Help - Chase is cancelling my card for inactivity

[Anonymous]

I've had the account open since the 90's so I don't want to lose it.  They used to just reissue the card upon expiration when I called them to say I want to keep it open.  They say they no longer do that.  This answer was from the Lending Services dept that used to put their phone number on the letter that said to call to keep it open.

Something sounded fishy so I called the number on another Chase card and inquired about a credit line increase to see if my credit has gone bad or something.  My other Chase card increased my limit by $15k.  The card that is expiring only has a $4.5k limit, so it's not that I'm at my limit.  The person telling me she can't do anything to keep the card open also said it has nothing to do with my credit worthiness.  She told me that by having the card open, Chase is using up its credit limit on a card that is inactive.  I offered to decrease the limit on one of my other cards in order to keep my 90's card open.  She said that won't work either.  If I change the account to another product to keep the 90's start date, the new product will still close when this card expires.

I have been charging over $40-50k a year on my other Chase cards, so I'm surprised they want to risk losing my business.

Has anyone been able to get Chase to reconsider once the card is flagged as "reissue declined"?  Has anyone gotten Chase to reopen a closed account and keep the original start date?

The Reconsideration department number said they only handle pending applications.  Is there another number to try? 

[sr383]

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@Anonymous wrote:

If I change the account to another product to keep the 90's start date, the new product will still close when this card expires.

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This part doesn't make any sense. It's like they've decided to close it, regardless of what you do. 

[Anonymous]

If you don't use it why do you want to keep it open? If it's because it's an old account and you're worried about account age in your credit profile, that really isn't an issue. It will remain in your file as a positive tradeline for 10 years after closure.

[Anonymous]

How long has your card been inactive?

[Pway]

Chase is a tough lender.  I am curious to know, how long has this account been inactive?

[Anonymous]

Yes, she told me once a card is listed as "reissue declined," it can't be undone.  The card has always been in good standing.  I have never been late on any of my credit cards.  I have cards with Chase that were opened in (approximately) 2002, 2007, 2013 with limits at least $25k each. I have not been opening/closing accounts for the startup offers or anything like that.  I haven't opened/closed any credit cards or loans since the last time this card was renewed after expiration.

I just keep the old account because of it's start date and for emergencies.  They kept suggesting I just reapply for a new account, but then I lose the 90's account date.  I offered to charge X $ amount or N number of transactions to keep the card open, but she said they can't tell people a minimum amount/number to keep an account open.  I am really upset they couldn't be bothered to send a warning letter to remind me to use the card.

The card has been inactive for over ten years, but they have never told me it was in danger of being closed, just sent a letter to call them to keep it open if I want it.  The Lending Services person told me the policy changed April 12th, two weeks before they mailed my letter.  If my letter had been mailed a couple weeks earlier, the card would be continued with a phone call like before.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Yes, she told me once a card is listed as "reissue declined," it can't be undone.  The card has always been in good standing.  I have never been late on any of my credit cards.  I have cards with Chase that were opened in (approximately) 2002, 2007, 2013 with limits at least $25k each. I have not been opening/closing accounts for the startup offers or anything like that.  I haven't opend/closed any credit cards or loans since the last time this card was renewed after expiration.

I just keep the old account because of it's start date and for emergencies.  They kept suggesting I just reapply for a new account, but then I lose the 90's account date.  I offered to charge X $ amount or N number of transactions to keep the card open, but she said they can't tell people a minimum amount/number to keep an account open.  I am really upset they couldn't be bothered to send a warning letter to remind me to use the card.

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The account date would remain in your files for 10 years after closure. You have excellent account ages among you other cards already, and they will be 10 years older by the time it drops off.

[redpat]

Ten years inactive, not Chases fault.  Need to use it or lose it, that simple.

Lessons the hard way.

[NRB525]

Ten years of no use? It was a nice run, you got them to re-open it several times already, and now it's closed. 

Hindsight / Monday Morning QB says you should have used it at least once per year.  

You have at least one card from 2002 which is already 14 years young. That will be 20+ by the time this one falls off completely. You won't see any impact, other than not having to contact Chase every few years to try to reopen it. 

Just learn from this, and any other Chase cards you want to keep open, ensure you use them regularly so this doesn't happen again.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It is good info for all of us to understand.

[Anonymous]

I like having a card that I have had since the 90's.

Has anyone else received a letter closing an inactive Chase account recently?

They told me using the account now will not keep it open.  Before receiving the letter, I even set up account alerts on the card a few weeks ago to get ready to use it before expiration so I wouldn't have to call them to send new cards.  I had planned to use it this week for over $1k in charges.  I did use it yesterday to confirm it is still live. 

Has anyone gotten Chase to reissue an expiring card after being told they are closing the account?  If I charge significant amounts ($1k-$2k) now, do you think they will reconsider even though they say it won't matter?

Why would Chase be so intent on closing THIS card?  I don't get it.

I don't expect this card closing to have significant impact on my credit score, even after it drops off in ten years.