First Penfed, then BoA or Amex
Wondering why you must do Penfed first? Because they DESPISE new accounts and will want you to wait 6 months to show that you can handle them so make sure you apply to them FIRST.
Grow them and make them happy because they WILL reward you over time with high limits and rewards.
Then, 6 months later, get any other you were hoping for. I'd say just having the top 3 is a great portfolio and, with your score, it is not critical to ask for more. IF you must, space it out so by the time Penfed hits 1 year, you get one more.
This allows you to space out inquiries, improve chances of higher cli's and higher chance of approval and, when that year is done, you can let them age for a few years and not need to use any more inq's. Your score will rise and you will not take sudden fico score hits with 4+ accounts coming in at once along with 4 inquiries that follow.
That's what I would do if I was in that position. Penfed also offers a 60-90 day "All You Can Eat" credit pull. In other words, you can use the same report, without taking another inquiry, to be approved for loans, cc, car etc.
I hope this helps.
Message Edited by jbh on 09-10-2008 01:19 AM