Chase Tightening The Clamps On Applicants With Lots Of Recent Inquiries?

Recently a few readers have let me know that they’ve been denied for Chase credit cards, calling reconsideration didn’t help at all and when they received their denial letters the official reason given was “too many recent inquiries/applications for credit”. This Flyertalk thread is also littered with people reporting the same thing.

Interesting Lumpylump76 from reddit.com/r/churning asked people to post their recent experiences with Chase and there was nothing out of the ordinary. Generally people are more likely to comment when things go wrong (e.g they are denied for a card) than when things go right (they are approved). I personally think that the only real thing that has changed with Chase is that they are using too many new inquiries as a reason for denial, often credit card issuers will use something generic such as that rather than giving a super specific reason (e.g too little spend on existing cards) as this would allow people like use to better understand their approval process for our own purposes.

If you’ve applied for a Chase card within the past two or three weeks, let me know in the comments whether you were approved or denied and how many credit card applications you’ve had in the past two years (preferably only counting the inquiries that show on the credit report that Chase pulled for your application).

PhysixFan also has some good information and data points on this (note: foreign language blog in Chinese)

 

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William Nelson
William Nelson (@guest_712728)
January 27, 2019 16:41

I just applied last week. They said I had too many inquiries and the were the 3rd inquiry on my report in the last year. I will never apply for Chase again!

Zaldy
Zaldy (@guest_297918)
September 23, 2016 00:01

I applied for the chase sapphire on the 18th of September and got approved, two days later I applied for the chase freedom and got denied. I called the lending department and asked why I got denied and his response was too many credit cards opened with chase. I only just applied for the chase sapphire card and that is the only credit card I have with chase, so I decided to call 5 minutes later and spoke with another rep. And only this time I asked the rep to reconsider my application for the freedom unlimited and sure enough I answered a few questions he had for me and within 5 minutes he got me approved. I only have a total of 5 credit cards if that helps any.

Dale
Dale (@guest_258966)
May 14, 2016 20:28

I applied for a Chase Slate Card last year and was denied. I applied for a Chase Freedom Unlimited Card May 12,2016 and did not get an instant approval. I called the 1-800-625-7866 to inquire and found out that I was denied and was told that I have received 6 credit cards in last two years. And that the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card was a premier card. My credit score is around 788 to as much as 800. I simply told the gentleman at Chase that they did not want my business and it was “Your Choice, Your Chase” today on the phone. I believe that they see that they are not making enough money from me. I have always tried to very strategic with my finances.

Marco
Marco (@guest_244101)
April 9, 2016 09:57

I recently applied for a Chase Freedom card and was denied because of “too many recent inquiries.” This was a little irritating since Chase had sent me a “pre-qualified” offer. Moreover, my FICO score is 792 and my income is in the mid six figures. When I called, a representative told me not to take the rejection “personally.” I then told her not to take it personally that I was now canceling my Chase Sapphire and would take my business elsewhere. That card had a 30k limit. Chase needs guys like me. I don’t need Chase. I instead opened a new account with Amex to help with my wife’s business and was given a 25k starting CL. Great decision Chase!

emla
emla (@guest_238821)
March 29, 2016 08:27

urgh???

Aryeh
Aryeh (@guest_227951)
February 23, 2016 09:32

Did a 3BM for Amex Plat (100K offer), Chase IHG (60k plus $50), and Chase Hyatt… Was instantly approved for the Amex Plat but got a 7-10 day message for both Chase cards and a 30day message in email.
Not sure whether to wait or HUCA

Karl
Karl (@guest_227417)
February 20, 2016 20:02

Approved for AMEX and Citibank Visa, denied for Chase Freedom. My credit score is approx. 800.
Their loss, lmao.

Nicole
Nicole (@guest_222123)
February 3, 2016 12:46

I received an invitation from Chase to apply for the Slate and the Freedom. I applied for the Slate on February 1, 2016 and was approved for $4800. I then decided, “What the heck” and applied for the Freedom on February 3, 2016 and was approved for $4500. Not sure yet if they ran my credit again when I applied for the Freedom card, but after the Slate, I had 5 inquiries on my credit. Hope this helps!

Chuck
Editor
Chuck(@chucksithe)
February 3, 2016 14:57

Nicole, was this a mail invite?

Kurt
Kurt (@guest_219611)
January 23, 2016 10:49

I applied for a Southwest Personal premier and business in the same day. A week ago I received a fraud verification letter for the personal and was approved when I called but still haven’t heard anything about the business card. It’s been 31 days now and the status line just changed from saying 7-10 days for both cards to You have no recent apps. Should I risk calling or maybe wait a month or so and try applying for another personal? I don’t have much credit history and my 2 other cards were opened within the last 4 months. Any advice? Thanks

Kurt
TU 680 EQ 728
CSP $8000 Freedom $5000 SW $3000

Eugene
Eugene (@guest_193026)
November 2, 2015 19:43

Has anyone applied for the southwest business and personal cards at the same time? I want to get the companion pass, but only getting approved for only one, won’t benefit me.