🛑You had a Credit Card Denial...Now What?
You’ve done the research. You’ve picked the perfect travel credit card with a jaw-dropping welcome bonus—enough points to fly your family across the country or escape on a romantic getaway. You fill out the application...
...and then it hits you: "Application Denied."
Ouch.
But here’s the good news: a denial isn’t the end of the story.
In fact, there’s a lot you can do to turn that “no” into a “yes”—or work around it entirely. Let’s walk through it together.
💡 First: Don’t Panic
It’s easy to get down about it in this game, but a credit card denial isn’t a failure—it’s just a bump in your travel rewards journey. There are many reasons people get denied, and many of them can be fixed or appealed.
📝 Step 1: Review the Denial Letter
Credit card issuers are required to tell you why they declined your application. You’ll usually get a letter (or secure message) within a few days listing reasons like:
Too many recent credit inquiries
Your credit score is too low
Your income doesn't meet the requirements
You’ve opened too many cards recently (looking at you, Chase 5/24 rule)
Existing relationship with the bank (or lack thereof)
These details give you leverage in the next step.
📞 Step 2: Call the Reconsideration Line
This is your secret weapon. Most major banks have a reconsideration line—a direct number where a real person reviews your application and may overturn the decision. Make sure to get this phone number from the credit card or bank itself — not the internet! Scam-baiters take major advantage of this.
Here’s what to do when you get on the phone with a rep:
Be polite and confident
Clarify any misunderstandings (e.g., explain income changes, business plans, or low credit usage)
Express why you want the card (“I’m loyal to [Bank Name], and I’d like to build a relationship while using your travel rewards program.”)
Sometimes it’s as simple as confirming your income, adjusting your credit limits, or moving credit from one card to another.
When I first applied for a business card, I accidentally put in thousands less than our actual household income; so I called after my denial. When I realized the mistake, I told the representative, she put me on a brief hold, then came back and told me I was approved after all! Always double check your application before you hit ‘submit’.
Tip: Reconsideration works best if you call within 30 days of the denial.
🔍 Step 3: Check Your Credit Report
Errors on your credit report can impact approvals. Grab a free copy at annualcreditreport.com and look for:
Old accounts still listed as open
Incorrect balances or late payments
Identity mix-ups (yes, they happen!)
Check to see if you are an authorized user (AU) on any other accounts within the past 24 months. If you are, begin the process of removing yourself to take these off your credit report.
Correcting these may improve your odds for the next application.
If you don’t know exactly what the 5/24 rule is, check out this post.
🔄 Step 4: Consider Waiting or Trying a Different Card
If you were denied due to:
Too many recent inquiries
New accounts
Short credit history
…it might be smart to wait a month or two before reapplying. In the meantime:
Use existing cards responsibly
Pay off balances in full
Let your score improve naturally
Or, you could:
Try a different card from a different issuer
Consider business versions if you have side income
Apply for cards with softer approval standards
🧭 Step 5: Build a Strategy That Works for You
Credit card rewards are a marathon, not a race. One denial doesn’t cancel your future dream trips—it just means adjusting your route.
A few tips moving forward:
Know the rules: Chase 5/24, Amex 1-welcome-offer-per-lifetime (more like 7 years), etc.
Space out applications (every 60-90 days is a good rule of thumb unless you have a P2)
Use pre-qualification tools when available
Consider building a stronger credit file before applying again
✈️ Final Thoughts
Getting denied for a credit card—especially when you’ve got a vacation in mind—can feel like a setback. But with a little patience and the right moves, you may still end up earning that welcome bonus (or one even better). Don’t give up!
If you’ve had a denial turned into an approval or found a great workaround, let us know—we’d love to share your story in the facebook group.
