Here's something:
I just checked my Equifax report to double check my 5/24 status, as I'm about to apply for a CSP after canceling my CSR last month. Someone upthread said that you get a hard inquiry only if you're outside of 5/24. Well, my last application was for a Freedom Flex in July, and it resulted in a hard inquiry. There is nothing on my report that should call for that--credit score over 800, etc.

I'm sure there is some obscure reason for it, but for those looking to avoid these "hard pulls," you might keep that in mind. It's the only hard pull on my record right now.