I’ve applied for dozens of credit cards over the years. Even though filling out an application is nothing new to me anymore, getting approved is still exciting. And getting denied is still pretty disappointing.
Your credit score is normally the most important factor when you apply for a credit card. If your credit score fits into the range the card issuer is looking for, that’ll be a big help. But it’s not the only factor that matters, and you could still be denied, even if your credit score is good enough for the card you want.
Fortunately, there are some little-known methods you can use to help yourself get approved. Here’s what you can do if you’re about to apply for a card or if you’ve recently had a credit card application denied.
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1. Pay down credit card debt before you apply
If you currently have any balances on your credit cards, it could help to pay them down first, for a couple of reasons.
It’s a fast way to improve your credit score. One of the main factors that determines your score is your card balances compared to your credit limits. This is known as your credit utilization ratio. When you pay down your card balances, it brings down the percentage of your credit that you’re using, which is good for your credit score.
Also, card issuers consider your current debt situation when you apply for one of their cards. If you already have a lot of credit card debt, your application could be denied for that reason.
2. Call and ask for a reconsideration
Many people assume that if your credit card application is denied, that’s it. Game over. There’s nothing you can do about it.
That’s not always true. You can call the card issuer and ask it to reconsider your credit card application. In some cases, a representative will overturn the denial and approve you for the card. I’ve successfully done this several times.
Card issuers typically provide a phone number you can contact on their denial letters. You can also look up the number for a card issuer’s reconsideration line online. Call that number, let the representative know you were really hoping to get the card, and see what they can do for you.
3. Open a bank account with the card issuer
Some card issuers like it when applicants already have a banking relationship with them. It seems to help with Chase credit cards, based on online reports. With one of its starter credit cards, Chase even advertises that you can improve your approval chances if you have at least $250 in one of its checking or savings accounts before applying. Bank of America also seems to value applicants who bank with it.
You don’t need to do this to get approved for a credit card. But it may help with some card issuers, and it certainly can’t hurt. So if there’s a card you like and you want to do everything you can to get it, consider opening a bank account with the card issuer and depositing some money there.
4. If you have any other cards with that card issuer, use them regularly
Credit card companies make money every time people use their cards. They keep a cut of the transaction processing fees paid by the merchants. But if you never use a card, it costs the card issuer money to keep the account open.
If you have any other cards with a card issuer, it will look at how you use those cards before deciding to approve you for another one. If you earned the welcome offers and immediately stopped using those other cards, then it could be hesitant to approve you for any new cards. After all, you haven’t been a profitable customer so far.
I’ve used most of these methods to get my own credit card applications approved. While they’re not all necessary, they can be helpful when you want to do everything you can to get approved for a card.
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