topic Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One in Credit Cards

How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:45:34 GMT

It's no secret that getting additional credit, product changes, or pretty much anything beyond basic customer service from Capital One has been difficult. Many of us have tried anything and everything only to be rebuffed, given contradictory information, bad advice, and odd responses from the customer service team.

There is a monster thread here in the credit card forum in which a bunch of us contacted various departments and executive parties at Capital One trying to get Product Changes or Credit Limit Increases.

After a successful attempt of my own, and reading about various successful and failed attempts by others, I have decided to share some easy steps that should point anyone else in the right direction. This won't work for everyone, but did work for many of us. Please feel free to add to this.

Best practice steps for Capital One satisfaction:

1. Is your request reasonable? Don't bother if your card is only in the first 6 months, if you have a very low score, or still have very low limits on all other cards. This works best for long time customers stuck at the limit they got when their credit was much worse.

2. Try customer service first. Call the 800 number, or website chat and ask if you have any "offers". Those looking for PC to rewards or no AF have reported great success with this. You can also ask for a soft pull for CLI, but most people seem to get denied at this level. You can also try the social team before the exec team if you want - that might work too. You can reach them by posting on their facebook wall and they will email you back.

3. If the above doesn't work, write a polite letter to the CEO via snail mail or email (google fu or pm someone here that has the address) explaining that you have tried to PC or CLI and were unable. Explain why you want this, and ask if they can help you get in touch with a credit analyst or other party that can help you. Be nice, clear, and firm.

5. Answer the phone when your Exec rep calls. Be prepared for a polite but all business conversation about your income, expenses, investment accounts, and credit history. They will soft pull your file and may ask you to explain past derogs. Also be prepared to explain why you want a higher limit. I mentioned reimbursable business expenses, but you need your own reason when you call.

6. Typically you will get an instant answer on rewards and annual fee requests, and a call back after 3 to 5 business days regarding credit limit increase requests. They will normally post the new credit limit on your web portal at 9 am, and the rep call will come later in the day. If you don't get a CLI, ask the exec rep why you were not eligible. You might learn some great tips specific to your file, and identify what you should be focusing on to improve your chances. Chase backdoor did this for me after a denial, and it was extremely helpful.

7. Don't call the exec line unsolicited. These reps each have a list of customers who need a response after executive contact. They handle each case personally and follow up on their list. If you call without an open executive case, they may not be as enthusiastic about helping you. If you call and are rude, or threatening to cancel, be prepared for rejection. If you email or write you will be an open case, and the reps will work hard to satisfy your requests. Don't be shy, ask for what you want.

8. Don't share the name or phone number of your exec rep. That will flood the call center and make it much harder for you and everyone else to get help. If someone asks you for that information, point them to the steps above first.

If you follow these steps you have a GREAT chance of success. It appears Capital One does care about your business and wants to satisfy you - but the low level reps just don't have the autonomy to get it done. These steps will work for other credit card companies also - feel free to try them and report your success.

Anyone else have ideas for improving these steps, or other tips, please post.

Good luck!

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:01:52 GMT

Great advice, but this is ridiculous. Nobody should have to go through this for a CLI. You should just be able to call up your bank and get it handled with one easy phone call. I hate crap1.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:18:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Great advice, but this is ridiculous. Nobody should have to go through this for a CLI. You should just be able to call up your bank and get it handled with one easy phone call. I hate crap1.

True - but at least it's done without a hard pull. I had to call backdoor for Chase and talk to an Analyst to get the same thing, and it cost me a hard pull.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:22:34 GMT

@p- wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Great advice, but this is ridiculous. Nobody should have to go through this for a CLI. You should just be able to call up your bank and get it handled with one easy phone call. I hate crap1.
True - but at least it's done without a hard pull. I had to call backdoor for Chase and talk to an Analyst to get the same thing, and it cost me a hard pull.

Sounds like you need in on the US Bank action. Great service, great rewards.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:24:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@p- wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Great advice, but this is ridiculous. Nobody should have to go through this for a CLI. You should just be able to call up your bank and get it handled with one easy phone call. I hate crap1.
True - but at least it's done without a hard pull. I had to call backdoor for Chase and talk to an Analyst to get the same thing, and it cost me a hard pull.
Sounds like you need in on the US Bank action. Great service, great rewards.

Don't I have enough cards? All I need now is a metal one...

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:58:05 GMT

Never enough cards.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

PleioneG — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:50:02 GMT

Love the tips! May this help others who are long-term members hoping for a CLI!

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

beb86 — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:30:26 GMT

#thingstotrytogetclifromcap1

1.When you go to bed at night put a dollar under your pilow and say a little prayer haha

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Jutz — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:48:04 GMT

Thanks for the write up p-

Question. Since many of us start with cap1 under less than ideal conditions, has there been success getting a CLI with scores still less than stellar, and negative items still present, albeit further out? For instance, I've hit my year, 7 months since credit steps auto CLI and I'd like to contact EO by email to make a request. Do I stand a chance while still in the low 600's? I'd like to up my CL from 750 to 1500+ if possible. Though anything helps, and would be more than the LUV button would supply

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:53:13 GMT

@Jutz wrote:
Thanks for the write up p-

Question. Since many of us start with cap1 under less than ideal conditions, has there been success getting a CLI with scores still less than stellar, and negative items still present, albeit further out? For instance, I've hit my year, 7 months since credit steps auto CLI and I'd like to contact EO by email to make a request. Do I stand a chance while still in the low 600's? I'd like to up my CL from 750 to 1500+ if possible. Though anything helps, and would be more than the LUV button would supply

Your scores are not too far off from mine, and I just got an increase on my $500 CL to $1000 CL. I would try it, you never know. I have not had any negatives on my report since my BK, and they met my minimum request. I also have another card with them with a $2500 CL (did not ask for a CLI on this card) that I push a lot through, but I was happy with the credit increase on my rebuilder card. I would send an email and just try. Worst case is they say they can't do anything for you, but I imagine they can. My rebuilder card was only about a year and a half old.Good luck!!

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Jutz — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:13:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Jutz wrote:
Thanks for the write up p-

Question. Since many of us start with cap1 under less than ideal conditions, has there been success getting a CLI with scores still less than stellar, and negative items still present, albeit further out? For instance, I've hit my year, 7 months since credit steps auto CLI and I'd like to contact EO by email to make a request. Do I stand a chance while still in the low 600's? I'd like to up my CL from 750 to 1500+ if possible. Though anything helps, and would be more than the LUV button would supply
Your scores are not too far off from mine, and I just got an increase on my $500 CL to $1000 CL. I would try it, you never know. I have not had any negatives on my report since my BK, and they met my minimum request. I also have another card with them with a $2500 CL (did not ask for a CLI on this card) that I push a lot through, but I was happy with the credit increase on my rebuilder card. I would send an email and just try. Worst case is they say they can't do anything for you, but I imagine they can. My rebuilder card was only about a year and a half old.Good luck!!

thanks! That's encouraging

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:43:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Jutz wrote:
Thanks for the write up p-

Question. Since many of us start with cap1 under less than ideal conditions, has there been success getting a CLI with scores still less than stellar, and negative items still present, albeit further out? For instance, I've hit my year, 7 months since credit steps auto CLI and I'd like to contact EO by email to make a request. Do I stand a chance while still in the low 600's? I'd like to up my CL from 750 to 1500+ if possible. Though anything helps, and would be more than the LUV button would supply
Your scores are not too far off from mine, and I just got an increase on my $500 CL to $1000 CL. I would try it, you never know. I have not had any negatives on my report since my BK, and they met my minimum request. I also have another card with them with a $2500 CL (did not ask for a CLI on this card) that I push a lot through, but I was happy with the credit increase on my rebuilder card. I would send an email and just try. Worst case is they say they can't do anything for you, but I imagine they can. My rebuilder card was only about a year and a half old.Good luck!!

Agreed. You;re over a year, and if your score has improved it's probably worth a try.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Shogun — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:56:52 GMT

Good post, lots of information there. Thank -p!

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:06:01 GMT

@Jutz wrote:
Thanks for the write up p-

Question. Since many of us start with cap1 under less than ideal conditions, has there been success getting a CLI with scores still less than stellar, and negative items still present, albeit further out? For instance, I've hit my year, 7 months since credit steps auto CLI and I'd like to contact EO by email to make a request. Do I stand a chance while still in the low 600's? I'd like to up my CL from 750 to 1500+ if possible. Though anything helps, and would be more than the LUV button would supply

I'd say you do. I got my CLI from $750 to $1500 and got the AF removed as well. My scores are: TU FICO 678, EQ FICO 616, EX PLUS 692 (Credit Sesame: 632).

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:17:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Great advice, but this is ridiculous. Nobody should have to go through this for a CLI. You should just be able to call up your bank and get it handled with one easy phone call. I hate crap1.

There was a time when I thought that whatever CL you got you were stuck with, and there was no changing the rate, CL, or AF on any card. Then I learned to call Orchard every six months for a soft CLI.

The more of this I learn about, the more I realize there are two ways to go with any company. Either take the crap they give everyone, or elevate yourself to VIP status. Back when I got this card my credit was not so good - and I probably wouldn't have qualified for a higher tier card like US Bank. To be honest, if I was stuck with the original deal from Cap1 I'd probably close it fairly soon. But now that I know the secrets to getting what I want, I'll keep the card. I went through the same thing with Verizon Wireless, DirecTv, Chase, and many others. If you know who to ask, you can have a way better deal.

I'll grant you it's <bleep>y that we can't just ask a phone rep for a CLI... But if a business won't do a good deal for everyone, they'll do it for someone, and that someone might as well be me. And to be honest, I spent a hundred times longer discussing it and <bleep>ing about it here than I spent actually dealing with the exec team. It was quick and easy, and like a completely different company; one I actually want to do business with. Now that I know that I have that option if I need it, I'll use it.

Plus there's an added bonus. I really do get a kick out of this kind of stuff. Like Charlie Sheen said; "WINNING!"

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:20:58 GMT

@Shogun wrote:
Good post, lots of information there. Thank -p!

Anytime - just stole ideas from a lot of other people's hard work as usual, but please, bring on the cheers.

I guess you could say, I got all the credit.

(•_•)

( •_•)>⌐■-■

(⌐■_■)

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

p- — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:29:34 GMT

@p- wrote:
Plus there's an added bonus. I really do get a kick out of this kind of stuff. Like Charlie Sheen said; "WINNING!"

My wife says I'm "an useful kind of crazy". I take it as a compliment.

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Capital One

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:33:37 GMT

lol

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Crap1

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:11:06 GMT

You mention that you qualified for Crap1, but couldn't qualify with US Bank. For me, US Bank approved me and continues to approve me. While crap1 denies me for everything. Their executive team is no help to me. I get better service from somebody I can reach with the number on the back of my US Bank card than I do from speaking with a supervisor at the executive office of crap1. Same with NFCU, great service from a general phone number no hoops to jump through.

I am glad Crap1 offers something beyond their horrible frontline reps, but I just don't think they should be so cheap service wise. All of their frontline reps should be on the level service wise as their executive office. I am sure the people on the executive team are not paid all that well either. They can easily find people with that level of phone service for $10 an hour.

I am disappointed Crap1 took over the Best Buy accounts. Even though they are still serviced by past HSBC employees, I have already noticed a reduced level of service. Primarily more stringent CLI policies and a general withholding of information (like being bound to a script).

Re: How to get a PC or CLI from Crap1

p- — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:09:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
You mention that you qualified for Crap1, but couldn't qualify with US Bank. For me, US Bank approved me and continues to approve me. While crap1 denies me for everything. Their executive team is no help to me. I get better service from somebody I can reach with the number on the back of my US Bank card than I do from speaking with a supervisor at the executive office of crap1. Same with NFCU, great service from a general phone number no hoops to jump through.

I am glad Crap1 offers something beyond their horrible frontline reps, but I just don't think they should be so cheap service wise. All of their frontline reps should be on the level service wise as their executive office. I am sure the people on the executive team are not paid all that well either. They can easily find people with that level of phone service for $10 an hour.

I am disappointed Crap1 took over the Best Buy accounts. Even though they are still serviced by past HSBC employees, I have already noticed a reduced level of service. Primarily more stringent CLI policies and a general withholding of information (like being bound to a script).

Back when my scores were lower I applied for Cap1 because they had products that fit my situation. I was pretty happy to get my first 4 figure CL with no annual fee. Now that I have improved my scores, I'm not as desperate and things like customer service matter more. But, aside from asking for a CLI or PC, I haven't had a need to interact with the reps from Cap1... Granted, that was disappointing enough that I went the exec route, but I haven't been much more impressed with any other frontline reps, with the exception of USAA.

It seems like most CCC's front line reps are uninformed, and have little or no autonomy to make a decision. I'd go as far as to say that 90+% of the time I contact a CCC I end up needing higher tier help anyway. Most of the frontline stuff I can do on my own online. So, if I always bypass the frontline, who cares how bad they are?

But I do understand if you want to blacklist them because of your own experience. I fired Wells Farto and blacklisted them from my financial interactions as well.

Did you email the execs at Cap1, or just call? Did they say why they couldn't help you?