topic Re: How to get on Discover's radar? in Credit Cards

How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:56:35 GMT

I'm still in "rebuild" mode and have been gardening for about a month and plan to for the remainder of the year, but I'm possibly thinking about going for a Discover card eventually.

How the heck do i go about getting on their "radar"? I've opted in on the national opt-out website. I try using their pre-approval links on their sites for the past 3 months and have never gotten it to work on ANY and EVERY internet capable device i use both at home and work. It just gets stuck on the processig screen telling me "Just Seconds away from my new card..." it stays on that screen forever and then i just close the window out.

So am I just not on their radar? What are the min req's before they even start looking your way? I've app'd for them earlier this year and was immediately declined. I called for a recon and the really nice lady told me that to just continue to do what I'm doing and there shouldn't be an issue getting a card in ~6mths or so, but I can't even use their pre approval site to check anything. Chances are i'm not pre approved, but i'd like it to at least tell me i'm not.

Thanks,

John

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:18:14 GMT

I did not ever have pre approval for Discover but still got the card but the first time I applied I was denied or maybe first 2 times waited 6 months between apps than finally was approved for 2k

Good luck

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:20:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I did not ever have pre approval for Discover but still got the card but the first time I applied I was denied or maybe first 2 times waited 6 months between apps than finally was approved for 2k

Good luck

Yeah, i don't know if i have a pre approval or not seeing how i can NEVER get their site to work, and I wonder if it's cause i'm not on their radar, but then again, i seen a thread on here where guys were testing it and were making names and info up just to see what it says.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

ajh5408 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:34:01 GMT

A lot of times preapprovals have as much to do with demographics as they do with your credit, so I wouldn't sweat the lack of them... While they can certainly be seen as an indicator of creditworthiness, you can absolutely be approved without one.

That said, I think Discover More becomes a good possibility when you: a) Have a relatively well-established credit report and b) Have a score in the mid-high 600s.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Cdnewmanpac — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:33:53 GMT

You really have two separate issues: problems with the preapproval web site and a question about when you will start seeing preapprovals. For the first, Discover's IT system is terrible. I would try this: only use internet explorer, clear all browsing data, cache and cookies, enter only the minimum information required, click on the buttons directly, rather than using tab and enter keys on keyboard. That is what I had to do to finally get it to process.

You aren't likely to see discover offers until your eq score gets well north of 650. I started getting mailed offers when my score hit 685, thought that might have been coincidence. I never got a website offer, despite getting weekly mailed offers. Their mail and web screening criteria or databases must be different.

As a side note, I've only ever gotten preapproval letters from discover (at least 20), credit one and barclay's visa black (???). My wife, on the other hand, gets almost daily offers for citi simplicity, csp, usaa rate advantage, b of a and wells fargo, but has NEVER gotten a letter or electronic offer from discover. Their "radar" is nowhere near as scientific or predictable as actual radar.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Open123 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:36:09 GMT

This often works with Discover.

If you're rejected after an application, call for reconsideration with one of their credit analyst. Don't be forceful or aggressive, just articulate politely all the reasons why you'd like the card, not that you're entitled to it for "x" reason (they've heard it all). The usual, "I want it as my main card; love the service, etc...) and thank them kindly for their time if rejected. The credit analyst can make a note to follow you on softs and have a pre-approval for you in several months when you check the website.

While this isn't a sure thing, I've seen where many have gotten the card with less than perfect credit scores.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:10:15 GMT

Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:11:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?

lol

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Open123 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:15:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?

Sure, but if you speak with an analyst, they can make certain notes on your application. For example, "this guy is a pain the a**" or "this guy is too banal" etc...

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:31:33 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?
Sure, but if you speak with an analyst, they can make certain notes on your application. For example, "this guy is a pain the a**" or "this guy is too banal" etc...

what's banal?

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:45:09 GMT

I have the exact same problem with the Discover pre-approval website.

As a matter of fact I'm watching it tick away in another window right now.

I usually get 1 "invitation" to apply each month from Discover, but I've never received a pre-approved letter.

I'm hoping it'll happen one day!

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Open123 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:50:17 GMT

@j_casteel wrote:
@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?
Sure, but if you speak with an analyst, they can make certain notes on your application. For example, "this guy is a pain the a**" or "this guy is too banal" etc...

what's banal?

Best of luck to you on your pursuit of Discover.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Cdnewmanpac — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:54:02 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?
Sure, but if you speak with an analyst, they can make certain notes on your application. For example, "this guy is a pain the a**" or "this guy is too banal" etc...

Isn't "too banal" for Discover like being too conservative for Augusta or too obnoxious for Basketball Wives?

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:16:48 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@j_casteel wrote:
@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Doesn't Discover have a soft based preapproval engine on their website?
Sure, but if you speak with an analyst, they can make certain notes on your application. For example, "this guy is a pain the a**" or "this guy is too banal" etc...

what's banal?
Best of luck to you on your pursuit of Discover.

thanks

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:16:55 GMT

I have a card, and I can refer people. We both get $50 cashback if you're approved. If you want PM me your email and I can send an invite your way.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

HenryJumbo — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:07:03 GMT

I wouldn't worry too much about this because the pre-approval offers are a joke (at least in my case). I have Amex Blue with 15.24 APR (lowest intro APR on Amex card), Discover send me a "pre-approval" offer for a 17.99 APR, no sign-up bonus lmaoo I thought it was a joke. I don't even think that Discover offers sign-up bonus'. Amex offered me 10,000 points, Freedom offered me $100 after first purchase. Discovery can take their card and stick it.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

LS2982 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:21:44 GMT

@j_casteel wrote:
I'm still in "rebuild" mode and have been gardening for about a month and plan to for the remainder of the year, but I'm possibly thinking about going for a Discover card eventually.

How the heck do i go about getting on their "radar"? I've opted in on the national opt-out website. I try using their pre-approval links on their sites for the past 3 months and have never gotten it to work on ANY and EVERY internet capable device i use both at home and work. It just gets stuck on the processig screen telling me "Just Seconds away from my new card..." it stays on that screen forever and then i just close the window out.

So am I just not on their radar? What are the min req's before they even start looking your way? I've app'd for them earlier this year and was immediately declined. I called for a recon and the really nice lady told me that to just continue to do what I'm doing and there shouldn't be an issue getting a card in ~6mths or so, but I can't even use their pre approval site to check anything. Chances are i'm not pre approved, but i'd like it to at least tell me i'm not.

Thanks,

John

IMO I would cold app in 6 months, get some more history and hopefully your scores will improve.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 07:41:37 GMT

Well nothing has really changed except for my scores have been coming up. (I'm sure that has nothing to do with it)

But I finally was able to get the pre-approval to work on Discover's site. Lol, i wasn't preapproved for anything, but having the generic "Recommended Cards" was better than it never working before.

Soon.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

bichonmom — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 07:48:56 GMT

Most pre-screened offers, pre-approval sites, etc. will only work if you're opted in. Pre-approvals don't guarantee approval in any case. They're only based on marketing info they get from the CRAs. If you have no skeletons in your closet, then you could re-opt-in and in about a month or so will probably start getting mailings. Otherwise, I'd just research the card(s) you're interested in and apply. I've done all of my rebuilding while opted out, with the exception of 2 Cap One step cards that I got before I found this forum and opted out.

Re: How to get on Discover's radar?

j_casteel — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 07:53:00 GMT

@bichonmom wrote:
Most pre-screened offers, pre-approval sites, etc. will only work if you're opted in. Pre-approvals don't guarantee approval in any case. They're only based on marketing info they get from the CRAs. If you have no skeletons in your closet, then you could re-opt-in and in about a month or so will probably start getting mailings. Otherwise, I'd just research the card(s) you're interested in and apply. I've done all of my rebuilding while opted out, with the exception of 2 Cap One step cards that I got before I found this forum and opted out.

yeah, i opted-in last month so that may have helped as well.

i'm not looking to apply for anything right now. I just was frustrated that it would never work. I would enter in my info and it would start thinking and just freeze there. I did that for about 2mths and just yesterday I finally tried it again and it went to the next screen to offer the generic recommended cards.