I got approved for another card: after initially being denied, I called Target and they decided to approve me with a whopping credit limit of $500. So, I have a FICO of around 700, with no derogs at all. I've been denied by Amex, Citi, Chase, a couple of others whose names I forget, a Chevron gas card, and Target, which changed their mind. I now have two cards: Target, with a limit of $500, and Discover, with a limit of $1500. When I was 20 years old making a third of what I make now, I had more credit available to me. I don't get it...
My official credit history goes back 12 years now. I honestly suspect there is some kind of flag in my history not picked up by CRAs: so far, all the denials don't list a reason, but ask me to write them and they will send a reason. I used to have terrible credit, and when I was denied it would say "Denied because of history of non-payment" or some such. I did not follow the usual route to credit repair: I fixed my credit by being unbelievably nasty to the CAs, I mean vicious, and waiting out the SOLs on everything except my student loans, which I rehabbed. I wonder if somehow that nastiness is coming back to haunt me now. Ah well, it was worth it. Nothing like coming home after a rough day at work and making a CA cry over the phone ;-) I'm going to stick with these two cards and build up the limits. I don't even need the credit at this point, since I can get a good rate on a home loan and car loans, and make enough money for my needs. Eventually, as Butch said, as I build it, the limits will increase.
You mean CCCs purposely cater to young people who are going to spend irrationally and carry large balances they can't pay off each month? Makes sense to me.
Bunter, There may be a more cautious trend going on with the banks as the year progresses. It may be in part due to the uncertainty about the economy and consumer confidence. I have noticed several Creditnet posters stating that the limits received were a lot less that expected. KK
I guess I beat the DEADLINE for LOGICAL LIMITS...ours are $10,500 & $10,000... $500 IS AN INSULT!!! (1/2 "TOY" CARD) Call them and tell them that!!!
When I called mbna last night they said the credit looked great but I did not have my credit cards long enough. Maybe that is the problem. I thought it was dumb because I have like 5+ years of perfect car payments and 2 good ccs but they still would not. I also got turned down for target. What phone # did you call and who did you ask to speak to that had access to your report? thanks
I called 888-755-5856 (whenever they ask for a card number, press #). I hadn't received the official rejection yet, and was calling to check on the status of my application. The lady who answered that line told me I had been rejected. When I asked why, she connected me to another lady in a different department, but refused to tell me what the number was. That lady, after some discussion (for some reason they could not verify my address, even though it is the same as the one on Equifax, which is all they checked), asked me to hold, was gone for a long time, about 15-20 minutes, and came back to the phone with an approval. They were really pleasant, but seemed a little disorganized. I wish I had a name for you, but I'm crappy with names :/ Good luck!
I just got a $100 dollar limit increase on my guest card!!!! WOooOhOoOooo I am gonna buy a gumball now!
We just got the Target guest card with a $200 cl. Whoopee. Had to call 1-888-755-5856 to get it. We kept asking for someone with authority to reconsider denials. Finally after three people told us that no one had that kind of authority, we got to the right person. Apparently if you have moved in the last year or two they can not verify your address.
