What is your current utilization and when was the late on the school loan and how later (i.e. 30,60,90, 120+)?
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That will provide the number to call for reconsideration.
Starting Score: 627 EQ, 621 TU - 11/15/08
Vish, no reason to go after the OP. Most likely he is looking for a CLI to lower his util and help his FICO score. Nothing wrong with that. I see absolutely nothing wrong with people recon'ing any decline. You have already wasted the inquiry, why not at least see if you can get something out of it. Does everyone on here that gets declined deserve to be issued new or more credit, absolutely not, but for every 1 person who is legitimately denied, there is someone who was denied for something that can be explained away during a recon.
That being said, I asked him what his current util is and when the late was to get a better feel for his credit situation.
OP - If your util is at 40%+, then the likelyhood of a CLI is extremely low. If you have high util with Chase, you can almost rule a CLI out completely. Ironically, the best time to apply for a CLI is when you have a 0 balance. A recent late will almost always exclude you from a CLI as well.
@vish1 wrote:
I am not against recon/backdoor or anything. I mentioned that there may be legitimate reasons to do that (I absolutely understand sometimes papers don't give the right picture). All I am trying to indicate is that for last few days, this is becoming more of a trend on the forums. Everytime someone is declined whole lot of other members encourage them for recon using backdoor. I am trying to say this is not the right trend. People should work on their credit instead of finding shortcuts. I repeat it may be fair to use shortcuts at times coz of legitimate reasons, but they should not become the way to get credit.
I have read posts here where people were declined, then declinced on recon and eventually got credit after multiple recons. I am against those kind of tactics becoming everyday things.
Actually, reconning denials (even in the most hopeless situations) isn't nearly a new, nor an increased trend that I can tell. The conventional wisdom has pretty much always been, 'if at first you don't succeed, hang-up and dial again!' 
The 'why' is pretty simple-- you've already taken a hit for the INQ, you might as well get your money's worth. For the most part, a reasonable recon attempt(s) is harmless. It only becomes detrimental to the prospective borrower if it results in more harm to their credit scores, or AA for drawing unwanted attention to blemishes on their credit reports-- AKA when the LUV button suddenly turns into a "CLD" button. Or, if you become so single-mindedly determined to extract a CLI/APR reduction/fee waiver/product change, etc... out of an unwilling lender that you blindly, and without consideration for the big picture, rashly take AA against yourself (rash actions that you'll regret five minutes after having made them).
But, I think I get the gist of what you're saying, what we generally always encourage: smart/strategic apping (for new credit, and changes to existing accounts). It is a good idea to get the duckies lined up in a row, and to get to know your 'prey' before poking at them. Wanting, isn't always a good reason for getting, and patience is, indeed a virtue. There's little value in taking risks, at inopportune times, when the potential payoff is highly unlikely. The risk of triggering AA can be high for some recon attempts, not just for the evil bank that you're poking at, but when the others get wind that you're seeking credit (or more credit).
So, reconners, beware & be wise! 
@Anonymous wrote:
@vish1 wrote:
I am not against recon/backdoor or anything. I mentioned that there may be legitimate reasons to do that (I absolutely understand sometimes papers don't give the right picture). All I am trying to indicate is that for last few days, this is becoming more of a trend on the forums. Everytime someone is declined whole lot of other members encourage them for recon using backdoor. I am trying to say this is not the right trend. People should work on their credit instead of finding shortcuts. I repeat it may be fair to use shortcuts at times coz of legitimate reasons, but they should not become the way to get credit.
I have read posts here where people were declined, then declinced on recon and eventually got credit after multiple recons. I am against those kind of tactics becoming everyday things.
Actually, reconning denials (even in the most hopeless situations) isn't nearly a new, nor an increased trend that I can tell. The conventional wisdom has pretty much always been, 'if at first you don't succeed, hang-up and dial again!'
But, I think I get the gist of what you're saying, what we generally always encourage: smart/strategic apping (for new credit, and changes to existing accounts). It is a good idea to get the duckies lined up in a row, and to get to know your 'prey' before poking at them. Wanting, isn't always a good reason for getting, and patience is, indeed a virtue. There's little value in taking risks, at inopportune times, when the potential payoff is highly unlikely. The risk of triggering AA can be high for some recon attempts, not just for the evil bank that you're poking at, but when the others get wind that you're seeking credit (or more credit).
So, reconners, beware & be wise!
You got me exactly right. This is precisely the point I was trying to make.
