to freeze or not to freeze before apps
#16
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,091
I still don't understand Citi and BofA, I know they pull equifax and transunion in different parts of the country. Did you try talking to a supervisor?
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 851
The person from Amex told me that their computer simply has a requirement of which report based on location in the country and there was no getting around it. I didn't ask for supervisors because a) I'm convinced they just hand you to the person the next desk over, and b) the whole process was taking so long (more than 1 day) that I was already running the risk of losing the 'element of surprise' of the simultaneous app-o-rama.
#18
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,091
The person from Amex told me that their computer simply has a requirement of which report based on location in the country and there was no getting around it. I didn't ask for supervisors because a) I'm convinced they just hand you to the person the next desk over, and b) the whole process was taking so long (more than 1 day) that I was already running the risk of losing the 'element of surprise' of the simultaneous app-o-rama.
#19
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PHX
Posts: 380
So I decided to do the freeze with Experian and it was easy to do online. If you don't answer the usual credit history questions correctly, then they will request you send it in via mail.
What I didn't expect was to received a letter in the mail stating that they have removed my name from preapproved credit offers for the next 5 years. I don't want that. So I called them and they said the removal from prescreened offers is part of the freeze, which I didn't see or missed. They won't even talk about it unless I get a credit report.
What I didn't expect was to received a letter in the mail stating that they have removed my name from preapproved credit offers for the next 5 years. I don't want that. So I called them and they said the removal from prescreened offers is part of the freeze, which I didn't see or missed. They won't even talk about it unless I get a credit report.
#20
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,091
So I decided to do the freeze with Experian and it was easy to do online. If you don't answer the usual credit history questions correctly, then they will request you send it in via mail.
What I didn't expect was to received a letter in the mail stating that they have removed my name from preapproved credit offers for the next 5 years. I don't want that. So I called them and they said the removal from prescreened offers is part of the freeze, which I didn't see or missed. They won't even talk about it unless I get a credit report.
What I didn't expect was to received a letter in the mail stating that they have removed my name from preapproved credit offers for the next 5 years. I don't want that. So I called them and they said the removal from prescreened offers is part of the freeze, which I didn't see or missed. They won't even talk about it unless I get a credit report.
Thanks for the data point though, it's unfortunate that they do this automatically. Although if you're doing it for security purposes, I can understand the logic behind experian doing this.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 140
I've been doing this for years and my results have been the same. Chase is the only one that will pull something other than the one they want for my area. AMEX, Citi, and BofA all insist on pulling Experian. They simply cancel the application after 30 days if I do not unfreeze it for them.
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,708
I think it is worth a try. It worked for me in December. That was my last Chase card application.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Beverly Hills
Posts: 713
ADVICE NEEDED: Freeze EX & TU for August AoR?
Edited: I have another thread about the AoR itself, this pertains to questions really for all future AoRs about freezing reports
I'm planning an AoR in August, and I'm thinking of freezing my TU and EX reports so the bureaus will only pull my EQ. Why I'm wanting to do this is because my most recent inquiries on my EQ were 07/12. My question is CAN I do this? Will it work as I'm wanting it to, where all three issuers JUST see my sparkly Equifax? Not that the other two are horrible, my TU is just rather shaky right now due to being battered by inquiries (plus, my AAoA is on the low side, but the Amex will help).
I'm wanting
1 AMEX Personal (50k MB Plat)
1 AMEX Business (50k BGR)
2 Chase Personal (40kCSP, 30-55k UA MPE)
1 Citi Personal (50k AA Visa Plat)
1 Citi Business (40k Visa)
Chase pulls EX in Arizona. AMEX has pulled all three, but it was my first time with them. I've heard they also pull EX, which they did for my April 2013 Gold Business DL card. Citi pulled TU & EX for all three of my AA cards + 1 TYP.
In August I will have:
Transunion: 11 inquiries in 12 months (14 in 24)
Experian: 10 inquiries in 12 months (12 in 24)
Equifax: 0 inquiries in past 12 months, 5 in 24 (all 5 were July 2012)
Any advice on freezing reports is VERY appreciated! Thank you
I'm planning an AoR in August, and I'm thinking of freezing my TU and EX reports so the bureaus will only pull my EQ. Why I'm wanting to do this is because my most recent inquiries on my EQ were 07/12. My question is CAN I do this? Will it work as I'm wanting it to, where all three issuers JUST see my sparkly Equifax? Not that the other two are horrible, my TU is just rather shaky right now due to being battered by inquiries (plus, my AAoA is on the low side, but the Amex will help).
I'm wanting
1 AMEX Personal (50k MB Plat)
1 AMEX Business (50k BGR)
2 Chase Personal (40kCSP, 30-55k UA MPE)
1 Citi Personal (50k AA Visa Plat)
1 Citi Business (40k Visa)
Chase pulls EX in Arizona. AMEX has pulled all three, but it was my first time with them. I've heard they also pull EX, which they did for my April 2013 Gold Business DL card. Citi pulled TU & EX for all three of my AA cards + 1 TYP.
In August I will have:
Transunion: 11 inquiries in 12 months (14 in 24)
Experian: 10 inquiries in 12 months (12 in 24)
Equifax: 0 inquiries in past 12 months, 5 in 24 (all 5 were July 2012)
Any advice on freezing reports is VERY appreciated! Thank you
Last edited by tigerhunt2011; Jul 1, 2013 at 4:46 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,184
Edited: I have another thread about the AoR itself, this pertains to questions really for all future AoRs about freezing reports
I'm planning an AoR in August, and I'm thinking of freezing my TU and EX reports so the bureaus will only pull my EQ. Why I'm wanting to do this is because my most recent inquiries on my EQ were 07/12. My question is CAN I do this? Will it work as I'm wanting it to, where all three issuers JUST see my sparkly Equifax? Not that the other two are horrible, my TU is just rather shaky right now due to being battered by inquiries (plus, my AAoA is on the low side, but the Amex will help).
I'm wanting
1 AMEX Personal (50k MB Plat)
1 AMEX Business (50k BGR)
2 Chase Personal (40kCSP, 30-55k UA MPE)
1 Citi Personal (50k AA Visa Plat)
1 Citi Business (40k Visa)
Chase pulls EX in Arizona. AMEX has pulled all three, but it was my first time with them. I've heard they also pull EX, which they did for my April 2013 Gold Business DL card. Citi pulled TU & EX for all three of my AA cards + 1 TYP.
In August I will have:
Transunion: 11 inquiries in 12 months (14 in 24)
Experian: 10 inquiries in 12 months (12 in 24)
Equifax: 0 inquiries in past 12 months, 5 in 24 (all 5 were July 2012)
Any advice on freezing reports is VERY appreciated! Thank you
I'm planning an AoR in August, and I'm thinking of freezing my TU and EX reports so the bureaus will only pull my EQ. Why I'm wanting to do this is because my most recent inquiries on my EQ were 07/12. My question is CAN I do this? Will it work as I'm wanting it to, where all three issuers JUST see my sparkly Equifax? Not that the other two are horrible, my TU is just rather shaky right now due to being battered by inquiries (plus, my AAoA is on the low side, but the Amex will help).
I'm wanting
1 AMEX Personal (50k MB Plat)
1 AMEX Business (50k BGR)
2 Chase Personal (40kCSP, 30-55k UA MPE)
1 Citi Personal (50k AA Visa Plat)
1 Citi Business (40k Visa)
Chase pulls EX in Arizona. AMEX has pulled all three, but it was my first time with them. I've heard they also pull EX, which they did for my April 2013 Gold Business DL card. Citi pulled TU & EX for all three of my AA cards + 1 TYP.
In August I will have:
Transunion: 11 inquiries in 12 months (14 in 24)
Experian: 10 inquiries in 12 months (12 in 24)
Equifax: 0 inquiries in past 12 months, 5 in 24 (all 5 were July 2012)
Any advice on freezing reports is VERY appreciated! Thank you
This tactic doesn't work as well as it used to.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,708
I agree. I have never been able to get AMEX to pull anything other than Experian, they deny the app and send me a letter stating that I have to unfreeze Experian to continue with the application process. Citi pulls Experian for my area and I have never been able to get them to pull anyone else. Chase is my only success in that if I freeze Experian (their default for my area) they will pull TU for me most of the time.
#26
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,714
A few follow up question about Chase and EX.
Has anyone gotten instant approval from Chase after freezing EX (assuming it pulls EX and TU by default), or does it always lead to recon? If the latter, how much more complicated is the process? Do they ask why you froze EX? If so, what do you say?
My EQ has virtually no activity, so it would be great if Chase looks at that instead of EX. Or better yet, skip it altogether and just look at my TU, which is also sparse.
Has anyone gotten instant approval from Chase after freezing EX (assuming it pulls EX and TU by default), or does it always lead to recon? If the latter, how much more complicated is the process? Do they ask why you froze EX? If so, what do you say?
My EQ has virtually no activity, so it would be great if Chase looks at that instead of EX. Or better yet, skip it altogether and just look at my TU, which is also sparse.
#27
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: PDX & PHX
Programs: AA,AS,HH,HY,IB,LH,IHG,MAR,WN
Posts: 199
A few follow up question about Chase and EX.
Has anyone gotten instant approval from Chase after freezing EX (assuming it pulls EX and TU by default), or does it always lead to recon? If the latter, how much more complicated is the process? Do they ask why you froze EX? If so, what do you say?
My EQ has virtually no activity, so it would be great if Chase looks at that instead of EX. Or better yet, skip it altogether and just look at my TU, which is also sparse.
Has anyone gotten instant approval from Chase after freezing EX (assuming it pulls EX and TU by default), or does it always lead to recon? If the latter, how much more complicated is the process? Do they ask why you froze EX? If so, what do you say?
My EQ has virtually no activity, so it would be great if Chase looks at that instead of EX. Or better yet, skip it altogether and just look at my TU, which is also sparse.
#28
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,746
italdesign, did you try? I'm curious to do this, too. 11 inquiries on EX, 2 EQ (both Chase, as well), 3 TU. It seems Chase always pulls EX and EQ for me, both, so I'd definitely like to just push them to EQ if possible, but don't feel like doing the recon dance.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 51
Any update on Chase success lately? My wife will be going after Chase personal/business this fall and would like to push those into Equifax. She's got 12 Experian and 6 Equifax. Chase has always pulled both on her previously. If no data point, I'll probably try it anyways.
#30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 396
Any update on Chase success lately? My wife will be going after Chase personal/business this fall and would like to push those into Equifax. She's got 12 Experian and 6 Equifax. Chase has always pulled both on her previously. If no data point, I'll probably try it anyways.
If Citi pulls Exquifax in your area, you can still be instantly approved with an Experian freeze.