Declined for Apple upgrade program?

[Applejuiced]

Weird situation.
What is the "wrong credit card"?
And why are some credit cards declined and others are not.
If you just call your cards customer service number and verify yourself and let them know what kind of transaction you're trying to put through and from what merchant and amount then no card should be rejected unless you don't have sufficient available credit.

 

[flyespresso]

Everyone–

TL;DR: Don't use Chase or Amex till further notice. Citizens One is aware and the the credit check is a hard inquiry still if you try.

I called Citizens One:

Currently -any- Chase visa card is not eligible for the program and neither is American Express. Irrelevant of Personal or Commercial. They are looking into it and taking "all feedback down". They expect to know more in 24 hours and will be calling me back. I'll update once the supervisor calls. To be honest, super friendly and short hold time.

 

[hrobert1]

I just called Citizens and got a lot of good info:

1) There is an issue with AMEX cards. AMEX is working on fixing it. If you have AMEX try another card.
2) It takes 24 hours for them to be able to tell you why you were rejected
3) They confirmed it is a hard pull against your credit.

 

[sjc83]

I used my chase freedom card with no issues.

 

[fanchee]

I used my Chase Slate with no issues.

 

[djinn]

I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred to get four phones and didn't have any issues. This was at 9:30am MDT.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Well that's why you were denied. You must out of contract in order to do AUP.

Absolutely false.

 

[0970373]

Everyone–

TL;DR: Don't use Chase or Amex till further notice. Citizens One is aware and the the credit check is a hard inquiry still if you try.

I called Citizens One:

Currently -any- Chase visa card is not eligible for the program and neither is American Express. Irrelevant of Personal or Commercial. They are looking into it and taking "all feedback down". They expect to know more in 24 hours and will be calling me back. I'll update once the supervisor calls. To be honest, super friendly and short hold time.

I used my AMEX and it was approved just fine.

 

[aristobrat]

I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred to get four phones and didn't have any issues. This was at 9:30am MDT.

I used my AMEX Blue card to get two phones (paid seperately) and no issues here either.

 

[Legionnaire]

A lot of hostility and good advice and also more hostility. I personally don't know if I'd be accepted for the program but I'm not trying as I use older devices (5s). I'm one of those guys who just uses two cards, one for groceries and gas and other for bills etc.

I couldn't get approved for ANY card, so I got the bank to give me a student card or something like that. Then usaa gave me two cards, closed the crappy bank card and keep rolling.

I'm just trying to build credit for hopes of owning a home one day. If some of you are denied and have bad credit, the whole purpose of this post is try your bank. They may give you a starter card. work your way up, pay every month off in full. Try and get rewards cards.

 

[bradl]

don't have a Chase or AMEX card. In fact, my card is issued by my credit union. Declined.

BL.

 

[EW800]

I just returned from paying a quick visit to an Apple Retail Store in CA. It was near closing time so not too many people left in the store. I was able to have some dialog with two Apple employees as I was looking at display units. They were extremely positive, but said that it had been "quite a day". I told them that I had read in some forums about issues with people getting credit approval. They looked at each other and one of said it there were a ton of denials all day long, with a a lot of frustrated people who stated they have extremely good credit with no past credit issues.

I feel bad for so many people, who sound like they have very solid credit, now have a hard pull inquiry on their credit report, for no good reason. I take my credit report VERY seriously and would be livid if I were one who gave up a hard pull for no reason.

I hope that those that appear to have been denied for no good reason, make their voices heard to Citizens Bank and Apple.

 

[aristobrat]

I would dump that card. 0% only for first purchase. Rate is super high.

FWIW, they do run specials where you can get the 0% for subsequent purchases again.

 

[flyespresso]

I used my chase freedom card with no issues.

I used my Chase Slate with no issues.

I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred to get four phones and didn't have any issues. This was at 9:30am MDT.

I used my AMEX and it was approved just fine.

I used my AMEX Blue card to get two phones (paid seperately) and no issues here either.

I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred to get four phones and didn't have any issues. This was at 9:30am MDT.

don't have a Chase or AMEX card. In fact, my card is issued by my credit union. Declined.

BL.

I'm just relaying on what I got on the phone direct from them–I was denied, not going to "defend" my credit honor lol.

 

[Applejuiced]

I just returned from paying a quick visit to an Apple Retail Store in CA. It was near closing time so not too many people left in the store. I was able to have some dialog with two Apple employees as I was looking at display units. They were extremely positive, but said that it had been "quite a day". I told them that I had read in some forums about issues with people getting credit approval. They looked at each other and one of said it there were a ton of denials all day long, with a a lot of frustrated people who stated they have extremely good credit with no past credit issues.

I feel bad for so many people, who sound like they have very solid credit, now have a hard pull inquiry on their credit report, for no good reason. I take my credit report VERY seriously and would be livid if I were one who gave up a hard pull for no reason.

I hope that those that appear to have been denied for no good reason, make their voices heard to Citizens Bank and Apple.

Guess what the first things everyone that gets denied says? I have excellent credit, my history is great something is wrong with your machine or the authorizing system is messed up.
My card got declined? I got $10,000 available in that account and other such bs.
I see it every day.
People will say all kinds of things and blame it on everyone else but themselves.
Yes there's many situations that are misunderstandings such as the card isn't activated yet, they're trying to use an old card that's expired instead of the new one that was sent out, they're over their credit limit and many other issues that might come up when using credit card processing.
But number 1 excuse from everyone that gets declined is its not their fault, they have excellent credit and plenty of money in the account. I dont know what happened, this doesn't make sense
You will be amazed how many people have terrible credit but they think or say that their credit is great

 

[Sean76]

Well that's why you were denied. You must out of contract in order to do AUP.

I'm still under contract with at&t and got approved. Your carrier contract has nothing to do with this promo.

 

[Rayy42]

I understand Citizen's has different standards for their approval ratings but you would think it wouldn't be hard for people to get approved. You would think Apple WANTS everyone to use this installment form of payment.

Just stinks that people who waited in the store for their device had to either buy in full, upgrade with their carrier, or deal with Citizen's and come back another day hoping their desired device is still in stock.

 

[lordofthereef]

A lot of hostility and good advice and also more hostility.

Those who know me probably notice I take a hiatus from the forum every now and then. It's honestly because of the vast amount of hostility and negativity here. Few forums I frequent are this bad. But I guess when money (and credit) is involved, there is always dick measuring to be expected.

 

[sjc83]

The issue has a lot more to do with card you are using then your credit history clearly.

 

[maflynn]

Looks like based on news reports its less to do with credit history/rating more to do with Citizen's bank for some reason. Based on that, I admit that I was wrong in some of my posts.

 

[taedouni]

Everyone–

TL;DR: Don't use Chase or Amex till further notice. Citizens One is aware and the the credit check is a hard inquiry still if you try.

I called Citizens One:

Currently -any- Chase visa card is not eligible for the program and neither is American Express. Irrelevant of Personal or Commercial. They are looking into it and taking "all feedback down". They expect to know more in 24 hours and will be calling me back. I'll update once the supervisor calls. To be honest, super friendly and short hold time.

Weird. I used my Gold Amex personal card and was approved, no issues.

 

[icedlatte]

Just a thought. Obtaining a "loan' which this kinda is, takes more into account than just your credit score. Do some of you have high DTI (don't answer that)? I guess that could be one reasoning why someone with high 700 scores are getting denied. Or a thin profile, low average age of accounts etc.

I thought a credit score already takes all that into account (DTI, thin profile, average age of accounts, etc.).

 

[lah]

I thought a credit score already takes all that into account (DTI, thin profile, average age of accounts, etc.).

It does. For on the spot approvals like these I guarantee they are based on FICO scores alone - it's not like they're being sent to some underwriter for review before final approval.

 

[phobos512]

A lot of hostility and good advice and also more hostility. I personally don't know if I'd be accepted for the program but I'm not trying as I use older devices (5s). I'm one of those guys who just uses two cards, one for groceries and gas and other for bills etc.

I couldn't get approved for ANY card, so I got the bank to give me a student card or something like that. Then usaa gave me two cards, closed the crappy bank card and keep rolling.

I'm just trying to build credit for hopes of owning a home one day. If some of you are denied and have bad credit, the whole purpose of this post is try your bank. They may give you a starter card. work your way up, pay every month off in full. Try and get rewards cards.

You don't really want to close those older cards though as that'll affect the Average Age of [your] Accounts in a negative manner.

 

[ProMod]

I don't think it has to do with Chase or AMEX. I think it has to do with a personal vs. business card, or how your individual card issuer handles the transaction. This is a very odd-looking transaction when it comes across your credit card company's fraud department.