Why concern yourself with which card is "easiest to get" with a lender? Even if for example Zales is easy to get, if you have zero use for it, what's the point? Improve your profile and go for the cards you actually want.
In line with that, I never understand the whole "get in with" such and such lender, or at least I find it very overblown. Again, instead of getting a card you do not particularly want just to "get in" with Citi, how about going for what you actually want? Take the steps to improve your profile and get what you want vs settling for a card you don't really want. Credit history is credit history and even if you have no prior cards with Citi, if your profile supports a card, you will get it. They can see ALL of your history when you apply, not just history with them.
I know there's an argument for "relationship" and "good usage of a Citi card in the past" I just kind of disagree. I think if you have a good credit profile and history period, you'll be fine to apply for what you actually want, and not have to take the "steps" of lesser cards (each of which involve a HP and AAOA ding).
