topic Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening in Credit Card Approvals

App Spree After Years of Gardening

clg1231 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:18:29 GMT

After much work on improving credit, I am finally tipping the scales toward the 800 club.

EQ: 810

EX: 801

TU: A stubborn 740 (the other bureaus dropped a 90-day late after 6 years and 10 months, but it's still reporting to TU).

I pay CC balances in full and carry no other debt (house and car paid off).

When I saw 800s with EQ and EX, I pulled the trigger on an app spree to build a portfolio of cards that will benefit me. Prior to the app spree, the only credit card I had only a US Bank Kroger Card (limit $21,500), but I no longer have a Kroger store in my vicinity, so the big rewards from that card went *poof*

My spree started with an instant denial with the WF Active Cash app Bummer, because I really wanted no-brainer cash back. They pulled TU (740). I thought my previous positive relationships with WF (furniture, a camper) would pull some weight, but no.
Next was Chase. WHAT A RIDE. I knew to put them at the top of the list so as to avoid the 5/24 rule. I applied for the Freedom Unlimited, got the "we'll let you know within 2 weeks" message, and found that to be a good sign. Responded to an email later in the day requesting verification of date of birth and proof of address. Uploaded DL and got confirmation. A week later the "2 week" message changed to 7-10 days per the robolady. A week after THAT, received a letter stating "We're concerned someone may be using your personal information fraudulently and declined an application because of this. If your application is valid, please contact us." I did so, they did a verfication via text to my phone and stated they sent it back to applications. Two days later, robolady still said 7-10 days. At this point it was 15 days since initial application. I called AGAIN, and went through the whole spiel. This time fraud dept did a more in-depth verification (which of these... schools, addresses, cars, etc), updated info, coordinated with applications, and 5 minutes later - "Thank you for holding, congratulations, your application has been approved with a limit of $18,000." WHEW!! They pulled EX (801) and EQ (810).
While piddling back and forth with Chase, next on the list was Citi Double Cash. This one was an instant approval of $9000, and it gave me satifaction of 2% cash back without worrying over where to spend and what promos to use. Also eased the blow of the WF decline. They pulled EX (801).
Last was AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass. We favor the Hilton brand when traveling and the immediate gold status and SUB are lucrative to me. Another instant approval of $10,000 rounded out my spree. Interestingly, they pulled only TU also (740), which WF used for a big fat negative.

Sorry so lengthy but I thought the info (particularly re: Chase) might be helpful to others!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

Blender — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:43:35 GMT

Congratulations on your app spree successes!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

BigBS — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:50:35 GMT

Congrats on the approvals!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

M_Smart007 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:58:05 GMT

Congratulations on your Approval's 🥳

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

NoMoreDebt — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:16:58 GMT

congrats on the approvals

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

GZG — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:21:07 GMT

congrats on the approvals!!

was your Chase HP on your report when you were approved for Citi?

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

SouthJamaica — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:54:13 GMT

@clg1231 wrote:
After much work on improving credit, I am finally tipping the scales toward the 800 club.
EQ: 810
EX: 801
TU: A stubborn 740 (the other bureaus dropped a 90-day late after 6 years and 10 months, but it's still reporting to TU).

I pay CC balances in full and carry no other debt (house and car paid off).

When I saw 800s with EQ and EX, I pulled the trigger on an app spree to build a portfolio of cards that will benefit me. Prior to the app spree, the only credit card I had only a US Bank Kroger Card (limit $21,500), but I no longer have a Kroger store in my vicinity, so the big rewards from that card went *poof*

My spree started with an instant denial with the WF Active Cash app Bummer, because I really wanted no-brainer cash back. They pulled TU (740). I thought my previous positive relationships with WF (furniture, a camper) would pull some weight, but no.
Next was Chase. WHAT A RIDE. I knew to put them at the top of the list so as to avoid the 5/24 rule. I applied for the Freedom Unlimited, got the "we'll let you know within 2 weeks" message, and found that to be a good sign. Responded to an email later in the day requesting verification of date of birth and proof of address. Uploaded DL and got confirmation. A week later the "2 week" message changed to 7-10 days per the robolady. A week after THAT, received a letter stating "We're concerned someone may be using your personal information fraudulently and declined an application because of this. If your application is valid, please contact us." I did so, they did a verfication via text to my phone and stated they sent it back to applications. Two days later, robolady still said 7-10 days. At this point it was 15 days since initial application. I called AGAIN, and went through the whole spiel. This time fraud dept did a more in-depth verification (which of these... schools, addresses, cars, etc), updated info, coordinated with applications, and 5 minutes later - "Thank you for holding, congratulations, your application has been approved with a limit of $18,000." WHEW!! They pulled EX (801) and EQ (810).
While piddling back and forth with Chase, next on the list was Citi Double Cash. This one was an instant approval of $9000, and it gave me satifaction of 2% cash back without worrying over where to spend and what promos to use. Also eased the blow of the WF decline. They pulled EX (801).
Last was AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass. We favor the Hilton brand when traveling and the immediate gold status and SUB are lucrative to me. Another instant approval of $10,000 rounded out my spree. Interestingly, they pulled only TU also (740), which WF used for a big fat negative.
Sorry so lengthy but I thought the info (particularly re: Chase) might be helpful to others!

Well you got 3 great cards there, who needs Wells Fargo? Congratulations. And thanks for the detailed reporting

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

Legally_Speaking2512 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:01:59 GMT

Patience and discipline are two of the biggest factors I believe when it comes to managing one's credit profile and you my friend have exemplified that. Congrats on the approvals.

Sorry to hear about Wells Fargo. They are so finicky and I don't understand them (previous customer).

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

coreyb80 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:05:22 GMT

Congrats on the great spree!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

Linnaea — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:15:43 GMT

Wowza congratulations

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

clg1231 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:21:46 GMT

Thanks Gatorade! Yes, the Chase HP was maybe 10 mins prior to Citi.

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

clg1231 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:23:38 GMT

Right?! Thank you!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

clg1231 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:24:48 GMT

I appreciate that compliment! Yes, YEARS. I had a ton of debt and paid the price for a long time.

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

CreditAggie — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 01:27:05 GMT

Congratulations on your approvals!

Re: App Spree After Years of Gardening

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 03:19:33 GMT

Congrats on the approvals!