I made a recent post about what card to add to my collection in 2021, where I expressed interest in the US bank cash+ card becuase of the different 5x rotating categories it offers in comparison to the major 5x cards like Disco IT and Chase Freedom. I got many good suggestions and input, but the most interesting was @FormerCollegeDJ bringing the Max Cash card from Elan to my attention and pointed me to this thread:
After spending hours reading the 28 pages of discussion (good stuff, but long lol I recommend the read tho) I found the cards to be incredibly similar, and my recent app history and inquiries to be questionable with US Banks standards and in the acceptable range for Elan's standards, based on the data and experiences provided by users in this forum.
The differences in the cards:
US Bank Cash+
5x Back in 2 categories you choose eash quarter, $2000 combined
2x back on one of the following: gas, restaurants, or grocery stores
1x back on everything else
Sign up bonus of $200 if you spend $500 in first 90 days
0% APR for 12 months, then 13.99 - 23.99 variable afterwards
No annual fee, but has foreign transaction fees of 2% if run as US currency and 3% for foreign currency
FICO of at least 670 is recommended (per US Bank website)
Recommended stats from other applicants were 0/6 and 1/12 for recent applications on revolvers, and previous relationship with US Bank seemed to give a slight advantage. As for the Max Cash card:
Elan Visa Signature Max Cash Preferrred
5x back in 2 categories of your choice, up to $2000 combined.
2x in one everyday category: gas and transportation, restaurants and fast food, grocery and grocery delivery
1x on everything else
$150 bonus if you spend $500 in first 90 days
No annual fee
14.49 - 23.49% Variable APR
0% APR on transfers for first 12 billing cycles
2% foreign transaction fee
Elan's Card Landing page did not have a suggested credit score and I don't have data on what other applicants have experienced with their credit scores.
Stats from other threads on myFico seemed to suggest that a rough average of 1/6 and 3/12 application history for revolving credit was acceptable for Elan (just based on what I read over the last couple days searching the topic) therefore, a little looser than US Bank.
Comparison of 5x categories:
Max Cash Cash+
TV, Internet, Streaming services TV, Internet, Streaming services
Fast Food Fast Food
Cell Phone Providers Cell Phone Providers
Department Stores Department Stores
Home Utilities Home Utilities
Furtiture Stores Select Clothing Stores
Electronic Stores Electronic Stores
Recreation Sporting Good Stores
Entertainment Movie Theaters
Gyms/Fitness Centers
Furniture Stores
Ground Transportation
I did notice that some of US Banks categories are lumped into one by Elan, so that can work as an advantage if they are to useful categories to you that can be optimized together rather than have to take up 2 separate categories. Also, Max Cash's entertainment includes theme parks which is cool.
Here's links to more details for each card's reward details:
US Bank: https://cashplus.usbank.com/merchants/index
Elan Max Cash: https://card.myaccountaccess.com/credit/elanmicro/pdfs/categories_max_cash_preferred_visa.pdf
So, I went for the Elan card since research suggested they had slightly looser standards and the cards are super similar when compared side by side, with the biggest difference being the Elan sign-up bonus is $150 as opposed to US Bank's $200.
I was instantly approved for a $12.5k credit line and 17% APR (2nd lowest of my 6 cards) having average income and a 770 credit score and 1/6 and 2/12 application history. No derogs and 1 inquiry. I don't know if they pulled TU, EQ or EX but I'll try to come back and update that when I find out.
I'm really excited about adding this card this year, and now I will garden for a little while since my wife and I are thinking about a construction loan late this year. In the meantime, I'll get 5x back on my cellphone bill and fast food! Thanks to all who provided helpful info!
US Bank Cash + $8,700
Starting Score: 657
Congratulations on your approval!
Congratulations on your Max Cash Preferred approval, @_bobby_lee!
And welcome to My Fico forums! 
Great approval and thanks so much for providing your data points!
Lots of our members are eyeing this card so it helps us all!
Didnt even know this card existed till recently, grats on getting it approved
Having an account with Elan does help with getting regular US Bank card offerings in the long run.
Thank you for the DPs and Congratulations on your approval!
@gdale6 wrote:Didnt even know this card existed till recently, grats on getting it approved
Having an account with Elan does help with getting regular US Bank card offerings in the long run.
This is interesting. I don't recall seeing this mentioned anywhere else. Would you mind elaborating? Does it turn "no" into "yes," or nudge SL higher or APR lower? Any additional info you can share would be great.
(Edited to fix stupid, confusing typo.)