Citi Custom Cash approved for $9800 SL, but this was a recon battle!
A few weeks ago, I had a long-term app plan in place and was ready to go when the Custom Cash appeared on the market. I tried to tune that out and stick to my plan which involved app'ing for a credit union card first and then insert the Citi CC after that first app. Both pulled EX, but I thought that wouldn't be a big deal as I had no new accounts and no other inq's within a year (so 0/6, 0/12 new accounts and inq's at the time). I also applied in-branch to get the $300 sub and even opened a new checking account for a $200 sub special for existing card holders without a banking product.
So because of that first EX inq from the credit union, I got a fat Citi DENIAL! Ouch that hurt. After reading about so many approval DP's here, on DOC, and Reddit, I was very less than happy with the denial over 1 inq. I called in to the EO to recon, and spoke to a very reasonable rep who explained that Citi abides by a firm rule of no inquiries within 5 days of an application. I explained that I had no new accounts and no other inquiries within a year, and Citi even pulled my EX8 at 850. The rep said she understood and prepared an email detailing my situation which she sent up to EO management staff. Then I waited...
A couple weeks later, I followed up with the EO and actually spoke with someone in a managerial position, who explained that they couldn't bypass the 1-in-5 days inquiries rule, regardless of my profile, and that unfortunately I'd have to reapply (sidenote: he used a hilarious cake baking metaphor, explaining that the inquiries rule was an ingredient that couldn't be missing from the cake batter, wasn't funny at the time!). So that was it. Instead of feeling rejected, I just kept plowing forward with my app plan and received approvals from Nusenda CU, Safe CE, US Bank Cash+, and a couple cli's. Feeling better, I moved on and left the experience behind.
So to my surprise I get a ding from MyFico this morning, reporting a new account on EX:
Say what?!! I called the EO line and confirmed, a decision was made by their team and the approval was granted! Super glad this recon worked out.
So this keeps this round of apps (4 new accounts, 2 cli's) at a 1.000 batting average, and I can head back to the garden satisfied. I consider my cash back lineup to be done at this point, so no new apps planned until travel becomes a larger priority. I'd love to go for a diamond garden spade, but you all know how that is, wishful thinking! I'll be 4/24 in May 2022, so maybe a Chase card might slip through then, we''ll see. Cheers and thank you to everyone here for all of the great information and support! If it wasn't for this forum, I'd drive my DW crazy with incessant credit card talk!
Wow. That's amazing. And one of the higher SL's I've seen with the Custom Cash approvals. Congrats!
So, just for clarification....did they actually use another HP on that, or did it just show from the original pull?
On Deck: Possibly Aven 3% Visa
@Taurus22 wrote:Wow. That's amazing. And one of the higher SL's I've seen with the Custom Cash approvals. Congrats!
So, just for clarification....did they actually use another HP on that, or did it just show from the original pull?
@Taurus22 Fortunately they only pulled just the 1 EX HP...that would have royally sucked if they did a double!