Advice on graduating secure credit card to unsecured, CapOne & BofA

I've used the following 2 secure credit cards (and the awesome info I've gained here) to improve my credit: BofA $1000 CL Opened 07/21/2014CapOne $2000 CL Opened 07/01/2014 I picked these 2 cards because they offered to graduate to an unsecured credit card after a year. My 3 FICO scores from myfico.com are as of today: EQ 739, TU 754, and EX 751. A few weeks ago I called BofA about something, and the CSR observed that I could be evaluated to graduate & she would be happy to assist me. I was so surprised, I said thanks but I'd call back. I prequal for cards on BofA, CapOne, Discover & Amex, and I only show 2 INQs on one CRA. My income is about 75K/yr Any advice on graduating these cards? Is there any order or process that will give a better outcome? Should I have balances or no balances? Or just call them & go for it? My next step would be to go on a spree & then garden, how could graduating these cards affect that strategy? 

semada wrote:
I'm slowly coming to grips with the idea that I can't graduate that CapOne card. I have some reviews of that card that mention graduating to a unsecured card, but I guess they weren't correct. I did all that over a year ago, I think before I found the myfico.com forums, unfortunately. If I can't find specific mention from CapOne I guess I'm just screwed. If I get an unsecured card on my spree with a decent limit, what would be the negative impact of closing the CapOne secure card down? Or perhaps get an unsecured CapOne & merge? So crushed right now. Unfortunately, Cap One will not combine secured and unsecured credit limits/accounts at this time.  I asked three different customer service reps.  Who knows what the future holds.  They seem to be making a lot of changes.  I had my Cap One secured card for three years and I just closed it yesterday.  I have a Quicksilver and I want to focus on growing that one and maybe apply for another Cap One card down the road a bit.  
Check the pre-qual sites for Cap One and any of the other cards you have an interest in.  With your scores, I am sure you will do well (as long as income, etc. also are good).  Personally, and I hope more experienced people jump in, I would leave the Cap One secured open until it hits the year mark and right before the AF hits.   Best of luck!

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    [Paymetric|https://www.paymetric.com]

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