Shifting Credit for a New Account — Reader Success Story

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Matt, who used his existing credit lines to help a new application get approved:

I recently applied for the World of Hyatt Credit Card. I wouldn't normally have applied as I am over Chase's 5/24 limit, but I received a targeted offer via the mail, so I figured I'd try it. I was excited about the card as a long-term keeper, but also for the sign-up bonus. Since I'm recently engaged and planning a wedding, I knew hitting the spending requirement would not be an issue.

Upon submitting my application, I was notified it was being reviewed. A week later, I receiving a notification that I was declined, so I decided to call the reconsideration line. I pointed out (as politely as possible) that I was targeted for the offer, and that if the issue was my total credit available from Chase, then I would like to reduce the credit line of my other accounts to qualify for the Hyatt card.

After a brief hold, the agent let me know the minimum credit required for the Hyatt account was $5,000. We lowered the credit limit on my Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Freedom cards by $5,000 each, and after another brief hold I was approved! (No longer open to new applicants)

Your credit card application can be denied for a variety of reasons, but you shouldn't give up if you're initially turned down. The next step is to sort out the cause of your denial — whether there's negative activity on your credit report, you've maxed out your total credit line with that card issuer, or you're up against other application restrictions, identifying the problem will help you identify the remedy (if there is one). In Matt's case, Chase was unwilling to extend credit beyond what he already had available on his other cards. However, they didn't object to him opening another account so long as that combined amount stayed the same. He simply had to reallocate credit from existing accounts to make room for the new one.

Even if you're not opening a new account, I recommend taking stock of how much credit you have available on each one. Some cards have a minimum requirement (Visa Signature cards must have a line of at least $5,000), but you may want a higher limit based on how you intend to use it. If Matt puts a lot of spending on his World of Hyatt card — to earn a second free night certificate or additional elite credits, for example — a higher limit will help keep his credit utilization ratio low on that account. It may also keep him from maxing out in the middle of his statement cycle, so he won't have to pay the balance early to keep using his card. Shifting credit lines is easy and you can do it anytime, so set your accounts up in whatever way works best for you.

I love this story and I want to hear more like it! In appreciation for sharing this experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I’m sending Matt a $200 airline gift card to enjoy on future travels, and I’d like to do the same for you. Please email your own award travel success stories to info@thepointsguy.com; be sure to include details about how you earned and redeemed your rewards, and put “Reader Success Story” in the subject line. Feel free to also submit your most woeful travel mistakes. If your story is published, we’ll send you a gift to jump-start your next adventure. Due to the volume of submissions, we can't respond to each story individually, but we'll be in touch if yours is selected.

Safe and happy travels to all, and I look forward to hearing from you!