I had zero new credit cards for 2 years, but I got a Chase Ink (business) early in the year, Amex Business Gold in April (didn't get a welcome bonus because I wasn't eligible, but I wanted the 4x categories where I spend 6-digits a year amount), in June I got the Wells Fargo Bilt card to pay the rent, and then Capital One Spark Miles (Business) to get 2x and then Amex Business Blue (special 75k point offer for me instead of the usual 15k) in August. That's 5 cards.

I'd like to get a Hilton Amex business cards around December because I can put a $15k spend on it in December and then again in January to get free night certificates (they offer a free night in any hotel if you spend $15k in a calendar year). But the problem is that that this would be my 6th card for the year. I have 3 hard credit pulls this year and none the previous year so the credit report shows 3 total.

I put over $12k per month on Amex Business Gold and Amex Business Blue. My FICO-8 credit card score is 823 and I've been using credit cards for 25 years. I have an Amex Business Checking account with $60k in it. I also have 2 old Amex cards with about $35k total limit on them plus $10k limit on the Business Blue, and the Gold is a charge card.

• How likely am I go get approved for a Hilton Amex Business in December?
• Is opening 6 cards in a single year too many to get approved?
• Does Chase Ink Pref count since they can see the hard pull or it doesn't since it's not on my credit score? Same for Capital One Spark, which also does not appear on my credit report.
• Should I close one of the Amex credit cards that I do not use to reduce my credit limit with Amex or they don't care about that?