@Anonymous wrote:Sorry, can't reply to every response so I'll put this here.
I'm not sure what an "INQ" is, but if that's credit speak for APPLYING, then I haven't applied yet. I was going to spend a day or two thinking everything over. A lot of interesting discussion in this thread, and it is really helpful to see it from different perspectives.
It still seems I should try to APP for the Freedom at this point. (People with lower FICO scores achieved it, good for them)
Feel free to tell me I'm wrong in this scenario.
An inquiry is a hard pull on your credit. When you apply for credit you get an inquiry (most of the time). Too many of these and creditors will shun you as they will feel you are in search of credit. A low amount is acceptable but too much and they might get spooked thinking you getting in over your head. Chase has shunned me. If you don't have any then you are in a good position to app a few times and still stay in the good graces of most creditors. I would say stop at 3-5 depending on if you get a card that works for you. You should app the Freedom. Whether you should or not is not really a point of contention here but rather the order of apping. Freedom first seems to be the consensus.
@Anonymous wrote:Being that they have no cc I just assume they have zero/low amount.....(in the last year anyway, since no lender cares about past 24 for inq).
Sure they can have lots of inquiries from auto loans, cell phones, etc. But there can only be so many of those. And generally only on one bureau.
In any case, hard pulls are necessary to build a file. OP needs a card, this seems a debate over semantics when we both agree that they should app for the freedom no matter what do I'm not sure what the point was. I'm sure you'll agree that hp are a necessary evil... and anyone should agree that they should matter less the thinner your file is (thin files shouldn't be apping for much so who cares if you have a few inquiries if you aren't apping for anything).
I agree 100%. I just did not want to assume 0 inquiries because of the Chase rules.
I applied for the pre-approved Chase Freedom and recieved this pop up. So this means I got it?!?!
@Anonymous wrote:I applied for the pre-approved Chase Freedom and recieved this pop up. So this means I got it?!?!
Yes it does 
OK so now you're off to a good start.
Now you should pick up the Quicksilver, since it -- unlike Freedom -- has no foreign transaction fees, and also, unlike Freedom, gives you 1 1/2% cash back on everything.
And when your Freedom card arrives, discuss with a customer service specialist increasing the initial credit limit. But only if it's a soft pull; you don't want any more hard pulls.
And then, go into the "garden' and manage your cards well.
Yep, that means you got it. You can app the Slate if you want but I would go for the QS1 now.
When you get the card and call to activate it you can ask about a limit increase with a SP. I am not sure if the SP is an option as I don't have the Freedom card.