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My story (short version): I've had PayPal Smart Connect for nearly 3 years at 2K CL. I opened a new PayPal account using another email, applied for the Extra MC, and got instantly denied... Then I called GE Money's backdoor number asking for recon, and got approved for 3K inital CL!
Much longer version if you are interested:
I'm an international student who first came to the States less than three years ago. Obviously I had zero credit history back then, and knew nothing about the system (if only I knew myFICO...) After many failed attempts with BofA, Chase, Citi, I got my first card with Capital One: 500CL later to 750 as part of the steps program, luckily with 1% cashback (some categories 2%) and no AF. I applied for PayPal Extra MC a month or two later, and got approved for Smart Connect instead (now I know I was lucky to be approved at all), 500CL as well. About four months later, I did the online CLI and was approved for 2K. That button then disappeared ever since.
Between then and now, I gradually got lots of cards with Discover (current CL 4K), BofA (4K), Chase (4K), AMEX BCE (2K, approved yesterday), Barclay priceline (1.5K), Citi Forward (2.8K), AT&T Universal (4K), etc. Since I always PIF (except during 0% introductory APR), I believe I can convince GE Money to convert my SC to Extra MC. However, I called them every couple of months and got nowhere. I was always told they appreciate me as a great customer, account upgrade is not available upon request. So this past Febrary, I thought I would just do a new application with a new PayPal account. Of course I was declined, but the letter I received states the reason was I already have another credit product with them.. they didn't even pull my credit report. I didn't know about backdoor number at the time, so I let it drop.
Half an hour ago, I just felt like applying again (don't know why). Was declined again, but I called the backdoor number. The representative verified some basic information, and put me on the hold for like 8 mins (presumably reviewing my application) before transfering me to another department. The second guy had a strange accent, but I was able to understand him fine. He just wanted to verify my cell phone number, so he sent me a text asking me to read back the four-digit code... lucky I have a smartphone, not sure you can do this on a dumb one... anyway he then told me I was approved for 3K and will receive my card in 7-10 days at most. Hope my story helps someone.
Congrats
Are you keeping the smart connect too or closing it? Congrats BTW! I may do this at some point, but it is certainly low on my priority list.
@gnarlycow wrote:My story (short version): I've had PayPal Smart Connect for nearly 3 years at 2K CL. I opened a new PayPal account using another email, applied for the Extra MC, and got instantly denied... Then I called GE Money's backdoor number asking for recon, and got approved for 3K inital CL!
Much longer version if you are interested:
I'm an international student who first came to the States less than three years ago. Obviously I had zero credit history back then, and knew nothing about the system (if only I knew myFICO...) After many failed attempts with BofA, Chase, Citi, I got my first card with Capital One: 500CL later to 750 as part of the steps program, luckily with 1% cashback (some categories 2%) and no AF. I applied for PayPal Extra MC a month or two later, and got approved for Smart Connect instead (now I know I was lucky to be approved at all), 500CL as well. About four months later, I did the online CLI and was approved for 2K. That button then disappeared ever since.
Between then and now, I gradually got lots of cards with Discover (current CL 4K), BofA (4K), Chase (4K), AMEX BCE (2K, approved yesterday), Barclay priceline (1.5K), Citi Forward (2.8K), AT&T Universal (4K), etc. Since I always PIF (except during 0% introductory APR), I believe I can convince GE Money to convert my SC to Extra MC. However, I called them every couple of months and got nowhere. I was always told they appreciate me as a great customer, account upgrade is not available upon request. So this past Febrary, I thought I would just do a new application with a new PayPal account. Of course I was declined, but the letter I received states the reason was I already have another credit product with them.. they didn't even pull my credit report. I didn't know about backdoor number at the time, so I let it drop.
Half an hour ago, I just felt like applying again (don't know why). Was declined again, but I called the backdoor number. The representative verified some basic information, and put me on the hold for like 8 mins (presumably reviewing my application) before transfering me to another department. The second guy had a strange accent, but I was able to understand him fine. He just wanted to verify my cell phone number, so he sent me a text asking me to read back the four-digit code... lucky I have a smartphone, not sure you can do this on a dumb one... anyway he then told me I was approved for 3K and will receive my card in 7-10 days at most. Hope my story helps someone.
Very nice!!!
CONGRATS!!!
@mauwow0682 wrote:Are you keeping the smart connect too or closing it? Congrats BTW! I may do this at some point, but it is certainly low on my priority list.
I am keeping my smart connect. It's my second oldest account, so it helps with my AAoA. I haven't been using it for like 7 months, and I don't receive a statement when there is no activity, but they report to 3B every month regardless.