Barclaycard’s New Anti-Churning Rules(?)
On Friday Chuck at DoctorofCredit wrote a post asking for data points on recent Barclaycard applications. It has been speculated that Barclaycard may be implementing some new anti-churning rules….possibly similar to Chase’s 5/24 rule.
What The Data Shows So Far For The Arrival+
After reading through the comments/data points from the article it does seem like denials for the Arrival+ card are increasing recently. The Arrival+ card currently has an increased bonus that is rumored to be ending soon. Because of this, a lot of people have been applying for the card in the last week or two.
The good news is the increase in applications has provided a lot of data points; the bad news is the data is mostly denials for the Arrival+. The most common reason for denial given is “too many recently opened accounts”. If this is the reason for denial reconsideration analysts are saying there is nothing they can do. It is currently unknown what the magic number is, unlike Chase’s 5/24 rule, but we hope to narrow it down soon.
What The Data Shows For Co-Branded Barclaycard Applications
Interestingly enough the data shows that nothing has really changed when it comes to Barclaycard’s co-branded cards. People are getting denied for the Arrival+ and then applying for a different co-branded Barclaycard (AA, Wyndham, Choice etc.) a few minutes later, and are getting instantly approved.
My Experience With Arrival+ Applications In The Past
The Barclaycard Arrival+ card was my first hard denial back in June of 2015. I was denied for too many recently opened accounts (19/24 at the time). I had opened a US Air card 8 months prior which was my first card with the bank. My next attempt to get the Arrival+ was in January of this year (26/24 at the time). I was approved after calling reconsideration and moving some credit from my Aviator card (old US Air card). I am unsure if holding the Aviator card for two years helped out or not, but it probably didn’t hurt.
My wife has had the card twice. She was approved again in April of this year (15/12 at the time). She had no Barclaycard accounts still open at the time of her application.
I think this shows that the crack down on Arrival+ applications is more of a recent phenomenon.
Conclusion
It seems like Barclaycard is cracking down on churners when it comes to their Arrival product line. As of now, they do not seem to be implementing any new rules pertaining to their co-branded offerings.
This would make sense from Barclaycard’s perspective; the co-branded cards have a shared cost between Barclaycard and the branded partner. I would imagine Barclaycard has more pressure to hit new account goals for co-branded products as well.
When Barclaycard is dealing with their own product line (Arrival) their costs are no longer defrayed. The Arrival product line uses cash based points which means Barclaycard is not purchasing them at a discount. Every dollar redeemed is a dollar out of Barclaycard’s pocket. It would make sense that they process these applications with more scrutiny.
The three questions that still linger for me are:
- What is the magic number of new accounts in the last 12 or 24 months that will lead to an automatic denial?
- Is this a short term stop gap Barclaycard is using until the offer on the Arrival+ drops to the lower rate, or is this a new permanant rule?
- Will their co-branded cards be next?
Only time will tell. We will let you know as soon as more information becomes available on the subject.
Share your data points or thoughts in the comments section.
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No. They reached their quota of Arrival+ so they are denying everybody and lying about the reason. I applied for another Barclays card same day I was denied for A+ for “too many cards.” Approved for co-brand. So they obviously lie. It’s a game for them too.
I am wondering if they are doing it until the bonus drops down, hopeful at least. I think all banks are a little more lenient on co-branded cards so that doesn’t shock me too much.
Thanks for the DP
Was instantly approved 4 days ago. 780 fico. No debt. 7 cards opened in 24 months.
Awesome! Congrats, and thanks for the DP.
What about their MilesandMore card? I wanted to apply for its increased 50,000 Lufthansa miles sign up bonus but the small print says people who have or have had this card in the past might not be eligible. I had this card before. It used to be churnable, so something is definitely going on.
All Barclaycard cards have that language. If you are approved you usually get the bonus. It doesn’t seem like they are as picky on co-branded cards at this time so I think you should be ok.
Add me to the list. Denied for the Arr+ and Aviator. Would have been my second for the Aviator and third Arrival. Also denied for the jet blue plus. Called to recon 3 x and told denial was for too many recently opened accounts. Regarding the Aviator there was no HP. Was told that I already had gotten the product.
Thanks for the DP – interesting on the Aviator since a lot of people have been getting them even if denied for the Arrival+. Did you currently have one open or had you closed it already?
Add me to the list of denials. Decent income, zero debt, 830 FICO. But reconsideration would not or could not do anything about the flat-out automatic denial because “you have a lot of credit” (though zero debt) on my other credit cards (e.g., Amex, Chase, Citi, Barclays, etc.) such that Barclays was unwilling to issue a new card. Would not move around credit line from my other Barclays card. It had nothing to do with too many new accounts or inquiries in last 24 months or anything else, just the fact that I have a lot of credit that I guess they think I could use. Not sure how to realistically improve that situation. Oh well ….
Do you routinely close down cards at 12 months or do you keep a lot of them?
I keep a lot of them open, depending on the value proposition.
That makes it tough. Sounds like the Arrival+ may be off the table for a lot of us. The Venture card is about to get some business!
I wrote about this back in August
http://www.pointswithacrew.com/uh-oh-just-declined-barclaycard-card-many-cards-opened-last-24-months/
It wouldn’t surprise me