best time to apply for new credit card. 1. no inquiry with in 6 months. 2. no late payments with in 6 months to a year. 3. if the balance is less than 10-12% comparing to your available credit limit. 4. if you have paid off all the balance before 30 days and does not carry any balance now. 5. If you have not taken any bank loan , any type of loan recently. 6. if you do not carry too many cards already. 7. if you are not seeking too many cards with in 2 years. some factors that helps you to get good credit. * home address instead of apt * phone on your name * at least one departmental card ( store card, gas card). do not get more than one or two * has at least one american express revolving card. *has at least each of visa and mastercard. * has a credit limit more than 10K on at least 1 or 2 cards. * has auto buying experience or mortgage experience and at least 6 months payment reflected. * verified work address with phone number. what are negative factors? 1. late payment 2. too many cards with small credit lines. 3. too many store, departmental cards. 4. too much balance comparing to your available credit. 5. slow payment. 6. apt address. 7. short length of credit history. 8. too many inquiries with in recent 6 months. 9. too many addresses used. 10. more than one name appreared in credit history. 11. more than one SSN refleced on credit report or different dob used . there are many more...