Options when you get a different card than you applied for ?

[Anonymous]

I have seen several cards that in fine print that indicate you might get card B if you aren't approved for card A. An example is the Carlson Signature Visa which is advertised or alternatively a lesser card with fewer benefits. I would only want the best card but there is no place on the app to communicate that. I have already had the hard pull and no response yet.

If I get approved for card B, what are my options? I really don't want that card. Can and should  I tell them  to forget it, cancel immediately or get the B because it would be a stepping stone to the card I really want 

While  I mentioned Carlson particularly, I am intered in the approach people take when they have this issue. 

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I have seen several cards that in fine print that indicate you might get card B if you aren't approved for card A. An example is the Carlson Signature Visa which is advertised or alternatively a lesser card with fewer benefits. I would only want the best card but there is no place on the app to communicate that. I have already had the hard pull and no response yet.

If I get approved for card B, what are my options? I really don't want that card. Can and should  I tell them  to forget it, cancel immediately or get the B because it would be a stepping stone to the card I really want 

While  I mentioned Carlson particularly, I am intered in the approach people take when they have this issue. 

---

FWIW I know I don't have the greatest chance at the best card in that scenario yet personally so if I don't want "card B" I don't apply at all. Case in point, Walmart. I knew I probably wouldn't get the Mastercard but I was okay with the store card so I went for it. Dillards, I wouldn't have minded having the AMEX but didn't think I'd get it and didn't want the store card so I stayed away. My opinion is, if you don't want "B" and you're not confident you'll get "A" don't do it. If you do take the chance and get "B" live with it.

edited again to add that I wasn't trying to be a smart ass. To answer your questions, no to the best of my knowledge you'll take the HP and be stuck with an account you don't want. You can't tell them "oh, never mind, that's not the card I wanted" and have everything go back to the way it was before you applied. You can close the account and take the AAoA hit and move on.

[FinStar]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I have seen several cards that in fine print that indicate you might get card B if you aren't approved for card A. An example is the Carlson Signature Visa which is advertised or alternatively a lesser card with fewer benefits. I would only want the best card but there is no place on the app to communicate that. I have already had the hard pull and no response yet.

If I get approved for card B, what are my options? I really don't want that card. Can and should  I tell them  to forget it, cancel immediately or get the B because it would be a stepping stone to the card I really want 

While  I mentioned Carlson particularly, I am intered in the approach people take when they have this issue. 

---

FWIW I know I don't have the greatest chance at the best card in that scenario yet personally so if I don't want "card B" I don't apply at all. Case in point, Walmart. I knew I probably wouldn't get the Mastercard but I was okay with the store card so I went for it. Dillards, I wouldn't have minded having the AMEX but didn't think I'd get it and didn't want the store card so I stayed away. My opinion is, if you don't want "B" and you're not confident you'll get "A" don't do it. If you do take the chance and get "B" live with it.

edited again to add that I wasn't trying to be a smart ass. To answer your questions, no to the best of my knowledge you'll take the HP and be stuck with an account you don't want. You can't tell them "oh, never mind, that's not the card I wanted" and have everything go back to the way it was before you applied. You can close the account and take the AAoA hit and move on.

---

Pretty much so.  OP - when you click submit you essentially acknowledge that by applying you agree to be approved (if you get approved) for an alternate product if based on the lender's underwrtiting review you do not meet the conditions of the original offer or product.  This applies to the APR and CL terms as well.  So, if you don't want to risk it, don't apply.

[Anonymous]

If it's just the difference between the Signature version and a lesser version (perhaps a Platinum), that can eventually be upgraded to a Signature or PC'd into the card you want if you choose to hold the card long enough and get a few CLIs.  If the difference is more like a Visa vs. store card, well, that's a different animal.

[Anonymous]

I would apply over the phone and tell them you don't want card B if declined for A .

[FinStar]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
I would apply over the phone and tell them you don't want card B if declined for A .

---

The same application disclosure still applies whether you do it online or over the phone.  Case in point, US Bank Cash+ and other lenders who have similar UW criteria.

[Anonymous]

Yes I know that but he would have a better chance of doing something about it over the phone than just applying online .

[FinStar]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
Yes I know that but he would have a better chance of doing something about it over the phone than just applying online .

---

Not really.  That's why certain lenders provide those disclosures from the get-go.  Doing it by phone doesn't circumvent the process.

[taxi818]

I kind of agree with op. I apped for pay pal MasterCard   About 9 months ago. Got the smart connect. Have not used it. Since score went up about 70 points. Now they are offering me the pay pal extras. But I cant apply since I have smart  connect   I should cancel. But I don't want either now. Since no AF I will just let it sit. Maybe they will cancel for no use. It's ok if they do 

[FinStar]

---

@taxi818 wrote:

I kind of agree with op. I apped for pay pal MasterCard   About 9 months ago. Got the smart connect. Have not used it. Since score went up about 70 points. Now they are offering me the pay pal extras. But I cant apply since I have smart  connect   I should cancel. But I don't want either now. Since no AF I will just let it sit. Maybe they will cancel for no use. It's ok if they do 

---

That's why it is important to know where your overall profile stands before you apply for some of these products.  If you are rebuilding or starting out, then you are essentially taking a risk in getting approved for a less favorable product.