Don’t Give Up: Your Ideal Credit Card is a Reconsideration Away!

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Have you ever faced the dreaded pending status or an outright rejection when applying for a credit card? It can be disheartening, but fear not. Let me share my recent journey with the Barclay’s Earner Rewards Business Card application and how I successfully secured approval.

Unlocking Benefits with Barclay’s Earner Rewards Business Card

I set my sights on the Barclay’s Earner Rewards Business Card due to its appealing benefits. From earning a generous 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, 8 points per $1 on eligible purchases at Wyndham hotels and qualifying gas expenses to getting 5 points per $1 on eligible marketing, advertising, and utility purchases, the card seemed like a must-have. Despite the $95 annual fee, the potential rewards made it a worthwhile investment for my specific needs.

Additional Benefits

• Automatic DIAMOND Level Benefits: Enjoy automatic Wyndham Rewards DIAMOND member level perks, including suite upgrades, a welcome amenity at check-in, and more.
• go free® Faster: Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free® awards.

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Strategic Moves and Unexpected Perks

My primary objective in applying for the Earner Rewards card was to align my status with Caesar’s Diamond, leveraging my existing Wyndham Diamond status, which I will automatically obtain upon the approval of the Earner Business Card. This strategic move allowed me to match with Carnival Cruise, turning out to be a game-changer. For my upcoming 9-day cruise in February 2024, I secured a balcony room at a fraction of the cost, showcasing the unexpected perks of this card. Thanks to Frequent Miler, who, at that time, had an article explaining in detail how to get free cruises through casino status match.

The Credit Card Application Process

Before diving into the details of my experience, it’s crucial to understand the credit card basic application process. This CNBC article sheds light on the eligibility criteria and the factors considered by card issuers when you apply. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is determined by how card companies evaluate the risk of extending credit to you, taking into account your income, credit history, credit score, and overall financial profile. Major bank card issuers include Chase, American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Citi, Discover, and U.S. Bank, while Penfed Federal Credit Union and Navy Federal are two of the largest credit unions issuing credit cards.

The underwriting and loan approval process for credit card lending is generally more streamlined compared to other types of lending. Much of the analytical tasks of underwriting are increasingly performed by technology, such as databases and scoring systems. Whether the underwriting and loan approval process for credit cards is automated, judgmental, or a combination thereof, consistent inclusion of sufficient information to support the credit granting decision is necessary. For a deeper dive into this process, you can refer to this document.

Facing Application Challenges

Returning to my credit card application journey, the path to approval was not without its hurdles. Despite my existing relationship with Barclay’s, my card application ended up in pending status. Undeterred, I proactively contacted Barclay’s customer service. They advised me to submit additional documents, including my social security card (front and back), utility bill, and driver’s license (front and back). After patiently waiting, I followed up with another call. This time, the customer service representative connected me to the security department, which promptly reviewed and approved my application.

A Lesson in Persistence

This story underscores a crucial point—just because your credit card application is pending or rejected doesn’t mark the end of the road. There are alternative routes to explore, such as contacting the bank’s customer service or reconsideration line and supplying additional information or documentation. When communicating with customer service representatives, maintaining politeness and respect is key, and it helps to have a plan in place before making the call.

Explore Reconsideration Lines for Other Issuers

For those in a similar situation, consider reaching out to reconsideration lines for various credit card issuers:

• American Express Reconsideration Line (Personal): (800) 567-1083
• American Express Reconsideration Line (Business): (800) 567-1085
• Bank of America Reconsideration Line (Personal): (866) 224-8555
• Bank of America Reconsideration Line (Business): (866) 695-6598
• Barclays Reconsideration Line: (866) 408-4064
• *Capital One Reconsideration Line: (800) 625-7866
• Chase Reconsideration Line (Personal): (888) 270-2127, (800) 763-9795
• Chase Reconsideration Line (Business): (800) 453-9719
• *Citibank Reconsideration Line: (800) 695-5171
• *Discover Reconsideration Line: (888) 676-3695
• *U.S. Bank Reconsideration Line: (800) 947-1444
• Wells Fargo Reconsideration Line: (866) 412-5956

_{Note: *Please contact their regular customer service number for any inquiries related to credit card applications, as they do not have a dedicated reconsideration line.}

Keep in mind that not all issuers have dedicated lines, so contacting the main customer service line and requesting a connection to the credit card or card services department is a viable alternative. When making the reconsideration call, be prepared to provide additional information supporting your application and consider requesting consideration for a different card type or a lower credit limit.

Turn setbacks into opportunities – your desired credit card approval might be just a reconsideration away!

New to the world of earning miles and points? Check out my articles on easy ways to earn miles and points [link] for valuable insights. I also have a beginner’s guide to credit card points and miles to help you get started. Enjoy your shopping and have a fantastic holiday season!

Disclaimer: This article is neither sponsored nor paid, and I am not affiliated with any of the mentioned programs at the time of writing.