topic Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card in Credit Card Applications

Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Seth390203 — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 22:33:17 GMT

I got rejected for this card. First rejection I've gotten in many years. My Experian credit score is 821 and I have no debt and no negative marks whatsoever. I'm currently on disability so my income is very low and they said "Your total credit obligations, which include outstanding credit lines, are too high to meet our approval guidelines, when compared to your stated income."

I called their reconsideration line and they rejected me again. It's their bank and their call. I guess I'll continue to do business with Chase, Amex, Discover, Bank of America...

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

GZG — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:23:17 GMT

@Seth390203 wrote:
I got rejected for this card. First rejection I've gotten in many years. My Experian credit score is 821 and I have no debt and no negative marks whatsoever. I'm currently on disability so my income is very low and they said "Your total credit obligations, which include outstanding credit lines, are too high to meet our approval guidelines, when compared to your stated income."

I called their reconsideration line and they rejected me again. It's their bank and their call. I guess I'll continue to do business with Chase, Amex, Discover, Bank of America...

I'd be curious to know the general rule of thumb for maximum total revolving credit across all cards vs. Income

Does that line look linear or exponential?

Shame about the rejection, do you not have a 2% card now? BoA w/their rewards program perhaps?

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:25:25 GMT

Go figure? Sure makes me wonder ...

As we all know: "... the person who has the gold rules ...". Or, as you put it: "It's their bank and their call" ...

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Seth390203 — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:34:55 GMT

I have some good reward cards. USBank does 5 percent on a lot of categories (and also 2) and very easy to find out what qualifies and doesn't. Also have Chase Freedom Unlimited for 1.5 percent.

I just thought I would try Citi since they all have different special offers all the time. I guess not!

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Seth390203 — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:41:12 GMT

I guess I thought when I called a human being would say "Oh, yeah, okay, you're fine, approved."

Nope!

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Hoben02 — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:06:20 GMT

@Seth390203 wrote:
I have some good reward cards. USBank does 5 percent on a lot of categories (and also 2) and very easy to find out what qualifies and doesn't. Also have Chase Freedom Unlimited for 1.5 percent.

I just thought I would try Citi since they all have different special offers all the time. I guess not!

I'm curious what special offers you have heard for this card. My original purpose for this card was to use it with plastiq to pay my mortgage, but that ship has sailed. I've never seen any special offers for the citi double cash maybe the citi merchant offers, but those are similar to the other majors

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

CreditCharmer — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:24:25 GMT

@Seth390203 wrote:
I got rejected for this card. First rejection I've gotten in many years. My Experian credit score is 821 and I have no debt and no negative marks whatsoever. I'm currently on disability so my income is very low and they said "Your total credit obligations, which include outstanding credit lines, are too high to meet our approval guidelines, when compared to your stated income."

I called their reconsideration line and they rejected me again. It's their bank and their call. I guess I'll continue to do business with Chase, Amex, Discover, Bank of America...

Sounds like your utilization and debt vs your income didn't make it thru their underwriting or the manual review. Denials are so disheartening. 🥲

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Lou-natic — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:09:28 GMT

It sounds like if/when you get your DTI down you could reapply and get approved. It's not the end of the world just further proof that credit is about more than the score.

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Seth390203 — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 16:16:38 GMT

Hoben02, I see a lot of stuff like this...

https://slickdeals.net/f/16138606-amazon-select-citi-cardholders-make-purchase-of-15-get-15-off-valid-for-select-accounts?src=SiteSearch

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

AverageCreditsUser — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:44:32 GMT

@Seth390203 wrote:

"Your total credit obligations, which include outstanding credit lines, are too high to meet our approval guidelines, when compared to your stated income."

Hi, @Seth390203...I have received the same rejection letter three times on three different occasions in three years of my applications with Citi. This is an incredible denial of a clean credit profile with no debt reports and decent income. A similar rejection of a PenFed credit card application is almost like citing an analogy with the Egyptian Pyramids. Citi considers your total credit limit equal to your total debt.

Re: Rejected by Citi Double Cash Card

Aim_High — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:00:17 GMT

Welcome to My Fico forums @Seth390203!

Sorry to hear of your rejection and frustration.

There are tons of 2% cards available. It has appeared to me that Citi's underwriting is bit strict, especially right now. I would encourage you to consider other 2% cards. For that matter, it seems to me that Wells Fargo is a bit easier for approvals than they used to be and they now have the Active Cash. My personal favorite for a 2% card is the PenFed Power Cash Rewards, although if you're not a veteran you must either keep $500 minimum balance in deposit account or a $500 monthly direct deposit to earn 2% and avoid the monthly checking maintenance fee. Many of our members have had luck with FNBO's Evergreen 2% card. Comenity just introduced their Bread AMEX card that earns 2%. Those are just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are two links to recent Mega-Threads about cards that you might consider instead. Best Wishes on a future application.

2%-3% Cash Back Card List

Credit Union 2% General Spend Card List