Advice - which Chase card to get first?

[jellyroll2]

Hi all! Been reading the forum for a while and only posted for the first time last month when I was looking for advice on an application. You all are amazing and I'm learning so much. So I'm here again with app questions.

I'm in the garden currently as I've opened 4 accounts already this year (Macy's AmEx -$4000, Delta Gold - $10K, Disco - $6600 after a CLI in July and Citi TY Premier - $3000 which was just last month). So I'm currently at 4/24. I also want to really lower my utilization which is getting murdered due to a maxed out Citi TY Preferred. I'm going to use the 5th spot for a Chase card which may be the Freedom or FU. I don't plan to apply for it until likely sometime in the spring when 3 of the 4 new accounts will be a year or more old. I have no relationship with Chase at the moment (no CCs or accounts).

Now, the big picture goal is to eventually get the CSR. I don't want that to be my first application with them so I figured I'd go for the Free or FU first to get in the door. I figure since both the CSR and CSP give 50K SUB I may as well just go for the CSR. With the credits it's only an additional $55 bucks a year. I don't see anything on pre-approvals or pre-quals under the Chase site though I have Excellent approval odds for the Freedom, FU and CSP showing on CK. So my question - would you get the FU or Free first then wait a year and just go for the CSR and other card to get the trifecta? OR use the fifth spot to go straight for the CSP, get the Freedom & FU once you're back below 5/24 in 2020 and then upgrade the CSP after a year or 2?

Fico DP -

Ex - 739 (as of today since Citi just reported the new account)

TU - 731 (as of August 2018)

EQ - 756 (as of August 2018)

AAoA - 8.9 years

Util - 43%

No derogatories

1 baddie - 1 missed payment from 4 years ago with Synchrony

[FinStar]

IMO, just based on your general strategy and profile, I'd use that slot for CSP once you get all your ducks in a row (utilization, aging of new accounts, DTI, etc.). Do you currently have established revolving tradelines in the $10K range?

Then, FU/Freedom when the additional slots open up and 5/24 is no longer an issue.

[jellyroll2]

I've got a Citi card with a $23K limit (my first and oldest card actually) and the Delta AmEx with $10K. Just about every other card I've got, revolving and store, are at least $5K or higher except the new Premier (which I hope they'll give a CLI after 90 days), the Macy's cards at $4000 and $4100 and my Best Buy card at $3300.

[Bizambish]

It looks like you’d be in good shape to go for the CSP or CSR whichever fits your needs and spending (and whether you want to fork over 450 bucks). Out of the freedom and FU i don’t think it makes any difference; just whichever fits your spending the best. The signup bonuses are the same and you can actually product change between the two if you need to

[bondsandloan]

How much do you spend on travel & hotels in a year? And at restaurants?

Given the limits you have, I would be inclined to go for the second option.
"get the CSP, get the Freedom & FU once you're back below 5/24 in 2020 and then upgrade the CSP after a year or 2?"