topic Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application in Credit Cards

A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

EasyMark — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:26:06 GMT

For a long time I've been doing research and due diligence on the Aven Rewards card, patiently waiting for some time and prepping and grooming my wife's pertinent credit report (Experian) to be ready ready for this Aven card (p.s. we are not churners) - grandfathering out old inquiries, getting her FICO score topped off, etc.; I even had her go through the procedural ordeal of getting set up with an Aven checking account and all its financial vetting, so after approval for that she was financially vetted (including setting up recurring deposits) and invested sufficiently in Aven to thus have a prior "relationship" prior to the credit card application submission.

When all the stars aligned a few days ago, I helped her prepare and submit a Rewards card application, while using a referral code from a friend. Mind you her FICO is in the low 800s, only one inquiry on Experian that is almost two years old, a 2% utilization on around $300K existing revolving credit, a 30 year+ credit report of active cards that long with not a single missed payment or demerit, and a high annual income (our household annual income is between a quarter and half a million, with her job as Assistant Vice President of Geotechnical Engineering of a global firm taking up a significant proportion of that, and net worth of multi millions, proof of which was sent with the Aven checking account application they approved, and repeated where requested in this application), including a house paid in full of $800K-$900K in value.

As a result of that disclosure she was instantly turned her down for the Rewards card, with the letter saying it is because of "absence of recent mortgage payment history" on her credit report! Of course, that is because the house, in her name, was paid to the builder in full 23 years ago, and no occupancy mortgage was ever possessed on the property. When Aven asked in the application process if she owned a house, she said "yes" (because to say otherwise would be fraudulent), but it didn't ask payment info (if we missed it they would have flagged it). In the rejection letter Aven had a secondary issue on her credit report notes of "too many inquiries in last 12 months" - she has zero. The only additional loan was a $10,000 24-months-same-as-cash non-revolving loan for a bathroom remodel due in a year - proof we have a house!

As you might understand, this surprise rejection caught us unawares, and took the wind out my sails. When the letter said it was an "automated denial", I took that to mean that any further Aven communication per the reply options allowed in the rejection letter will likely comprise telling me "our hands are tied" and make Coastal and their non-human but all-powerful "algorithm" the culprit (although I am aware Aven is legally just a dba of Coastal Community Bank), even though it is against their own interests of Aven as I would surmise, as we would be the least risky (regarding default) and most responsible client Aven might possess, and evidenced by the credit data they already possess (with roughly $300,000 of unused accessible credit available to my wife already) as well as tangible financial data we could continue to provide in ample supply, and as well as a prior financial relationship with Aven - all to obtain a card with modest, capped annual rewards to squeeze some value out of insurance, medical and similar payments to augment my other portfolio of specialized award cards for our household.

Lastly, I was contacted the next day surprisingly by an Aven rep, who respectfully heard out the grievances, arguments and disbelief of both of us, and who could not explain to us or justify the turn of events logically, and in turn filed a formal inquiry into the Aven review system (and for that I expressed my gratitude), although she said it would take a few days for them to review and process, She also suggested I write all these details down and email them to them (like the above data and narrative) to help bolster the argument, and dutifully I took the notable time to do such, as well as spin a positive scenario that could be gained for them in the future by correcting and noting this oversight and shortcoming in their automated under writing.

Mere hours later after her call we received another letter via email, tersely saying my wife was denied for the card for the identical reasons, and no further explanation. The rep had said she could apply again in six months (although none of the circumstances that led to her denial would obviously change at that time), and strongly pushed the HELOC card on us instead (no thanks).

Let that be a warning to my friends here (maybe we're the weird exception).

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

ptatohed — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:21:58 GMT

Bummer EM. I have read time and time again that people who own their home outright and put $0 for their mortgage have had application issues. It's advised to always put some positive number. Even if it means a little fudging. i.e. Use your property taxes, your insurance, your HOA, etc. to determine your "mortgage". In your case, you say they never asked your mortgage amount. That's a first for me. In my experience, if they ask you if you own or rent, and you say own, the next question is what is your monthly mortgage payment? But, then again, they can answer their own question just by reviewing your credit reports. Which it sounds like they did in your case.

Sorry man. Sounds like you took your time and did all the proper propitiations to the Aven gods before applying. All that time and effort just to basically get a perma-no.

I would probably keep trying with underwriting and ask for a manual review.

GL!

P.S. What about AOD? 3% on $1500/mo. Ends up being $18,000 / yr spending cap opposed to Aven's $10,000 cap, albeit less flexible if you needed to make a single large purchase over $1500.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:50:05 GMT

Sorry to hear, EM. Should have only been a soft pull on denial. Still, wasted time. Although the bank account doesn't hurt, I have not heard of it being necessary. I answered no, on the owning of a home/property. None of their business. Never had to submit anything for immediate approval, one year ago. Maybe her credit profile was too good, like Capital One does, thus the denial. I wouldn't take it personal, these denials happen to us all, regardless of gardened profile.

Pushing the HELOC CC alternative was a strange suggestion from the Rep, which makes me all the more to recommend not to affirm any property holdings on the app.

Alas, I can't complain on my personal experience. The Aven Rewards Card has been the best CC in my holdings for the last year, by far, especially with alll these nerfs going on.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

FicoMike0 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:26:26 GMT

Sorry to hear about the denial.

I got the card a year ago.

Ficos 800s

Said don't own home. ( didn't want equity card)

Gave $0 for housing expense

Listed $78,000 for income.

Linked checking with no direct deposits or other evidence of income.

Instant approval, $15,000 cl.

Had anyone gotten the card who admitted owning a house?

They seem to really want to push the equity card.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

bs1234 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:28:56 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:

Had anyone gotten the card who admitted owning a house?
They seem to really want to push the equity card.

While the risks are small, I would be a little hestiant about saying "no" as to whether I owned a house when I do. Obviously if there is a mortgage that's a material fact in risk assessment, which they should know anyway from the report, but even if it is paid off, a lender possibly could find cause to claim it was material (owning a house increases your exposure to certain liabilities etc) but in any case, lying on a form for credit can (currently in very rare cases) come back to haunt you and is that worth it for the Aven card, an extra $100 a year over a flat 2%?

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

Varsity_Lu — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:53:27 GMT

@EasyMark wrote:
When Aven asked in the application process if she owned a house, she said "yes" (because to say otherwise would be fraudulent)

The rep had said she could apply again in six months (although none of the circumstances that led to her denial would obviously change at that time), and strongly pushed the HELOC card on us instead (no thanks).

And there it is.

There is something not right about this company. OP, you are to be commended for your honesty. Aven's denial and counter tells us a lot about what they are really all about.

I wonder, has anyone who owns a home (and admitted it) ever been approved for this card? Seriously asking.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

FicoMike0 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:13:35 GMT

Actually, I don't own the house, since my wife is also on the deed. I own an interest in the house. They didn't ask that.

My income isn't exactly what I listed either, it's what I could easily demonstrate.

So, if your income is $101,000 and you list it as $100,000 is that the truth? No it's not.

How about if they ask if you own a house and the answer is, no, I own three houses?

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:57:56 GMT

We've always said, since day 1, Aven makes their money on HELOCS, and that this unsecured CC was just a tool for finding more clients on HELOCS. So it's no surprise that they would decline a client that they feel is right for a HELOC.

Ethical or not, is not the issue. Our issue is to take advantage of this opportunity, which we do time and time again in this marketplace. Run with it while we can. Nothing is permanent.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

Varsity_Lu — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:28:59 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
Ethical or not, is not the issue. Our issue is to take advantage of this opportunity..

We will have to agree to disagree on this philosophy.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

bs1234 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:38:07 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Actually, I don't own the house, since my wife is also on the deed. I own an interest in the house. They didn't ask that.
My income isn't exactly what I listed either, it's what I could easily demonstrate.
So, if your income is $101,000 and you list it as $100,000 is that the truth? No it's not.
How about if they ask if you own a house and the answer is, no, I own three houses?

If you own three houses you also own 1! As for joint ownership, I think that counts too.

I think the risk (which might be minute) would have to be material, i.e. the lie/untruth/misleading information might have caused the lender to approve the application whereas with the correct information they wouldn't. So underreporting income, or very slight overstating is probably fine, overstating by 100%, less safe!

And [politics alert], in the current state of the DOJ, if a need arose to target you, incorrect info on a form, well, you must be a domestic terrorist.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

odd_dog — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:13:23 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@EasyMark wrote:
When Aven asked in the application process if she owned a house, she said "yes" (because to say otherwise would be fraudulent)

The rep had said she could apply again in six months (although none of the circumstances that led to her denial would obviously change at that time), and strongly pushed the HELOC card on us instead (no thanks).
And there it is.

There is something not right about this company. OP, you are to be commended for your honesty. Aven's denial and counter tells us a lot about what they are really all about.

I wonder, has anyone who owns a home (and admitted it) ever been approved for this card? Seriously asking.

OK so when I signed up YES I told them I have a house (mortgage).....I was approved for the 3% credit card 15K limit....now they show my mortgage in the app, they show my apr on the mortgage (they can't beat so I guess they leave me alone) I have NEVER had them push a HELCO on me...the only thing towards that is under the black box where the credit card limit is shown, a green flag is always there, that says if you want a 450K CL change to our HELCO card... as for "ethical" and nice to deal with I LOVE this place way MORE than Citi - that is MY experience.....

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

EasyMark — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:09:11 GMT

Good to hear from my friends on this.

When we were jilted by Aven (I am currently in the process of a "revenge tour" of commencing a (legal) tranactional abuse of their Aven 1% cashback debit card from the Aven account we signed up for in good faith, on every questionable cashback use I can find, just for amusement and education!), I did immediately apply my spouse (and get approved) for a Citi AT&T Points Plus card (we just got AT&T, so on top of the 2-4% on the phones/internet, it gives a $20 monthly bonus on $1000 spend, so it gives us 3% for $1000 a month general spend (including 5% for gas and 4% for groceries possible in there, if needed), plus another 1% when I use my TAB debit card to pay via phone (not too bad- a great no-FTF card for general non-business expenses on our overseas trip in Oct, too, and a $200 SUB)). My main bank, US Bank, has uniquely screwed around with only one of my cards - the State Farm card which gives 3% on insurance - dropping my credit mysteriously from $10K to $500 one day before I paid my insurance bill two years ago (my FICO is 848, so that is not an issue), with no explanation provided, and none of my other many US Bank card affected (maybe due to low use since its only good for charges twice a year), and is pesky to get raised again without a hard pull.

My first personal priority is getting a Citi Double Cash, so I can get my treasured Citi ThankYou Card points out at full strength since I can't transfer them to my wife anymore, and they have been notorious with me and hardcore on the 0/6 inquiries, so I am keeping my powder dry to reapply with them at the end of Sept right before we head to Rome (30th anniversary) and being 0/6 then (BTW a Citi agent (after I set up a Citi checking account last week to establish the mythical "relationship" leeway) told me yesterday I could product change to a Custom Cash immediately afterwards if I get the Double Cash, but I know now that agents know less than we do what's going on (leading to the sacred practice of HUCA). Accordingly, right after I submit that I will submit a WTH app with Aven just for meaness; I can honestly say I don't own a home since I signed the house over to my wife many, many years ago to avoid unscrupulous business associates as a precaution. Next week I'm trying to get the Huntington Business Voice 4% card for my fledgling (but 23-year old) book publishing business and travel (and 4% dining cashback for business expenses overseas), and my wife a Langley 5% card to match mine (the greatest card after the ThankYou if people only knew all it can do), but both parties are going over us worse than when I got my secret security clearance long ago (The Huntington new branch people locally were useless, so I did get approved for the personal and business checking accounts online, and loaded them with a lot of bucks to hopefully get a big $1600 bonus (no direct deposit needed for either), and then apply for the card next week when I have zero inquiries over two years on my Trans Union report).

Some have asked why all the fuss for a capped 3% card; my agenda was one of "insurance," as a double ententre; (a) A 2+% card for the categories our 1.0 Smartlys (which we were blessed to get in the nick of time) and BoA Customized cards do not cover (a number of biggies), such as insurance and (b) insurance against when the Smartly 1.0s reach their inevitable demise, and get ahead of the game. We currently use a stash of Visa gift cards from ThankYou card offers to pay our many medical bills, some quarterly taxes (along with two Custom Cashes) and insurance (they even paid $44 grand for our new HVAC system and roof weeks ago!), but the Missus wants me to tone down on them, so I need surrogates (who knows when they finally close the doors on gift cards too (due to widespread "fraudulent activity" - boo hoo!)). To be honest, my 2% Synchrony card and 2% Bread card can get 3% with the 1% debit card payments for both banks (4% with our Paypal card as well), but I'm not counting on that staying either. As Dylan said, "The times, they are a'changin'..."

This reflection has caused me to have interest in seeing a thread here of what are everyone's "white whale" banks that for mysterious reasons will not approve you for the "holy grail" cards you want, due to unreasonable or inexplicable criteria, your not fitting their desired demographics or being seen as a profitable customer, etc. I think there would be some surprises; for me, its Citi, and surprisingly Wells Fargo (they rejected applications for both my wife and I (both 840+ FICO at the time, 2-3% utilization and long reports, and minimum inquiries) for the Autograph Journey card for our trip, even with a bundle of money in savings accounts there, and it being the only card there I'm interested in).

Sorry to be so scant on details again, and my usual laconic self!

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

ElvisCaprice — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:21:44 GMT

If you got a nice banking relationship with Wells, give a reconsideration a go and press on the relationship, what you have with them, worked for me.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

dfwxjer — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:14:13 GMT

Sorry to hear about the misfortune... I wouldn't exactly say this was humiliating or anything, but unfortunate sure.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

IcyCool7227 — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:23:36 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
Sorry to hear about the misfortune... I wouldn't exactly say this was humiliating or anything, but unfortunate sure.

It's humiliating in the sense that Easy Mark had to not only explain about his situation on the phone to an Aven rep but write it out only to still get the same answer. That and sharing the experience on this forum. Easy Mark you have an impressive credit and financial history! There's also the Robinhood Gold 3% card out there too. Have you ever considered that one?

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

ptatohed — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:51:54 GMT

GL EM!

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

Andypanda — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 01:11:49 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Bummer EM. I have read time and time again that people who own their home outright and put $0 for their mortgage have had application issues. It's advised to always put some positive number. Even if it means a little fudging. i.e. Use your property taxes, your insurance, your HOA, etc. to determine your "mortgage". In your case, you say they never asked your mortgage amount. That's a first for me. In my experience, if they ask you if you own or rent, and you say own, the next question is what is your monthly mortgage payment? But, then again, they can answer their own question just by reviewing your credit reports. Which it sounds like they did in your case.

Sorry man. Sounds like you took your time and did all the proper propitiations to the Aven gods before applying. All that time and effort just to basically get a perma-no.

I would probably keep trying with underwriting and ask for a manual review.

GL!

P.S. What about AOD? 3% on $1500/mo. Ends up being $18,000 / yr spending cap opposed to Aven's $10,000 cap, albeit less flexible if you needed to make a single large purchase over $1500.

I own my house outright, always put $0 as housing costs, and have been approved for 20+ credit cards doing so.

Re: A Recent Humiliating Experience with the Aven Rewards Card Application

MarkintheHV — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:32:09 GMT

I have had this happen to me several times. I just blow it off, and chalk it up to never again. Our home was paid off the day we bought it, same with our cars, yet they still use both of these against me from time to time.