Last Thursday, I came onto the MyFico Forums and saw a post about the new Wells Fargo Attune Card. Being interested I went to Youtube and saw a couple of videos. It seemed perfect for me so I applied. That is when things went downhill fast. This has been one of my worst application experiences as far back as I can remember and I've had credit since 1994!
I went to my knowledge and unfroze all 3 bureaus, I say to my knowledge because that is what I attempted to do. I got instantly declined by WF and a message said I'd receive a letter via the mail in 30 days. I decided to call in to attempt a reconsideration. The rep told me I was declined because they couldn't pull my Experian credit report. I double checked and somehow it was still frozen. Still not sure why/how. Transunion and Equifax weren't, so somehow something went wrong when I unlocked Experian. I unfroze it and they submitted it for a review.
I was told that I would hear something between 24-72 hours via my email on file. After 4 days and no word via email and no approval I called back. I had already received the first denial letter about my credit being locked. I called to get clarification if the application was still pending or not. I was told it was denied again and that I would receive a letter in 7 days. I tried to ask more questions to get an idea of why I was denied but they kept saying wait on the letter. It was as if they couldn't see the denial reason (I later found out though they can see it, but they won't discuss it without you having received the letter). I then offered if I could take some of the credit limits from my Autograph and Active Cash cards in order to be approved. The rep told me that Wells Fargo doesn't allow you to reduce the limits from your cards in order to obtain an approval. If you are denied you can't move limits. If you are approved only then could you transfer limits from your old cards to the new card.
Today I got the 2nd denial letter and it said I was denied for having opened too many accounts in the last 24 months. I have opened 3 accounts in my name and my wife added me as authorized user on 2 of her accounts.
For data:
-Sam's Club/Synchrony is 23 months and 2 days old
-Chase Sapphire Prefered is 1 year and 2 months old
-US Bank Shoppers Cash is 1 year and 2 months old
My wife added me to the following cards:
-Capital One Venture X which is 9 months old
-Navy Federal Platinum which is 7 months old
The Rep I spoke with today asked me if I have received my denial letter. When I said I had. She then told me I was denied for too many accounts being opened (this is how I knew they could see the denial the whole time). I explained that some of the cards opened withing the last 2 years I was only an authorized user on. I asked if I could be reconsidered again and if I could tell them which cards were mine and which ones were authorized users. She said she that underwriters can't be reached by phone but that she would put in the notes that I was stating some were my wife's and some were mine and submit it for a review.
On a side note, anytime I've tried to get a limit increase on my WF cards, if they can't approve it via a soft pull they say I will have to transfer you to an underwriter who will need to pull your credit to proceed. Not sure if they are really underwriters you are being transferred to, but it's interesting you can't speak to an underwriter about an application, but can speak to them about a limit increase.
I asked since I can't speak with the underwriters can I have you put in the notes which cards younger than 24 months are mine and which are my wife's. She refused to do so though. She said they can see that info. I tried to explain that I don't think they could see it, thinking why would they deny me for 3 cards in the last 2 years, with the youngest being 1 year and 2 months? I tried to explain that if they can see it, does she know how many cards WF considers to be too many within 2 years. She said she didn't know. So then I was explaining to her why I'd like for them to have this info in the notes. While I was talking the line disconnected. I'm not sure if it was coincidental or intentional but it was frustrating.
I called back and got another rep and tried to explain what I'd like added to the notes. They said that I needed to contact Experian about my denial reason. I didn't think that Experian would know how many cards WF considers too many so I wasn't satisfied with that solution. I asked if she could add the info to the notes of the application. She said she would transfer me to someone else who could. Now on my 3rd rep, they heard me out and said that they would add the info to the notes. They seemed reluctant to add it but for my satisfaction they did.
Now I have to wait 24 to 72 hours for the team to review it. I am really hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. I have a long history with Wells Fargo. My oldest card is with them, it is 16 years and 7 months. They are also my primary bank and I have had the account since 1995 (although technically it started out with First Union, who was acquired by Wachovia who Wells Fargo then acquired).
At time of application:
0/6, 0/12, 3/24 if you exclude the AU cards (I usually do since on MyFico monthly report they don't include them). 0/6, 2/12, 5/24 if you do count them.
-Experian Fico 8: 827 / Experian Fico 9 817 (which is what I think Wells Fargo may have used)
-Inquires on Experian before applying: 1 from Wells Fargo on 8/2/23 for me attempting to get an Active Cash CLI via a hard pull. Was denied. Oddly enough they denied the Active Cash CLI and then gave me $5000 more on my Autograph.
-Using less than 1% of my avaiable credit. Had less than $800 reporting at the time of application. My Amex Platinum and Amex BCP annual fees just so happened to hit on my last report.
@firefox100 wrote:Congratulations hard work pay's off. I am thing of getting this card also it gives 4% back for pets, I have a guide dog I spend about 2K per year on my service dog. again congrats have fun.
@firefox100 thank you so much! It truly does! This sounds like a great fit for you! Best wishes to you should you end up applying!
@firefox100 wrote:Thank you I had good luck and now my guide dog is very happy...
@firefox100 you're welcome! That is so awesome! Congratulations to you on your approval!