topic Re: Why is Citi being difficult? in Credit Cards

Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:59:38 GMT

Applied for the HHonors Visa Signature platinum. EQ 784, EX FAKO 760, TU 765. Utilization is reporting as 13% (but I carry no balance, those are just statement-ending numbers). Have the following history:

- Open HHonors AMEX card ($7500 CL) I've had for 7 years with no late payments.

- Open BoA Visa ($2900 CL) I've had for 6 years with no late payments.

- Open Kohl's charge ($1000 CL) I've had for 10 months with no late payments.

- Fixed rate mortgage I opened in May of last year. No late payments, actually have paid several thousand in additional principal.

- Closed student Visa from a local credit union (open 2002, closed 2006)

- Closed car loan from 2007, paid in full.

- Closed student loan from 2006, paid in full.

I have 0 negative items on my report, and the only hard pulls from the last 2 years are 2 from when I was mortgage shopping, and 1 for the Kohl's charge. My income is $100k+, I have had the same employer for the last 4 years.

I got rejected for this card because of insufficient account history. They of course pulled my EX, which is the lowest score I have (but still is relatively high). Is Citi just being difficult here or is there something lacking in my credit profile? I want this card because I want something that will earn me HHonors points when the AMEX isn't accepted.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:03:03 GMT

No read my post they closed my account because of too many recent new accounts THAT WERE FRADUENTLY OPENED....sending a recon letter hope it works

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

fused — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:24:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Applied for the HHonors Visa Signature platinum. EQ 784, EX FAKO 760, TU 765. Utilization is reporting as 13% (but I carry no balance, those are just statement-ending numbers). Have the following history:

- Open HHonors AMEX card ($7500 CL) I've had for 7 years with no late payments.

- Open BoA Visa ($2900 CL) I've had for 6 years with no late payments.

- Open Kohl's charge ($1000 CL) I've had for 10 months with no late payments.

- Fixed rate mortgage I opened in May of last year. No late payments, actually have paid several thousand in additional principal.

- Closed student Visa from a local credit union (open 2002, closed 2006)

- Closed car loan from 2007, paid in full.

- Closed student loan from 2006, paid in full.

I have 0 negative items on my report, and the only hard pulls from the last 2 years are 2 from when I was mortgage shopping, and 1 for the Kohl's charge. My income is $100k+, I have had the same employer for the last 4 years.

I got rejected for this card because of insufficient account history. They of course pulled my EX, which is the lowest score I have (but still is relatively high). Is Citi just being difficult here or is there something lacking in my credit profile? I want this card because I want something that will earn me HHonors points when the AMEX isn't accepted.

This does seem odd given your scores and credit profile. Are all three of your reports reporting the same info? If not, is there something on your EX report that is not on your other two reports?

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:27:14 GMT

The only difference between the three reports is that the EX report has more hard inquiries (the three I mentioned, plus now the Citi inquiry and what I believe is a soft inquiry from Verizon). TU and EQ only report the mortgage inquiries.

I've submitted a recon via planet feedback, let's see if that goes anywhere.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

fused — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:32:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I've submitted a recon via planet feedback, let's see if that goes anywhere.

That sounds like a good plan.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:20:45 GMT

I was going to use that website for Citi and Barclays does it work?

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

fused — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:31:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I was going to use that website for Citi and Barclays does it work?

Yes, it does sometimes. Planetfeedback is also helpful in having late payments removed from credit reports.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:35:00 GMT

Awesome I think i am going to send my recon letters VIA that site in addition to my formal letters i am sending tomorrow...Anything i should know on what to say in them? For planetfeedback that is, and has it been successful with Citibank recon and Barclays?

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

fused — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:40:18 GMT

I don't know about Barclays, but it has worked with CITI. As for your letter, focus on how the CCCs would benefit from doing business with you. They care about themselves, NOT us. Be honest and to the point. As always, your mileage may vary, but good luck.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:44:08 GMT

Will do thanks, ill post a thread of the outcome

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:04:07 GMT

Well, I got an explanation from Citi on this after I called, but I'm not sure if I believe it.

Their claim is that Hilton (not Citi) sets specific guidelines on who can obtain this card. Specifically, I was told that the age of my oldest account wasn't old enough. I find this strange given that it's 7 years old (and that card is an Hilton AMEX, which I obtained as a student with little credit history at all), but nevertheless they weren't budging. AAoA according to Experian (which is what they pulled) is 4.4 years, which might be what they were referring to.

I don't really need the card, so it's no sweat off my back, but I did want to earn Hilton points on my non-AMEX purchases. My only other card is a FIA card, and I hate BoA's business practices (I got the card back when they were still MBNA), so I'll probably apply for my credit union's (First Tech) Visa to serve as my new backup. I'll take a hit on AAoA but they pull EQ, where I have the 784 (and actually no inquires now that the mortgage ones have just recently fallen off), so I don't think that will be an issue.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

score_building — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:25:23 GMT

I suppose that could be but I wonder if you called back once or twice if the story line would be the same...

that's a good one either way- 'it's the co-brand partner's call' 4 sure

side note, I think First Tech may be in talks to merge with another major CU, Addison Ave I think.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:56:21 GMT

After some research I went for the Fred Meyer MC from RBS to serve as my new backup. Got auto-approved online. I can't believe I forgot about this card - I'm a pretty loyal Fred Meyer grocery shopper but I always seem to miss the $500 quarterly spending minimum to get the 1% rebate (since I'm single). Getting this card will clinch that every single quarter and the 2% rebate for Fred Meyer purchases is icing on the cake. A bit of a novelty for me as well since I've never had a Mastercard before. I've been pretty loyal to AMEX since they were my first non-student card and I'm going to continue to be as long as they treat me well. Once I get this puppy I'm going to sock-drawer the FIA card and knowing BoA they will likely cancel the account once the inactive months pile up, which is fine with me.

And yeah, First Tech is indeed merging with Addison Ave, but it's up to a vote for FTCU members. If the blogs are any indication, it's gonna be a close vote. I will defintiely be voting no - I joined a credit union because I liked the fact that it was locally (or at least) regionally run. I don't want a board out of California running what's supposed to be a credit union made up of people that live in the Puget Sound and Willamette Valley.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

fused — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:49:08 GMT

Good for you, Sullim!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:46:55 GMT

I would not waste my time on Citi. Those idiots closed my account with 0 balance and excellent payment history for no obvious reason. There is no guarantee that after they approve you they won't change their guidelines or their mind in 5-6 months)

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

MarineVietVet — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:14:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would not waste my time on Citi. Those idiots closed my account with 0 balance and excellent payment history for no obvious reason. There is no guarantee that after they approve you they won't change their guidelines or their mind in 5-6 months)

That appiles to every CCC as far as I'm concerned. I've read enough posts to realize most (all?) of the CCC's have/are/and will continue to do this. None of us are 100% immune.

From a BK years ago to:

9/09 EX pulled by lender 802
3/10 EQ- 800
4/10 TU -772

You can do the same thing with hard work

Credit Scoring 101
Common Abbreviations
Frequently Requested Threads
Whats In Your FICO Score

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:15:30 GMT

Thanks! Just as a follow-up, I called and found out I got a $6000 limit on that Fred Meyer/Kroger RBS card. Should be plenty.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:34:02 GMT

@MarineVietVet wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:
I would not waste my time on Citi. Those idiots closed my account with 0 balance and excellent payment history for no obvious reason. There is no guarantee that after they approve you they won't change their guidelines or their mind in 5-6 months)
That appiles to every CCC as far as I'm concerned. I've read enough posts to realize most (all?) of the CCC's have/are/and will continue to do this. None of us are 100% immune.

From a BK years ago to:

9/09 EX pulled by lender 802
3/10 EQ- 800
4/10 TU -772

You can do the same thing with hard work

Credit Scoring 101
Common Abbreviations
Frequently Requested Threads
Whats In Your FICO Score

Yes, but most CUs or Banks like US BANK or USAA will not play those games... I would stay away form Amex, Chase, Citi, BoA. Just my own opinion

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

score_building — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:39:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would not waste my time on Citi. Those idiots closed my account with 0 balance and excellent payment history for no obvious reason. There is no guarantee that after they approve you they won't change their guidelines or their mind in 5-6 months)

I agree with marinevietvet but you actually posted several reasons why Citi may've become nervous about the acct.

Re: Why is Citi being difficult?

score_building — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:43:00 GMT

Nice CL, Congrats!

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks! Just as a follow-up, I called and found out I got a $6000 limit on that Fred Meyer/Kroger RBS card. Should be plenty.