What can I do if my instant-decision application is turned down?

Consider protesting the decision

Instant decision credit cards can be great – until you are turned down for one. The often impersonal nature of automated lending can leave applicants who have less-than-perfect credit feeling as though they have been tossed aside by a computer program without any possible options.

If you find yourself instantly turned down for a credit card by a lender then the most likely scenario is that the application was never reviewed by an actual person. Instead, the application was put through an automated lending program and the computer declined your application based on your credit score or some other information on your credit report or application.

If you have a valid reason to contest your denial, call the lender and ask to have your application reviewed by a human. If the customer service representative advises you to wait for your denial letter, ask to speak to a manager.

Since the denial letter you receive will receive is more than likely produced by the automated system, as was your denial, then it will probably not do you any good to wait for the letter.

Do not contest a decision if you were turned down for a valid reason because attempting to argue your way into a credit approval is not going to work. If, on the other hand, there are errors on your credit report for which you have documentation then you may be able to have your application reconsidered with the supplemental information.