Here is my most recent experience from last weekend. Scores were between 660 to 692 with TU being the lowest and EX being my highest. Utilization was about 50% and I had 2 revolvers (1650 & 1500), a car loan and a mortgage. Had about 5 inquiries on all reports. I checked the cap1 pre-qual site and had offers for Venture and QS. After reading about application strategy for cap1 (back to back applications for 1 triple hard pull), I applied for the venture first and was instantly approved with a 15k SL. I then applied for the QS (literally seconds after setting up my new venture account), and was instantly approved with a 5k SL. Coincidentally, when I got home later that day I had an offer from Discover in the mail with a decent 16% APR. I applied for that and was instantly approved for a 7k SL. I closed out the day with a cold application for a Chase Freedom card. Got the 30 day review message and now get the 2 week message when I call in. Hoping that Freedom card comes through so I can go 4 for 4 
All that said, I think you should check the cap1 prequalify site and select travel rewards as something you have interest in. If it says congratulations, I'd go for it...venture seems to have very nice SL. If you get an approval, once you set up the account immediately apply for the QS so you get the benefit of a single triple pull. Check the discover prequalify site as well...
@Anonymous wrote:Here is my most recent experience from last weekend. Scores were between 660 to 692 with TU being the lowest and EX being my highest. Utilization was about 50% and I had 2 revolvers (1650 & 1500), a car loan and a mortgage. Had about 5 inquiries on all reports. I checked the cap1 pre-qual site and had offers for Venture and QS. After reading about application strategy for cap1 (back to back applications for 1 triple hard pull), I applied for the venture first and was instantly approved with a 15k SL. I then applied for the QS (literally seconds after setting up my new venture account), and was instantly approved with a 5k SL. Coincidentally, when I got home later that day I had an offer from Discover in the mail with a decent 16% APR. I applied for that and was instantly approved for a 7k SL. I closed out the day with a cold application for a Chase Freedom card. Got the 30 day review message and now get the 2 week message when I call in. Hoping that Freedom card comes through so I can go 4 for 4
All that said, I think you should check the cap1 prequalify site and select travel rewards as something you have interest in. If it says congratulations, I'd go for it...venture seems to have very nice SL. If you get an approval, once you set up the account immediately apply for the QS so you get the benefit of a single triple pull. Check the discover prequalify site as well...
Thanks fot the rely Jailer! I checked all of the prequal sites you mentioned almost daily and I never get a "Congratulations" only a "Here's what we recommend". I know from these forums the "Here's what we recommend" is not a preapproval. So I'm not sure what other avenues to take. Since I bank with Chase and my husband has also been gardening has gotten approved for the Chase Freedom, may be I should apply in person....
@Anonymous wrote:I'd keep an eye on the Cap1 prequal site and hold off pulling the trigger until you see it come up. DGF's mom got a 20k Venture and 10k Venture1 by holding off until she got the prequal. Going off her CCT Fico 08 scores all in the mid 600's I wouldn't have guessed that she'd get the prequal or approval but she did. She only had a couple 2 to 3k cards reporting for about 6 to 8 months when she was approved. With your TU in the 680's you probably would get a decent approval on something from Barclays.
Thanks for the reply! I was thinking about Barclays as well since my highest is TU. I'll apply after my PIFs report!
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Here is my most recent experience from last weekend. Scores were between 660 to 692 with TU being the lowest and EX being my highest. Utilization was about 50% and I had 2 revolvers (1650 & 1500), a car loan and a mortgage. Had about 5 inquiries on all reports. I checked the cap1 pre-qual site and had offers for Venture and QS. After reading about application strategy for cap1 (back to back applications for 1 triple hard pull), I applied for the venture first and was instantly approved with a 15k SL. I then applied for the QS (literally seconds after setting up my new venture account), and was instantly approved with a 5k SL. Coincidentally, when I got home later that day I had an offer from Discover in the mail with a decent 16% APR. I applied for that and was instantly approved for a 7k SL. I closed out the day with a cold application for a Chase Freedom card. Got the 30 day review message and now get the 2 week message when I call in. Hoping that Freedom card comes through so I can go 4 for 4
All that said, I think you should check the cap1 prequalify site and select travel rewards as something you have interest in. If it says congratulations, I'd go for it...venture seems to have very nice SL. If you get an approval, once you set up the account immediately apply for the QS so you get the benefit of a single triple pull. Check the discover prequalify site as well...
Thanks fot the rely Jailer! I checked all of the prequal sites you mentioned almost daily and I never get a "Congratulations" only a "Here's what we recommend". I know from these forums the "Here's what we recommend" is not a preapproval. So I'm not sure what other avenues to take. Since I bank with Chase and my husband has also been gardening has gotten approved for the Chase Freedom, may be I should apply in person....
Here's another story that might help you out. I was constantly checking the CapOne pre-qual site last year, and I also never got the 'Congratulations' message, even when my scores had rebounded to a point where I thought I should have been in range for the Venture.
Then I had an idea: I logged into my QS account and requested a CLI even though I knew I was not eligible and would be denied. When I checked the pre-qual page the next day, suddenly it said "Congratulations..." you're pre-approved to apply for the Venture. It was almost as if my CLI request 'forced' a fresh SP.
@Anonymous wrote:Hello all,
I have been gardening since last year. I started with mid 550's scores and I'm now my scores are EQ:644 EX:625 TU:682. I have CAP1 Plat $600 and Cap1QS1 $1200. My 6 month CLIhave been only $100-$200. My UTL is 30%... I just PIF'd today on both cards so I'm hoping to see some score increases across the board. I'll check in 7 days. Any who, I wanted to know if anyone had some good advice on what other cc I should apply for that will give me a decent limit. I'd definitely would like the Cap1 Venture. Any other advice??
Thanks in advance!!!!
Since you only have 2 cards, you should let one report with a small balance, and the other one with a zero balance.
For your next card I would suggest the Barclay Rewards card.
