They pulled Equifax.  I currently have 17 inquiries on Equifax for the past two years (9 of them are from Navy Federal).  I also had applied for another credit card with them three days before I applied for the car loan because of the 0% transfer offer.   I would check out how long the bonus of the $250 is being offered.  It may be worth it to apply a little earlier than planned just to get the extra cash   Let us know how you make out.