards online shopping mall too! You can get more points for doing your online shopping through that instead of through the retailer directly. If only it worked on Amazon.com and Zappos.com haha! Have you done the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa? What did you use the points for?
By: Harry Campbell
In reply to <a href="https://yourpfpro.com/get-free-fico-score-barclaycard/#comment-17692">Leigh</a>.
I never pay AF's so at the 1 year mark, I ask them to waive the fee first, downgrade second and if they won't do either then I cancel. If they'll let you downgrade, might as well do it since it will only help your credit score over the long run(increased capacity, higher number of accounts, longer history as the card gets older).
By: Leigh
I love this feature of the Barclaycard! It's almost making me consider downgrading to the free version before the annual fee hits instead of cancelling entirely. It's been a long process of building up my credit, but it's finally doing well and it's nice to see my good FICO score :)