I said I would report back once the full force of my app spree kicked in so as to provide another data point. I still have one TL yet to report (BOA), but the full weight of all the inquiries and new trade lines are now there. Here is the final tally on my app spree:
Tradelines:
8 new tradelines since the end of Feb (one yet to report).
Old Accts: Cap One, Cap One secured, US Bank secured.
New Accts: AMEX (x2); US Bank; Barclay's, BOA, Chase, Nissan and Lowe's. Also PC'ed the Cap One Plat to QS1 and USB secured to USB Platinum.
Scores:
Experian: Pre-spree (712); Post-spree (701) = -11pts
Equifax: Pre (685); Post (680) = -5pts
Transunion: Pre (718); Post (692) = -26 pts
(all lender pulls)
Inquiries:
Experian: Pre-spree (1 HP); Post-spree (5 HP) = +4 during spree [AMEX (2), Chase (1); BOA (1)]
Equifax: Pre (0 HP); Post (1 HP) = +1 during spree [Chase double pull (1)]
Transunion: Pre (3 HP); Post (10 HP) = +7 during spree [Barclay (1), US Bank (2), NIssan (2), Lowe's (1); CU (1)]
I took most of my pulls with Transunion so unsurprisingly, my TU score dropped the most. I expected a much bigger drop in scores, but I'm glad they did not completely fall off the map.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results. In less than 2 months, I went from $500 in unsecured credit ($3000 in secured) to over $30,000 in unsecured credit (closed the secured accounts). My scores have already started to climb back up and I'm PIF everything and letting a small amt report. So it does seem like the 6 month rule is solid. Again YMMV, but this was my experience...
PS: Major App sprees are not for the faint of heart! I would not advise this kind of spree unless are really in a position where you know you will not need to apply for anything major in at least 12 months (mortgage; car; etc). I decided to do this after I was approved for my new car in February. I also know I will not be in the market for a new home until the summer of 2015, so it seems like a good time to let loose. 
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@EW800 wrote:Just to confirm, don't points lost for inquiries usually make thier way back very quickly, despite staying on the report for a while?
Congrats, OP! General rule is about 6 months.
