Hi all,
Thought I had this totally figured out then browsed more, had more questions, fell down a rabbit hole with the Smartly card etc.,
Warning, long post. Feel free to answer whatever you can, throw out suggestions and ask questions. 
I appreciate any help.
1. Plan to apply for Citibank Custom Cash and US Bank Connect, read Citi is extremely inq sensitive so submitting CC app first. Since Citi doesn't seem to pull TU is this necessary?
2. Could have sworn I read US Bank will provide an APR and SL for pre-approvals if you call. Representative said they don't have that information. Is this not correct or did I call the wrong #? (877) 328-9750
3. Is the Apple card pre-approval any indication of potential starting limits for Citi or US Bank cards? Prefer limits are at least $2k+ (but I'll take $1000 vs. denial)
4. Is there a max limit for US Bank cards or time required between apps? Say the Connect card is approved and I immediately app for Cash+, is that a red flag or fine same day?
5. Later, I'd also like to apply for Smartly so that would make three total. Is this allowed?
6. Is a $40k income likely to lead to low limits? Was $63k but finally got approved for a PT schedule while in school for a master's.
7. Would also like Chase Amazon card, however, the 2018 negative lates are from a Chase lease. If I wait until Feb 2025 when this account is scheduled to fall off, would that be better or will those lates still be noted in their internal system?
9.9.2024 FICO 8: EX 690 | EQ 688 | TU 684
Inqs: EQ = 1/12, 1/24 EX = 1/12, 2/24 TU = 1/12, 3/24
AAOA: 6 years, 11 months
Most Recent Account: January 2024 QS (not wise, 100% regret but live and learn)
Negatives: 5 lates in 2018 from Chase car lease, PIF month after last late
Collections: 0
Util: 56% (will update to 40% by end of month but not sure it'll be a major score boost if any)
Card Balances: 5 out of 7 currently reporting, 2 out of 7 will report end of month
Income: $40k (employment + aid refunds)
Student Loan Debt: $35k (deferred)
Banking Relationships: Chase = checking only / US Bank = Smartly checking and savings
Cards: Check Signature
Here are my thoughts after reading this.
Before I went on an app spree I tried to juice my scores and have a low risk credit report. To that end, you may be better served paying down that utilization down to below 9%, to help your scores and increase your likelihood of getting a larger starter credit limit.
If you have interest in getting Chase cards, you should start with those applications first as they have a 5/24 rule, which means you’ll be ineligible for their cards should you have more than 5 new revolving accounts in a 24 month period.
Those lates shouldn’t trigger an auto denial. You have a banking relationship with them so that may help with a recon if needed.
Before I went on an app spree I tried to juice my scores and have a low risk credit report. To that end, you may be better served paying down that utilization down to below 9%, to help your scores and increase your likelihood of getting a larger starter credit limit.
If you have interest in getting Chase cards, you should start with those applications first as they have a 5/24 rule, which means you’ll be ineligible for their cards should you have more than 5 new revolving accounts in a 24 month period.
Those lates shouldn’t trigger an auto denial. You have a banking relationship with them so that may help with a recon if needed.
@coldworld wrote:
Here are my thoughts after reading this.
Before I went on an app spree I tried to juice my scores and have a low risk credit report. To that end, you may be better served paying down that utilization down to below 9%, to help your scores and increase your likelihood of getting a larger starter credit limit.
If you have interest in getting Chase cards, you should start with those applications first as they have a 5/24 rule, which means you’ll be ineligible for their cards should you have more than 5 new revolving accounts in a 24 month period.
Those lates shouldn’t trigger an auto denial. You have a banking relationship with them so that may help with a recon if needed.
@coldworld 100% agree, unfortunately the bulk of the utilization is on the AU card which the person responsible for has no interest in significantly paying down anytime soon. They recently took advantage of an emailed 0% offer and immediately threw an $8500 furniture purchase on there. 
Can't fault them, just poor timing with my goals. I brought it down as best as I could paying off or down my own cards. Don't want to remove myself as AU as the card was opened in 2009 and has a lot of positive history attached.
Only have one new account within the last 24 months. The blasted QS I now regret. lol Its fine, sort of. I don't think I would give Chase a go before Citi but I will definitely consider shooting my shot for the second application. Maybe going into a branch would be best....
Thank you though, very helpful and appreciated.
I'm honestly not sure, but idk if banks care if you are an AU on a cc. That may be hurting you.
i got a good amount of cards with the same income when I started. Amazon, I do not think is subject to 5/24. Get your utilization down imo that's gonna help big time.
@Gregory1776 wrote:I'm honestly not sure, but idk if banks care if you are an AU on a cc. That may be hurting you.
i got a good amount of cards with the same income when I started. Amazon, I do not think is subject to 5/24. Get your utilization down imo that's gonna help big time.
@Gregory1776 This is interesting. Would getting the util down by removing myself be better than the drop of AAOA that follows? A lot of this score stuff is still a mystery to me. First card opened 2021, first student loan account 2018, lease 2015, AU account 2009.
@Yoshi1981 wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:I'm honestly not sure, but idk if banks care if you are an AU on a cc. That may be hurting you.
i got a good amount of cards with the same income when I started. Amazon, I do not think is subject to 5/24. Get your utilization down imo that's gonna help big time.
@Gregory1776 This is interesting. Would getting the util down by removing myself be better than the drop of AAOA that follows? A lot of this score stuff is still a mystery to me. First card opened 2021, first student loan account 2018, lease 2015, AU account 2009.
I don't remember what my account age was when I got my accounts. But it is definitely a small part. account age is a very small part of your score, and I don't think banks really care about it.
they want to know your not in over your head and can pay back your debt.
To be honest, you're likely barely above the minimum thresholds for approvals on some of those cards, so assuming you were aproved, I'd expect limits on the lower end.
US Bank is well known for handing out $500 limits on Visa Signature cards...
@markbeiser wrote:To be honest, you're likely barely above the minimum thresholds for approvals on some of those cards, so assuming you were aproved, I'd expect limits on the lower end.
US Bank is well known for handing out $500 limits on Visa Signature cards...
I was thinking this as well and adjusted my perspective. The APR for all pre-approvals is the highest across the board so borderline sounds about right.
I wouldn't have an issue with a $500 limit given my circumstances since there's potential for these cards to grow over time if approved vs the Cap One bucketed cards which will never, ever grow.
@nytimestraveler wrote:I would go for the sapphire venture x and citi custom cash and one for online shopping
@nytimestraveler Have Custom Cash (restaurants and groceries), Smartly (2.5% unlimited, whenever it officially launches), Cash+ (department stores and utilities), Autograph and Amazon Prime on the radar. Definitely not going for all at once. Picking two pre-approvals for now, crossing my fingers and preparing to do some begging if necessary. 
But if both are denials I'll learn my lesson and wait 6 mo to a year.
Don't travel often enough or spend high enough to warrant AF cards, had to research limited restrictions on some in more detail so that changed things. Like Connect limits travel to booking in the rewards center so not loving that.