Reconsideration lines for a second chance at approval

Calling a reconsideration line after a credit card denial can give you another chance at approval. In this article, we’ll list a few things to do after receiving a denial, as well as reconsideration lines for a few major card providers.

What to do if you’re denied a credit card

There might be a few reasons why you were denied a credit card. Here are a few things you can do to try to correct the denial or to try to get approved the next time you apply:

• Take a look at your adverse action notice.
  If you’re denied a credit card — a type of “adverse action” from lenders — you’ll usually receive a letter from the issuer within seven to 10 business days. The letter will explain the issuer’s reason for denying your application, such as a low credit score or insufficient income. It will also give you an idea of which part of your finances you should work on.
• Get a copy of your credit report.
  If your credit report is the reason for your credit card denial, you can ask for a free copy of that report within 60 days from the respective credit bureau. This is your right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Once you receive the report, look through it and check for red flags — including errors to dispute with the credit bureau.
• Check your credit score.
  A low credit score is a common reason for a credit card denial. After your card application is denied, the issuer will send you your score, along with factors affecting it.
• Improve your finances.
  You can better your odds for your next application. It’s wise to increase your credit score, which often involves lowering your credit utilization ratio and making card payments on time. You’ll also want to lower your debt-to-income ratio by increasing your income and paying off debt.
• Call the issuer’s reconsideration line.
  Credit card decisions are mostly made by algorithms. That means negative marks on your credit report can automatically send your application to the “deny” pile.

  By calling a reconsideration line, you can talk to a human and clear discrepancies that might have sunk your chances. It may help to have a copy of your credit report or information about your income, depending on the reason you were denied.

Credit card reconsideration lines

Here are the reconsideration lines for the major credit card issuers. We’ve provided the next best number to call for those providers without a reconsideration line.
Remember to have your personal and financial information on hand, as well as your argument for why your application should be approved.

Compare credit cards for bad or fair credit

If you’re having trouble getting the credit cards you want you may be applying for products outside of your credit range. Consider the following cards designed for consumers with bad or fair credit.

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Name	Product	Filter values	Rewards	Purchase APR	Annual fee
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card			1% cashback, 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments, plus 2% - 10% back from select merchants	12.99% to 26.99% variable	$0	Apply now View details	Build your credit with rewards and no fees: Apply if you're new to credit or have a fair to good score of 600 or higher. See if you prequalify with no impact to your score.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card			N/A	17.39% variable	$35	Apply now View details	Apply for this card with no credit check if you're new to credit or have bad credit.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®			1% cash back on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services	23.99% variable	$39	Apply now View details	Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

A credit card denial can hurt, but you may have another chance at approval by calling a reconsideration line. Consider working on your credit and finances so you have better approval odds for your next application. For a tool to steadily increase your credit score, consider a secured credit card.

Frequently asked questions

• What are secured credit cards?

  Before you can open a secured credit card, you must put down a security deposit. This assures the provider it’ll be repaid for the money you borrow. With this collateral, the provider may be more willing to approve you as a customer.

• Why does my credit score matter when applying for credit cards?

  Your credit score will have a big effect on your odds of approval. That’s because it’s a numerical indication of how responsible you are as a borrower — and for card providers, the higher the score the better.

• Should I call the reconsideration line if my application is pending?

  No. Call the reconsideration line only if you’ve been denied.