topic Re: Time to choose an Airline CC in Credit Card Applications

Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 03:49:27 GMT

Hello All,

I have not applied for a CC in years. I always wanted an AADvantage card but have held off as my credit needed to be repaired. I have two CC's now ($5k limit each). I carry no balance at the end of the month and I actually rarely use one of them. My credit is the best it has ever been and its time to choose a card. Its between Southwest Priority or American Airlines AAdvantage.

My scores are as of right now Exp 819 Eq 825 TU 818

I dare say I shouldn't have any issues, I am like a hawk when it comes to my credit so I can't help but feel apprehensive applying for one of these cards.

Which airline do I fly mostly? American! No brainer then! However, I'd like to start flying Southwest as well so in a perfect world I would like both cards but I dare say applying simultaenously would not be a good idea regardless of my score/s yes? Any idea on length of time between applying for multiple CC's? I'm in no real hurry but would like both eventually.

I want the airline card to help me gain status quicker and of course to eventually be able to use the miles for tickets etc.

Any ideas on what the limit would be? I'd be disappointed with $5k or less I have just never asked for an increase on my existing cards. I make approx $175k annually if that helps and own a home and have one car note. That's it!

I hope to learn alot now that I have signed up and thanks all in advance!

Its between the AAdvantage Platinum Select World or World Elite!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 05:40:18 GMT

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite. The wait begins....

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Gmood1 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:09:01 GMT

No need to wait. Call them in the morning , once the UW department opens.
I'm guessing verification is needed if you didn't receive an instant approval.

If you want the other card. Go ahead and grab it. Two different lenders here.
Two apps aren't going to destroy your chances.
You should get both easily.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Priory_Man — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:29:09 GMT

Barclays Red Aviator is also an AAdvantage card, current SUB is 50k miles after first purchase plus payment of $95 AF. Picked that one up myself even though I already have the Citi Exec version.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:51:00 GMT

Oh so should have been instant? I unlocked all reports last night prior to applying!

I will call them as you said and let you know the result. Anxious to finally have this card and I will use it for everything if they give me a good spending limit.

I'm trying to call in, who do I contact again? Everything is wanting me to enter my CC number which of course I don't have one yet.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:00:48 GMT

Ok, on with them now. They showed my Experian as being locked but I had unlocked it. Turns out I still have a Security freeze on my account so off to Experian I go to calland lift. smh!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Gmood1 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:41:52 GMT

Since you haven't applied in a long while. Even if it didn't have a freeze on it, there's a good chance you'd still have to call them for verification.
Good luck! Though I doubt you need it.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:45:26 GMT

Got the freeze removed, Experian said give it 15-20m so I am giving it 30m or so and I am calling Citi back and getting my card!!!!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:21:01 GMT

Interesting and I am none too thrilled about this process so far. I called Citi again, they were able to access my Experian and I was logged onto Experian service and saw the inquiry as shown here:

"CITI CARDS CBNA obtained a copy of your EXPERIAN Credit Report.

A lender has requested a copy of your Credit Report for a bank/credit card. Every time you apply for credit, a 'hard inquiry' is placed on your Credit Report and it may stay on your report for 25 months.

Alert Details Alert Date Jan 24, 2019

Source EXPERIAN

Company CITI CARDS CBNA

Address PO BOX 6000 SIOUX FALLS, SD 571176000"

She then comes back on the line saying they still need to verify some information and I will get a phone call and email about the final decision. **bleep**? Not liking how annoying this is but again I am so hawkish about my credit so I can't help but be annoyed and wondering what the problem is.

I know someone mentioned applying for the Southwest card as well, no way after the way this process is going.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Remedios — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:32:27 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Interesting and I am none too thrilled about this process so far. I called Citi again, they were able to access my Experian and I was logged onto Experian service and saw the inquiry as shown here:

"CITI CARDS CBNA obtained a copy of your EXPERIAN Credit Report.

A lender has requested a copy of your Credit Report for a bank/credit card. Every time you apply for credit, a 'hard inquiry' is placed on your Credit Report and it may stay on your report for 25 months.

Alert Details Alert Date Jan 24, 2019
Source EXPERIAN
Company CITI CARDS CBNA
Address PO BOX 6000 SIOUX FALLS, SD 571176000"

She then comes back on the line saying they still need to verify some information and I will get a phone call and email about the final decision. **bleep**? Not liking how annoying this is but again I am so hawkish about my credit so I can't help but be annoyed and wondering what the problem is.

I know someone mentioned applying for the Southwest card as well, no way after the way this process is going.

OP, it's only been 12 hrs since you applied. Verification is becoming more and more common these days.

It's best if you get used to it.

Good luck with your application

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:33:41 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Interesting and I am none too thrilled about this process so far. I called Citi again, they were able to access my Experian and I was logged onto Experian service and saw the inquiry as shown here:

"CITI CARDS CBNA obtained a copy of your EXPERIAN Credit Report.

A lender has requested a copy of your Credit Report for a bank/credit card. Every time you apply for credit, a 'hard inquiry' is placed on your Credit Report and it may stay on your report for 25 months.

Alert Details Alert Date Jan 24, 2019
Source EXPERIAN
Company CITI CARDS CBNA
Address PO BOX 6000 SIOUX FALLS, SD 571176000"

She then comes back on the line saying they still need to verify some information and I will get a phone call and email about the final decision. **bleep**? Not liking how annoying this is but again I am so hawkish about my credit so I can't help but be annoyed and wondering what the problem is.

I know someone mentioned applying for the Southwest card as well, no way after the way this process is going.

OP, it's only been 12 hrs since you applied. Verification is becoming more and more common these days.
It's best if you get used to it.

Good luck with your application

Ok, cool! No worries then, earlier someone mentioned it should be instant so if its now normal to have a verification window that's completely fine! Nice to know! Thanks!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

jdbkiang — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 05:36:20 GMT

With your scores, I wouldn't hesitate applying to both cards. They're with different banks, and it's unlikely that you get declined by either one (assuming you don't have any income or other issues). Verification is also common for people who haven't applied for a card in a long time, so waiting even up to a week is common.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 21:19:18 GMT

No update yet, please tell me this is still a good sign. smh!

To reiterate, 2 CC's I have had for years...$0 balance on both (I don't carry a balance), mortgage and car payment and that's it! This should have been a breeze!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Gmood1 — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 21:55:48 GMT

Actually it doesn't quite work that way.
You need to show use of your credit cards. That doesn't mean carrying a balance. It means allowing some usage to report.

I still believe you'll be fine. Call them again and asked what your next step is. Normally with Citi, they transfer to a UW for verification. Once verified, they approve you for the card.

From what you described, there hasn't been much movement on your credit file. It can be a red flag to the lenders. For reasons I don't understand, they assume your identity may have been stolen.
You'll likely receive a letter requesting you call in and speak with someone for verification.

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 22:07:37 GMT

@Gmood1 wrote:
Actually it doesn't quite work that way.
You need to show use of your credit cards. That doesn't mean carrying a balance. It means allowing some usage to report.

I still believe you'll be fine. Call them again and asked what your next step is. Normally with Citi, they transfer to a UW for verification. Once verified, they approve you for the card.

From what you described, there hasn't been much movement on your credit file. It can be a red flag to the lenders. For reasons I don't understand, they assume your identity may have been stolen.
You'll likely receive a letter requesting you call in and speak with someone for verification.

Oh, I use the card/s..I just paid off $1200+ from oneof them today and it showed on my report as a balance when last reported. I will give them a call again and ask for a UW (I assume this means under writer?).

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Gmood1 — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 22:15:20 GMT

Yes, that's right.
I always get a UW in Kentucky.
Hopefully they'll go ahead and complete your application.
Good deal on allowing your balances to report!😀

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 02:38:27 GMT

@Gmood1 wrote:
Yes, that's right.
I always get a UW in Kentucky.
Hopefully they'll go ahead and complete your application.
Good deal on allowing your balances to report!😀

I will call them tomorrow, lets see what happens!

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 18:12:46 GMT

Had the same thing with Citi when I applied for their premier card. Albeit it is a different product, it goes through the same system. You should be able to get it.

As for airline cards, I carry delta, american, and both southwest personal versions before chase initiated the one southwest card. I recommended calling retention every 3 months for an offer on your account to persuade you to keep the cards.

Good luck

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 03:30:55 GMT

I did not have a chance to call them today, but I just got this alert from Experian - 3pts isn't bad at all but still they better send a man his card. ha!

"Your FICO® Score has decreased by 3 points.

Good news. Even though your FICO® Score went down your Credit Rating did not so it should not impact your credit worthiness.

Alert Details

Alert Date Jan 26, 2019

Source EXPERIAN

New Score 816

Credit Rating Exceptional"

Re: Time to choose an Airline CC

800FICOGoal — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 15:53:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello All,

I have not applied for a CC in years. I always wanted an AADvantage card but have held off as my credit needed to be repaired. I have two CC's now ($5k limit each). I carry no balance at the end of the month and I actually rarely use one of them. My credit is the best it has ever been and its time to choose a card. Its between Southwest Priority or American Airlines AAdvantage.
.
.
Which airline do I fly mostly? American! No brainer then! However, I'd like to start flying Southwest as well so in a perfect world I would like both cards but I dare say applying simultaenously would not be a good idea regardless of my score/s yes? Any idea on length of time between applying for multiple CC's? I'm in no real hurry but would like both eventually.

Greetings from another AA'er.

Too bad I didn't see your post before you applied. I would have suggested the Barclays Aviator Red (with an eventual upgrade to Silver), as your first AA card. At that point you're earning 3x miles per $ on AA flights. Thats a good chunk of miles to leave on the table, especially if you fly in premium cabins or very frequently.

Ultimately, the best card would really depend on how(first class, coach), and how much you fly (weekly, monthly, quarterly, international, domestic)? If you're not a road warrior, I wouldn't bother with the Southwest card yet. You can always get it sometime later. Splitting your loyalty slows your mileage progress if you dont fly enough. As an alternative, you can pay for the WN tickets with the AA card and earn the WN points via your RR number.

Again, your card choices really depend on your travel patterns.

@Anonymous wrote:
I want the airline card to help me gain status quicker and of course to eventually be able to use the miles for tickets etc.

I'm not sure what you mean by "gain status quicker". The Citi AAdvantage Platinum has no EQM or EQD bonus that can be applied towards elite status. Only the Citi AAdvantage Executive and the Barclays Aviator Silver offer EQD and EQM bonuses. Did you mean boarding priority?

@Anonymous wrote:
Its between the AAdvantage Platinum Select World or World Elite!

I want both!! LOL