ALL CHASE STRATEGY Questions - My 'plan B' [need advice on application timing, odds, etc.]

[Anonymous]

So, I had been toying with getting a product I wasn't really interested in keeping [AMEX Platinum] just for the 100K SUB. But I've really had my eye on the CHASE products for a long time and can see that IF I can get the Chase Sapphire Reserve AND INK Business, it would be the same cost per year but with more of the travel benefits I want AND 130K SUB between the two. I would consider one of the CHASE no-AF cards to boot.
 
On one of the card match tools, I was pre-approved for - CHASE Sapphire Preferred & BOTH of the CHASE Freedom cards. I have zero negative marks on credit. Long history (over 20 years). I refinanced a house last year so unfortunately 10 hard pulls over those 12 months but all for mortgage companies. And lastly, I have run a business for the better part of 20 years. Under 5% utilization. And FICO is up in the high 700s. (I'll get the new FICO 8 number from Discover on the 12th I believe)
 
Questions...
1. Does the preapproval for Sapphire Preferred give any hope at all to getting approval for Sapphire Reserve?
2. What order should these be applied for in? (I won't do Ink and Saffire at same time due to the spend required to make the SUB)
3. How difficult is the INK Business to get?
4. Should I try applying at a branch? I met a nice banker there. Or no difference whatsoever? (wondering in cases of denials)

Much thanks!

[simplynoir]

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@Anonymouswrote:
So, I had been toying with getting a product I wasn't really interested in keeping [AMEX Platinum] just for the 100K SUB. But I've really had my eye on the CHASE products for a long time and can see that IF I can get the Chase Sapphire Reserve AND INK Business, it would be the same cost per year but with more of the travel benefits I want AND 130K SUB between the two. I would consider one of the CHASE no-AF cards to boot.
 
On one of the card match tools, I was pre-approved for - CHASE Sapphire Preferred & BOTH of the CHASE Freedom cards. I have zero negative marks on credit. Long history (over 20 years). I refinanced a house last year so unfortunately 10 hard pulls over those 12 months but all for mortgage companies. And lastly, I have run a business for the better part of 20 years. Under 5% utilization. And FICO is up in the high 700s. (I'll get the new FICO 8 number from Discover on the 12th I believe)
 
Questions...
1. Does the preapproval for Sapphire Preferred give any hope at all to getting approval for Sapphire Reserve?
2. What order should these be applied for in? (I won't do Ink and Saffire at same time due to the spend required to make the SUB)
3. How difficult is the INK Business to get?
4. Should I try applying at a branch? I met a nice banker there. Or no difference whatsoever? (wondering in cases of denials)

Much thanks!

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1. Assuming you have nice sized limits in the $10k+ you're good to go for the CSR.

2. If 5/24 isn't an issue I would get the one that most benefits you right now.

3. The Ink Preferred card is one of the harder cards to get with them. Considering how solid your business is based on the info you provided it shouldn't be an issue.

4. If you have a banking relationship with Chase they can pull any offers they have for their cards and can possibly get increased offers as well such as the 100k for Ink Preferred and 60k for CSR.

[Anonymous]

Currently been down to one card for a while 18K limit.

No other cards so 0/24.

I’ll talk to the banker. Maybe I’ll do it in conjunction with moving accounts over to Chase. For the banking relationship etc. Didn’t realize that would help things.

[simplynoir]

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@Anonymouswrote:
Currently been down to one card for a while 18K limit.

No other cards so 0/24.

I’ll talk to the banker. Maybe I’ll do it in conjunction with moving accounts over to Chase. For the banking relationship etc. Didn’t realize that would help things.

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Not so much that they necessairly help things but that since they have you already on record it makes it easier for them to see what you qualify for. Also, I would not advise moving assets over to Chase simply for the chance to have a banking relationship with them to increase your odds of approval; if it makes financial sense then do it but don't that be the only reason.

[Anonymous]

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@AnonymousI’ll talk to the banker. Maybe I’ll do it in conjunction with moving accounts over to Chase. For the banking relationship etc. Didn’t realize that would help things.

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Not would, but could.  It's definitely important to make the distinction here.  While many people reference their prior "relationship" with Chase possibly helping in certain situations, there are equally as many that feel the prior relationship had no impact at all on future business.

[Anonymous]

I wa already planning on taking all my money out of BOA. Had to fight them for 10 miserable years to get a fraud account off my credit. Finally did. I’m done with them.

[Anonymous]

Finally got the new FICO 8 after they removed the BOA chargeoff. 819!!! Pretty **bleep** stoked!
 
Have to just get some Chase love before my next trip. Get me some lounge access and TSA-Pre!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! :-) Just got my updated FICO of 819... Ready to move on with my life and get the card benefits I have wanted for years.

[bourgogne]

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@Anonymouswrote:

Thanks everyone! :-) Just got my updated FICO of 819... Ready to move on with my life and get the card benefits I have wanted for years.

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there is more to life than scores.  what is the limit on your current card(s), your aaoa and do you have a solid % on the chase portal?

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest applying for the ink before sapphire, but since you are at 0/24 it doesn't really matter.

To get the 100k bonus for the Ink you have to apply in branch with a business relationship manager. Simply applying in branch with a normal banker won't cut it - I know, that's what I did and I got the 80k sub.

<mod edit>  Sorry, referral links aren't permitted on myFICO.  --UB

After year 1 I'd suggest considering product changing the Ink Preferred to the Ink Cash, there's no annual fee and it has 5x back categories instead of just 3x that the Ink Preferred has. Also, you should have no problem getting the Ink Preferred. I literally opened a Sole proprietorship and on the way back home from the courthouse stopped in a Chase branch and applied.

I'd also look into the elevated sign up bonuses for the Freedom cards. Either way, they're great to bolster your UR point earning, especially as no annual fee cards.