Need Upcoming Spree Advice

[Skywalker]

Hello all, I've been on a bit of a spree this year already and still have a lot to do this year, and would like some advice and feedback on my current plans.

-This year I've got the NFCU CashRewards in January, an NFCU personal loan in February, and a USAA credit card in March. This puts me at 2/24.

-I'm planning on getting the NFCU MoreRewards in April, Amex Gold and Platinum in May, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant in June/July, and the Amex Blue Business Preferred in October/November

I've consistantly been on the limb about adding the Chase Freedom Unlimited to this lineup but only because I have the CFF and CSR already. I plan on making Amex my future main wallet but in the back of my head I always wonder if Chase could be a competitive wallet for me if the CFU gets refreshed. I'm already going to be running pretty hot and I am banking considerably on Amex being generous with softpulls following the Gold, and if I did try to add the CFU in it would pushback me getting into Amex by a bit when I'm interested in starting my relationship sooner than later to take advantage of some of the card credits/benefits.

How reliable can I bank on Amex doing soft pulls after the Gold (assuming I get it).? 

Is it worth persuing the CFU so that I have a full chase wallet as a backup in case it ever gets refreshed?

Details: I don't pay AFs so those are a non-factor for feedback. At the moment FICO is sitting around 650s/670s and Vantage Scores 670s/680s and that's without the USAA card reporting yet. My NCR is also due for a CLI around the time I'll be applying for the MoreRewards. I should be ~5% UTL when I apply for the NMR and hopefully 0-1% UTL when I start going for Amex. Was in the 580s for FICO in January. My main negatives are late payments varying between 1-3/2025 and an inccorrectly reporting late payment for 7/25 that I'm trying to get off my Credit Report and considering filing with the CFPB. (Made quite a few mistakes when student loans kicked back in and I didn't have auto-pay set up).

Thanks!

[ptatohed]

How are AFs not an issue?  Military?  If so, thank you for your country!   

[ElvisCaprice]

Your shooting for the moon, why not, go for it.  But I got to say, even a perfect thick mature profile would have a hard time pulling off what you hope you can do.  I would be surprised if you could even get one more CC until minimum 6 months after the last new CC, with your profile.  Let the preapps dictate what you can do.  Of course no risk on the AMEX apps.

[Skywalker]

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@ptatohed wrote:

How are AFs not an issue?  Military?  If so, thank you for your country!   

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Yea, military! This career choice has been a great decision in getting my finances under control and rebuilding, its opened up many opportunities for me.

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[Skywalker]

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@ElvisCaprice wrote:

Your shooting for the moon, why not, go for it.

 I'm definitely being aggressive, but so far it's been fruitful, the new credit lines + loan dropped my UTL like crazy giving me that 100 point FICO increase. I'm hoping that by the end of this year as UTL stays low and I go AZEO as well as with lates aging I can break past 720 score. The USAA card may have been an impulsive mistake even if the extra 8k is good, I'm hoping it doesn't come back to bite me. The NFCU cards are necessary since they'll be my short term wallet set up and long term CL backbone.

If I can accomplish getting these cards this year it'll pretty much encompass all the cards I want, since I don't churn and the rest would be brand cards. I've intentionally put my Amex desires for after the other cards since I known the preapps will save me from unnecessary hard inquiries. Do you think Amex will still be sensitive to the # of new account openings? I thought I've heard once you get one card with them, the rest are quite a bit more attainable.

Also your thoughts on if its worth it to try for the CFU in hopes of a later refresh? Tbh even if it refreshes, I don't think it would switch me away from Amex and I don't spend enough money for it to be worth splitting points between ecosystems, but I would also be locked out of Chase likely until 2029/2030 ot my pace.

[crystal626]

That is a lot of AMEX in a short time. I would think they would put you in pop up jail and deny bonuses. 

[Skywalker]

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@crystal626 wrote:

That is a lot of AMEX in a short time. I would think they would put you in pop up jail and deny bonuses. 

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Honestly not too worried about that, at my spending it's extremely unlikely I'd be able to organically hit the amount needed to get the bonuses anyways. It's unfortunate because I'm losing a lot of value, but I don't see myself spending in a way that would get me the bonuses for at least another two years.

My current game plan is:

-Pay off all revolving debt

-Pay off installment debt and 5% into retirement

-Build 3-6 month emergency fund and start pouring money into retirement and investments to catch up in life.

All in all I won't have too much free spend that I'd be able to use, at the moment I maybe free spend $500 a month if that. Getting the cards sooner than later to start using their benefits will provide me more real and usable value than waiting a few years anyways too.

[ElvisCaprice]

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@Skywalker wrote:

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@ElvisCaprice wrote:

Your shooting for the moon, why not, go for it.

 I'm definitely being aggressive, but so far it's been fruitful, the new credit lines + loan dropped my UTL like crazy giving me that 100 point FICO increase. I'm hoping that by the end of this year as UTL stays low and I go AZEO as well as with lates aging I can break past 720 score. The USAA card may have been an impulsive mistake even if the extra 8k is good, I'm hoping it doesn't come back to bite me. The NFCU cards are necessary since they'll be my short term wallet set up and long term CL backbone.

If I can accomplish getting these cards this year it'll pretty much encompass all the cards I want, since I don't churn and the rest would be brand cards. I've intentionally put my Amex desires for after the other cards since I known the preapps will save me from unnecessary hard inquiries. Do you think Amex will still be sensitive to the # of new account openings? I thought I've heard once you get one card with them, the rest are quite a bit more attainable.

Also your thoughts on if its worth it to try for the CFU in hopes of a later refresh? Tbh even if it refreshes, I don't think it would switch me away from Amex and I don't spend enough money for it to be worth splitting points between ecosystems, but I would also be locked out of Chase likely until 2029/2030 ot my pace.

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I'm surprised you gotten as far as you have, with your profile.  All the issuers are sensitive to new account, hard pull velocity.  Some more than others.  Use the preapps as much as possible, for soft pulls to see where you stand.  Time and good data are what is needed (gardening).   If you get a hard pull denial, stop.  Do some more gardening.   Yes, you may want to shoot for Chase first before going over 5/24.  But only if preapproved.  I'm not a big Chase fan.  I don't find their CC's the best match for my spend.   So, can't help you with advice on their product updates.   Amex gives soft pulls if denied on app.  Amex is also not the best match for my spend.   I think you will find it much more difficult to qualify/open a new CC from this point forward, without more time and good data.

[ptatohed]

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@Skywalker wrote:

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@ptatohed wrote:

How are AFs not an issue?  Military?  If so, thank you for your country!   

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Yea, military! This career choice has been a great decision in getting my finances under control and rebuilding, its opened up many opportunities for me.

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Well, thank you again for your service for our country.  I was much too big of a wussy to enter the military.  My brother was Army, so I am very proud of him!  

[bs1234]

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@Skywalker wrote:

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@crystal626 wrote:

That is a lot of AMEX in a short time. I would think they would put you in pop up jail and deny bonuses. 

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Honestly not too worried about that, at my spending it's extremely unlikely I'd be able to organically hit the amount needed to get the bonuses anyways.

All in all I won't have too much free spend that I'd be able to use, at the moment I maybe free spend $500 a month if that. Getting the cards sooner than later to start using their benefits will provide me more real and usable value than waiting a few years anyways too.

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I would just double check that for at least say the Platinum.   Not having to worry about AF is great and makes the decision to get it easier, but not getting the sign-up bonus is a big hit.