Okay, just bit the *bleeping* bullet and apped at Orchard for both of us (had hubby's permission, of course!!). And now ... now, I don't know what to think. :/
For me, after doing the "pre-qualified offers" I was offered the Classic and it SAID I was approved, but THEN it said it would notify me of the approval status soon via email. I had to pay a $49 processing fee (which they said would be refunded if I wasn't approved).
For hubby, after doing the "pre-qualified offers" thingie, he was offered the Gold card and it SAID he was approved and then AGAIN said it would notify him of the approval status via email soon. Like me, he had to pay a $19 processing fee (his was lower, of course).
So .. does that mean we're approved or not?? Damnit. Now I'm going to be up all *bleeping* night wondering!!!
BTW, hubby's scores have gone up (I think a few accounts aged and we've made more payments on already current accounts -- though they were late as recently as April). His middle is now 597 (EX, the ugliest one we had at first!).