topic Re: Fed Up With Discover! in Credit Cards

Fed Up With Discover!

MrChairman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:17:46 GMT

I have had my Discover card for a little over a year now! I have put THOUSANDS of dollars through it. Redeemed rewards, ect and still get denied for a CLI every time I call. My scores are all in the 660ish range. My highest CL is military star at about 9k. What do I have to do to get these guy to give me a CLI. I believe I am more than deserving of one!

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:37:10 GMT

Try this on for size (and I don't mean to topic jack).

I've had my Discover More card since Oct 2009. Started with a CL of $1800, 6 mos. later increased to $2300. I purchased a home 3 months after getting the card. I purchased the home knowing it needed several repairs, but thought I'd have time to make repairs at my convenience. Well, I ended up having to replace a bathroom floor (joist, subfloor, tiling and all), have mold remediated because of leaking A/C unit, and replace that A/C unit. All together, about $20K in repairs.

Well, last year at about this time, I used some available credit (in addition to Discover, I used a CITI, Cap1, Chase, BoA, AMEX and Credit Union Card) to pay for these repairs and other misc expenses, while building up savings. All the while NEVER missing a single payment on anything ( I haven't had a 30-day late in 4 years; when I was paying for grad school out of pocket). Anyway, I was carrying some balances for approx 6 months (about $16K of $19.3K...yea I know; high util). Well between savings and after doing pretty well this tax season, I've been able to knock out about half of that revolving debt (completely paid off the Chase, BoA, Discover, AMEX and Credit Union Card). I have about $8K left between my CITI & Cap1

5 days later, I get a letter from Discover asking me to call in for a "portfio review". I explain to them all of the above information, and the fact that the CRAs have yet to update yet....and what do they do?!?!!?!?

Reduce my CL from $2300 to $500!!!!!!!! They basically cited my high util.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:02:28 GMT

@MrChairman wrote:
I have had my Discover card for a little over a year now! I have put THOUSANDS of dollars through it. Redeemed rewards, ect and still get denied for a CLI every time I call. My scores are all in the 660ish range. My highest CL is military star at about 9k. What do I have to do to get these guy to give me a CLI. I believe I am more than deserving of one!

I think 660 is a little low for Discover's liking. Your usage sounds like what Discover likes to see. I bet once your scores get back around 700 that they will CLI you. What is your TU score? That seems to be their favorite CRA to pull.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:13:04 GMT

The stories provided here show clearly that we should never really regard our available credit as a "buffer." Banks get scared and will take it away from us as soon as they don't like anything about us.

This is nothing personal but I hate to hear people talk about what "Discover would like to see" from us. For all I care, I use them for their 5% cashback categories. I play their stupid sign-up game. But that's about it. Discover is not necessarily a card that will grow with you as others. Their CL is by far the lowest that I have of all of my available cards, half of what even Cap One gave me. My six month anniversary passed and my CL is still at the initial $3500 even though I charge about $500 every month and pay it off.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

MrChairman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:01:48 GMT

As soon as my promo APR of 1.9% runs out, it won't see much love unless I get a decent CLI within the coming months.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:02:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The stories provided here show clearly that we should never really regard our available credit as a "buffer." Banks get scared and will take it away from us as soon as they don't like anything about us.
This is nothing personal but I hate to hear people talk about what "Discover would like to see" from us. For all I care, I use them for their 5% cashback categories. I play their stupid sign-up game. But that's about it. Discover is not necessarily a card that will grow with you as others. Their CL is by far the lowest that I have of all of my available cards, half of what even Cap One gave me. My six month anniversary passed and my CL is still at the initial $3500 even though I charge about $500 every month and pay it off.

This is a YMMV type deal. Discover has been the only card that has "grown with me"

I got an initial $2500 CL that is now at $5300 after two years. I have never asked for a single CLI from any of my card issuers, because I don't need it, but Discover is the only issuer (besides my bank) that has given me an unsolicited CLI, and they've given me 3. I bet I could squeeze more out of it if I actually asked for CLIs.

I just re-read, you're mad that you're at your initial limit after only 6 months? Some people on this board are hard to please. Discover is stingy initially, by all accounts on this board, but they've been my highest CL for a while. If you keep using it a lot like you've said you do, I have no doubt that you will get your auto-CLI. In fact, if it's been 6 months exactly, you may get one around your next statement. I don't mean to get your hopes up.

I agree that we should be wary of relying on CCs as emergency funds. I think the credit world has reverted back to the days when charge cards ruled the market, at least temporarily. Credit cards should never be regarded as long term loans.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

MrChairman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:05:12 GMT

I've had the card for over a year as stated in my original post.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:07:16 GMT

Sorry, that comment was directed at the poster I quoted.

Like I said, Discover is really timid. I bet if your score was back in the 700s, or close, they would give you that CLI.

They don't usually approve scores in the 660s. Can I ask what made your score drop?

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

MrChairman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:29:03 GMT

I got a new auto loan in August. And apped for 3 new cards in Nov and Dec. So I'm sure AAoA and the inq are the reason. No cc balances.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

ficonightmare — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:31:00 GMT

This is a perfect example of how "YMMV".

You've done everything you're supposed to do with a CC. Use it and pay on time. Since they still see something they don't like, that's not your problem. Just realize that this is a company that may not work for you.

Don't sweat it. Use the card for purchases it rewards you on and that's it. Get your scores up a little higher and once you've had no inquiries for at leat a year, app for something else.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:32:06 GMT

Well, it sounds like your score will rebound and be even higher than before. Hopefully, a few months down the road, you'll get the CLI you deserve from them.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

vish1 — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:52:18 GMT

@MrChairman wrote:
I got a new auto loan in August. And apped for 3 new cards in Nov and Dec. So I'm sure AAoA and the inq are the reason. No cc balances.

Did you ask them for a CLI even before you got your autoloan, if yes, what was your score then?

What is your total available credit / income?

How old is your history?

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

JayRizzo — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:12:51 GMT

Oh people, stop! awww I can't take too much of this! I think it's been over-assessed -- it's a credit card, not a national crisis! Ok ok ok, first I wanna give a double-AMEN to wollepopolle. Also, to those who stated YMMV -- they are all correct.

To the OP, I know you're not happy right now and probably stopped reading after my first sentence but take this little bit of advice... don't get caught up in the things you read in these forums. It's supposed to give good advice and help educate those who are seeking answers. I know, I know, I know... some people use the forum for bragging rights and I skip right over those, but don't let what others type discourage you. Truth be told, I don't believe half of the things I read in here, but I keep communicating on the things that I know and have lived through.

Discover is just a lender. They are not obligated to do jack for us if you really read through their lengthy cardholder agreement. It's all for their benefit of making money -- not ours. Take it however you'd like, but as many have said... just relax and keep doing what you're doing or you can change over to another lender at anytime -- it never means the grass is greener because they all have the same goal -- to make money. Don't stress yourself over Discover.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

MrChairman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:58:05 GMT

Thanks for the good advice Jay! I too also have some serious doubts about the CL's some people post on here.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

haulingthescoreup — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:37:49 GMT

DXH has had a Discover since June 1989. For years and years, it was his only CC. He uses it a lot.

His CL is $14K, which sounds high for Discover, but it has been at that level forever. I think it got up there back in the glory days of easy (or easier) credit, and I'm pretty amazed that it hasn't dropped.

Discover is pretty famous for being stingy with CL's these days. I think it can be a great card if the rewards fit your usage, but it's highly unlikely to ever be a high-limit card for the overwhelming majority of us.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

MarineVietVet — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:53:52 GMT

@haulingthescoreup wrote:
DXH has had a Discover since June 1989. For years and years, it was his only CC. He uses it a lot.

His CL is $14K, which sounds high for Discover, but it has been at that level forever. I think it got up there back in the glory days of easy (or easier) credit, and I'm pretty amazed that it hasn't dropped.

Discover is pretty famous for being stingy with CL's these days. I think it can be a great card if the rewards fit your usage, but it's highly unlikely to ever be a high-limit card for the overwhelming majority of us.

I can only speak of my experience. I got my Discover in October of 2003. I don't remember what the initial CL was but after that it seemed like I got an auto CLI of $1,000-$1,300 every year without fail and it didn't seem to be tied to anything I did or didn't do as far as using the card.

But it's been almost 2 years without a CLI so I agree that they have become rather stingy. I use it more than any card I have. Last year I ran right at $30,000 through it and you'd think that would make them happy but I only paid about $7.00 in interest one time in 1/2010 and nothing the rest of the year so maybe I'm being punished for that.

It's my highest CL at $13,300.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

CHARGE_IT — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:03:18 GMT

I've had Discover for four years. It started at 11,000, (I was very surprised), and due to two unsolicited increases it is now 14,000. Another in our household, also four years old, started at 8,000 and did not get an unsolicited increase until the end of last year and now stands at 10,200 .

Neither of us use the cards a lot compared to others, but they are used at least every six months. I wish I could say what makes a difference but I can't. I could guess that my conservatism appeals to them. Good scores, well used but no maxed cards, generous payments on balances, and all signed up for auto-pay. If I had a card I wanted to grow, I would definitely sign it up for auto-pay; I think that tells a bank a lot about your financial confidence.

I read a lot here from people that are in a big hurry. I think that is a big mistake, most banks take the rush to mean "needing" money. Credit is a long term passtime, it definitely creates a necessity for other hobbies as well.

Good luck, ( like the earlier poster said, it's just about credit cards)

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:26:04 GMT

Called back in to Discover a month after the $1800 CLD (From $2300 down to $500), to inquire about restoring my CL. After spending 41 minutes on the phone with the CSR (very nice, kind of nervous sounding young lady), and after going through a routine of holding then answer questions, holding then answering questions...guess what?!?!?!? Absolutely no consideration... "We will need to keep the credit line where it is".

I hear, "Based on your perfect payment history with us and all of your other credit cards and never going over the CL, we really don't give a flys butt about keeping you as a happy customer"

Anyway, my utilization has come down from mid 80s to low 30s after some payments and a few new CLs that I have obtained since Discovers CLD.

AMEX Blue Cash increased me from $3000 to $5000

BoA WorldPoints increased me from $1000 to $2500

I also recently applied for and was instantly approved for:

BoA Accelerrated Rewards (AMEX) for $5000

AMEX Blue Sky for $4000

$12,500 in brand new revolving space.

I am really tempted to close that Discover card...I know it will be out of frustration, but I don't like being treated like a bad customer.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

DI — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:30:05 GMT

My CL has been at $4600 for the last 8 months. When I call the voice line to request a CLI, it wants me to speak with a CSR. I hang up because I do not want a hard inquiry.

Re: Fed Up With Discover!

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:33:38 GMT

@DI wrote:
My CL has been at $4600 for the last 8 months. When I call the voice line to request a CLI, it wants me to speak with a CSR. I hang up because I do not want a hard inquiry.

I should have done that! I know they were looking at my EQ and TU, and she seemed very confused that some balances were reporting on TU but not EQ. Meanwhile, both are stil reporting a $2200 Discover balance from TWO MONTHS AGO. I paid the balance over 7 weeks ago, and it is still yet to update...lol.