What are the current backdoor numbers for Chase? Insight needed?

[Anonymous]

Hi, guys! I was denied for the Chase Freedom card a few months back and I was scrounging the Internet on how to start establishing credit when I found out that backdoor numbers for banking was a thing. I've read a lot of great stories about people getting approved this way and I was wondering if my situation would apply.

At the time I applied for a Freedom card, I was 18 and I had been working for minimum wage in food service just for spending money. So I didn't really have an income. I moved to a different state for college and stopped working. For what it's worth, I do have checking with Chase and have never overdrafted. I originally did not want the hassle of a credit card, but when I was making a checking account with Bank of America (since the town in which I would be attending college didn't have any Chase branches), the woman who helped me make a card told me her son never used his credit card while in college and only had it to pay off bills automatically so he could build his credit, which seemed like a good idea to me.

I already know that after I graduate college, I'll be cancelling my account with Bank of America (bad experience) and also to have started establishing good credit by then. If I call a backdoor number at Chase, what are some things that would help my case? Should I put more money into my checking account with them and use my debit card more frequently? Should I pick up a part-time job to show that I have some source of income? Should I share that I really only need a credit line of $500 so I could pay off bills with a credit card and build credit instead of with a debit card to no benefit?

[Anonymous]

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Backdoor-Numbers/m-p/408066

[coldnmn]

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Backdoor-Numbers/m-p/408066

[Anonymous]

Realistically you need 6 months of credit history before getting a Chase card.  I'd look elsewhere like Capitol One or a secured card first and you definitely need some source of income.

[CreditCuriosity]

6 months to a year, depending on chases mood.... Probably how much you make too...  If you pre-qual on website for the freedom or whatever you are golden..  Sorry if you tried, didn't read your whole post

[kdm31091]

I've heard a lot of times that Chase requires 1 year or so of history, so you may need to wait. I had luck with Discover and Capital One when I was starting out. Maybe try one of those first. There's always a secured Capital One or the unsecured Journey card, both of which are not difficult to obtain.

Or try Discover IT for students.

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:

What are the current backdoor numbers for Chase?

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Don't overlook the sitckies.  There's a link to the thread with the backdoor numbers in the Helpful Threads sticky in this very subforum.

[jsucool76]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi, guys! I was denied for the Chase Freedom card a few months back and I was scrounging the Internet on how to start establishing credit when I found out that backdoor numbers for banking was a thing. I've read a lot of great stories about people getting approved this way and I was wondering if my situation would apply.

At the time I applied for a Freedom card, I was 18 and I had been working for minimum wage in food service just for spending money. So I didn't really have an income. I moved to a different state for college and stopped working. For what it's worth, I do have checking with Chase and have never overdrafted. I originally did not want the hassle of a credit card, but when I was making a checking account with Bank of America (since the town in which I would be attending college didn't have any Chase branches), the woman who helped me make a card told me her son never used his credit card while in college and only had it to pay off bills automatically so he could build his credit, which seemed like a good idea to me.

I already know that after I graduate college, I'll be cancelling my account with Bank of America (bad experience) and also to have started establishing good credit by then. If I call a backdoor number at Chase, what are some things that would help my case? Should I put more money into my checking account with them and use my debit card more frequently? Should I pick up a part-time job to show that I have some source of income? Should I share that I really only need a credit line of $500 so I could pay off bills with a credit card and build credit instead of with a debit card to no benefit?

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This happened to me, but with Wells Fargo when I moved to gainesville for school. The guy told me I was pre-approved for a credit card, didn't ask me my income or anything, and emailed me later that night saying I was approved and the card showed up in the mail. 

Do you have any income from a job, currently? They likely won't give you a card with $0 income, as you need to provide sufficient income to repay your debts. Your best bet would most likely be a secured card (possibly) since they are typically lower risk due to security deposits. Maybe see if there are any local credit unions that offer one, where you could go in and sit down and talk to someone about it.