Who's getting credit cards these days?

Question

A few years ago I was able to get credit cards with fairly good credit lines rather easily. Fast forward five years. My credit score is about 50 points higher and my debt is down, yet I'm getting turned down for new credit cards (I was trying to take advantage of a zero interest rate balance transfer offer). I realize in the economy lenders are probably getting more paticular about who they approve. Just wondering where your credit score has to be nowadays to be considered.

Answer 1

i got one recently i get pre-approved offers in the mail every once in a while.  

Answer 2

I am sure it has to be over 700, sounds like you are getting it there, stop trying for a while again and hopefully it will go up another 50 points

Answer 3

How many credit cards do you have? if you have a bunch of cards with open credit lines, they won't give you any more credit because if you were to go out and use up all yoru cards you wouldn't be able to pay it back. Open credit lines=High risk

Answer 4

If you have open lines of credit this could be pulling your debt to income ratio level down.  There also has been some tightening as you suggest on criteria with several banks simply out of money due to the loss of foreclosures.  Specifically, you need to see if you have open lines of credit with more than 50% charged or less than 20% charged; do you have several accounts with one issuer (i.e. GE Capital controls credit for a variety of retailers); and finally, ask yourself if credit of any sort is really an answer.  

I suggest Dave Ramsey's book even if you are in a good financial situation.