Any seasoned traveler knows that travel hacking by using Chase Ultimate Reward points is the way to live the good life for less. But what happens when your credit card application gets rejected? You call the Chase Reconsideration Line. This post tells you what to say and do for the best chance of getting accepted.
Rejection sucks, but it happens to the best of us. If it happens in your love life, there’s not much we can do. When Chase doesn’t want to give you a new credit card, you call the Chase Reconsideration Line.
Side Note: Many credit card companies have a credit card reconsideration line. This post details the best practices to negotiate a call with Chase. However, the information outlined here applies to most other card issuers as well.
Editor's Note
What Is the Chase Reconsideration Line?
The Chase Reconsideration Line is a dedicated phone line provided by Chase Bank for customers who have recently applied for a credit card and received a denial or are awaiting a decision. By calling this line, applicants have the opportunity to speak with a Chase representative to discuss their application and potentially have the decision reconsidered.
This can be especially helpful for customers who believe their credit card application was denied due to an error or misunderstanding or who want to provide additional information to strengthen their case for approval.
Credit card companies use algorithms to determine who is and isn’t worthy candidates to carry their rewards cards. But algorithms are a blunt instrument, so many of them have credit card reconsideration lines.
Why You Would Call the Chase Reconsideration Line
The reconsideration line gives you a chance to talk to a real human, not an algorithm. During your phone call, you can find out why Chase rejected your credit application, and you’ll have the chance to explain why they should reconsider.
Rejection is hard, but your chances of success go way up if you’re willing to try again. This is good advice for credit cards, and life in general.
The Chase Reconsideration Line Phone Number
- For Personal Cards 1-888-270-2127
- For Business Cards 1-800-453-9719
Other Reconsideration Line Numbers
- American Express Reconsideration Line: 800-567-1083
- Bank of America Reconsideration Line: 866-224-8555
- Barclays Reconsideration Line: 866-408-4064
- Capital One Does NOT Have a Reconsideration Line (but you can call their application services line): 800-625-7866
- CitiBank Reconsideration Line: 800-763-9795
- Citibank Note: Many CitiBank customers have found more success by writing to their Executive Review Department: P.O. Box 6000, Sioux Falls, SD, 57117
- U.S. Bank Reconsideration Line: 800-685-7680
- Wells Fargo Reconsideration Line: 866-412-5956
What to Say on the Reconsideration Line Call
When you get rejected, it’s hard to feel confident about yourself. You think there must be some reason the credit card company doesn’t want you. It’s nonsense.
If you’re the type of person who reads ListenMoneyMatters, you’re the type of person who is worthy to carry even the fanciest credit card. They’ve made a mistake, and you’re going to help them remedy it.
Okay, so you’ve summoned the courage to call up the Chase Reconsideration Line even though you hate rejection and would rather not deal with it. How do you go about getting the answer you’re looking for?
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Be Like Mr. Rogers
When you’re channeling your inner superhero, think more Mr. Rogers and less Mr. T. This seems like a random tip, but it’s essential.
When you call the Chase Reconsideration Line, you’ll talk to a live person. That person typically has the power to approve or reject your claim.
The crucial first step for a successful reconsideration call is to be nice.
If you’ve ever worked in customer service, you know how taxing dealing with people all day can be. Just by being a pleasant human, you’ll be a breath of fresh air.
Ask the analyst how their day is going. Make a little bit of small talk. You don’t have to visit for an hour to be cordial. Remember, this is a real person, not a robot. Getting approved could be just a matter of them liking you.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Travel Rewards
Sign-Up Bonus
60,000 points
spend $4k in 3 months
Annual Fee
$95
Bonus Point Rate
2x points on travel and dining
1x points on everything else
Point Redemption
$0.0125 single point value per dollar spent when redeemed through Chase
APR
Variable 17.49%-24.49%
Extra Features
-
N/A
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Travel Rewards
Sign-Up Bonus
50,000 points
spend $4k in 3 months
Annual Fee
$550
Bonus Point Rate
3x points on travel after earning the travel credit and dining
1x points on all other purchases
Point Redemption
$0.015 single point value per dollar spent when redeemed through Chase
APR
Variable APR 18.49%-25.49%
Extra Features
- $300 annual travel credit, up to $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit with Sapphire Reserve
- Priority Pass Select Membership to over 1,300 lounges worldwide
Know What to Expect
Having a plan and being prepared will put you at ease. The calmer you are, the better you’ll do in making your case. Going into the call, you want to know:
- Which Chase rewards cards you already own
- What the perks of those cards are
- Why you need an additional card
- Any red flags in your credit history
Tell them you recently applied for a Chase credit card (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom, Ink Business, Chase Southwest, Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc.) and would like to check on your application status.
You want to see if you can help in the process or answer any questions. Notice how you want to help the process.
You’re not there to yell at them or blame a random credit analyst for your rejection. Let them know that you’re on their team.
The analyst will ask for your application ID. If you have one, give it to them. If you don’t, ask if they can look you up using your social security number.
They’ll put you on hold for a few minutes while they check on the status of your application. When they get back on, they’ll have information on why Chase rejected your credit application.
This is where you have a chance to plead your case.
Never Acknowledge the Sign-Up Bonus
So now it’s time to plead your case for why you’re the perfect candidate to win the Chase credit card application lottery.
Tell them about why you want the Chase credit card, but don’t mention the sign-up bonus. It seems counter-intuitive since the main reason you want the credit card is for the sign-up bonus.
Trust us, don’t disclose that. It’s imperative.
Credit card companies offer sign-up bonuses to get people in the door, but that’s not why they want you. They want you to be a long-time customer, not someone who just wants a free flight.
Telling a credit card company you’re only here for the sign-up bonus is like telling the host of the party you’re only here for the hors d'oeuvres.
Tweet ThisEven if you’re really after the sign-up bonus, learn a few of the perks of the card and mention how you’ll use it when you call the Chase Reconsideration Line.
You want this card because it offers 2x points on groceries or 3x points on restaurants. You need the Chase Sapphire Preferred because they offer no foreign transaction fees, and you travel a lot.
It shows them you’re a Chase fan, and you’ll keep the card for a long time.
Be sure to mention your high credit score, steller credit report, payment history, or anything that makes you an ideal customer.
If there are any red flags in your credit history, be sure you have answers for those. Don’t lie about it; just have an answer prepared.
You want the analyst to know that you’re not only a fan of Chase but also an outstanding candidate.
Remember, don’t be pushy and don’t sound like you’re just there for the sign-up bonus. Be courteous and let them know you plan to use the card for the long haul.
The main reason we’re going to the party is for the appetizers, but we don’t tell the host that.
Credit Line Issues
If Chase rejects you, it might be a credit line issue.
Maybe you already have three Chase rewards cards, and they’re hesitant to grant you another one because they feel this would give you too much available credit.
In this case, they might ask to rearrange some of your credit limits.
Before your call, look over your other Chase credit cards and their credit limits. Determine where you need higher credit limits and where you can reduce your available credit.
They might also want you to close out one of your older cards to open a new one. Make sure you know which credit card you’re willing to lose if it comes to that.
Before you agree to close one, tell them again about why each rewards credit card is so important to you.
If you want to keep all your cards open, and the analyst isn’t budging, then it’s better to hang up and try again with a new analyst.
Don’t be rushed into closing a card.
You Can Always Hang Up and Call Again.
Sometimes even using all the tips and tricks in the world isn’t enough to get you accepted. Maybe the analyst is having a bad day; perhaps they aren’t in a lenient mood.
Getting accepted or rejected is often a subjective call made by the analyst.
There are thousands of analysts taking calls for the Chase Reconsideration Line. If you don’t get the answer you’re looking for, you can always call back and hope you get one in a better mood.
The Chase 5/24 Rule
Sometimes your application is rejected, and there’s nothing the credit analyst can do. In this case, you may have violated the Chase 5/24 Rule.
In May of 2015, Chase created the 5/24 Rule, which stipulates you can’t open more than five credit cards within twenty-four months. It doesn’t matter if the cards are personal or business credit cards.
It also doesn’t matter if they’re all Chase cards or from different companies like American Express, Capital One, Mastercard, or Visa. If you’ve opened five in the last two years, you’re almost certain to get rejected on your new card application.
Occasionally, they’ll approve an application for an additional card if you’ve been pre-approved. To see if you’re already pre-approved for any Chase credit cards, you can visit a Chase branch and the teller will be able to give you a list.
Final Thoughts
Many people find themselves in a situation where Chase rejects them because of the 5/24 Rule. I’ve been there.
You have to decide whether you want to stop applying for any rewards cards until you no longer violate the 5/24 Rule, or if you’ll live with the credit card offers other companies provide.
Chase offers some of the best reward card perks, so a lot of travel hackers have opted to wait. Some come with annual fees, but many are free. They have a ton to choose from, so the 5/24 Rule is a bit stifling.
Chase ultimate rewards points are valuable enough that we’ve personally decided to not apply for any more credit cards until we’re under the 5/24 threshold.
Each person has to weigh the benefits for themselves.
Whether you’re a seasoned travel rewards card vet or opening a new account for the first time, these tips will help increase your chances of getting accepted.
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David Lautaret is a thirty-something writer based in Portland, OR. His passion for financial independence stems from unrelenting, low-grade anxiety that he doesn't know enough which explains why he can't stop educating himself on the subject. He has a degree in Business but prefers to use cartoons and humor to make his points. He's a husband to a beautiful wife and a tremendous father to a super cute baby girl.
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