My recommendation of cards to get after discharge...
Credit score upon discharge - averaged out to be 510. I subscribe to an Experian service where I pay a montly subscription ($24) for all 3 of my credit agency reports and scores, unlimited amount of "new" reports any given month.
I was discharged in April. 2 weeks later, I was approved for an Orchard bank CC w/$300 limit.
Mid may my average credit score was 550.
In June I was approved for a credit one credit card w/$300 limit.
In August, my credit score was averaged 582.
So I figured cool - my scores are going up.. I applied for a Hooters Mastercard about 3 weeks ago and it said "we will contact you in the next 7-14 days with our answer". Well today I received my Hooters card ($500 limit) and checked my credit score- all average out to be 630
Theres a few tips I want to give here to people who are just reading this for the first time, just like I was not too long ago - I dont charge much on the cards, and I pay off the balance every month on each card. This seems to have significantly helped increase my credit score. Also, dont apply for cards you know you arent going to get! The inquiry on your credit report wont help you in the long run.
Right after discharge: Orchard Bank.
I was declined at first, but per some advice I read on the web, I went back 5 minutes later and applied again on the website and was approved for the $300 limit unsecured card. Love my orchard card.
A few months after discharge, and after paying my Orchard off and early every month: Credit One.
The annual fee sucks, but hey, nobody said it was going to be a walk in the park post-bk. I pay it off every month and do it through the mail (they charge to pay online but not if you mail in your payment).
6- or so months after discharge: Hooters Card.
My limit starts at $500, but also my credit score is significantly higher than it was in April, when I was only approved for $300 from Orchard. Seems to be a pretty straightforward card with no annual fee.
Good Luck folks!! Remember, pay it off every month early or on time. Im obviously not back up to me pre-bk filing credit score of 730, but hey, baby steps. I'll be back there one day
I was discharged in April. 2 weeks later, I was approved for an Orchard bank CC w/$300 limit.
Mid may my average credit score was 550.
In June I was approved for a credit one credit card w/$300 limit.
In August, my credit score was averaged 582.
So I figured cool - my scores are going up.. I applied for a Hooters Mastercard about 3 weeks ago and it said "we will contact you in the next 7-14 days with our answer". Well today I received my Hooters card ($500 limit) and checked my credit score- all average out to be 630
Theres a few tips I want to give here to people who are just reading this for the first time, just like I was not too long ago - I dont charge much on the cards, and I pay off the balance every month on each card. This seems to have significantly helped increase my credit score. Also, dont apply for cards you know you arent going to get! The inquiry on your credit report wont help you in the long run.
Right after discharge: Orchard Bank.
I was declined at first, but per some advice I read on the web, I went back 5 minutes later and applied again on the website and was approved for the $300 limit unsecured card. Love my orchard card.
A few months after discharge, and after paying my Orchard off and early every month: Credit One.
The annual fee sucks, but hey, nobody said it was going to be a walk in the park post-bk. I pay it off every month and do it through the mail (they charge to pay online but not if you mail in your payment).
6- or so months after discharge: Hooters Card.
My limit starts at $500, but also my credit score is significantly higher than it was in April, when I was only approved for $300 from Orchard. Seems to be a pretty straightforward card with no annual fee.
Good Luck folks!! Remember, pay it off every month early or on time. Im obviously not back up to me pre-bk filing credit score of 730, but hey, baby steps. I'll be back there one day
I'll check out Orchard's site. Thanks again 
It only went up from there (for comparison, Im 29 now). Funny going from $10k at age 18 to $300 at age 29!
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