I can tell you how "I" did it. I had $0 revolving debt. Applied for AMEX in August 2012, it was a no go. Then waited a month, got a Walmart card, GE moneybank with at $550 limit. Gardened it a couple months, got a Lowes with a small CL. Then a couple months later, got Barclays NFL for $2500. Gardened another 4 months. DiscoverIT at $5500. Gardened another 6 months and it exploded from there.
Didn't get prescreen offers until I actually had revolvers.
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
If you are applying for a Walmart card, then you make one application. They will first see if you are qualified for the Discover version, if not then they check for the store card. Plus you get a free monthly TU FICO08 if you sign up for paperless.
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.