I understand all these nuances of credit. My credit, utilization, history, & credit score is pretty similar to spouse (except I have like 10 years longer credit history). I manage all our cards. We co-sign auto and home loans, and are each others' authorized user on some no annual fee cards. Yes, at least 1 of those rejections was my fault for being up-to-date with bank rules (i think it was 5/24). But often, a reconsideration call approves with low credit limit (5k for my most recent United Biz app) - meanwhile my wife just got insta-approved for 35k on the CSR. I then call to lower her limit, because her one rejection was Citi because she had too much credit.

Damn, I haven't logged in in a while so missed the AOR shenanigans. I found some alternatives to AA, so don't need that many anymore, but will DM you to pick your brain.

Anyway, all this to say (to keep on topic) - I'm not looking at a specific card. This post was simply triggered from my wife's instant approval 3 days ago. A few weeks earlier, my sister was insta-approved for the CSP. Just before that my friend (who bunches up his apps), got insta-approved for the United card that I referred him to. Meanwhile, my last application 2 months ago went pending or rejected.

I was hoping someone had insight about something that always triggers a review for all banks. There's SOMETHING going on with my credit that I almost ALWAYS get the "pending review" message, while others almost always get instantly approved. Most often, I just call reconsideration and they ask some verification questions, maybe send me a text, and I'm approved in 5 minutes. But sometimes it takes begging & pleading & HUCA and sometimes still rejection. I just want to save myself the stress of that call every time.