topic Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app? in Credit Card Applications

Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Cmikul — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 06:57:03 GMT

is there a better time to app for cards?

is applying late at night a bad idea or more prone to 7-10 day responses due to banks being closed?

or do you just count that the servers do their job 24/7

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

creditgambler2018 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:06:51 GMT

If you will get approved you will get approved anytime. It dont matter if it is 10:30 AM or 4:07AM.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Cmikul — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:18:45 GMT

Well that sucks, just got a 7-10 day on Ameriprise WEMC

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:29:44 GMT

I am curious; why would this thought cross your mind?

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:43:56 GMT

Actually, I have wondered that as well.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

OmarGB9 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:52:13 GMT

FWIW, I apped at around midnight for my Amex and got approved. Although I did run into a hiccup and got an error post apping, and wasn't sure if I was approved at first or if my app had even gone through. Checked the automated status line and saw my approval.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

woodyman100 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:26:53 GMT

I like to app in that sweet spot where I'm awake.

on a serious note, I have wondered the same thing. With all of the data points here, I would have thought somebody might have noticed a pattern if there was one

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

NRB525 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:46:56 GMT

@woodyman100 wrote:
I like to app in that sweet spot where I'm awake.
on a serious note, I have wondered the same thing. With all of the data points here, I would have thought somebody might have noticed a pattern if there was one

Please post your stats for each approval:

EQ TU EX income, baddies, utilization %, INQ count for 6 months... and was it before or after midnight, and which timezone

I think it might not make any difference at all, or at least not be something quantifiable. A bank's servers are either going to function, or they are down for maintenance. If the processing of the app goes to someone's desk, there's no telling where in the world that person sits, and the variability among banks is astounding.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:47:15 GMT

I'm not sure if there's a pattern, but I will say that if you plan on applying for multiple cards to get a twofer on an HP you want to be careful to apply on the same day...otherwise they will likely make two different HP's.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

kdm31091 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:30:06 GMT

Time of day is irrelevant if applying online...apps are processed electronically and instantly in 98% of cases. It's not like someone is actually reviewing it. So there is no difference whether it's 1pm or 1am.

Now, if you want to recon or need manual review, that makes a case for apping during "business hours", so you can talk to someone. But otherwise? Time of day doesn't matter whatsoever IMO.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:49:15 GMT

I thought not so much time of day, but which day to app to better wage when your statement will be and when your inquiry will fall off.

Like App on a Thursday at the end of the month before the 1st and you have one less month to deal with an Inquiry.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

joshkm — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:03:59 GMT

Late at night is always the best time to app. That's when the gremlins all come out to play and monkey wrench the entire system. It's the best time to try and slip in through the cracks!

In all seriousness I don't think it matters what time of day you app. What's going to happen is going to happen and it all depends on what's reporting when they HP you. Most of my apps have been late at night only because I couldn't sleep and my mind was torturing me on whether or not to pull the trigger on something or give things more time.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

morgacj2004 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:26:04 GMT

I have generally had great success with recon late at night. The reps seem to be generally more relaxed and willing to listen. That is just my personal experience though.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 05:56:13 GMT

I've heard that between 3-5 in the morning, many banks are updating their systems. IMO if your a Vampire and up all night, dont app that late.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

mowglidude — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 19:09:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm not sure if there's a pattern, but I will say that if you plan on applying for multiple cards to get a twofer on an HP you want to be careful to apply on the same day...otherwise they will likely make two different HP's.

So are you saying I should app for say the CSP and Marriott Rewards Premier from Chase the same day or time? Only one pull for both?

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

mowglidude — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 19:11:21 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
Time of day is irrelevant if applying online...apps are processed electronically and instantly in 98% of cases. It's not like someone is actually reviewing it. So there is no difference whether it's 1pm or 1am.

Now, if you want to recon or need manual review, that makes a case for apping during "business hours", so you can talk to someone. But otherwise? Time of day doesn't matter whatsoever IMO.

Does it matter if you only have a job for three months when you app after rebuilding, but way better proveable income? Same industry 25 years though...

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 21:21:41 GMT

@mowglidude wrote:
So are you saying I should app for say the CSP and Marriott Rewards Premier from Chase the same day or time? Only one pull for both?

Many people have reported that as long as you apply on the same day for two Chase cards the inquiries will combine (the 2-for-1). I would suggest applying for the one you want more first and see if you're approved:

if approved, then go ahead and apply for the second one on the same day (doesn't need to be immediately after as long as it's the same calendar day)
if rejected, then call to recon. Recon approved = apply for second, recon denied = stop applying
if pending, then decide if you want to ask for manual review or not. If you do, then follow step 2. If you don't, I would probably stop applying.

@mowglidude wrote:
Does it matter if you only have a job for three months when you app after rebuilding, but way better proveable income? Same industry 25 years though...

If you can prove your income then you should be fine; it does sound like you have a higher chance of going to manual review though if you're worried about how your income will appear. So I would second kdm's advice about applying during business hours just in case they do need to talk to you.

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

mowglidude — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 22:18:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@mowglidude wrote:
So are you saying I should app for say the CSP and Marriott Rewards Premier from Chase the same day or time? Only one pull for both?
Many people have reported that as long as you apply on the same day for two Chase cards the inquiries will combine (the 2-for-1). I would suggest applying for the one you want more first and see if you're approved:

if approved, then go ahead and apply for the second one on the same day (doesn't need to be immediately after as long as it's the same calendar day)
if rejected, then call to recon. Recon approved = apply for second, recon denied = stop applying
if pending, then decide if you want to ask for manual review or not. If you do, then follow step 2. If you don't, I would probably stop applying.

@mowglidude wrote:
Does it matter if you only have a job for three months when you app after rebuilding, but way better proveable income? Same industry 25 years though...
If you can prove your income then you should be fine; it does sound like you have a higher chance of going to manual review though if you're worried about how your income will appear. So I would second kdm's advice about applying during business hours just in case they do need to talk to you.

Thank you so much!!! Super helpful! I can prove income pretty easy. I bank at WF, where they can see direct deposits, but I want the Chase cards actually. What do they ask for as POI? Paystubs? I also have my offer letter from last November if they can use that...I believe with my current scores, updated today, I should have a pretty good chance with high proveable income. Your thoughts?

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

pizza1 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:42:09 GMT

Im just throwing this out there, but 90% of my approvals I have gotten over the last few years have been between 10pm-midnight, LOL.. and Ive gotten a lot of approvals.

Only very few of them have been between the hours of 9am-6pm...

Re: Is there an optimal time of day to app?

mowglidude — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:47:46 GMT

@pizza1 wrote:
Im just throwing this out there, but 90% of my approvals I have gotten over the last few years have been between 10pm-midnight, LOL.. and Ive gotten a lot of approvals.

Only very few of them have been between the hours of 9am-6pm...

That's good to know. Maybe I'm being over paranoid lol. What were your scores when you apped and how often or many HP's did you have during those approvals?