I've been in the garden for nearly two years in preparation to get into the Chase ecosystem. I'm finally about to be under 5/24 and plan on applying for a couple of cards in the coming weeks, starting with the Ink Business Cash card. This will be my first app with Chase and I've been reading a lot about other people's experiences. I think I have a good shot at approval but wanted to get the thoughts from the community here to make sure I'm not in left field. Stats are current below; the only dings I have are a couple late payments still on my file from 5+ years ago and I opened a very small loan about 6 months ago that is about 90% paid off. My business is fairly new; technically started a couple years ago but haven't really gotten it off the ground until recently (purposely) so up until this year the income from the business has been pretty low (less than $25K) but I can expect a significant rise this year. Aside from that, my personal income is around $146K and the only major debt that I have is a mortgage with about $110K left and remaining student loans around $80K. Not sure if it matters to Chase or not but I have personal and business checking accounts with them. Given that info, any red flags that you can see about applying? Thanks for your thoughts!
@keekers, when I reentered the Chase credit card ecosystem I was talking with an associate in a branch about my checking account; she was able to tell me I was qualified to open a card without even doing a pull on my credit. I would suggest the next time you're in a branch, talk to a banker and see what they say.
Does applying in branch change approval odds in any way?
@keekers wrote:
Does applying in branch change approval odds in any way?
There have been a number of anecdotal reports here indicating an in-branch application can succeed where online applications fail. Is this absolute truth? Unknown. That said, in my case I burned Chase for something north of ten-grand in my 2015 Chapter 13 and up to the very morning of my in-branch conversation, the Chase preapproval site said I was ony qualified to open a savings account. I went in, opened up both checking and savings, and then the conversation started about whether I wanted a card; I told the associate I didn't think I was qualified for an approval and she said, "It says right here you are." Given I didn't have a travel related card at the time I asked for a Sapphire Preferred and was instantly approved with a starting limit of $11,700; six months later they sent ma a preapproval via E-Mail for a Freedom Unlimited card, I took the bait and was approved with a starting limit of $23,600.
Long story short, right or wrong, I believe an in-branch application increases approval odds.
Thanks for sharing your story @Horseshoez. Another question...I technically fall under 5/24 on the 25th and I've seen some people saying to wait until the following month (April 1st in my case) and some people saying the following day is good enough. I'm not sure which is correct?
@keekers wrote:
Thanks for sharing your story @Horseshoez. Another question...I technically fall under 5/24 on the 25th and I've seen some people saying to wait until the following month (April 1st in my case) and some people saying the following day is good enough. I'm not sure which is correct?
When I applied to Chase for the first time I was 1/24 so I haven't flirted with their limit. Personally, I'd wait the extra week.
@Horseshoez wrote:
@keekers wrote:
Thanks for sharing your story @Horseshoez. Another question...I technically fall under 5/24 on the 25th and I've seen some people saying to wait until the following month (April 1st in my case) and some people saying the following day is good enough. I'm not sure which is correct?When I applied to Chase for the first time I was 1/24 so I haven't flirted with their limit. Personally, I'd wait the extra week.
Good point. What's another week after almost two years? 
@keekers wrote:I've been in the garden for nearly two years in preparation to get into the Chase ecosystem. I'm finally about to be under 5/24 and plan on applying for a couple of cards in the coming weeks, starting with the Ink Business Cash card. This will be my first app with Chase and I've been reading a lot about other people's experiences. I think I have a good shot at approval but wanted to get the thoughts from the community here to make sure I'm not in left field. Stats are current below; the only dings I have are a couple late payments still on my file from 5+ years ago and I opened a very small loan about 6 months ago that is about 90% paid off. My business is fairly new; technically started a couple years ago but haven't really gotten it off the ground until recently (purposely) so up until this year the income from the business has been pretty low (less than $25K) but I can expect a significant rise this year. Aside from that, my personal income is around $146K and the only major debt that I have is a mortgage with about $110K left and remaining student loans around $80K. Not sure if it matters to Chase or not but I have personal and business checking accounts with them. Given that info, any red flags that you can see about applying? Thanks for your thoughts!
No, I think you're in good shape. And you're starting off with a good card.
@keekers wrote:
Does applying in branch change approval odds in any way?
There have been a number of reports of people getting help with a push from the local banker.
In your case, I don't think you'll need it.
@keekers wrote:
Thanks for sharing your story @Horseshoez. Another question...I technically fall under 5/24 on the 25th and I've seen some people saying to wait until the following month (April 1st in my case) and some people saying the following day is good enough. I'm not sure which is correct?
They're both correct. The following day is probably good enough; but why not wait the few extra days and give yourself every benefit of the doubt.