I know there are dozens of threads discussing AORs and applying for new credit cards. I'm trying to tweak my strategy and wanted to see what the general consensus is:

Is it better to do:
A) 1 App per month for 4 months straight
B) 4 Apps at once and then wait a while before anything else?
C) Something else entirely different?


I have been doing a verison of Plan A, but have taken the last 4-5 months off because we were moving and needed a new mortgage.

So what plan works best for you? My main concern is that I'm always ready to jump on a big fish that happens to show up for a limited time (Cap 1 100K, BA 100K, etc)

I would go one at a time and actively check my credit after each app. Best way to make sure everything stays in order.

Do all four at once and then wait. I'd be surprised if there are many who suggest one at a time.

Doing one per month will let the 4th app see all 3 prior credit pulls and you will likely have a lower score in that 4th month than you do today. Do all four at once, get them all, take the score hit and then wait for inquiries to go away. Also, waiting for one inquiry per month to drop off your credit report in a couple years would annoy me.

Four is a little low though. I usually shoot for at least 6, and I think that might even be low for most who do real app-o-ramas.

Always being ready for the big score is a concern for all. I just don't do AOR's until there are a couple huge offers out there.

I was actually looking for advice for on this same topic. Good to know. I was usually doing 3 maybe 4 max at a time and I thought that was a lot. But it seems it's not. Guess for my next one in November I'll really put some thought into it. Thanks for the info.

All at once, reduces your chances of being denied for too many inquiries. Repeat every 6 months once the previous batch of inquiries drops off.

Make sure you can meet the minimum spend on all the cards you apply for. It is also a good idea to spread out the applications based on who does an inquiry from each credit bureau. For example, in Washington state, American Express pulls Experian, Citibank pulls Equifax, Chase pulls both Experian and Equifax, and Barclay pulls Transunion. Check your credit reports to find this out, as it is different depending on where you live. Credit Boards can also be a useful source for this information.

Also, I have found that Chase will approve roughly one card every month or two, two cards total in a calendar year, and to be approved for more than that, you must call the reconsideration line. Chase may give you a hard time if they notice you applying for lots cards with bonuses and cancelling them when the annual fee is due.