Last week I became a Navy Federal member (thanks Papa!). I immediately applied for the Amex More Rewards card, got declined, and then after doing some research here on the forum I decided to try for the Platinum card, hoping it might use the same hard pull. I got declined for that one too 
2 hard pulls, 1 for each denial. Ouch.
Today I got my denial letters in the mail, so I decided to give Navy Fed a call and sign up for the secured nRewards card. I asked the customer service rep if they were able to use my hard pull from the previous application(s) for the secured card. Unfortunately the answer to that was no, but I went forward with it anyways after reading here that their secured card is a great way to build a relationship with Navy Fed.
I'm officially "in" with Navy Fed and I know they will take good care of me once they get to know me 
I've added 3 new cards in the last 2 months and increased my overall credit by $17,200! Woohoo! Now I'm off to the garden until the end of the year.
Some data points...
TU FICO 8 at time of denials: 710
Utilization at time of denials: about 20% (now 10%, but had been as high as 80% a few months ago)
Inquiries before Navy Fed apps: 0/6 1/12 1/24
Navy Fed internal score at time of denials: 269
Denial reason for Amex More Rewards: DTI too high
Denial reasons for Platinum: no direct depost with Navy Fed and a few other things that basically read as "no relationship with Navy Fed"
Grats on getting in their credit door with the secured nRewards 
Congrats! Love your user name BTW!
Congrats on getting in with NFCU, you're correct that they'll take good care of you going forward
@Anonymous wrote:Last week I became a Navy Federal member (thanks Papa!). I immediately applied for the Amex More Rewards card, got declined, and then after doing some research here on the forum I decided to try for the Platinum card, hoping it might use the same hard pull. I got declined for that one too
Today I got my denial letters in the mail, so I decided to give Navy Fed a call and sign up for the secured nRewards card. I asked the customer service rep if they were able to use my hard pull from the previous application(s) for the secured card. Unfortunately the answer to that was no, but I went forward with it anyways after reading here that their secured card is a great way to build a relationship with Navy Fed.
I'm officially "in" with Navy Fed and I know they will take good care of me once they get to know me
I've added 3 new cards in the last 2 months and increased my overall credit by $17,200! Woohoo! Now I'm off to the garden until the end of the year.
Some data points...
TU FICO 8 at time of denials: 710
Utilization at time of denials: about 20% (now 10%, but had been as high as 80% a few months ago)
Inquiries before Navy Fed apps: 0/6 1/12 1/24
Navy Fed internal score at time of denials: 269
Denial reason for Amex More Rewards: DTI too high
Denial reasons for Platinum: no direct depost with Navy Fed and a few other things that basically read as "no relationship with Navy Fed"
Congrats!!!!! FYI all of Navy's cards have the exact same underwriting except for the Flagship which has higher underwriting standards. When you were denied for the first card you will be denied for all of their cards. So keep that in mind if in the future you want to apply again. First do not apply for the Flagship. Secondly any other card you apply for (excluding Flagship) and if you're approved you can product change for any other card within the first 30 days. Example you apply for the Go Rewards get approved then 2 weeks later you want to switch over to the Amex. Same underwriting guidelines you just need to call in and ask to switch to the Amex. Same credit limit will be given. Interest rate will vary. Just FYI
