Chase business credit card reconsideration line: How to appeal a denial
Katherine Fan
Contributor
Robin Saks Frankel
Senior Content Editor
Summary
- If you recently applied for a Chase business credit card, you may have gotten approved right away. If you weren’t approved off the bat, you can check your credit card application status several different ways.
- But if you’ve been denied outright for the card you wanted to get, you may be feeling some despair. Don’t fret — there may yet be a solution in sight for you.
- If your application for a Chase business credit card is denied, you can always appeal the denial. Here’s what to do, and how to do it effectively.
Editorial note: Our top priority is to give you the best financial information for your business. Nav may receive compensation from our partners, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or recommendations. Our partners cannot pay for favorable reviews. All content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Contact the Chase business credit card reconsideration team
If your credit card application has been denied, the first thing you should do is contact the Chase business credit card reconsideration team. Reconsideration gives you the opportunity to explain your application directly to a credit analyst and potentially overturn the denial.
The reconsideration line exists because most credit card applications are initially reviewed by automated systems. From time to time, those systems can deny applications for simple reasons that can be clarified or resolved through human review. For example, I have been denied in the past because the address in my existing Chase account did not match the new address I included in my latest credit card application.
Requesting reconsideration may improve your approval odds for the credit card you want, especially if you prepare for the conversation and strategically approach the call.
You can either call or visit a bank branch in person. Below is everything you need to know about the Chase business reconsideration process, including when to reach out, what to say, and the strategies that work best.
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Call the Chase business credit card reconsideration line
You can call the Chase business credit card’s direct reconsideration line at 800-453-9719 to request a manual review of your application. The line is typically open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Phone numbers and hours may change; check Chase’s website for the most current contact information.
What is a credit card reconsideration line?
When you apply for a credit card, Chase uses automated underwriting systems to evaluate your creditworthiness based on factors such as your credit score, recent credit inquiries, income and debt levels, existing credit utilization, and your prior credit application history.
But in some cases, these automated screening tools don’t get the full picture. For example, the system may flag your application because you already have significant credit with Chase, or because you opened several new cards within the last few months.
If you feel like you’ve been denied in error, calling the credit card reconsideration line allows you to request a manual review of your denied application. A reconsideration request brings a human credit analyst into the conversation to review your credit application. Reconsideration isn’t a new credit application; it simply appeals the original decision.
Approval isn't guaranteed, but some applicants are able to reverse denials with a well-prepared reconsideration call.
When to call the Chase Business reconsideration line
The timing of your request can affect your chances of success when seeking reconsideration. In most cases, you’ll get the best outcome if you request reconsideration immediately after receiving your denial letter.
Best timing for your call
For best results, request reconsideration within 30 days of your denial. During this window, your application is still active in Chase's system, and analysts can easily review your file for red flags.
When reconsideration is most likely to work
Reconsideration calls are most successful when the issue is easy to clarify or resolve. Here are a few scenarios where that might be the case:
Too much existing credit with Chase
If Chase believes you already have sufficient credit limits across your current credit cards, an analyst may ask you if you’re willing to move some of your credit line from another credit card to the new one you want. If you agree, the agent can push through your approval after redistributing your existing credit lines instead of extending you more credit.
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Borderline credit thresholds
If your credit score or income is near the bank's approval threshold, sharing additional details with a human analyst may increase your odds. A prior history of banking with Chase may help, or you may be able to show other streams of financial resources or necessity that help your case.
Verification or documentation issues
You may be denied a credit card for some surprisingly simple reasons. For example, I once was denied a Chase business credit card, but the letter I received did not give me much information about why it was rejected.
The reconsideration specialist was able to let me know that the address I used in my application was different from the one they had on file for my existing bank account. Once I submitted paperwork showing that it was my business address, Chase reversed the denial and approved my credit card application that same day. Correcting any incorrect information on your credit report may solve the issue as well.
When reconsideration won't work
Unfortunately, some Chase rules are essentially non-negotiable. Reconsideration is unlikely to succeed if your denial involves:
Serious credit issues
If you have recent bankruptcies, charge-offs, or delinquencies in your credit report, it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to get an analyst to successfully overlook these issues during reconsideration.
Insufficient business documentation
Similarly, it may be difficult for you to get certain business credit cards without having a lot of information about your business. While it’s perfectly possible to get a business credit card as a sole proprietor selling secondhand items out of your home, you may not be able to get a large credit limit — or be approved at all — if you cannot produce credible evidence of business endeavors.
Multiple recent Chase denials
If you've repeatedly been denied for Chase credit cards within a short period, reconsideration is unlikely to change the outcome of your appeal.
How to prepare for your reconsideration call
Preparation can make a major difference in the outcome of your reconsideration call. Before calling, gather the information you may be asked to verify:
- Business name and structure
- EIN or Social Security number used on the application
- Estimated annual business revenue
- Years in business
- Personal income
- Housing costs or monthly obligations
It's also helpful to have a clear explanation of how you plan to use the card for your business.
Know your denial reason
Chase usually provides the reason for your denial in a letter sent within seven to 10 days of the decision. You can also call customer service to ask for the reason before speaking with reconsideration.
Common denial reasons include:
- Too many recent credit inquiries
- Excessive existing credit with Chase
- Limited business history
- High credit utilization
Once you know the reason, prepare a clear and concise response explaining your situation.
What to say during your reconsideration call
Your goal during the call is to help the analyst feel comfortable approving your application. A simple, professional introduction works best.
For example, you could say:
“Hi, I recently applied for a Chase business credit card and received a denial. I was hoping to see if someone could review my application and let me know if there's any additional information I can provide.”
You'll likely be asked to provide your application date, the name of the card you applied for, and identifying information such as your phone number, business name, or business EIN.
What not to say
Certain comments can hurt your chances of approval. Avoid arguing with the analyst, mentioning that you want the credit card primarily for the welcome bonus, sharing information that conflicts with your application, such as differing income numbers, or questioning Chase’s internal bank decisions. Your goal is to make approval feel low risk for the bank.
Credit reallocation strategy
One of the most effective reconsideration strategies is credit reallocation, or moving some of your existing Chase credit limit from a credit card you already have to the new card you're trying to open. For example, if you have a Chase card with a $15,000 credit limit, you might offer to move $5,000 of that limit to your new business card.
Analysts sometimes suggest this option themselves, but you can also proactively offer it if the denial reason involves excessive credit exposure. Your existing card will simply have a lower credit limit after the transfer.
After your reconsideration call
The outcome of your call will fall into several categories.
If the analyst approves your application, your card will typically arrive within seven to 10 business days, and you can activate it as soon as you receive the card.
Your credit limit will reflect the analyst's final decision on your account, and you may also be able to see the new credit account in your Chase online profile before the card arrives.
If the analyst confirms the denial, you still have a few options. You can call for reconsideration again and try speaking with a different analyst; wait a few months before reapplying; or work on improving your credit profile before trying again. Just remember — applying too quickly after a denial can lower your approval odds further.
If your application goes to further review
Sometimes analysts send credit applications to a different team for additional verification. If this happens to you, they may want to further verify your identity, request additional business documentation, or seek further financial review before approving your account. Decisions that reach this stage usually arrive within several days.
Tips to improve your approval odds before calling
If you haven't reached out to Chase reconsideration yet, taking a few quick steps before calling may strengthen your case:
- Pay down balances on existing Chase cards
- Reduce your overall credit utilization
- Gather documentation proving the legitimacy of your business
- Review your credit reports for errors
- Consider requesting a smaller credit limit
These steps help show that you're a lower-risk borrower, making your credit application more attractive.
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
My secret weapon: Visit a Chase bank branch to have a banker call on your behalf
This method requires more time and human interaction, but I prefer going to a Chase bank branch in person to speak with a banker face-to-face. The banker does not conduct the reconsideration themselves, but calls the hotline for me.
I like this approach because it saves me the hassle of trying to figure out the correct numbers to press within the automated phone system to reach a live human. The banker usually asks clarifying questions in “human” terms, and often gets quicker access to direct representatives within the reconsideration team.
For example, when my application was denied for address discrepancies, the banker was able to get me in touch with someone within minutes, and I walked out with a same-day approval. Note that your results can vary depending on the situation and branch.
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Katherine Fan
Contributor
Katherine Fan is a travel and personal finance journalist with a background in tech. Since 2015, she's covered all things airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, and credit cards for major media outlets like The Points Guy, Nerdwallet, Business Insider, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, and Yahoo! Travel. When she's not in mid-air, you'll probably find her in Austin, New York City, or Taipei.
Robin Saks Frankel
Senior Content Editor
Robin has worked as a personal finance writer, editor, and spokesperson for over a decade. Her work has appeared in national publications including Forbes Advisor, USA TODAY, NerdWallet, Bankrate, the Associated Press, and more. She has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC, and CBS TV affiliates nationwide.
Robin holds an M.S. in Business and Economic Journalism from Boston University and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and International Relations from Boston University. In addition, she is an accredited CEPF® and holds an ACES certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute.