Data point for Chase Sapphire Reserve - tactic to get in-branch pre-approval?

[csryang]

Hey there, 

I just would like to share my own data point and hopefully help people bypass 5/24 rule from Chase to get CSR.

Personal experience/Sept 2016

17 cards over the past 2 years

4 chase cards over the past 6 months (last chase card and also last application in general was in April)

Checking account over 1 year with regular direct deposits

I opted in at this site from Reddit thread: https://www.optoutprescreen.com

I lowered credit limit of all my chase cards to 5k each, couple weeks prior.

The day I opened a saving account, I was still told there's no in-branch pre-approval.

Personal experience/Nov 2016

Now 18 cards over the past 2 years - had applied for US bank flexperks for olympic promo

Zero chase card over the past 6 months as last chase card opened in April

I product changed my Chase CSP to Freedom due to annual fee came due

Continues my checking account with DDs and Saving account of 15k+

====  In-branch pre-approval of several chase cards including CSR!! (Make sure you get a fixed APR from the application sheet)

==== and eventually got approved for CSR, my 8th chase card...

Helpful tips for getting Chase in-branch pre-approval (my guess only...):

1) 6 month lapse since last Chase card approval

2) Checking account with DDs and/or Saving account opening recently

3) Lower existing credit lines if you are close to max exposure

4) Opt-in at https://www.optoutprescreen.com

5) Product change or cancel CSP (this one is not a necessary step I think)

I am gonna try to keep everything the same and see if I have another in-branch pre-approval in May 2017 or anything prior.

Please also share your data points if you have any!!

[BronzeTrader]

No needs at all to lower your CLs on your existing Chase cards. The application analysts all know that people can have several Chase cards for reward purposes. Chase would still extend your credit. They just don't like the people who just want to apply to get the signon bonus, then cancel the cards. So the 5/24 rule and more.

[csryang]

---

@BronzeTrader wrote:

No needs at all to lower your CLs on your existing Chase cards. The application analysts all know that people can have several Chase cards for reward purposes. Chase would still extend your credit. They just don't like the people who just want to apply to get the signon bonus, then cancel the cards. So the 5/24 rule and more.

---

Speaking from personal experience or as a credit analyst yourself?

I totally agree how most banks dislike people open and cancel cards. I myself have not canceled a single chase card!

I dont agree that 5/24 is for people who open and "cancel cards" though as 5/24 only counts "opened accounts" for the past 2 years.

5/24 rule also excludes people who frequently sign up cards to get rewards but rarely close them.  

My personal experience overall not just for this CSR app is that lowering your CL will help in situation like me who almost has max exposure at Chase. My last couple apps are at minimal approval CL of 5k for visa sig. I am not saying that lowering CLs will for sure help. It's just my observation that it might help. It won't hurt anyway if you rarely leave high balance on those chase cards.

[BronzeTrader]

I've never lowered my CLs, any card. I do not see the needs to. But I do close some CCs that I see no need. This year, I closed one Chase Freedom, Amazon store card, Paypal card, some gas cards, Bof A AAA card, and some store cards. I did not get those for bonuses. I probably won't apply for any card soon. 

I guess our experiences can vary.

[csryang]

---

@BronzeTrader wrote:

I've never lowered my CLs, any card. I do not see the needs to. But I do close some CCs that I see no need. This year, I closed one Chase Freedom, Amazon store card, Paypal card, some gas cards, Bof A AAA card, and some store cards. I did not get those for bonuses. I probably won't apply for any card soon. 

I guess our experiences can vary.

---

Yeah it definitely varies depending on the case. Judging from you current CLs, I guess your income is at least 100k (conservatively) and that your total chase CLs are probably way under their total expsure limit given your excellant FICO score. It's easy to see that you won't have issues with CL/credit extension at this time.

[Anonymous]

If it was a matter of over exposure then they would offer a shift in CL not just lowering them over all

[csryang]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
If it was a matter of over exposure then they would offer a shift in CL not just lowering them over all

---

Sure, that's typically the case. 

Again, that's just my guess to improve odds for pre-approval in-branch and eventually an easy approval.

I probably do not feel comfortable having an analyst take a closer look at my profile even given the possibility to shift credit.

If lowering CLs could get an auto-approval or pre-approval without analyst taking a closer look... WHY NOT??

You do not have to lower your credit limit if you do not believe that it will help you.... Again, do whatever make you feel comfortable! 

[noobody]

Lower credit line try to get an instant approval, thus avoiding analyst scrutinizing your credit file is an excellent move. especially with OP opening so many accounts recently.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know if this applies to those under 21? (pre approval offer in branch)

[csryang]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Anyone know if this applies to those under 21? (pre approval offer in branch)

---

I dont think it really matters if you are under 21 or not as long as you are old enough in your state without a guardian consent for credit products. 

Maybe someone else can clarify this.