Why Was My Credit Card Application Declined?

If you have been declined for a credit card it is important that you find out why.

Applying for credit cards has never been easier than it is right now. Almost every Australian bank or credit card issuer has a website that allows you to fill out and submit an application online. Applicants usually get a response in moments, but when that does not happen you should understand what caused you to be declined and how you can remedy the situation.

Top Reasons For A Declined Credit Card Application

Poor Credit History – When you apply for a credit card, online or by other means, the bank will search your credit file electronically. This file contains notes about your payment status including negative marks for late or missed payments. It also shows if you have gone over your credit limit and other indicators about your available current credit and how often you apply for credit. To avoid getting your credit card application declined due to a bad credit file you should find out exactly what is in your file. Learn how to fix it before you apply for your next card. You might have to start out with a card specifically designed for people with bad credit in order to improve your credit score.

More Information Needed – Sometimes the banks are not able to immediately grant your credit request because they need more information. There may be questions about your employment history and income or your assets and liabilities that someone at the credit issuing company needs to research before they can make a decision. You might be asked to fill in the blanks by providing documentation or simply correcting errors you made on the original application.

Technical Problems - Even though the online application process is secure and usually reliable there are instances when your application might need to be resubmitted. Maybe you walked away from the application screen and it timed out or your Internet connection dropped so the from did not send completely. Perhaps the credit issuers’ server ran into a glitch that read your application wrong and the declined it. If you know that you have a good credit file and think you should have been approved you can call the credit card company and they can look into any technical problems and help you resubmit your form.

A declined credit card application does not mean you will never be able to get a credit card. It does mean that you will have to do some extra work to either get your finances back in order or deal with errors that caused you to be declined. Remember to only apply for cards that you have a reasonable chance of getting approved to avoid even more negative marks on your credit file.

Order a copy of your credit file

Receive email alerts whenever specific changes occur on your credit file for 12 months. You also receive a copy of your credit file despatched within one working day..

Receive your credit file with information on:

• Details of consumer credit enquiries
• Details of overdue consumer credit accounts
• Commercial credit enquiries
• Details of overdue commercial credit accounts
• Bankruptcy & Court Judgements
• Writs & Summons
• Information on your current relationship with a credit provider

Find out more about this offer

Check out today's featured offers:

Westpac Low Rate	Citibank Clear Platinum	Qantas AMEX Discovery	ANZ Platinum
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers	2.9% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers	$0 annual fee Up to 10,000 Bonus QFF Points	0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers

Subscribe to our newsletter and get "The Ultimate Guide to Balance Transfers"

Popular Credit Card Offers

			Interest Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
	Westpac Low Rate Card - 0% Offer	A credit card with a low rate offer on both balance transfers and purchases, plus a low annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 13.49% )	0% for 6 months	$45	21.49%
	Citibank Clear Platinum Card	Competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers offer.	11.99%	2.9% for 12 months	$99	21.74%
	St George Vertigo	Take advantage of this great offer from St.George with a low rate on purchases and a low balance transfer offer.	13.24%	0.99% for 12 months	$55	21.49%
	ANZ Platinum Credit Card	An introductory interest rate offer on balance transfers and purchases, plus a $0 first year annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 19.24% )	0% for 6 months	$0 annual fee for the first year( $87 thereafter)	20.99%