Timing my Chase CC application

[LovinChicago]

Hi, I’m new to this board. Decided to get serious about maximizing points for travel rewards and added CSP ($16.6K CL) in early February as my first CC app since June 2018. I want to get the CFF to complete the Chase trifecta to maximize UR points, get the cell phone protection benefits, and balance transfer $7100 from Citi Double Cash ($10.5K CL) with the 0% over 15 months offer. Also seriously considering the AMEX Hilton Aspire or Cap 1 Venture X down the line for additional hotel, airline, and lounge benefits.

All my other cards, including the CSP are paid in full each month: CFU, Cap 1 QS, Discover IT, and Cap 1 MC. Total CL across all of my cards: $59.6K. Total with Chase: $33.6K.

The Chase docs that came with the CSP showed my Card Acquisition Risk Score - V2 credit score as 811 at the time of application. Current FICO 8s through credit union and credit card apps are EX: 769, EQ: 766, TU: 775. Income: $105K/year.

Thought I’d ideally wait five months post-CSP app to go for CFF in early July (should have an annual salary increase by then), and go for the Aspire or Venture X 3-6 months after that. I want to do the balance transfer by July to avoid an interest rate increase on the Citi balance in August. By then the Citi balance should be down to $5100 or less.

Should I stick with this plan or do you think my numbers are high enough that I could apply for the CFF in May after only 3 months? Thanks for any advice you may have.

[LovinChicago]

I have a fraud alert on my credit reports. Is there a benefit to applying for a Chase card in branch versus online?

[Hoben02]

About the only benefit was to see if you are preapproved for any of the direct chase cards 

[coldfusion]

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@LovinChicago wrote:

I have a fraud alert on my credit reports. Is there a benefit to applying for a Chase card in branch versus online?

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One of the consequences of having a fraud alert on your credit report is that additional verification steps are called for when applying for credit.  Applying in-branch may save a step or two if you brought with you multiple suitable ID such as drivers license + passport as well as a recent utility bill and your SSN card, potentially allowing for acceptable immediate validation that it was really you that applied. 

There is a secondary reason to consider applying in branch not specifically tied to having a fraud alert; Chase sometimes has a better promotional sign up offer extended when applying in-branch vs. what is being offered concurrently online. 

[SouthJamaica]

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@LovinChicago wrote:

Hi, I’m new to this board. Decided to get serious about maximizing points for travel rewards and added CSP ($16.6K CL) in early February as my first CC app since June 2018. I want to get the CFF to complete the Chase trifecta to maximize UR points, get the cell phone protection benefits, and balance transfer $7100 from Citi Double Cash ($10.5K CL) with the 0% over 15 months offer. Also seriously considering the AMEX Hilton Aspire or Cap 1 Venture X down the line for additional hotel, airline, and lounge benefits.

All my other cards, including the CSP are paid in full each month: CFU, Cap 1 QS, Discover IT, and Cap 1 MC. Total CL across all of my cards: $59.6K. Total with Chase: $33.6K.

The Chase docs that came with the CSP showed my Card Acquisition Risk Score - V2 credit score as 811 at the time of application. Current FICO 8s through credit union and credit card apps are EX: 769, EQ: 766, TU: 775. Income: $105K/year.

Thought I’d ideally wait five months post-CSP app to go for CFF in early July (should have an annual salary increase by then), and go for the Aspire or Venture X 3-6 months after that. I want to do the balance transfer by July to avoid an interest rate increase on the Citi balance in August. By then the Citi balance should be down to $5100 or less.

Should I stick with this plan or do you think my numbers are high enough that I could apply for the CFF in May after only 3 months? Thanks for any advice you may have.

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I would wait for a preapproval to pop up, and then go for it.  I would expect that to happen in August or September.