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How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

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How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

Long story short, I have high velocity right now (6/12) and want a US Bank Cash+. I decided to open a checking account with US Bank to establish a relationship, with the intention of applying for the Cash+ after I drop to 1/6 in a month or so. Anyway, went into a branch to open the checking account and after I was done, she mentioned that it showed I was pre-approved for a credit card. No specific card, just in general.

 

Even knowing how conservative US Bank is, I decided to shoot my shot with the pre-approval since you can't do them online. It's currently under review, and she said that that's normal and usually takes 2-3 business days. I'm curious if anyone here has applied for a US Bank card at high velocity & no prior relationship, with a pre-approval. If so, how did it go?

Message 1 of 13
12 REPLIES 12
coldfusion
Credit Mentor

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

Not cast in stone but I'd temper my expectations regarding the outcome as there are a lot of data points over the last few years that suggest odds of approval (full disclosure - I'm a contrarian data point) for a Cash+ fall off precipitously when higher than 1/12.     Conversely there probably aren't many data points tied to outcomes after a true directed preapproval like that which you requested but if it were me and I got a positive response from your request I'd probably go ahead and pull the trigger.

(10/2025)
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Artist formerly known as the_old_curmudgeon who was formerly known as coldfusion
Message 2 of 13
Lou-natic
Established Contributor

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?


@Peculiar_radish wrote:

Long story short, I have high velocity right now (6/12) and want a US Bank Cash+. I decided to open a checking account with US Bank to establish a relationship, with the intention of applying for the Cash+ after I drop to 1/6 in a month or so. Anyway, went into a branch to open the checking account and after I was done, she mentioned that it showed I was pre-approved for a credit card. No specific card, just in general.

 

Even knowing how conservative US Bank is, I decided to shoot my shot with the pre-approval since you can't do them online. It's currently under review, and she said that that's normal and usually takes 2-3 business days. I'm curious if anyone here has applied for a US Bank card at high velocity & no prior relationship, with a pre-approval. If so, how did it go?


Obviously every profile is different blah blah blah...

I'd be amazed if comes back approved. USB seems to do this pretty regularly. However since it is USB that means you can actually talk to an UW and maybe even recon it if you are lucky so there is that angle too. If you really want it call them and talk to them.

Check this thread here for the number.




8/8/25
2/16/26
Message 3 of 13

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

I'll be very shocked too. It's been 48 hours at this point and no reply...which I'm taking as a good sign. They gave me a pre-approval after soft pulling my credit report to open the checking account, and the banker is handling the credit application. I'd imagine if it was going to be an auto-reject at 6/12, id have heard by now?

Message 4 of 13
Janneman
Valued Contributor

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

My mom and I received pre-approved offer in the mail. She got an offer for Business credit card and I got for Altitude Go even though I already have this card for the last 3-4 years.. I did contact customer service at 3 different times to inquire if I could get another Altitude Go card even if I have one...and all they said yes...and informed me that many people do have two of those cards...I thought these preapproval offers with code are solid and reliable ones and didn't wanna pass-by such opportunity given by US bank..So, we responded two weeks ago and we both got denied a week later last week. Reason- Too many accounts opened in 12 months....I was 5/12 and my mom was 4/12. Please know that we have personal checking account, business checking account, 3 business credit cards and two personal credit cards with US bank for the last 3-4 years......Hope the best for you.

Message 5 of 13
Lou-natic
Established Contributor

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?


@Peculiar_radish wrote:

I'll be very shocked too. It's been 48 hours at this point and no reply...which I'm taking as a good sign. They gave me a pre-approval after soft pulling my credit report to open the checking account, and the banker is handling the credit application. I'd imagine if it was going to be an auto-reject at 6/12, id have heard by now?


It's done by mail so of course you wouldn't have heard back yet. If you want to know before then, you have to call them.

US Bank: 800-947-1444, 800-685-7680 (Underwriting)




8/8/25
2/16/26
Message 6 of 13

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?


@Janneman wrote:

My mom and I received pre-approved offer in the mail. She got an offer for Business credit card and I got for Altitude Go even though I already have this card for the last 3-4 years.. I did contact customer service at 3 different times to inquire if I could get another Altitude Go card even if I have one...and all they said yes...and informed me that many people do have two of those cards...I thought these preapproval offers with code are solid and reliable ones and didn't wanna pass-by such opportunity given by US bank..So, we responded two weeks ago and we both got denied a week later last week. Reason- Too many accounts opened in 12 months....I was 5/12 and my mom was 4/12. Please know that we have personal checking account, business checking account, 3 business credit cards and two personal credit cards with US bank for the last 3-4 years......Hope the best for you.


Well...that's not a good data point for me =/

Message 7 of 13

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?


@Lou-natic wrote:


It's done by mail so of course you wouldn't have heard back yet. If you want to know before then, you have to call them.

US Bank: 800-947-1444, 800-685-7680 (Underwriting)


Oh really? The banker told me 2-3 business days and that I'd get an email. I guess I'll call in the morning, thanks!

Message 8 of 13
Beefy1212
Established Contributor

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?


@Peculiar_radish wrote:

@Janneman wrote:

My mom and I received pre-approved offer in the mail. She got an offer for Business credit card and I got for Altitude Go even though I already have this card for the last 3-4 years.. I did contact customer service at 3 different times to inquire if I could get another Altitude Go card even if I have one...and all they said yes...and informed me that many people do have two of those cards...I thought these preapproval offers with code are solid and reliable ones and didn't wanna pass-by such opportunity given by US bank..So, we responded two weeks ago and we both got denied a week later last week. Reason- Too many accounts opened in 12 months....I was 5/12 and my mom was 4/12. Please know that we have personal checking account, business checking account, 3 business credit cards and two personal credit cards with US bank for the last 3-4 years......Hope the best for you.


Well...that's not a good data point for me =/


Every profile is different I was 7/12 cold called no prior relationship and instant approval. I would also take pre-qualified, pre-approved with a huge grain of salt many places these are merely is credit score between x and y with z income after rent? That banker who said you were pre-approved likely never saw your report, or even knew your score or the banks criteria for new card offers... the computer or branch manager simply said "Make sure you pitch the CC too". 



Message 9 of 13

Re: How reliable are US Bank pre-approvals?

Ended up beign approved, but only for a $500 limit... I'll have to cycle a bit for 6 months until I can request a CLI. The underwriter on the phone said no CLI was available now due to the number of recently opened accounts =/

Message 10 of 13
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