I'm glad they're doing this. In general, I think they need to create more value for this card. If you have more than one or two cards and you aren't an Apple superfan, it's kind of rare that it makes a lot of sense to use this one. It's the one card I still have that I kind of regret getting. It does look cool, and their SP offer method is brilliant, but the card itself is lackluster in rewards IMO. Having said that, I'm deliberately using it more in hopes of getting a CLI. I've been denied twice, basically for not using the card enough.
Thanks - the breakthrough on CLs happened after gardening on EX and EQ for about six months. I did open the Apple Card in December, but that only appears on TU. Amex, of course, uses EX, and I don't remember for sure if Citi used EQ or EX in my case, but definitely not TU, so I guess that was enough to move me into a different category as far as CLs. I am hoping that when the new cards all show up on my reports, I don't get any adverse actions. If I make it past that, the coast is clear, and I just garden indefinitely. The main thorn in my side is Discover. They won't budge on that $1,500.
Edited to add: Yes, I get the CAP statement credits for Gold and Platinum. I doubt they'd justify themselves for my spend if I didn't. It works out like getting Gold for free if if I paid full price for Platinum.
Apple at $5k is plenty for how I'd actually use it. I only try for more because it's SP, so why not. I take the same approach with the Sync cards and Discover. It has paid off with Sync, but not with the other two.
I think the Apple Card might make sense for a young person who loves Apple and buys a lot of Apple stuff, and isn't a credit nerd. It's a decent card, just not special enough in any area to make it stand out from a MyFICOer perspective. The SP offer system is great and something I hope other card issuers emulate. JMO.