Travel Card Application

[FinStar]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm not a Chase customer so someone please correct me if needed, but since Chase is well known to not want to be the first to approve a given amount on a CL, if OP doesn't get at least $5k on the FU, the CSP is unlikely in a few months after that. Makes more sense to app Navy Flagship to get that $5k line, age it a ways, and then app CSP before the trip, doesn't it? I understand positioning for a trifecta but the point of the travel card is the upcoming trip, and CSP would be preferable to FU for that. Seems the smart plan would be to position OP's profile to maximize the chance to get CSP. Given current limits of OP's cards, Navy is likely a better shot than FU to get that needed $5k limit so Chase will consider a CSP this summer.

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I would agree to the extent that if in the off chance NFCU doesn't approve the Flagship CC, then there's the CLI potential on their existing NFCU card which can still work.  If Flagship is approved, then that leaves only 1 final slot for CSP.   So, hopefully the OP can re-assess things around April to see about next steps.

[Anonymous]

So in this case, would it be better to apply for freedom unlimited in March and let it age and apply for CSP in a couple of months or apply for the flagship and see if I get approved with either the 5k or more or ask for a CLI on my current freedom flex, let that age for a couple of months and then apply for the CSP?

Eventually I would like to get the CSP, and knowing the 5/24 rule, I wouldn't like to ruin my chances with them, because I'm also interested in the Chase amazon prime visa (but not in the near future), but I understand that having the freedom unlimited is a smarter decision base on the Chase trifecta.

I really appreciate all your feedback and advice, thank you all!

[Anonymous]

i was in a similar situation last year when i was building my credit.

main focus was getting in the chase eco-system.

i started off with the chase freedom since my score was low and discover it ($3k limit) was my highest.

got the freedom around feb and waited until september to try for the sapphire preferred. 

wanted to make sure my scores were better before trying for a card with a $5k start off limit.

i applied in branch. didn't have any preapprovals on my acct.

[randomguy1]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So in this case, would it be better to apply for freedom unlimited in March and let it age and apply for CSP in a couple of months or apply for the flagship and see if I get approved with either the 5k or more or ask for a CLI on my current freedom flex, let that age for a couple of months and then apply for the CSP?

Eventually I would like to get the CSP, and knowing the 5/24 rule, I wouldn't like to ruin my chances with them, because I'm also interested in the Chase amazon prime visa (but not in the near future), but I understand that having the freedom unlimited is a smarter decision base on the Chase trifecta.

I really appreciate all your feedback and advice, thank you all!

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It's a tough choice. It's possible you won't get enough of a credit line with a CFU application but it is also a good gauge of whether you will possibly get approved for a CSP or not. My experience I think was the exception rather than the norm, but Chase gave me a $11,700 CSP approval with my highest card being under 3k. 

Personally, I would go for the CFU, see what your credit line is. If they approve you for a decent CL, then I would apply for the CSP 3-6 months after the CFU approval. If you get a low credit limit, I would apply for the Navy Flagship which is a decent credit card on it's own. Then you can consider getting the CSP down the line as you will be above/at 5/24 until 10/21. If you don't mind waiting and don't mind getting 3 cards in 2021, then it would be an option to consider. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

And did you get approved? 

Because, it does sound like a pretty similar situation, I know with covid and everything going on right now it could be different.

[Anonymous]

if this question is for me, i did get approved for the minimum starting limit for the chase sapphire preferred ($5k).

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@Anonymous wrote:

And did you get approved? 

Because, it does sound like a pretty similar situation, I know with covid and everything going on right now it could be different.

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[Anonymous]

@Anonymous yeah, sorry, that was for you, I guess every situation is different, but if my case is similar to yours, I guess I might have a shot.

[Anonymous]

here's my thread when i got approved for the CSP back in september.

i mention in there that i got preapprovals from the chase site, but nothing showed up on my acct when i went in branch.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Goal-Card-Approval-CSP-80k-Pulled-Me-Out-The-...

my fico scores back when i applied were

exp: 736

eq: 712

trans: 753

hope it helps

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@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous yeah, sorry, that was for you, I guess every situation is different, but if my case is similar to yours, I guess I might have a shot.

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[Anonymous]

@Anonymous thanks! It looks like your CSs where higher than mine, but I'll look into it, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

@randomguy1 That seems like some pretty solid advice, thanks for that, everything you guys have been telling me has helped a lot, the only thing is, if I could I would like to just keep 5 CCs for a year or two ( which I don't know if it's a smart decision on my part) before applying for more CCs, so in that case I would be keeping the NFCU Flagship and the FU for a year or two in combination with my other cards, do you think that would be a good combo to add to my current cards?

At the end of the day, I don't travel that often, my main goal of trying to apply for the CSP was the trip and me moving next year, so I thought the card would help me get a couple of points for the trip to WDW or for the tickets when I move.