CC Application Strategy
 

If one applies for multiple cards on one day, is the damage from multiple hard/soft pulls reduced by being counted as only one credit enquiry? If one wants to apply for multiple cards, is it better to spread the application s out over several days or better to do all on the same day?

If you're talking about U.S. applications, no they are not counted as one. Some types of rate shopping (e.g., auto and mortgage) do get consolidated for FICO purposes but not credit card applications.

IMHO there is no advantage to either "strategy" you are asking about. Inquiries do not matter and people often overestimate any FICO score impact they have. If there is a card product you can benefit from, go for it and don't sweat the inquiries.

It's an interesting question.

I've been experimenting with a strategy over the last year where I went on an application spree with P1, but continued doing a steady 1 application every 6 months for P2.

P1 took a big hit, and now I can't get approved for anything (recently rejected for Venture X and AOD), whereas P2 has near perfect credit, and gets approved for everything she applies for.

P1 is now on gardening leave until the middle of next year, and at that time I'm planning to go back to my preferred strategy of 1 personal application every 6 months for P1 and P2, with some business applications mixed in there too.

I'd be interested to hear other peoples strategies to see if my model can be improved on.