A Way Around Chase’s New Rules

In case you didn’t already know, Chase is now being more strict when it comes to approving applicants with lots of applications for new credit in the last two years. Another change they’ve made is they now write down notes in your file when you call reconsideration, this means that simply hanging up and calling again (to try and get a more lenient representative) doesn’t work either.

This blog is all about finding new ways to game the system, so when one opportunity dries up I always like to try and find a possible solution. I haven’t personally tried this (I’m not currently in the country) but have had a few friends try that were denied due to excessive inquiries and it has worked for them.

Instead of applying online, apply at a Chase branch. If you have a deposit account with Chase then their bankers will do their best to make sure your application is approved, if it isn’t approved automatically they are able to call a different number and plead the case on your behalf.

Obviously if you’ve already applied and been denied, you’ll need to apply again which means that Chase will do another hard pull – but that could make sense for some. Applying in branch is a bit of a hassle as it means actually leaving your house and filling out the application form in person, but if you have a lot of recent inquiries then it probably makes sense to go there first. As an added benefit, sometimes the in branch bonuses are better than those advertised online (presumably because they aren’t paying commission to an affiliate for the lead).

If you don’t already have a Chase deposit account, I’d recommend signing up for one before applying in branch. It’s possible to get a sign up bonus on these accounts as well (currently up to $500 for the Chase checking/savings combo) – we keep this page updated with the best current offers.

If you’ve been denied online and then try to apply in branch, please share your experiences in the comments below.

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Rich T
Rich T (@guest_187869)
October 21, 2015 00:19

Applied in branch yesterday for CSP, after recently opening Chase checking. Banker contacted me and provided a phone number to call for status. He told me that the credit card team could not talk to him, but had to work directly with me. Unexpected from him.

I called the number and I am pending. I may wait it out instead of immediately calling to speak with someone. Any recent recommendations on calling or not?

Diamond Vargas
Diamond Vargas (@guest_140769)
July 1, 2015 13:50

Data point from today, July 1, 2015:

Applied in-branch for a targeted 50k offer for the United personal card. The representative received a pending application notice when he submitted it, and offered to provide any assistance he could (with no promises of course) if by chance the application was denied during the review process, which I would hear the results of in the next week or two. He did not offer to call immediately to try to push it through, and I did not ask. I then went home and called the reconsideration line — was approved after moving some of my credit line over from my Sapphire Preferred. No mention of recent account openings. Prior to the application I had 14 inquiries in the last two years with Experian (which Chase uses in my state, NY), although only 1 in the last 180 days, as well as 5 Equifax and 8 Transunion inquiries on my report. The vast majority of these were new credit card accounts. I am also an authorized user on one or two Chase cards.

For additional details, I do have an active Chase personal checking account, an inactive business one, and in addition to my Sapphire Preferred I have the Ink Plus, Ink Bold, and a very old Ink Classic card.

Also worth noting that the laminated, official in-branch offering pamphlet for the United Personal card was a 50k offer despite the current public offer.

Todd
Todd (@guest_146311)
July 16, 2015 14:42

I believe the new rules only apply to Ultimate reward cards like Ink, Freedom, CSP. Other cards don’t seem to be affected.

Phong
Phong (@guest_139085)
June 28, 2015 05:14

Oh yea. I’m not sure if this was already mention, but does this include airline cards such as the southwest and united chase cards as well that are getting rejected for having applied to too many cards?

Phong
Phong (@guest_139086)
June 28, 2015 05:15

Oh and British Airways CC too?

ES
ES (@guest_135033)
June 15, 2015 13:25

My understanding and experience from applying in branch for Chase Bus cards is that there is a third recon/appeal possibility for Chase Private Clients / those the banker would like to make Private Clients. I applied in branch, it went pending, we called immediately from the branch and I was denied, but the banker then requested the third appeal and I got the card. However, this was 2 years ago. And a family member who is not eligible to be a Private Client did not get the extra appeal even when she asked for it.

More recently but not in the last few weeks, I have found that with Chase it is best to let a pending app just work its way through the system and to not call recon while the app remains pending. Various family members got Chase Bus cards that way.

However, this is not current and is offered mainly for historical and clarification purposes re: whether or not applying in branch gets an extra chance for a denied app.

TxAg
TxAg (@guest_134213)
June 13, 2015 23:18

I applied for Ink in branch. Got a letter a week later saying my application was denied. I called reconsideration line and the agent asked for some more info then put me on hold. He got back and said I still got denied because I have 4 new cards in the past 6 months and lot of spending on my Chase cards! That last part about spending got me very upset. I told him that although I do spend a lot on my Chase cards, I have never hard a late payment or over limit spending and very few instances (none recent) of carrying over balances. He said this still indicates abnormal spending and would not approve my application! My score is 768, income at $82k, and been a Chase (credit and banking) customer since 2007 and closed only 1 card. This is ridiculous if they’re basing decisions on how much spending you’ve done in the past.

ihg newbie
ihg newbie (@guest_134129)
June 13, 2015 19:41

since november of last year, i acquired 4 CC’s from chase. first 3 got instant approval and the 4th got approved upon calling.
however, i got denied for marriot CC last month. i called and then went to my chase banker for appeal. did no good.
fyi, i have business and personal checking as well as savings with chase.
one more thing, this is the best CC blog in my opinion. keep up the good work.

yay
yay (@guest_133641)
June 12, 2015 22:22

I just cancelled a chase card and asked to reallocate the credit line to another account on the condition there would not be an hard pull. The agent agreed they would not do a credit check. However Chase did do a hard pull!!! FWIW, I have 6 personal & Bus. cards with them and >$100k credit across all of them.

Phong
Phong (@guest_133608)
June 12, 2015 20:51

I’ve got to say that I’m really saddened by this news. Mostly because I really enjoy chase credit cards and all of the perks they have. This really does make manufactured spending hard too :(. It sucks because I’ve been trying to get the Chase SP card for a long time, now I’ll probably have to wait several more years lol!

tim
tim (@guest_133604)
June 12, 2015 20:33

As someone formerly from the industry here is some food for thought.

The bankers are sales reps… if you want them to work for you reward them with the application. The car salesmen that work the lot want nothing to do with the guys who have been emailing with the online guy.