Starting Score: 0
There's a CU like that near me, so I just won't app for credit there. Super conservative. Most CUs aren't like that, fortunately. You're in good shape with your Chase. But if you still want a CU card, you could look around at other CUs in your area. I called several before deciding on the one I apped with (and was approved). 
timkrof wrote:Thank you so much for the advice/info!
I just applied online for the PSECU checking/savings account and was instantly accepted! Whoo Hoo!
I would like to apply for the CC/PSOL combo now but I think I'm going to try and show some activity first, a couple direct paycheck deposits, debit card usage, etc.
Does anyone else think waiting a little while would help my chances?
Thanks again!!!!!!
Before I applied, they told me it really didn't make a lot of difference. Their decision will be based on your credit profile. You may call and ask them though as well. That is just what they told me. We seem somewhat similar. I was approved by Chase Freedom as well, and also got an auto loan from PSECU for 2.49% as well as their Visa/PSL combo for $1k
Starting Score: FICO: 587 EX, 594 EQ, 632 TU, 2/15/12; USAA FAKO: 525 EX, 541 EQ, 525 TU, 2/15/12
timkrof wrote:Thanks! That is a sweet auto loan apr!
Do you remember how many inquiries or new accounts you had at the time when applying for the combo?
Thanks!
Yes it was awesome. The great thing about PSECU is that they have a standard auto loan. Everyone gets the same rate if they qualify. Most places raise the rate based on how well you qualified.
As for inquiries, I lucked here. Here is how it happened to me, but keep in mind YMMV.
My wife and I both opened an S1 savings account, got an inquiry for that. I asked them about inquiries and they said that opening the account, applying for the car loan, and applying for the combo would each be a separate inquiry. I didn't think my wife would qualify with me for the loan, but they said they could use the same inquiry for me to apply with and without here. As it turned out, after we were rejected, the next person told me it would be a separate inquiry. So all told, it should have been 4.
However, I only got 1 out of the whole thing. I recently got my report direct from Experian and did notice some soft inquiries from them, so I think after the first savings account approval, the rest were soft inquiries. Not sure if I just got lucky or if this is standard or what happened, but long story short, I got 1 inquiry for starting my account, auto loan, and combo.
timkrof wrote:Wow! That is awesome!
I'm just worried about them giving me the "too many inquiries" or "too many new accounts" denial reasons.
I have 6 hard inquiries and 3 new accounts in the past 12 months:
HP's:
2 from Chase for the Freedom card
1 from current CU, soon to be ex-CU (Clearview Federal Credit Union)
2 for mortgage preapprovals
1 from old collection agency that doesn't even report to any of my reports
New Accounts:
1 new Sony GE card
1 new secured loan with soon to be old CU
1 Chase Freedom 4K CL
The new accounts might be an issue. I had more inquiries than you when I applied by a lot. My newest account was about 7 months old though and I only had that one account.
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