topic Re: Synchrony CLIs? in Credit Cards

Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:30:50 GMT

Been a little while since I've been on here, and I just found out yesterday that Synchrony will be taking over my Chase BP card... the problem for me is that I was just about to request a CLI to try to get the rate closer to my other cards and I don't see a luv button anywhere on the Chase site (assuming it's removed since they lost the business).

I've never had a Synch-backed card that I know of, so I'm just wondering how friendly they are to CLIs and if there's any particular strategy that works best (live chat vs luv button). Thanks.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

MissMoni223 — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:59:43 GMT

The chat feature with Synchrony has worked more wonders for me than phone or luv button. If chat is not available then opt for call in CLI.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:59:58 GMT

I tried the chat yesterday and was told that CLIs can't be done online. He asked me to call in and has made a remark on my account that I'd be calling for a CLI. This is an Ashley Furniture store card. Others have reported here that there's a love button right on their web interface so this seems to be a huge YMMV.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:38:17 GMT

My experience is with chat , i have in my case amazon card with them for 4 months and yesterday for the chat in 3 minutes they approved cli. SL $800 , Auto Increase first month to $1,000 and yesterday to $3,000.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:49:48 GMT

Thanks for the quick feedback! Looks like I'll be chatting once the conversion is done...

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

TRC_WA — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:57:08 GMT

Synchrony is a bank I've given up trying to figure out.

As recently as 3 months ago I had a Walmart, 76 and Chevon gas card with them... limits $600-$900. I had each card over a year and never got a single CLI that I requested... denied every time. I ended up closing all 3 accounts with my year end 2014 cleanup.

Then they approved me for a $2500 Sam's MC last week.

I am happy to say I am no longer interested in their store card products. I have Care Credit (I don't consider this a store card) and my Sam's MC. Synchrony is a bank that is great for rebuilding but once you build a solid profile their store card products are pretty worthless. Why clutter your credit reports with store cards when the same retailers take your major CC's?

That's how I roll anyway...

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:04:46 GMT

@TRC_WA wrote:
Why clutter your credit reports with store cards when the same retailers take your major CC's?

Kudos to you for getting rid of USELESS store cards, which most of them are IMO. However, when I think of the only store card I have, it gives me access to 0% financing for up to 2-3 years depending on the sales event. Sure, we don't buy furniture all the time but it's a great thing and I wouldn't go anywhere else unless they offer me the same perk. Using a 2% CC to pay for a $1,500 living room set nets some $30 cash back but being able to pay it off interest free over 24-36 months is superior.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

TRC_WA — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:15:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@TRC_WA wrote:
Why clutter your credit reports with store cards when the same retailers take your major CC's?
Kudos to you for getting rid of USELESS store cards, which most of them are IMO. However, when I think of the only store card I have, it gives me access to 0% financing for up to 2-3 years depending on the sales event. Sure, we don't buy furniture all the time but it's a great thing and I wouldn't go anywhere else unless they offer me the same perk. Using a 2% CC to pay for a $1,500 living room set nets some $30 cash back but being able to pay it off interest free over 24-36 months is superior.

Nothing wrong with that... same reason I have the 2 store cards that I have.... a $3500 Best Buy and a $2500 Nordstrom. The 0% promotions is all I use the BB card for... and both cards have a very strong chance of upgrade to MC/VISA.

When I refer to useless store cards I'm mainly talking about the $200 Target and $400 Pep Boys cards. Neither would be useful to me. Synchrony is the king of store cards... and while great for rebuilding they eventually will lose their usefulness.

For me... that moment is now. Care Credit is a great medical card and great for UTI... and of course Sam's MC is a MC with great rebates. Beyond that my interest in Synchrony products is minimal at best. I'm just glad they approved me for the MC instead of the lesser store card... I was told I didn't have a choice when I applied... glad the dice roll went my way.

I don't expect to ever get a CLI though... if the past is any indication... LOL

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:25:20 GMT

@TRC_WA wrote:
Why clutter your credit reports with store cards when the same retailers take your major CC's?

Interesting details about Synchrony in general... and congrats on the higher limit Sam's approval!

But as for this part, the card I'm asking about specifically is a major (visa) that just happens to be co-branded with BP. The reason it's worth having, regardless of the bank that is backing them, is because in my area most gas stations charge a higher rate per gallon for CC purchases (usually about 8-10 cents more per gallon) but when using my BP card the gas station I use most often gives me the discounted cash rate even though it's a CC transaction, so factor that in with the actual rewards that build up through the program and I come out pretty decent on my gas purchases... But other than that I don't really use it.

The only true store card I have that I still use (I have 2 others that I've had for years and am basically just waiting for them to close due to inactivity) is my Target red card for the 5% off all transactions... since the 5% is taken off pre-tax it actually works out better than just the straight 5%.

I say all that to say, people have many reasons for why they clutter reports with store cards... each situation is unique, just like every credit report/score is.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

TRC_WA — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:27:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@TRC_WA wrote:
Why clutter your credit reports with store cards when the same retailers take your major CC's?

I say all that to say, people have many reasons for why they clutter reports with store cards... each situation is unique, just like every credit report/score is.

Yep... and it's pretty common knowledge that in the long run a wallet full of store cards will limit your ability to expand your profile. Major bank cards are and always will be a better option.

As far as CLI's with Synchrony goes... YMMV. I've had no luck while others worship Synchrony for giving them a CLI every 4 months.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:32:37 GMT

Syncrony bank is pretty generous with CLI. i have had amazon store card from syncrony bank which initiall had 450 and within 5 months i am at 3400. i did a chat request today and they gave me 2500. they are pretty awesome. but then again i have paypal smart connect which is from syncrony too but i have had no lucks with that one. i always get denied when i request cli. and i have had smart connect wayyy before amazon store card.

Re: Synchrony CLIs?

ddemari — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:46:48 GMT

I dont know why synch bank wont give me a 4 month increase on banana and old navy. I have used the cards at least 3 times a month. I
Always generate a 0 balence statement though. Gap works like clockwork but banana and old navy reps are constantly saying no, tu fico in the 720s.