I think it's somewhat random at times as well. They can certainly be generous to rebuilders, but that doesn't mean everyone with very good or great credit gets a raw deal. I've never had a late or any other derogs. My Flagship (first card with them, which people often suggest avoiding) was approved at $24k somewhere in the mid-700s and my More Rewards was approved at $25k somewhere in the lower 800s (too lazy to dig up my approval threads but pretty sure those scores are accurate), both while approaching 7 digits in available revolving credit and I've had several CLIs after surpassing that mark.
Navy is definitely a different breed of lender and I don't know if any of us could ever completely crack their "code." Somehow, I think there is more method to the madness than simply which underwriter draws your file. I also think it's somewhat futile to compare Navy FCU results versus underwriting on the same credit profile with other lenders, since they just do things differently.
It does appear to me that Navy has a much more generous and receptive attitude to rebuilders than to solid profiles which have engaged in more than only light recent credit-seeking behavior. On the plus side, my general profile is veteran (which you'd think would be a plus with NFCU as a military-oriented CU), high FICO, high income, low relative DTI. On the potential "downside," I have a high TCL (but in line with income), a younger relationship with Navy (opened 11/2019,) and applied with Navy towards the end of many other recent applications. While I was approved with a relatively good $10K SL on card one, that was less than most of my other approvals around the same time. And then I was denied on card two. Before I started pursuing Navy, I never thought they were particularly sensitive to credit-seeking, but I think that's been a major contributing factor to my results with them. I was denied that card 2 with TU FICO of 850/850 and very high internal score of 427 (on a scale of 100 to 450.) 
Here are my threads I started on my Navy process with many data points and trying to come to grips with how they think. Similar to my recent posting this week about what AMEX is thinking in terms of denying me a SUB on card number two, I'm slowly coming to a better appreciation of the nuances of different lender's focus during underwriting. Threads like these are helpful in consolidating our experiences to try to gain a better common understanding, so thanks @Anonymous.
@Anonymous wrote:
@spiritcraft1 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Good morning MF Fam!
Just curious about how NFCU looks at each individual when they provide you with specific SL when applying for their credit cards. I know each credit profile is different, but I have seen such a a variation of approvals that I scratch my head all the time.
When getting that approval there is always feeling of pride upon not getting declined. Then, the second part kicks in when you see low limit approvals like 1k. If someone can share any DP's that would be great. Looking for info on SL $$$$ what does it mean.
$1,000 approvals
$3,000 approvals
$5,000 approvals
some
$8,000 approvals
Looking at credit files that some have mid 500 scores and their SL amounts are higher than those that have 700 scores. Please share the light. Thanks
There is zero rhyme or reason to their madness. They do have that secretive internal score which no one knows the workings and logic of. They will also approve a mid 500's TU09 score for $25k and then shoot down someone in the 800's. That is not always the case but it happens enough to be a very real thing. It my case, 3rd card, 843 TU 09, I was given $5k. I recon'd with a secure message and 6 days later they said... "Oh, our mistake, you actually deserve $25k". I don't think anyone knows what is going on with their algorithms but there is still a lot to like.
Some become frustrated at the process, but those that do not give up when in the long run. Their approvals are all over the board. I am glad you hit that 25k mark on your third card. I will apply for my second card in about two months. I am right at the 3 month mark with them, but I am waiting for three secure cards that I started with just under a year will hit that 13 month mark. When they do, I will apply for my second card and CLI for my first card.
I hope they find favor in me. I have a 3k SL cash reward that they approved based on a TU 624 score. Then I applied for their SSL loan with 5yr term and I took two months to pay it down just to see how the credit point increase wil work. I have not carried a balance with their credit card but use about 4500 a month with it and pay it down twice a month and it always reports zero balance on cycle. My problem I have is that my total utilization right now is zero I keep making a mistake of not leaving any balance on my credit cards. So I have to correct that starting this month.
You are right in their wheelhouse. Good luck, you are doing it right.
@Anonymous wrote:@Aim_High , then compare your experience and statement about better odds to rebuilders than solid profiles to my situation:
Aged profile (AoOA 14 years, average ~3 years), joined Navy Dec 2020. TU09 was 750s, $90k income, roughly $120k TCL, approved for $1k Platinum half an hour after $7k personal loan. Fast forward to 91/3 and bumped up to $3k on Platinum, but waited an extra month until my last derog fell off of TU, then apped for cashRewards and got instant approval for $25k. Lower age factors on my profile but still solid, far from rebuilding, kind of in the middle between rebuilding and Credit Jedi. $35k from them in four months.
I think they're so spread all over the place with approvals that it's very hard to nail down a pattern. I think in my case, having more than one credit product/type with them, plus savings and checking, and paying ahead on the loan by a couple months, must've made a nice difference in their internal score on me.
Good points to add to the discussion, @Anonymous. And yes, I agree their approvals are spread all over the place. Do you recall what your new accounts and/or inquiries was at the time of your new membership with Navy as to me that seems a key part of the formula.
My comparison wasn't between rebuilders and all solid scores. I was pointing out that medium to high scores seem to get good results if they've been gardening but for those like myself who were actively-seeking, the results may be overall subpar. I've seen rebuilders acquire credit lines like your $35K or even higher at a faster rate than Navy has opened up to me ($22.5K in almost 18 months), and I think the reason is they were dissuaded by my recent credit history. Those rebuilders may only get $1K to $3K SLs on card one but get approved and much higher limits at 91/3 intervals on cards 2 and 3. However, they may also have not acquired a lot of other recent credit. I got a slightly higher initial limit but my overall credit-seeking probably led to a denial on card 2, even though I waited until my first card was over seven months old. Lesson learned: I thought Navy was a little more loose and easy, so I saved them towards the end of an app run, and that probably made the difference.