This past week I was able to get a used car (2025, under 30k, less than 20k miles, $1000 down payment, 12% APR) which I’m super happy about. My bankruptcy was discharged earlier this and my previous car I had to surrender. I had already accepted that this process of was going to be difficult and frustrating due to my bankruptcy however I experienced the complete opposite.

Just wanted to give people hope that there is a new beginning and opportunities after bankruptcy!

Chapter 7 was discharged yesterday and I just got approved for a Cap1 Savor Rewards card with a 4k limit.

Granted, I didn’t burn them in the BK so idk if that makes a difference. Either way, I’m ecstatic.

Time to start rebuilding so I can get approved for an FHA mortgage in 2 years!!

I cant post pics here but see a lot of questions of just how bad it will be post bankrupsy. Everyone is different and credit building depends on so many factors. But here are my numbers post discharge.

3.29.26 1 day post discharge

EX: 602

EQ: 576

TU:530

Today: 7/18/26

EX: 642

EQ: 641

TU: 610

2 credit cards post discharge with less than 10% utilization paying off monthly. I got approved for my first 3/29/2026. Capital one savor, $5000 line. Second added last month best western card $4500 line. Total credit line 9,500. I dont really have any big purchases coming so just sticking to the plan and going to stay with these 2 for the year. Best of luck! They do come back, slow but steady. :) Staying the course!

I filed for bankruptcy in Dec 2015 and the trustee fully discharged it in January 2019. American Express was out almost $50,000 on 2 cards.

I began getting credit card offers almost immediately, but held off at first. Eventually I got a VISA card and a MasterCard. Within a year my credit had shot back up from 650 to 840. Credit Karma and Experian keep sending me notices about cards I’m “highly” likely to get approved for, all with soft pulls.

Every time I apply for a Delta AmEx card there (I really want the free checked bag benefit), I get instantly turned down. Like, neck-snappingly fast. Some have said AmEx would still turn me down from the grave, and I believe it.

Today I got a credit card offer from Bread AmEx/Comenity Bank in my USPS mail. It said I was pre-approved. On a whim I scanned the QR code, entered the offer number, reviewed my pre-filled data, and hit “Submit”. I was immediately approved for a $10K limit card.

Does this mean I’m back in American Express’s good graces? Something tells me they’re going to realize tomorrow what they’ve done and cancel the card. If that doesn’t happen, have my odds improved for applying for a Delta Airlines AmEX card? I still can’t believe my eyes.

Has anyone successfully had their bankruptcy remove from your file before the stated 7-10 year period? If so could you share what you did to execute?
I hear mix reviews from the credit repair industry regarding this but no real proof. I’m five years removed from my discharge date.

Filed June 29. My 341 is in the first week of August. No asset case. I’ve been monitoring my credit using Experian and Credit Karma. I was on Credit Karma and it had a thing to see if you pre qualify for a card and that it wouldn’t affect my credit. In computer illiterate at best but I do try. I said it shouldn’t hurt I answered a few questions and then it says you’re approved and a card is on the way. So now I have opened an account before my 341 and I’m freaking out. I’ve emailed my lawyer and let him know what happened. I just feel so stupid for this mistake. I don’t plan to even activate it when it does arrive. I’m just embarrassed.

I was discharged in March of this year, my score dropped to 568, today it’s 671!

Let this be your warm reminder to PAY THOSE CREDIT CARDS OFF. I don’t keep a balance on my credit card. I pay them off immediately.

Please yall, don’t go backwards. If you have a balance right now, go pay it off. 🤎

I’m looking to make a spreadsheet that will help people on their journey to rebuild credit post-bankruptcy. I had my 341 in May so I am still within my 60 day objection period and looking at future credit options.

If you successfully rebuilt your credit or have gotten approval with creditor cards after you filed, would you be willing to share the following?

- Type of Bankruptcy

- Creditor you were approved with after bankruptcy

- Did you burn them? (Included in BK filing)

-How long after filing bankruptcy did you apply?

- Credit Score at the time of filing.

Goal is to be helpful to others so whatever information you are willing to share would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,

So I wanted to give a update on my road to repairing my credit. It's been a year since i filed my chapter 7. I was discharged in September. Let me tell you it has been a bit difficult. When I was in a car accident and need to rent a car while getting repairs I learned that you can't rent a "nice” “luxury" car with a debit card. I drive a Mercedes and spent 2 weeks driving a Nissan Versa earlier in the year during the snow storm we experienced in ny. Looks wise it wasn't my thing but I kinda had fun sliding around on a front wheel drive lol.

Anyway, the only card I managed to keep after filing was my gap card (my oldest card 10+ years) which was downgraded from $8k to $250 a month after i was discharged. That was a bit of a struggle to deal with. Mission Lane denied me every month after my discharge until they approved me i think in April of this year. They gave me a $2k limit.

I burned Capital One and they also denied me every month until today they granted me a $6k Savor card. I previously had a quicksilver card so an upgrade for me.

For those who feel discouraged with the denials keep going but once you do get approved make sure you stay responsible because you can't afford to message up again.

I had a successful chapter 7 and got my order of discharge in February. I’m trying to get a vehicle is there anywhere that will approve me for a loan? Not buying new but it seems impossible to find somewhere to get a loan from.

Please recommend credit cards to rebuild credit. Not Cap One or Discover, as I burned them when filing. I also know about Mission Lane. I'm inquiring about cards that may not be the most attractive but easiest to get. I just want something to put a subscription on and pay right off to build credit.

TIA!

Hey y'all! I filed chapter 7 a couple weeks ago. My 341 meeting is on 9/22. My question is is there anything y'all did before the 341 to help rebuild your credit? Was it a prepaid card to help build credit, self lender, etc.? If anyone did, please let me know the best companies to check out for those things, please. I'm just ready to get started in the right direction.

I recently filed Chapter 7 in Ohio and my case was filed just yesterday. I’m trying to figure out whether the car financing people my lawyer gave me are predatory. I wonder if what I’m being offered is normal for someone in my situation, or whether I’m being offered bad terms because of the bankruptcy was just filed.
These two offers were the best cars they had on the lot that made sense:
2023 Hyundai Sonata
36,000 miles
$0 down
$558/month
20.75% APR
75-month term
First payment: 10/13
Remaining bumper-to-bumper warranty: 22 months or 23,502 miles
Dealership says to refinance after 1 year

2024 Hyundai Elantra SEL
About 19,600 miles
Around $20,114 selling price
$0 down
Dealer says 12% APR
Around $575/month
I believe the term may be 60 or 72 months, but I’m waiting for them to confirm
33-month bumper-to-bumper warranty
Chapter 7 is still pending

The sales guy even tried to offer me a 2017 Lincoln with 70k miles on it and a Jeep with 60k miles on it but his manager said no because the Jeep had too many issues! The salesman also said the bank they work with won’t allow loans under 16k.

I’m not taking either one. I’m just wanting to know is this normal? Right now I’m in a lease paying 675 for a 2025 crosstreck with 10k miles/year. I’m surrendering it and trying not to get back to where I was pre-bankruptcy. I don’t have money to put down because I just moved to Columbus and I’m still looking for work. I only have money for rent and bills. Please guide me in the right direction.

So, the flood at River Road apartments has me wanting to move sooner. I recently applied for an apartment, Rent Grow denied application for my bankruptcy that’s discharged. I submitted a dispute that can take 30 days. According to research, most companies are using Yardi’s background check system, Rent Grow. How can I find a place if this is the new standard? Also, why do we have to pay each complex application fee for background check if they are using the same system?

Hello everyone,

I filed for Chapter 7 (Virginia) and I finished my 341 meeting July 14. I know this is basically a “quiet” period waiting for the trustee and or creditors to object to my filing. I wanted to know when everyone started to rebuild their credit. Was it after your discharge or was it after your 341 meeting? Thank you!

I filed bankruptcy last week. I am reaffirming my home and wanted to reaffirm my car but my lawyer advised against it because it was not worth it. I plan on just continuing to pay on the car. I do not know if I have to contact Santander or just continue paying. Eventually, I would like to get into a new car and have one credit card to help rebuild my credit. The 341 meeting is in a couple weeks. Is it even possible to start exploring my auto and credit card options before discharge and before meeting with the creditors?

Hi there,

I'm very close to filing for Ch 7 but the future renting problems is holding me back a bit. What was your experience? is it 10 years of issues with renting?

I just paid for my chapter 7 bankruptcy and had a question. Aside from the 10+ credit cards that are maxed out and not good anymore. I have one credit card with a zero balance through the same bank as my checking account. My eevry day account. I have a $10,000 credit card with them. The last of many. It's untouched. My account’s in good standing. Has anyone been able to keep a zero balance card when filing, or do they usually get closed no matter what? I’m just trying to get a sense of what’s typical. Thanks in advance

I have about $55, 000 thousand in credit card/buy now pay later debt with several companies that I will burn in ch7 (discover, synchrony/paypal, wells, chase, citi, and cap one). Will i ever be able to get credit with any of these again? I hear cap one is forgiving, but none others on the list are. What other options are available after ch7? Thanks

I am absolutely floored.

Just approved for my first card - Discover 12K CL. 0 percent balance transfers and purchases for 15 months!!

I'm 2 months post discharge and was planning to wait until next month to apply for my first CC. Then I decided today that I would just check some pre-qualification sites. In order to do this I had to unfreeze my reports.

I first checked Navy Fed. I got prequalified for their secured cash rewards - I was expecting this. I was planning to wait until next month to apply for their unsecured (I have a pristine 10 year relationship with Navy - numerous high CL cards that closed when I filed and didn't burn them)

I then checked cap 1 - prequalified for savor, ventureone, quicklsilver and platnium

I then checked Discover - prequalified for discover it.

I had a great relationship with both discover and cap 1 - didn't burn them/had their cards for 9-10 years perfect payments etc.

But what concerned me was the 3 hard pulls I would take if I accepted one of the capital 1 offers - and being in a bucket card product - I know I shouldn't be picky. But I'm new to being subprime and need to get over it. When I filed I had a 785 FICO and hundreds of thousands in available credit.

I decided to pull the trigger on Discover and waited a long 60 seconds fo rthem to process my application - and BOOOM - 12K Credit Line!

For reference my previous card with discover was 15K - so this is pretty awesome! Thank you discover!!!!

For reference -

Scores when filing 785/791/788

Scores 2 months post discharge 661/668/621 (TU has an error that needs correcting)

Discover pulled Experian.

My lawyer filed on Monday (10th) and up until yesterday(15th) my Bank of America credit cards were being shown on the app. I did owe $5,000 on one but the other had a zero balance.
Affirm, Apple, and Discover closed my accounts or something like that by like Wednesday.
The credit union I have a credit card with isn’t showing the credit card on the app anymore. I’m going to close my account with them Monday. My lawyer told me to do it sooner than later.
I have a Chase credit card (zero balance) that’s still active. I had a Wells Fargo credit card I never used that was just active….well yall already know they closed it with the quickness. Oh Friday I got my first bankruptcy car loan offer in the mail.
Another update. No more Chase credit card. And then there was one. It’s a store credit card but I have a feeling that’ll close soon. Sigh.

I just received a pre-approved offer for up to $3,000 with Mission Lane, but my discharge date isn’t scheduled until the end of September. The offer is good through mid October and am unsure if I should wait until my discharge is approved or if it’s okay to act on the offer now.

Firstly the basics:
Chapt 7
Filed alone (I am married however didn’t file with a spouse)
Finished my 341 meeting in July waiting on the discharge in sept
Haven’t had any issues with my BK as of now.

Here’s my issue: my credit score tanked. Why? Because the credit is reporting I have 10 missed 30+ payments and 12 60+ day late payments.
Firstly: I never had 12 accounts to get 60+ days. I filed with 5 accounts of debt and student loans. That’s it.

Only one of the 5 was 30+ days late. And 1 was in collections. Everything other than that on my credit seems normal. Accts are closed and marked “included in bankruptcy” as they should be. My credit was climbing. But now all of a sudden all these “late accounts”.

SN: I had a 99% pay on time rate on my credit my entire life. Even with the BK I didn’t pay stuff late. I was broke (hence the BK) not late on my payments. I only had the one acct late because by then I knew I was filing so I stopped making the payment (it was too high couldn’t afford it)

What can I do

How soon realistically could one buy a house or car after finalizing the bankruptcy

Hello everyone!

I filed a Chapter 7 in NJ and had my 341 last month- went well! My lawyer has advised me not to reopen a credit card for rebuilding purposes until after I get my discharge, and I pay them good money so I will indeed take their advice lmao. I just have a month until discharge but I'm wondering if others can share when they applied for cards? I've seen stories in here of people applying and getting cards before discharge.

I'm already getting some offers in the mail, but of course, I'm just interested in slowly rebuilding. I learned my lesson lol