Hello FT,

I started my credit journey in April 2012, with my first card, a BOFA Cash Rewards card that came with a 700$ limit. I used my card for the first six months, always leaving a small balance. In October 2012, I applied for the Citi Forward and the Discover More card and was instantly approved for both with a 1,500 limit (I am a student. I wait tables and I do some data entry, and I make anywhere from 12-15k yearly..for now.) I waited another month and then in November 2012, I decided to push my luck and I applied for the PRG and was instantly approved (I was amazed because I thought it was going to be a denial, mainly because of the income I used, which was 12k.) I mainly got the card to establish a history with Amex ( I also decided to apply for a Chase Freedom at the same time, but I was met with an in-progress notice, and I ended up being denied because my history was to short, and they told me to try in another 6 months.) I decided to not apply for anything else until the end of April/ beginning of May 2013. On May 1st of this year I decided to apply once again for the Chase Freedom, and to my surprise, I was instantly approved for a limit of 2,400.

My question is now, I would like to add a travel card to my list of cards. But I need help selecting what I should I apply for and when. I currently have 4 inquiries on my EX report (Citi, Amex, Chase, Chase.) 2 on TU (Discover and Amex) and 2 on EQ (Amex and AT&T when I bought a new phone last summer.) I live in Los Angeles, and the 2 primary airlines here are American and United, but I also like Delta and Southwest, and unfortunately have never had any good experiences with United, so the other three airlines are the ones I primarily fly on. However, I have been flying American more often. When my family and I do stay in Hotels, we usually stay at Holiday Inn's, Marriott's or Sheraton's (it just depends where we are traveling to...and this determines where we stay.) I would like to add a hotel/airline card to my list of cards, but I am not sure how to go about this. I'd like to start getting/miles and points and maybe use them for future trips and such. My current scores are: EX (736 on Chase Freedom letter, 733 on myfico yesterday) TU:728 (myfico) EQ: 723. I need help determining a strategy of when I should I apply, do I even have a chance of getting approved?

Any advice or help would be appreciated.