Several tips:

1. You should never have any expectation on your first several cards. It is all about the approval, not the reward.

This means if you have to give up the reward or get a secured card, so be it.

2. Know when to stop - if 2 apps don't get you an approval, further apps will not do any good.

The first year of building credit is always difficult. But you have to understand what you are up for.