Wow Chase, thanks... After throwing me under the bus with whatever new policy they have when I applied for a CSP, they decided to reverse back over me with the same policy on a Freedom.
Quick recap: Applied for a CSP, was denied because I only had 1 card over 5k, so they ONLY considered that card (ignoring the rest of my credit profile). They said I had insufficient time with it (exactly 1 year, oldest is 3.5 years), and insufficient credit history (to them I only had 1 card for 1 year). I had planned on using the CSP for a year and PCing to a Freedom to add a 5% revolver to pair with my Discover, so eh.
Decided since I was right out of the garden, I went ahead and app'd for a Freedom... Denied. Waited on the paperwork aaaand...
Same reasons... But but but, the Freedom doesn't require 5k-waaaait. In the paperwork it says I applied for a Freedom Visa Signature. Apparently... since I have a card over 5k, it upgraded my application to a Visa Signature... So it fell into the same category reasons as the CSP.
Thanks, Chase.
I guess I'll call them and see if they can reconsider the Freedom as a non-signature tomorrow. If I can't shimmy down Chase to actually give me a Freedom, I'll look elsewhere. Been getting bombarded by Amex and CapOne so... *shrug* If I can't find any other card that suits me, I'll just go back into the garden. 
Ha, decided to give them a call... All the guy said was that 3.5 years was still "young in the credit world" and there was nothing he could do. I mentioned that I've already HAD a Chase card and he just kinda fumbled his words (not sure what he said he just stammered a bit, did catch "I see that") and immediately followed up with "is there anything else I can do for you?" Kindly said no, I didn't really need the card, I was just interested in the categories and to have a nice day. Then he tosses this funny at me...
"Thank you for choosing Chase."
WELL I KINDA CAN'T CHOOSE CHASE NOW CAN I? If you won't let me in, I can't choose to use your card. Their loss on per-swipe profits I guess. I feel I'm doing good when even US Bank tosses me an extra $1k auto-CLI so, bleh on them. 
Any suggestions for other cards? Mostly looking for something 3% or higher for Gas/Groceries. One that includes walmart, target, super/discount stores, etc. under groceries. Since most of my shopping IS at walmart and the other "grocery" stores around me, for some reason, ID as discount/superstore. Including Kroger, Food Lion, and Publix... :/ So even a regular grocery card doesn't really help (my Discover is currently grocery and I've yet to get 5% at any of these places except a Piggly Wiggly when I was out of town).
@Anonymous wrote:Ha, decided to give them a call... All the guy said was that 3.5 years was still "young in the credit world" and there was nothing he could do. I mentioned that I've already HAD a Chase card and he just kinda fumbled his words (not sure what he said he just stammered a bit, did catch "I see that") and immediately followed up with "is there anything else I can do for you?" Kindly said no, I didn't really need the card, I was just interested in the categories and to have a nice day. Then he tosses this funny at me...
"Thank you for choosing Chase."
WELL I KINDA CAN'T CHOOSE CHASE NOW CAN I? If you won't let me in, I can't choose to use your card. Their loss on per-swipe profits I guess. I feel I'm doing good when even US Bank tosses me an extra $1k auto-CLI so, bleh on them.
Any suggestions for other cards? Mostly looking for something 3% or higher for Gas/Groceries. One that includes walmart, target, super/discount stores, etc. under groceries. Since most of my shopping IS at walmart and the other "grocery" stores around me, for some reason, ID as discount/superstore. Including Kroger, Food Lion, and Publix... :/ So even a regular grocery card doesn't really help (my Discover is currently grocery and I've yet to get 5% at any of these places except a Piggly Wiggly when I was out of town).
Sounds like a pseudo blacklist to me.
BBVA ClearPoints. If your store codes as grocery on VISA, you'll get 3% if you have groceries selected that quarter.
You might try UMB Simply Rewards though. Your file is thin enough to get an approval from them as long as you don't have too many inquiries on TU. That will get you 3% gas/discount stores/grocery stores/dining on a single card.
@Anonymous wrote:Any suggestions for other cards? Mostly looking for something 3% or higher for Gas/Groceries. One that includes walmart, target, super/discount stores, etc. under groceries. Since most of my shopping IS at walmart and the other "grocery" stores around me, for some reason, ID as discount/superstore. Including Kroger, Food Lion, and Publix... :/ So even a regular grocery card doesn't really help (my Discover is currently grocery and I've yet to get 5% at any of these places except a Piggly Wiggly when I was out of town).
You can try PNC Rewards card ... pull is FICO 9 EX that I've seen
BoA Cash Rewards is TU and/or EX.
I agree the PNC, BofA Cash Rewards and the BBVA CP are all worthy.
If you mainly shop Walmart. The Walmart MC also does the trick!
I personally only use the Walmart MC at Walmart. None of the rest give 5% unless Walmart codes as groceries.
I like that you can change the rewards categories on a dime with the BoFa CR.
The redemptions don't have to be $25 either. You can redeem at will.
The BB&T Cash rewards isn't a bad one either. If in the service area.
It can be had on a SP.
I have all of these cards.
BBVA and BB&T seem the most aggressive at acquiring new customers.
@Anonymous wrote:The UMB card is the best one of this list. It's the only card I've ever seen that specifically includes the MCC for discount stores under the grocery umbrella.
Sadly, no UMB and a google says no affinity either... 