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If your Chase credit card application is denied or requires further review, a recommended option that can conceivably sway Chase’s decision in your favor is to call their reconsideration line.
Personally, I have called Chase’s Reconsideration Line many times in the past, and for the most part, the results are fairly positive. While it is not 100% successful all the time, it is still worthwhile to try.
Since I have so many credit cards with Chase, I do not remember the last time I received an automatic approval from them.
Therefore, I always plan and strategize to make a reconsideration call after every credit card application.
In this blog post, I will go over some tips and strategies you can utilize when making that call, so you can confidently navigate the conversation.
Most importantly, I will share some ideas on what to say when you call the Chase Reconsideration Line.
Before Your Call to Chase’s Reconsideration Line
Check The Status of Your Credit Card Application
Before calling, you want to ensure that Chase has not yet approved you.
If anything, it will save you time and energy from calling if the bank has already accepted you as a new card member.
To check the status of your personal/consumer credit card application, you can call 1-800-432-3117.
You will need to enter your social security number and wait for the system to tell you whether you were approved. If you are approved, huge congratulations!
On rare occasions, calling the above number connects you directly to an agent, so I highly suggest that you are prepared to answer their questions when they do. You can also hang up if unprepared.
For business credit card applications, call 1-800-453-9719.
Check Your Chase Online Account
It is possible to check your application status online, but only if you already have an existing account with Chase.
If you are approved, Chase will immediately add your newly-minted credit card to your online account even before it is released in the mail, so check in about 7-10 days in case it surfaces there.
Alternatively, you can send Chase a “secure message” via the app or computer if the new credit card has not appeared on your profile. Again, this only works if you are currently doing business with Chase.
My recommended method for checking your application status is to call the numbers above if this was your first personal or business credit card application with Chase.
Heads Up: If you applied for your first Chase business credit card and are already an existing Chase customer, your business credit card will not be automatically linked to your personal profile, so the only way to verify your business credit card application status is by calling the number above.
Reasons for a Chase Credit Card Application Denial
Too Many Recently Opened Accounts
Chase’s algorithm will automatically deny your application if they detect that you have opened too many accounts in the recent past.
Therefore, try to space out your credit card applications across all banks.
The rule of thumb is to wait as long as possible, at least 90 days, between applications.
Yet, I’ve come across multiple people who have been approved for two credit cards within 1-14 days.
This is more the exception than the rule, so I’d tread slowly to increase the chances of approval, particularly if you are new to Chase credit cards.
You Are At or Above 5/24
Chase strictly enforces their 5/24 policy, which sadly can not be overturned despite calls to its reconsideration line.
Update 3/19/23: Multiple reports indicate that Chase has also been approving applicants who are over 5/24. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).
Chase will reject your application if you have been approved for five or more personal credit cards across all banking institutions in the past 24 months, even if these accounts have already been closed.
Hence, you must ensure you are at 4/24 or below before applying.
Before applying for retail store credit cards, verify if the card can be used only at the store or anywhere. If the latter, the card will most certainly impact your 5/24 status, so resist the temptation to apply, as they are not worth occupying one of your coveted 5/24 slots.
Although business credit cards are generally exempt from this rule as they do not usually appear on your credit report, business cards from Capital One, Discover, and TD Bank appear on your report and thus will count against your 5/24 status. I would steer clear of these business cards for this reason.
Lastly, even if business cards do not affect your 5/24 standing, Chase’s algorithm will still base its decision on your 5/24 status before approving all Chase personal and business credit card applications.
In short, you must know how to determine your 5/24 status before applying for a Chase credit card.
If you are at or above 5/24, I will focus on applying for non-Chase business credit cards until you have gone below 5/24 again.
Less Than Stellar Credit Score
An excellent credit score is critical before applying for a Chase credit card.
A credit score of 740+ will significantly improve your odds of getting a favorable response.
You can improve your credit score by ensuring that you adhere to the following guidelines:
- Pay your credit card balance on or before the due date (try not to have late payments)
- Pay your credit card balance entirely.
- Maintain a low credit utilization rate, which can be calculated by dividing your total debt by the total credit given to you by all banks. The lower the rate, the better your chances of getting approved.
- Length of credit history. Do not close no-annual-fee credit cards, as this increases the age of your credit profile. Like wine, the older your credit, the better.
No History With Chase
It is not unusual for new applicants to get rejected because they do not have any existing relationship with Chase.
New business credit card applications typically do not get instant approval since Chase needs extra time to assess the structure of the business.
But, this can be potentially undone by calling the reconsideration line and answering questions to verify your identity and the nature of your venture.
Establishing a banking relationship with Chase, such as opening a checking or savings account, can strengthen your application.
Inadequate Credit History
Chase will likely reject your application if you are a newbie to the world of credit cards, mainly if you do not possess at least a year of credit history.
Reversing Chase’s decision might be a tall order if this was their reason for rejecting your application.
Focusing your efforts on beginner credit cards like the Discover It Secured Credit Card may be an excellent alternative for you in the meantime. Keep track of when you have had a year under your belt so you can try your luck again.
Maximum Credit Limit Reached
Chase will have a pre-determined amount of credit they can extend to each individual or business owner. Reaching this threshold will result in an automatic denial.
While there is no way to determine this specific number, if this was the cause of your rejection, then the solution should be an easy fix.
Recommending to the agent that you are more than willing to move credit around will highly likely result in an about-face. Agents call this “credit line exchange.”
An Error in the Application
Mistakes happen all the time. Chase would not approve your application if there were any errors in the information you provided.
Periodically, the bank will request additional documentation to verify the information you submitted.
Why Call The Chase Reconsideration Line?
Why Not? There is Nothing To Lose
While feeling dejected and tempted to throw in the towel after a denial is natural, I strongly suggest reconsidering making this call (pun intended).
Aside from the possibility of getting approved, which will not occur unless you make the call, I do not see any disadvantages to this route.
The call can provide valuable insight into why Chase declined your application. This information is vital to obtain.
Knowing which problem areas to improve can bolster your chances of getting instant approval for future applications.
In fact, what could possibly be the worst outcome that can happen from this call? If it’s a “no,” nothing changes, but at least you tried!
Practice a Life Skill
Calling the reconsideration line also allows you to practice a life skill – your ability to negotiate and communicate in unfamiliar terrain.
As with any new task, there is a learning curve; the first time is always the hardest.
Therefore, calling now enhances your ability to bargain and makes future calls less nerve-wracking.
At any rate, having an unsuccessful reconsideration call does not imply that you did anything wrong. It only means that it’s not the right time.
Trust me, I have had so many rejections in the past that I just chalked up to experience. It is a temporary bump in the road.
Eventually, I re-applied for those same cards and got approved when my stars were more aligned.
In a nutshell, calling the reconsideration line attains the following:
- Applicants will know why their applications were rejected, thus giving them ideas on what to improve when applying again.
- There is virtually no way to know if Chase is willing to reverse its decision unless a call is made. They are happy to give eligible applicants a second chance, but we will never find out without calling.
When Do You Call The Reconsideration Line?
Application Goes Pending
It’s not unusual for Chase to require additional time to review what you submitted.
Typically, this takes 7-10 days, but the result can be released sooner.
Another way to quickly determine whether your application got the green light is to check your Chase online account, as the card will show up there before you receive your approval letter in the mail.
But if you have pressing reasons to get your card approved, calling the reconsideration line and presenting a solid case that you are a viable candidate can expedite the process. However, it is not 100% guaranteed.
Chase will typically send a pending letter with the following wait times:
7-10 Days
- Slim to moderate likelihood of approval.
- I recommend calling the Chase Reconsideration Line about 3-4 days post-application to try to resolve any issues if there are any.
2 Weeks
- High likelihood of approval.
- After 2-3 days, you may call to check the status of your application using the telephone number above.
- If you are already an existing customer with Chase, log on to your account to see if your new credit card has already appeared on your profile.
- If you have not heard from Chase after two weeks, I’d call the Chase Reconsideration Line to determine the application status.
30 Days
- Chase requires extra time to assess your application.
- I recommend calling the Chase Reconsideration Line if you receive this message but wait about 5-7 days post-application to give them a chance to review your application.
Denial In The Mail
Should you receive a denial letter in the mail, thoroughly review the reasons for rejection so you can adequately prepare for your appeal during your call to Chase’s reconsideration line.
It is well within your rights to be informed why your application was declined. And you also have every right to employ all the strategies in the following section to persuade Chase to make a U-turn on their decision.
What to Say When Calling the Chase Reconsideration Line?
So you do not have to reinvent the wheel, below is a sample script you can use when calling the Chase Reconsideration Line. This will give them an idea of the purpose of your call.
Hi, I am calling because I recently applied for the “name of the credit card you applied for” but was sadly not approved. I was wondering if someone can help me understand why my application was denied so I can potentially address those concerns, and perhaps request Chase to review it again.
Go the Extra Mile to Be Ultra Kind
Representatives are more inclined to go the extra mile to reverse a denial if you are polite and respectful during a call, regardless of the outcome.
If you are unsuccessful at your first attempt or land with a not-so-sympathetic agent, I would gently HUCA (hang up and call again).
Don’t forget to thank the agent for their assistance.
Pro-Tip: Keep calling until you get a sympathetic Chase agent who can help you get approved. It is not unusual for approval to occur after the 3rd, 4th, or even 5th reconsideration call.
Be Prepared to Explain Why The Card is Important For You to Have
Aside from the generous sign-up bonus, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the other benefits of the credit card you are applying for.
Agents will most likely approve if they sense you will keep the card long beyond the first year.
Some examples of perks include:
- Category Bonuses
- No-Annual-Fee
- Travel Benefits
- Global Entry
- Lounge Access
- Insurance (Car Rental/Travel Delay/Baggage)
- Purchase Protection
- Extended Warranty
- Free Hotel Night Certificate
I would truly like to get approved for this card because of the perks and benefits that I find extremely valuable. Since I travel quite often, I could definitely use_______________________.
Being An Authorized User Pushed You Over 5/24
Informing Chase that one of the cards currently occupying one of your 5/24 slots is an authorized user card will most likely result in approval.
However, if this authorized user card is your 6th or 7th card in the past 24 months, then nothing will change.
Before calling, subtract all of your authorized user cards in the past 24 months from your total number of cards to ensure that you are at or below 4/24.
I just realized that one of my cards is an authorized user card. I am just wondering if you are able to verify that information so we can remove it from my report. Or, I also would not mind closing this card if it increases the likelihood that my application will be approved. Thank you.
Separate Business and Personal Expenses
If you are calling because your business credit card application was turned down, try to emphasize the importance of separating business expenses from personal expenses, particularly for bookkeeping and tax purposes.
This argument not only underscores the necessity of owning a separate business credit card but may also be the specific justification the agent needs to hear to tilt the balance toward approval.
I would really like to have a business card so I can keep my business purchases separate. Right now, I am using my personal card for all of my business-related expenses, which causes some difficulties with bookeeping. I wonder if you can let me know if you can reconsider my application again.
Move Credit Around (Credit Limit Exchange)
If the above strategies do not work, then suggesting to the agent that you are willing to move credit around may be an option that can tip the scales in your favor.
Unfortunately, this approach is only applicable if you have other credit cards with Chase.
Nevertheless, if you have existing credit with Chase, moving credit around has been one of the most effective methods to change Chase’s decision.
Finally, Chase does not allow transferring existing personal credit limits to your business accounts or vice versa, but it would not hurt to ask.
I am wondering if you can check if it is an option for us to move my credit line from my other cards to this new card so I can be approved for this application.
Starting a Second (or Third) Business
If you plan to apply for another Chase business credit card, you can let the agents know you are starting a second business and would like to separate your expenses.
This application was for a second (or third) business I plan to launch in the coming weeks/I recently started.
Be Willing to Have a Low Credit Limit
Finally, if you are running out of options, inform the agent that you will be grateful for whatever credit limit Chase can extend to you, no matter how low.
Credit limits can always adjust over time. What’s important is that getting approved now, regardless of the limit, essentially gets your foot in the door, making future applications easier to get approved for.
Whatever credit limit that can be extended to me would be appreciated.
Final Thoughts
Getting denied by Chase is a realistic outcome for any applicant, whether you are new to Chase credit cards or an experienced points enthusiast. Hence, it is best to approach applications with an open mind.
If your application requires further review or results in an instant denial, it is not the end of the road for you.
Even though your initial impulse to the rejection might be to give up altogether, I hope that the information in this article encourages you not to abandon your application unless you have given calling the reconsideration line a chance.
Ultimately, there are genuinely no downsides to calling; however, not giving this option a shot can undoubtedly result in forfeiting a generous sign-up bonus or two. It’s your choice.
Above all, I wish you success on your first reconsideration call so you can be well on your way to earning that lucrative credit card bonus for your future free or discounted vacation.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE – Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. The content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
