just wanted to share my experience. I used the SCT and applied for sportsman's guide visa last night. Said I was approved, but didn't provide SL. Said that the card would be in the mail. I called CS today (they were closed last night). I asked him to check SL, asked for a CLI, and if this was a hard/soft pull. CSR said:
-spending limit $7k (nice!)
-it was a HARD PULL (**bleep**)
-and that to see if i'm eligible for a CLI at this time, they'd have to ask me some income questions and that this would also be a hard pull
while the SCT worked for me, i'm bummed that this was a hard and now i'll have an inquiry on my CS 
fingers crossed the CSR is wrong and it was just a soft pull.
an hour after i applied for SMG visa, i also used the SCT to apply for an overstock (store) card. they instantly approved for $4k. i hope this was a soft pull. otherwise, 2 new inquiries for $11k and decreasing AAoA... not sure if it's worth it.
in case the SCT isn't working for some people, i found these links while googling the SMG visa CS phone number. CAVEAT: may result in hard pull. apply at your own risk.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/alliancedata/prescreenacceptance
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/alliancedata/offer
i also requested CLI for my current comenity accounts (i've never asked before! wish i had known about this sooner). they were all instantly approved. so in the span of 2 hours, i was able to increase my total credt from $17,950 --> $30,850! not sure it is worth decreasing AAoA with another inquiry. proceed at your own risk!
Stats when I applied for my overstock and SMG visa:
FAKO scores early May 2017: TU 757 | EX 709 | EQ 764
AAoA: 8.86 years
Oldest account: 13.35 years
Payment history: 85% (because of old derrogatory marks!)
Inquiries: 2 (made in 2015, 2016)
Open accounts: 10
Closed accounts: 14
Total Credit: $17,950
Utilization: 7-12% (depending on where i get my CS)
Student loans: 4 (~$14,725 left to repay) - they are my oldest accounts
Congrats. I believe for Visa and Mastercatd, it will usually be a hard pull. Even if you get 2 cards sp and those cards report itll still affect your aaol as you're adding 2 new accounts regardless how they were attained. Id caution using SCT for too many Comenity as it seems they may be starting to crack down on that method. I
mho, they just arent stable enough to put my trust in that if i were to get another account, id have a great chance at keeping said account.But to each there own. Enjoy your 11k in credit though
mho, they just arent stable enough to put my trust in that if i were to get another account, id have a great chance at keeping said account.But to each there own. Enjoy your 11k in credit though
If you get just the store card via SCT it usually is an SP...but if they give you one of the cobranded Visa/MC's its usually an HP...
+1 Tigers09 advice