You can also go to sites for major credit-card banks (Citi, Cap One, etc.) and use their "pre-qual" forms to see if you are pre-qualified. If you are, great. You might get approved. If you are not, I would not apply. In any case, the safe thing to do is to use these online sites to tickle their computers, and if they want to give you a card, they will start sending you pre-qualification letters in the mail. It is generally good to have four cards or more. Contrary to what credit experts (not here of course) tell you, you want to get your portfolio fattened as early as possible. It is much better to take the too-many-applications hit now, than later. When you go on your app-spree, you should determine which bureau is used for each CC company. Then you want to spread-out your applications so as to distribute the inquiries evenly over the three major CRA's.
If you want that CSP card from Chase, one of the safest ways to get it is to open a bank account with Chase. There will be an option to link your CC account with bank account on same screen. Then, sign-up for their monthly free CR from Experian. Eventually, Chase will be compelled to approve you for one or more of their cards because they will see your high scores. How do you find out when? Simple. Waltz into the bank, sit down to chat with banker, and while you're sitting there, just ask..."Hey...was just curious if I am pre-approved for anything?" They will be able to see on the spot in a box in the lower-right-hand corner of their internal screen. I think my scores were in the upper 500's/lower 600's when I was pre-approved for a Slate with Chase this way. I've been with them for 20+ years, and have the banking profile (at least) of a responsible customer, but scores were not good. I actually needed a card at the time, so I asked, and banker casually looks at screen and says, "Sure, looks like here you're already approved for $5000. Do you want it?" I was shocked, as you can imagine. About 2 months ago, something similar happened. Scores were in the 670-690 range, and banker tells me while chatting..."I know you have high credit scores." I said, "Why?" He says, "...because you have been pre-approved for every card that Chase has to offer." Then he shows me the screen, and indeed, there they are: pre-approvals galore. Again, I am surprised, as I had only recenly broken 650. He says, "Let's take a look at your score..." I kinda laughed when I saw his face, expecting 750+, and saw 679 instead.
