Stats for research purposes, cards and limits bold for quick tl;dr purposes.
Haven't been hanging around here too much. I went a little crazy after discovering this place (shopping cart trick is dangerous!) and saw my rising scores (High 400 Nov 14 to 700 +/- 15 very quickly) fall after being inundated with new accounts, inquiries, and balances. I paid interest which I swore I would never do. Multiple times.
After giving up daily MyFico I was able to cool it a bit, well that and app'ing for a QS1 and getting a 500 limit! My Venture was at $6700 so that.. that was not good.
I've been semi patient, dropped util, and I guess did that thing called gardening...
Before my 2 apps today:
Avg Income, probably slightly higher than usual university student.
AAoA: 1.2 - 1.3 yrs
EX: 23 INQ (13 1yr) 10% util
TU: 18 INQ (10 1yr) 10% util, 1 C/off over 6.5 yrs ago
Highest bank limits: Venture 6700, BofA 5900, BCE 4200
(store cards from 10k (reduced myself from 17k) all the way to $850)
My secured discover took 15-16 months to unsecure and I'm still at $300.
Citi Costco Visa - got a message to call in with an app ID for instant decision. After 6 min hold, told I was approved for $5k. Got email confirmation shortly thereafter, yes!
Relevant info: I've had a citi simplicity since Nov 2015 which I maxed 2x with BT and have it to under 30% right now. $2100 unwavering limit.
Chase Hyatt - got 7-10 day after app, email with 30 days, phone status 30 days, called immediately the verification number and after 10 minutes and 1 text was told I was approved for another $5k! I have tried Chase 2-3 times so it feels good to get in with them through Hyatt.
The only report I know that was pulled was a TU for Chase Hyatt (I'm in TX). I don't know if they doubled, or what citi pulled.
Hope these stats prove useful to someone in a similar situation.
PS: seriously don't go crazy with the SCT! I have closed every card that I don't use regularly (ie if card coupons are worth more than CB elsewhere) and very much regret the hit my acct age took with all the ones I opened.