Hi FT, long time reader but pretty new to card bonuses. I am having a heck of a time here...

I recently applied for the personal and business southwest cards (hoping for the CP.) Personal was instantly approved, business was, long story short, denied and I've tried the reconsideration line three times now.

Reasons for denial are "Business not established enough" and "Not enough credit history".

I tried to counter the "not enough credit history" one by stating that I do have five years of credit history with one card, which has had payments 100% on time, held a small balance for about two years while in college, graduated and have since paid it off in full every month since I am now fully employed as an engineer. The rep has countered every time, "Well you just were approved for the personal card and we want to see some activity on that."

I've tried to counter the "business not established enough" reason by stating that I've been making ad revenue off of youtube for a couple years now, and am simply wanting to take things to the next level by securing my own domain name and uploading the rest of my videos (cartoons, btw). The rep has countered every time that "I should perhaps get a domain name, establish some revenue from it, and then reapply." I tried to re-counter (nicely) with the fact that this business is going to be all profit with very little costs and he still said no. I tried to make it clear that I already have the money, I am just looking for an easy way to separate business and personal expenses.

The last time I called I asked that my personal credit line that I was already approved for be split between a business card and a personal card and was still denied.

After reading a bunch of other people's similar experiences, it seems like plenty of people have been able to get approved with reasoning equal or weaker than mine. Am I crazy? Or saying something terribly wrong to them?

Maybe they are right though. Maybe five years isn't enough credit history for Chase. And maybe my start-up wasn't the best thing to put on this ap. I also sell books on amazon, maybe I'll try that 3 months from now..

Any thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!