Cards that don’t affect your score if you’re declined?

[crystal626]

I know there is PayPal and AMEX. Any other issuers doing this? Trying to help a friend of mine get a card but he doesn't want a hard pull for a no. He already has the Apple Card. Looking for cash back preferably. 

[OmarGB9]

The GM card by Goldman Sachs (same issuer as Apple card). But why do you say Amex wouldn't hurt you? Is friend an existing cardholder? Even if they are, the SP app isn't guaranteed. 

[wasCB14]

What sort of credit history does he have? Do you know what other cards he has or wants, beyond cash back rewards in general?

One "wasted" HP isn't a big deal, and a determined effort to avoid it as a possibility may steer a person towards otherwise mediocre or poorly-suited cards.

[Aim_High]

Cards that only do a soft pull pre-approval are definitely on the rare side, @crystal626  There have been lenders that will do a soft pull pre-qualification but no absolute guarantee of the final outcome.  (Pre approvals are more firm than prequals.)   I believe Goldman Sachs was the first do this with a guarantee on the Apple card and now the GM card.   And AMEX is now following suit.  Maybe others will do it as well. 

Here is a link to a My Fico Forums listing of cards that do >SOFT PULL Prequalifications.<  Again, my understanding is that these are *not* as firm as the Goldman Sachs offers.  So while the title is Preapprovals, I think most on this list are more prequalifications.  

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@OmarGB9 wrote:

The GM card by Goldman Sachs (same issuer as Apple card). But why do you say Amex wouldn't hurt you? Is friend an existing cardholder? Even if they are, the SP app isn't guaranteed. 

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@OmarGB9, there is recent thread about new AMEX soft pull language for preapprovals, even without existing relationship.  (However, like Goldman Sachs, the HP would still be done on a new cardholder if the offer is accepted.)   See >this thread.<

[crystal626]

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@OmarGB9 wrote:

The GM card by Goldman Sachs (same issuer as Apple card). But why do you say Amex wouldn't hurt you? Is friend an existing cardholder? Even if they are, the SP app isn't guaranteed. 

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AMEX has a new thing where they say they won't affect your credit if you are declined. There is a post about it here and they have this banner that says so on the link that was posted. 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/?inav=menu_cards_prequal_offer

[crystal626]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

What sort of credit history does he have? Do you know what other cards he has or wants, beyond cash back rewards in general?

One "wasted" HP isn't a big deal, and a determined effort to avoid it as a possibility may steer a person towards otherwise mediocre or poorly-suited cards.

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He's not really willing to share all the details but he's not got any derogatory items right now, nothing is maxed out, so he's gotta be in the 700s. 

I told him to get a card with NFCU and I'm hoping he takes the chance on that pull but he's going to check AMEX too. He said he's not interested in the PayPal card so I was hoping I could give him at least one other suggestion. 

[crystal626]

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@Aim_High wrote:

Cards that only do a soft pull preapproval are definitely on the rare side, @crystal626  There have been lenders that will do a soft pull preapproval but no absolute guarantee of the final outcome.  I believe Goldman Sachs was the first do this with a guarantee on the Apple card and now the GM card.   And AMEX is now following suit.  Maybe others will do it as well. 

Here is a link to a My Fico Forums listing of cards that do >SOFT PULL preapprovals.<  Again, my understanding is that these are *not* as firm as the Goldman Sachs offers. 

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@OmarGB9 wrote:

The GM card by Goldman Sachs (same issuer as Apple card). But why do you say Amex wouldn't hurt you? Is friend an existing cardholder? Even if they are, the SP app isn't guaranteed. 

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@OmarGB9, there is recent thread about new AMEX soft pull language for preapprovals, even without existing relationship.  (However, like Goldman Sachs, the HP would still be done on a new cardholder if the offer is accepted.)   See >this thread.<

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The PayPal card does it too now where you only get the pull if you're approved . Hopefully they have more in the future doing that. He wants something solid, not just a normal prequal thing, so I guess since he doesn't want PayPal, that means AMEX or nothing for him. 

[Remedios]

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@crystal626 wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

What sort of credit history does he have? Do you know what other cards he has or wants, beyond cash back rewards in general?

One "wasted" HP isn't a big deal, and a determined effort to avoid it as a possibility may steer a person towards otherwise mediocre or poorly-suited cards.

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He's not really willing to share all the details but he's not got any derogatory items right now, nothing is maxed out, so he's gotta be in the 700s. 

I told him to get a card with NFCU and I'm hoping he takes the chance on that pull but he's going to check AMEX too. He said he's not interested in the PayPal card so I was hoping I could give him at least one other suggestion. 

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Well, if he isn't willing to share details, how is anyone really supposed to help?

It's like asking for directions without disclosing destination. 

[Bill77]

Venmo credit card.

[CYBERSAM]

X1 Card has SP with SL, but then HP to finalize the application. However they do require access to bank statement for income verification.