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If you apply for a credit card and are not immediately approved, then in most circumstances you should call the bank to discuss your application.

Ask the agent if you could provide any more information about the application. Generally they ask a few questions that were already on the app and approve you–especially if your application was left as pending and not denied.

Check out Rookie Alli’s experience (previous MileValue writer) calling Citi over the reconsideration of her application for the Hilton Honors Reserve Card.

Hopefully this video clears up any apprehension you might have about calling the reconsideration lines. Not all calls are this painless, but most are. Still scared? Follow these steps and you’ve got nothing to worry about.

  • Come up with a reason you want the card that does not reference the sign up bonus and does reference the card’s co-branded hotel or airline, or a hotel or airline transfer point if the card earns points.
  • Call the bank’s reconsideration line (latest numbers listed below).
  • Tell the agent you wanted to see if the bank needed any more information to process your application.
  • Answer the agent’s questions truthfully.
  • Generally, be approved.

If you don’t get approved on your “reconsideration call”, you can actually hang up and call back. This process results in many more approvals than just waiting.

Denied application?

It is still worth making a reconsideration call if your application is denied, you just might want to be ready to negotiate. For example, sometimes banks will deny you if you already have a large credit line with them on one or more cards. If you know which card(s) you are willing to move credit over from and offer that as an option get the new card approved, then perhaps the agent will be more willing to work with you as you’d be helping to minimize the bank’s risk. Doing so has helped me get multiple Bank of America cards open.

If you do have an existing relationship to the bank and the rep doesn’t seem to be aware of it, don’t forget to play that card.

And again, have that specific reason for wanting the card ready. That will of course help your case as well.

Exception to The Rule

The one bank this advice does not typically apply to is Chase. Most people report higher approval rates by just waiting it out when they receive pending responses for Chase applications.

If you decide to call, expect much tougher questions than those described above.

The Phone Numbers

American Express

  • Personal and Business Cards: 877-399-3083

Citi

  • Personal and Business Cards: 888-201-4523

Bank of America

  • Personal Cards: 1-888-503-6091

  • Business Cards: 866-695-6598

Barclays

  • Personal and Business Cards: 866-408-4064

US Bank

  • Personal and Business: 800-947-1444

Chase

  • Personal Cards: (888) 609-7805

  • Business Cards: (800) 453-9719

If you’ve had a faster/better experience with a different number than what’s listed above, let us know in the comments.

Bottom Line

Unless it’s a Chase card you don’t get auto-approved for, don’t sit around and wait to hear back from the bank. That is what the text on your pending application response will always tell you to do, but the silent wheel doesn’t get the grease–the squeaky one does. Calling the appropriate phone number listed above and answering whatever surface level questions the agent may ask you about your application is not hard and will reap you more approvals than if you hadn’t made the call.

What’s the easiest recon call you’ve ever made? The hardest?

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Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.

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