I have a lot of credit cards, and while I don't "churn", I do average more than 5 in 24 months, so I always considered Chase's core credit card family out of reach for me becuase of their 5/24 rule. Yesterday, I went into a Chase branch for a money order, and was informed "you're pre-approved for a credit card" by the bank teller. Being a pretty skeptical person, I was only willing to accept this from a banker with the words "pre-approved" on the screen, and even then expected a "7-10 business days response." A few questions about income and residency later, I was approved for a Sapphire Preferred with a 10k SL plus 60k spending bonus. Not too bad!
Chase didn't provide me my score, but the last FICO score I saw was 674. They pulled Experian. This is in Indiana. The branch had Private Client, but I'm not a private client--I doubt this makes any difference, but maybe worth mentioning.
I'll be putting all my spending on this CSP card until I get the bonus, and then I'll have to evaluate my Annual Fee situation. I also have a Amex Gold, Amex Delta Gold, and Chase IHG Premier, so I think one of these will need to be downgraded to a no annual fee card. $550 in annual fees is a lot for not having the perks of a Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, so something will go on the chopping block. Possibly the Delta Gold, or I'll downgrade this CSP to a Freedom after one year.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to ask about those branch pre-approvals!
Payding down debt to prep for a mortgage.
Cards in my wallet: Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Lowes Advantage
Sock drawer: Lots of old store cards and not great no-rewards cards for history and utilization padding, some lame no AF cards I drunk-apped
Next Cards: AMEX Everyday and Chase Freedom?
