CSP

[Anonymous]

Dont travel enough to use the benefits
Plus also want to maybe get the amex prg or even platinum one day

[Anonymous]

It's worth taking the "risk" of a wasted HP to apply before PCing. 50k UR can go a long way without much effort and unless you're applying like crazy or have 15+ inquiries in the last 6mo I wouldn't worry so much about taking one and getting denied. Of course it's in best interest to keep your HP count as low as possible but not to the extent that you avoid one of the better parts of a card you want, in this case the CSP bonus. If the card is something you want and worth having it's worth a HP (provided your credit profile supports a reasonable possibility of approval).

I freaking love the CSP. For our needs and wants it's perfect. My only regret was jumping on the solid chase prequal for it without first trying for the CSR - none of my existing cards at the time has a similar limit to the $10k min SL for the reserve. Now I'm having to do an elaborate & drawn out process to PC CSP to CSR at the 1yr mark, including a HP cli, due to being 5/24.

Food for thought. If your main driving factor to PC instead of cold app is avoiding a HP and not because you've got a wrecked profile or fall under 5/24 I say go for it.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Dont travel enough to use the benefits
Plus also want to maybe get the amex prg or even platinum one day

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I don't understand.  The Amex Platinum is harder to justify than the CSR. Especially if you don't travel enough. 

The CSR is very flexible on how you redeem your travel credits (unlike Amex Platinum).

But as far as CSP vs CSR. The CSP has an annual fee of $95 vs $150 on the CSR (after travel credits). But for those extra $55 a year you earn 3x the points instead of 2x. If you pair the Freedom with the CSR you'll essentially by earning 7.5% (towards Chase portal). Not including the priority pass and better travel coverage.