FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Schwab Invest Visa? 2% cash back on everything? [Discontinued card]
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 6:54 pm
  #246  
Happy
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Originally Posted by freeflyin
I have not seen any recent posting on the length of approval time if not instantly approved.

I applied online on 9/21 and status is still showing pending decision.

FICO in the 800 range,but I do have many CC accounts active with significant limits,but always pay in full.

Any insight here as to whether I should be concerned?
Call them to find out the status if you indeed want the card.

I applied in late April specifically for an extensive overseas trip to be taken between late May and early July. FIA took their sweet time to review my application. After not hearing anything for almost 2 weeks, I finally called them and told them the sole reason I applied this card was for the 0% forex as we were very happy with Fidelity, but wanted a Visa with 0% forex. After some back and forth, they reduced the CL from an existing Schwab card and gave me approval on the 2% card over the phone with the CL I wanted. Card arrived 2 weeks before we departed for the long trip. There is never any communication from them in the 2 weeks before my call.

Slightly OT - I opened the brokerage account after receiving the credit card. It did not generate any hard pull. However, when I enquire whether it would be any hard pull if I get the Investor Checking Account to go with the brokerage account, I was told they could NOT guarantee there would be no hard pull. After a few emails back and forth on the Soft Pull versus Hard Pull subject, they called me today and basically subtlely told me, despite we had previous history with Schwab brokerage (1994), but since we never have banking history with Schwab Bank, they might do a hard pull for the Investor Checking Account. The rep suggested me to have a cover letter attached to the application form to stress that if a hard pull is required, then customer does NOT want to open the checking account....

The reason for opening the Checking Account is, its rate is 0.75% for parking idle cash, versus the MMA inside the brokerage account only pays 0.25% - totally out of whack that the checking account pays twice as much. Also the check card has a $2000 daily limit versus Fido's mySmartCash has only $500? daily limit? I knew I could not withdraw 400 Euro but could do 300 Euro.

Last edited by Happy; Sep 25, 2009 at 7:05 pm
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