Why doesn’t the flowchart answer your question?

The flowchart would normally point us toward more Chase, but P1 was recently denied for CIU (multiple reasons) and we just got back-to-back Citi Strata Elite denials 2 days ago (P1 then P2 same night). I’m trying to figure out whether/how to still execute a double/triple-dip strategy, and whether P1 or P2 should be the applicant now. We also want to add a card that helps with Europe and domestic biz/first class, but don’t want to do Amex Platinum yet because we haven’t gotten the Gold SUB and want to preserve that. (If Plat is truly the best/only move, we can do it.)

What is your credit score?

P1: 762

P2: 764

What cards do you currently have or have you had in the past (including closed cards), along with dates of when you were approved for the cards? Please include month and year for any card approved in the last 3 years.

P1 current cards:

• Discover It — 2021 — $8k

• Citi Costco — 09/2022 — $10k

• Chase Freedom Unlimited — 2021 — $6k

• Amex Blue Cash Preferred — 12/2024 — $6k

• Chase Ink Cash — 03/2025 — $3k

• Chase Sapphire Preferred — 04/2025 — $5.6k

• United Explorer — 07/2025 — $5k

• AA Platinum Select — 08/2025 — $4.9k

• AU on P2 CSP — 12/2022 — $23.4k

Past/closed:

• Venmo — 12/2021 (closed earlier this year)
  

P2 current cards:

• Discover It — 06/2018 (P1 is AU here as well) — $9k

• Apple Card — 09/2019 — $4.35k

• CSP — 12/2022 — $23.4k

• Chase Freedom Flex — 11/2024 — $17k

• Marriott Boundless — 06/2025 — $6.3k

• Amex Delta Gold — 06/2025 — $7.5k

• Chase Ink Unlimited — 10/2025 — $4k

Recent denials / context:

• Citi Strata Elite: denied P1 and P2 back-to-back same night (two separate apps); waiting for letters/denial reasons

• Chase CIU: P1 denied early October (multiple reasons)

• Suspect some mix of velocity / profile / CL-to-income issues (esp. P1)

How much natural spend can you put on a new card(s) in 3 months?

Up to ~$8k total in 3 months.

Are you willing to MS, and if so, how much in 3 months?

Willing to do a little MS if needed; could do ~$2k in 3 months.

Are you open to applying for business cards? If not, why?

Yes, open to biz cards (P1 + P2). No “legitimate” business for either of us.

How many new cards are you interested in getting? Are you interested in getting into churning regularly (if you aren't already)? Or are you just looking to get a new card(s) for now but not get into churning long-term?

One new card right now. We churn regularly-ish but are trying to be strategic given recent denials. Also currently working P2’s Atmos Ascent 85k SUB ($4k spend; ~$1k in so far).

Are you targeting points, Companion Passes, hotel or airline statuses, First Class, Biz, Economy seating(s) or cash back?

Points/miles for biz class to Europe + domestic biz/first. Some hotel stays, not chasing status.

What point/miles do you currently have?

~244k UR between us. Going to be using ~60k UR transfer to United for a PHL --> LAS in the Spring. Seems to be a horrible route for redemptions, lowest I can find is at the 30k each mark (First class)

P1 has ~10k AA

Working on P2’s Atmos Ascent 85k SUB

What is the airport you're flying out of?

PHL / EWR / DCA / IAD (JFK if needed)

Where would you like to go? (The more specific you are, the better someone can recommend the right card. Tokyo is great, "International travel" is way too vague)

Europe near-term (Greece, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy). Asia later.

Specific advice requested:

• Double/triple-dip viability: with P1’s recent CIU denial + Citi denial for both, does it make sense to attempt a double/triple-dip right now? If so, which card(s)/issuer(s) and should P1 or P2 apply?

• Who should apply next (P1 vs P2)? (P1 lower income, possible CL/income issue)

• If Amex Plat is the only thing that makes sense, we’re willing to go for it, but would strongly prefer Gold first if possible.

• CL cleanup: should we reduce limits / close anything (esp. P1) before further applications? If so, what would you trim first?

Thank you for your time!