Amex/Discover- need some strategy advice

[gheedorah]

Ok fine folks, I know there are some strategies as to the timing of applying/which cards to apply to in which order/etc, so any and all advice and suggestions are welcome. I don't know what information is most relevant, so I will skip listing out every detail of my credit profile until someone asks.

Currently I have received a few mailers from Amex (one or two for green charge, a couple for gold charge). I have no mailers from Discover. I'm looking to "sock drawer" most of my current cards and start working with a couple of cards that have better features/APR.

I've tried my hand on Discover pre-approval page and got this, and on Amex got this.

I'd like to have a Discover, an Amex (preferably credit, but charge if that's the concensus of where to start), and my Barclay rewards, and then put the three Capital Ones (long story) and the Chase Amazon visa (which refuses to "grow with me") in le sock drawer.

Are these pre-approvals pretty decently reliable? Should I apply to both Discover and Amex at the same time, or just one, and then let it post some months on credit reports before applying to the other? Should I apply for one of the Amex cards given on the pre-approval screening or go directly for the one I actually want (Blue Cash Everday)? Should I get the charge first (I think I've read that this can be helpful in establishing trust from Amex)?

All advice is welcome.

[Swapmeet]

It looks like you can get the Discover with np. I do not know what your other limits are, but I don't think that Discover will match anything anyway. As far as Amex, it does not matter where you start with them because they have that 3x cli thingy. There is a lot of hooplah floating around about getting in with Amex via a charge card.....I started with a Delta gold revolver, got approved (right around a 685 Fico), then went for the BCE about 4 days later and was approved. Discover and Amex pull different reports, so inqs from one won't affect the other. 

[chalupaman]

Last time I checked, Discover had one of these weird preapproval things where if you could basically type in any name and fake social security number and still get that recommendation but if you want, doesn't hurt to try. Definitely go for the Amex too. I also started out with a Delta gold revolver and then two months later was able to get my other two cards with them.

[gheedorah]

Sadly (in spite of travel being perhaps the greatest single desire in my life), I don't have much use for the Delta miles. Is this a good card generally speaking? Do you guys think that I have any sort of decent chance of getting that, based on what I've been pre-approved for on the site?

[chalupaman]

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@gheedorah wrote:

Sadly (in spite of travel being perhaps the greatest single desire in my life), I don't have much use for the Delta miles. Is this a good card generally speaking? Do you guys think that I have any sort of decent chance of getting that, based on what I've been pre-approved for on the site?

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You don't have to get that one. Just go with whatever card fits your needs the most. I've used a lot of the miles I got to buy stuff on the Delta Skymiles marketplace anyway and plan to PC to a no annual fee product anyway before the AF kicks in.

[sccredit]

I think you should go for the Everyday card.  

[seflowers]

I was just recently(within last 2 weeks) approved for both of these cards, I did not have a pre approval on either of the websites but I had pulled my FICO scores and thought I had a good chance, I have 693 Experian which is what Discover pulled and they approved me with a 6000 CL. Amex pulled EQ and EX and only gave me a 1000 CL. I had 4 inqs on EX and 6 on EQ. My overall utilization was right at about 30% when I apped. Hope this helps

[AvadaKedavra]

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@gheedorah wrote:

Sadly (in spite of travel being perhaps the greatest single desire in my life), I don't have much use for the Delta miles. Is this a good card generally speaking? Do you guys think that I have any sort of decent chance of getting that, based on what I've been pre-approved for on the site?

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You don't have to get that one. Just go with whatever card fits your needs the most. I've used a lot of the miles I got to buy stuff on the Delta Skymiles marketplace anyway and plan to PC to a no annual fee product anyway before the AF kicks in.

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Wait wait...so there's a market place you can use if you don't want Delta miles?! This has been said to be the "easiest" amex to get but I've been avoiding applying for it because I don't fly very often and when I do, it's not Delta. But this changes the game....especially if I can PC later on...

[chalupaman]

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@AvadaKedavra wrote:

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@gheedorah wrote:

Sadly (in spite of travel being perhaps the greatest single desire in my life), I don't have much use for the Delta miles. Is this a good card generally speaking? Do you guys think that I have any sort of decent chance of getting that, based on what I've been pre-approved for on the site?

---

You don't have to get that one. Just go with whatever card fits your needs the most. I've used a lot of the miles I got to buy stuff on the Delta Skymiles marketplace anyway and plan to PC to a no annual fee product anyway before the AF kicks in.

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Wait wait...so there's a market place you can use if you don't want Delta miles?! This has been said to be the "easiest" amex to get but I've been avoiding applying for it because I don't fly very often and when I do, it's not Delta. But this changes the game....especially if I can PC later on...

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Yeah I bought my Bose headphones using half of the 30,000+ Skymiles I was able to get from spending over 1K before the three month period ended. I'm also planning to go on a Delta flight later this year and use the rest of the points to help cover part of those costs possibly.

I just checked and now they have new sign up offer where you can get 50,000 Skymiles as part of a bonus and a 50 dollar statement credit if you spend 1000 dollars within three months.

[AvadaKedavra]

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@AvadaKedavra wrote:

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@gheedorah wrote:

Sadly (in spite of travel being perhaps the greatest single desire in my life), I don't have much use for the Delta miles. Is this a good card generally speaking? Do you guys think that I have any sort of decent chance of getting that, based on what I've been pre-approved for on the site?

---

You don't have to get that one. Just go with whatever card fits your needs the most. I've used a lot of the miles I got to buy stuff on the Delta Skymiles marketplace anyway and plan to PC to a no annual fee product anyway before the AF kicks in.

---

Wait wait...so there's a market place you can use if you don't want Delta miles?! This has been said to be the "easiest" amex to get but I've been avoiding applying for it because I don't fly very often and when I do, it's not Delta. But this changes the game....especially if I can PC later on...

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Yeah I bought my Bose headphones using half of the 30,000+ Skymiles I was able to get from spending over 1K before the three month period ended. I'm also planning to go on a Delta flight later this year and use the rest of the points to help cover part of those costs possibly.

I just checked and now they have new sign up offer where you can get 50,000 Skymiles as part of a bonus and a 50 dollar statement credit if you spend 1000 dollars within three months.

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That's really great to know. Thanks for the info!