Get Approved for Multiple Credit Cards at Once

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There are plenty of good reasons to apply for several credit cards at the same time. Maybe you're aiming to collect multiple welcome bonuses, or you want access to more 0% APR offers to manage your cash flow. Whatever your goal, the trick is to avoid triggering too many credit inquiries—which can spook banks and lead to denials.

If you want to maximize your chances of getting approved for multiple cards in one go, you need a solid application strategy. This post will walk you through exactly how to do that.

Why Timing and Strategy Matter

Every time you apply for a credit card, the bank pulls your credit report, creating what's called a hard inquiry. Too many of those in a short time can hurt your approval odds, especially if the banks start noticing them.

That’s why it’s critical to apply in a way that:

Spreads inquiries across different credit bureaus,
Follows the specific rules and sensitivities of each bank,
And, when possible, takes advantage of inquiry “combining.”

Let’s dive into the key steps.

Don’t Rely on the “Two Browser Method”

Let’s get this one out of the way: the old Two Browser Method (2BM), where you’d submit two applications at the same time from different browsers to trick the system, no longer works. Credit bureaus now update data nearly in real-time, so there’s no real way to “beat” the inquiry.

Step 1: Use Different Credit Bureaus

There are three major credit bureaus in the U.S.:

Experian
TransUnion
Equifax

Most banks only check one bureau when you apply. So the key is to apply for cards that pull from different bureaus—that way, the inquiries don’t pile up in one place and raise red flags.

Here’s a quick guide to which banks pull from which bureaus (subject to change by state and profile):

<thead>

<tr>

<th>Primary Credit Bureau</th>

<th>Notes</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>Experian</td>

<td>Existing cardholders often avoid hard pulls</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Avianca</td>

<td>TransUnion</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Apple Card</td>

<td>TransUnion</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Barclays</td>

<td>TransUnion</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Bank of America</td>

<td>Experian</td>

<td>May pull TransUnion if Experian is frozen</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Capital One</td>

<td>All three (Experian, TU, EQ)</td>

<td>Very hard to avoid multiple pulls</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Chase</td>

<td>Experian</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Usually Experian</td>

<td>May pull Equifax as backup</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Citizens Bank</td>

<td>Equifax</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Discover</td>

<td>Usually Experian</td>

<td>Can use EQ or TU if requested</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Elan Financial</td>

<td>Experian</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Equifax</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>KeyBank</td>

<td>Equifax</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Synchrony</td>

<td>TransUnion</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Experian</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Experian</td>

<td>Freeze IDA/ARS for better odds</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Wells Fargo</td>

<td>Experian (sometimes EQ too)</td>

<td>Varies by state</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

Step 2: Apply in the Right Order

Some banks are stricter about recent inquiries than others. So the smartest move is to apply to the most sensitive banks first, and then move on to the more lenient ones.

Banks that are sensitive to inquiries:

Chase
Citi
Discover
Capital One
Wells Fargo

Banks that are less sensitive:

Amex
Bank of America (if you have <1 recent inquiry)
Citizens Bank
Barclays

Always apply to the strictest banks first so they don’t see new inquiries from the others.

Step 3: Know Each Bank’s Rules

It’s not just about bureaus and order—you also need to know each bank’s internal rules for approvals. Here are some of the biggest ones:

Chase – 5/24 Rule

If you’ve opened 5 or more cards in the past 24 months, Chase will usually decline your application. This includes cards from other banks.

Amex – 2/90 and Card Limits

Only 2 Amex cards can be approved within 90 days
A max of 5 total Amex credit cards (not always enforced)
Up to 10 Amex “No Preset Spending Limit” cards, like the Platinum or Gold

Citi – 1/8 and 2/65 Rules

Only 1 Citi personal card every 8 days
Max of 2 Citi personal cards every 65 days

Capital One

Only one approval every 6 months, even if inquiries are combined.

If you’ve had a returned check, recent overdraft, or any red flags with a bank, it’s best to skip that bank for now. You don’t want to waste an inquiry on a likely denial.

Step 4: Build Your Card Strategy

Make a list of the cards you want. Then create a spreadsheet to:

Assign each card to the right credit bureau
Order them from most to least sensitive
Track approval status and credit limits

Apply for all cards on the same day for best results. That keeps inquiries close together and can increase the chance of them being combined.

Step 5: Go for a Second Round (Same-Day Apps)

In some cases, you can apply for a second card from the same bank on the same day—without triggering an extra inquiry. Here’s how that works by bank:

Amex: Combine same-day inquiries. No pull at all for some existing customers.
Bank of America: Combine all personal card apps within 30 days.
Barclays: Often combines inquiries. Call recon to push second approval.
Chase: Mixed data. Business and personal apps are usually separate.
Citi: Combines personal or business apps (not both). But only one approval every 8 days.
Capital One: Combines, but allows just one card every 6 months.
Discover: Combines, but approves only one card every 12 months.
U.S. Bank: Does not combine inquiries.
Wells Fargo: Inquiries may or may not be combined—varies by case.

Final Tip: Apply Smart, Not Just Fast

Applying for multiple credit cards isn’t about speed—it’s about strategy. With the right plan, you can avoid denials, spread out inquiries, and maximize approvals.

So take your time, make your list, and go into your application day with confidence. You've got the tools—and now, the know-how.