Strange and Lengthy Citi Custom Cash Application Process

[KanesInferno]

So, I'm not sure how unsual this is but it's the first time I've encountered anything like this. I wanted to share so that others are aware and also see if this is more common than I'm thinking.

So, I kept receiving pre-approved offers in the mail to apply for Citi cards (some for double cash, citi rewards+, and custom cash). I finally decided to respond to one of the Custom Cash offers on 5/22, it immediately went to "under review and we'll notify you within 7-10 business days" so I assumed I'd be denied (which I wouldn't be shocked about but more annoyed than anything with the fact that I had received probably 5 or more offers from them within the last month or two before applying).

Well, time goes by and they send a letter asking for my tax transcripts for 2021. After reading on the forums (and finding out that isn't too uncommon) and some deliberating I decide to go ahead and send in the form. Weeks go by and I hear nothing.. So, I call and am told they now want my last three pay check stubs.. I get the email address and send them in. Again, weeks go by and nothing.. Now yesterday I received a letter that they want my tax transcripts from 2020! I applied back on 5/22 and it's now 7/7, I gave them 2021 tax transcripts (which matched the income I listed on the app), I then sent in pay check stubs, and now they're wanting 2020's tax transcripts? No thanks, at this point I'm done... They're acting like they're giving me a home loan or something, never seen anything this in depth and crazy for a credit card, 45+ days and all of this additional information? So weird. Now, if they had asked for both tax transcripts at the same time to begin with I probably would've just done it then, but to draw this out for so long and keep asking for more information is just strange and not worth it. Do I need to call them and pull back my application or just let time pass and it'll auto deny without me sending in that information?

Has anyone else experienced this with Citi? 

[OmarGB9]

No personal experience with this, but yes if you don't respond, you should be auto-denied after probably 30 days.

I had something similar happen with WF when refinancing my auto loan back in 2016. Granted it wasn't for a CC, but they did a similar thing: they kept asking for different documents all separately rather than asking me for everything up front. Very frustrating. 

As far as your Citi experience, it seems more and more banks are asking for tax stuff now for a mere CC. I hope this doesn't become the norm. 

[KanesInferno]

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@OmarGB9 wrote:

No personal experience with this, but yes if you don't respond, you should be auto-denied after probably 30 days.

I had something similar happen with WF when refinancing my auto loan back in 2016. Granted it wasn't for a CC, but they did a similar thing: they kept asking for different documents all separately rather than asking me for everything up front. Very frustrating. 

As far as your Citi experience, it seems more and more banks are asking for tax stuff now for a mere CC. I hope this doesn't become the norm. 

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Yeah, for a car or house it makes more sense... I honestly didn't even have too much of an issue with their initial request for the 2021 tax transcript but the more it went on and for over a month later to then ask for 2020, it was just off putting and makes me not even want to do business with them. It's unfortunate as I was excited for the card but at this point they aren't worth the headache. BTW, none of my other recent apps asked for much of anything (only FNBO wanted some W-2s, DL, and social security card. My other apps were instantly approved) so it made it even more frustrating.