Just going to put in my 2 cents on Orchard. I'm a little pissy with them.
I called to see about switching my dh's secured MC to an unsecured card. He has had the card for over 2 years now and we have made payments on time every month.
They told me that they no longer switch secured cards to unsecured and if he wanted an unsecured, he would have to just apply for one. (which means it would be a brand new TL that would have to age) Ugh. So I applied for one for him.........they declined him because he has too many HSBC cards! wtf? He has the orchard card and then an hsbc/nautilus card. So 2 is the limit? Wow.
So....anyway (vent over) I'm a little irritated about that. They actually are a good starter card......but just know you can't switch it to an unsecured in the future.
And p.s. danelleo......this thread has gone way off topic (not so much about success anymore) which I am guilty for too....
....so if you want me to make part of this into another thread I can do that. It's up to you since you're the OP.