BOA Travel Rewards Denial

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

Applied for BOA Travel Rewards card and was denied. Called back to a credit analyst to see why and he was shocked. They pulled Experian for a 704, saw my Cash Rewards account that has perfect payment history, saw my Discover and Amex accounts that have perfect payment history, and still said no. AAOA is 1.2, util is 14%, no bad marks, 4 inquiries last 24 months. I also have an active checking account with BOA. The analyst I spoke to said the only reason was "Sufficient current accounts open" and hinted that my status as a student could have some effect. Rather upset to have wasted the HP for nothing, and was further upset when the analyst stated that I seemed like a prime candidate. I'm not sure if he was trying to ease my pain, but regardless it's a disappointment especially following my denial for a CLD on my Cash Rewards account that was opened at 18.99% and has never gone down.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

If they won't offer you the card only because you're a student and if you have a job, you can call and let them know you're not a student and simply apply by saying you have a part time income.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

Interesting thought. I think when I reapply I will try and emphasize that although I am a student I do have a sustainable income as well. How long would you recommend waiting @ALK11

Loquat · ‎10-19-2017

Please tread lightly and proceed with caution. We don't advocate deception or misrepresentation on applications here on the forums. Thanks for your understanding.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

I don't have an exact answer for you but here's my story. Before I got my first card I had no idea how credit worked and neither did my mom so she was no help. I applied for the CapOne Journey which all my college friends recommended. Instant denial. I researched a bit and literally 30 minutes later I applied again, this time with a higher income (included scholarship). Instant approval. I know these circumstances and banks are different, but I went from an auto denial to auto approval in half an hour by making a small change in my application.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

It's not deception. If he has a part time income, why can't he simply apply by saying he is part time employed and state his income?

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

@Loquat wrote:
Please tread lightly and proceed with caution. We don't advocate deception or misrepresentation on applications here on the forums. Thanks for your understanding.

Completely understand and agree with your point. Edited my reponse to more accurately convey my thoughts. I realise it seemed much more malicious than I intended for it to be.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

If you are both part time employed and a student, why it is deceptive to say you are part time employed? By these standards wouldn't it also be deceptive to say you are a student when you are really part time employed and also going to school?

gdale6 · ‎10-19-2017

Im going to caution everyone here that on myFico we do not advocate any misleading information be placed on credit apps, to do so is a violation of our TOS. This board is not here to discuss the symatecs of it, is taboo to even mention. Please keep this in mind moving forward.

Anonymous · ‎10-19-2017

But could someone explain to my why/how this is even misleading? I don't understand it. I agree that no one should advocate for putting misleading information on an app. But how is it misleading to put down that you are a part time employee when you are in fact a part time employee? I'm not telling anyone to put down anything that isn't true.