Originally Posted by NYCFlyer10001

Regardless of history, I think people want a card that they can trust when they do make a purchase 'out of pattern'. If I call a card issuer and ask permission, because I have to because their business model involves not telling me how much credit I actually have, and they grant me said permission, then yeah, I'm gonna be pretty pissed when the transaction is actually declined for any reason.

And the "We'll approve it but you have to pay it immediately" is a de facto decline and they should just say that.