Need advice for first app spree

[gsxraddict]

I'm ready now, I got my utilization down to 11% around a 740 FICO clean report AAO 3 years.

I want Venture One, Chase Freedom, Amazon Visa, Citibank Double Cash.

Should I fill out the applications in 4 different browser windows and press submit on each one at the same exact time?

Should I do it in any specific order? 

What's the best way?

[Anonymous]

Before you do anything, bring the UTI below 9% for the next cycle, it will give your score another boost before you start apping.

[Anonymous]

11% aggregate utilization is unfortunately a useless data point.  Getting 11% down to < 8.9% may boost your scores 10 points (or more, see below).

If you owe $1100 out of $10,000 worth of credit you are showing 11% utilization but if all of that $1100 is on a $1200 credit limit card, you are maxed out on one card and it's slaughtering your scores.

 Also, what bureau is that 740 from? Where did you get that score from?

How many inquiries?  5/24 rule?

[gsxraddict]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

11% aggregate utilization is unfortunately a useless data point.  Getting 11% down to < 8.9% may boost your scores 10 points (or more, see below).

If you owe $1100 out of $10,000 worth of credit you are showing 11% utilization but if all of that $1100 is on a $1200 credit limit card, you are maxed out on one card and it's slaughtering your scores.

 Also, what bureau is that 740 from? Where did you get that score from?

How many inquiries?  5/24 rule?

---

I have a combined credit limit of $17,500, so I have a balance of $1,835 and yes that's on one card with a 13500 limit. 2 other credit cards with 0 balances and one with a $4 balance.

I have 2 inquiries in the last two years for mortgage.

740 is the average across all three bureus on my Fico

[Anonymous]

So you have 3 credit cards total that are open and active?

You're getting dinged for balances in 2 cards (even if one is just $4) -- 2/3 cards is considered "too many cards with balances".

Your individual utilization of 13%ish is probably not dinging you (in my opinion).

Your scores are very strong, seems like well under 5/24, I would definitely do an app spree but I'd do Chase first!  Check prequalification pages for all the banks before apping.

[gsxraddict]

I have 4 open credit cards in total.

I guess if I get declined for any trivial garbage like "too many cards with balances" then I could call recon and get them to use some human brains on it, if they have one.

Next, would it make a difference to apply to both chase cards within seconds of each other? Hit the submit buttons at the same time.

[UncleB]

---

@gsxraddict wrote:

I have 4 open credit cards in total.

I guess if I get declined for any trivial garbage like "too many cards with balances" then I could call recon and get them to use some human brains on it, if they have one.

Next, would it make a difference to apply to both chase cards within seconds of each other? Hit the submit buttons at the same time.

---

A few pro tips...

If you're doing two Chase apps, you might want to use different browser types (i.e. Firefox for one, Chrome for the other) since some have reported issues with an app being canceled if the same browser is used due to cookies.  This may not be an issue since one is Amazon, but better safe than sorry.

Which brings me to my next point... be sure to app for Amazon while logged into your Amazon account.  The signup bonus is usually better, and if approved your card will automatically be linked to your Amazon account for immediate use.  (If you plan to use the new account for an order to be shipped somewhere new, be sure to add the new address to your Amazon profile before you apply, since you'll be locked-in to those addresses for the new account until you get the physical card in the mail.)

Any specific reason why you're applying for the Venture One?  It's an OK card, but the Venture is a better deal and can be PC'ed to a no-AF Quicksilver before the AF hits.  That said, if you're looking to carry a balance at 0% for a little while the Venture One might be the better offer.

I would definitely apply for the Chase Freedom first and the Citi card second, since they are known to be sensitive to HPs.  Don't be surprised to get a double-pull (two credit bureaus) from Chase and/or Citi, and of course Capital One will hit all three bureaus. 

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

First, use a debit card for almost all your transactions over the next month so you can get your utilization below 5%.

Why double cash and venture one? Venture one is worse than double cash in every way. Better to go with venture for a bigger credit limit, than product change to quicksilver after 6 months to drop the annual fee.

Btw, someone mentioned with 3 cards, only let 1 report a balance? Doesn't it not matter as long as utilization is low? Thanks.