Trying to figure out timing AND order of applying for Amex 3 x CLI, Cap1 QS, and Citi Custom Cash

[tricklemoo]

CS: TU 684

EX/FICO8: 682

Primary User:

cap one platinum: 3.6k CL  

amex BCE: 4k CL  

amex cash magnet: 2.9k CL

AU:

amex bcp 7.5k CL

recent activity the last week

dec 22nd applied for amex cash magnet- approved, $2900 SL   (SOFT PULL ONLY)

dec 25th hard pull applied for $6,000 instalment loan with CU 

dec 29th loan approved and signed/appeared in bank account

dec 30th/31st one relative plans to add me as AU for 20,000 CC and another relative adds me as AU for 14k CC

I want to do all of the following, as soon as possible without sacrificing or risking chance of approval:

• Ask for 3 x CLI on my BCE (never requested a CLI with amex before)
• Apply for Cap1 Quicksilver for good credit or savor one (was preapproved for them on website on dec 22nd) 
• Apply for Citi Custom cash (was preapproved earlier in month before the above events, it says code expires dec 31st)

Given the recent HP and new accounts above, and what I want to accomplish, what is the best timing to do each of those three things, and in what order?!

Some additional notes/thoughts:

• Ideally I’d get the new Cap1 and Citi cards out of the way now so that along with the new amex cash magnet, when my score takes a hit from the average age of account dropping, I get started right away making progress towards the age going back up again. Plan to ‘garden’ after this for at least a year, if not 1.5. Would prefer to just ding the CS with the three new cards/2 HPs all now and then totally chill for the next 1.5 years rather than space it out, if that could work.
• Basically, I assume my score is about to go down a bit and risk about to go up a bit  from the new loan account, new AU accounts, and new cash magnet account, before it starts to overtime go back up. Do I ‘sneak’ in before this and apply for the 3 x BCE, new cap one and citi BEFORE that stuff shows up on my credit report? Or just wait the whole thing out a few months- and if so how many months, and then do these three things in what order and with how much space apart?
• Citi- I want to be sure its approved so I don’t waste HP. I had a pre approval but that was A) before I applied for a new amex on dec 22nd and B) before I got a hard pull from the instalment loan on dec 25th. But as far as i understand it citi or cap one won’t ‘see’ the new amex account OR instalment loan yet, just the HP from the loan (the amex app was SP). I wanted to do use the citi pre approval code for custom cash now, but have read that a recent inquiry within a week wll be an auto reject from them- is that the same if its a HP from a credit union for an instalment loan, or just HP for revolving? Or is it actually a new account, not just HP? If I am forced to wait for citi, then should i just do cap one now as i am assuming they will be a SP not a HP anyway and they as a company dont have issue with a recent HP within a week like citi might?

As you can see I’m very confused about what the best strategy is, anyone with insight I’d be much appreciated.

[pakratus]

There is no downside to requesting the Amex 3X as soon as you're eligible.  If you are approved, once the new limit is reported, it may help Starting Limits on any new cards.

[Trini88]

Request CLI on Amex it's a soft pull

Apply for Citi Custom Cash

Apply for Capital One 

Since you have Amex I honestly don't see why you would get the Quicksilver when Amex has the Cash Magnet you can most likely get with a soft pull. (Not guaranteed a soft pull, I know)

[coldfusion]

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@Trini88 wrote:

Request CLI on Amex it's a soft pull

Apply for Citi Custom Cash

Apply for Capital One 

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This is the order I would follow as well, but keep in mind that having 1 or more additional inquiries on a credit report can adversely impact the validity of a preapproval that was generated before the additional inquiry/inquiries were made.

[tricklemoo]

This is what I was thinkingn in terms of order, too. I already have a Cash Magnet from Amex. Was hoping for a Venture, Savor, or QS as no foreign transaction fees unlike my two Amexs (I am abroad a lot).

[tricklemoo]

Well, I guess the only potential downside is a rejection means 90 days wait to re-apply, but probably it is stilll best do it first and soon, but soon as in 5 days after a HP or soon as in 30 days after, I am not sure if waiting just a bit longer would make a difference.Can't wait too long want to add new AU accounts and try for new cards ASAP, but could wait a few more weeks if more space between HP and 3 x CLI would help. 

[coldfusion]

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@tricklemoo wrote:

Well, I guess the only potential downside is a rejection means 90 days wait to re-apply, but probably it is stilll best do it first and soon, but soon as in 5 days after a HP or soon as in 30 days after, I am not sure if waiting just a bit longer would make a difference.Can't wait too long want to add new AU accounts and try for new cards ASAP, but could wait a few more weeks if more space between HP and 3 x CLI would help. 

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A few weeks isn't going to make a significant difference in that regard.   That would be more typically helpful if there were some kind of event like having a handful if inquiries dropping off your credit reports within the next 1-2 weeks or you just paid off a large credit card balance and want to have that be reported before you applied for an additional card.

Totally understood why you want a Visa/MC, AMEX acceptance can be spotty internationally when not in areas that draw significant business travel.

[Trini88]

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@tricklemoo wrote:

This is what I was thinkingn in terms of order, too. I already have a Cash Magnet from Amex. Was hoping for a Venture, Savor, or QS as no foreign transaction fees unlike my two Amexs (I am abroad a lot).

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Oh ok gotcha on the no foreign transaction fee. I didn't think about that.

[tricklemoo]

My Amexs actually are ACCEPTED internationally the only places I ever want to use them, to pay for on-going medical treatment and that country's Amazon. But I get hit with the foreign transaction fees every time. Really want a 0% APR, no AF, no foreign transaction fee card ASAP, but with my credit profile not sure what I can apply for without a decent risk of a wasted HP and rejection. My thinkng was C1 was best bet as exsting relationship and they do pre-approvals, but the last time I did pre-approval it gave me Venture and Savor, not Venture One or Savor One So yes no foreign transaction fees, but also no 0% APR and more importantly, an AF.