I don't agree on the last point....somehow I have managed to get 15+ cards in the last few years and I am a stay at home mom. I do have excellent credit but I have not worked in 9 years!! I always sign up for cards for both the hubby and myself. I don't lie on applications...but I always get approved. I have more points and miles than I have time to travel... all from what I learned in the last year and a half on flyertalk....

I did have a situation with Chase where I wanted to re-open my Hyatt card that I closed 3 months ago. I didn't want to close it, but Chase wanted me to close it since I had 3 other cards and I wanted to get the Freedom card! The rep tried to re-open it but told me she couldn't because I didn't have a job and it was based on my income not household income.

So I hang up, re-apply online. It goes to reconsideration... I chat with them on the phone...and they approve me.

So it can be done. My personal recommendation to a newbie is START SLOW. Get one card, wait a few months, get another...etc. Go for the biggest sign up bonuses now....space out those apps and don't get carried away.