Why do you need the AMEX? You will probably have to choose. Do you want to earn a couple dollars on that Freedom money, or do you want the Amex? I would just hold off on it until your promo period ends on the Freedom and then app once you pay off the Freedom.
Starting Score: EQ: 665 - TU: 687
Most likely pull experian for you. You have 3 hp on experian? Also for the bce, which is no af, 100 bucks is about it that I have seen recently. More has been available on bcp with its 75 af. I would definitely app now vs a high util freedom. Yes hps hurt less after 6 months and not at all after a year. But I think inquiriy is overrated unless you have a ton. If you want to be safe, go for zync with it's low af or any other charge card to start your backdating. Btw, I find an Amex charge card very useful for managing utilization.
LIMITS IN CARD DESCRIPTIONS
If your reports are clean (as in spotless), your scores good and have a few decent TLs with those higher CLs and a few years AAoA, as well as income to support it all, you might get it now. You would most probably get Zync no problem if you want in for back dating and to start a relationship with AMEX. I agree with others that the UTIL will probably hurt more than INQ's when going for a revolver with AMEX. You could possibly apply for both on the same day and only take one HP for the 2 apps though.
I recently got AMEX Blue after having Zync around 8 months, with a few cards with high UTIL (similar situation), 2 INQ's previous 6 months with a 3rd nearing the 12 months mark (AMEX only pulled EX).
One thing about it though, if AMEX "knows" you for nearly 6 months before the Chase nears it's max, they'll pay less attention to it.
Hope that helps a bit.
