Thread: College Student Just Approved for AMEX Blue, Denied for Discover Student?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20 year old college student trying to build credit for the future. I'm pretty new to the CC world. I got my first card about a year and a half ago through my credit union. It is just a Student Visa card with a $500 limit. I've paid it off either in full or paid more than the maximum payment every month with no late fees, spending about $100-200 a month average on it.

Well I decided a few days ago it might be good to open a new account so I applied both to Discover Student and AMEX Blue Rewards (I decided against Blue Cash because I don't see myself spending the $6500 required for 5% cash back). I was approved for the AMEX Blue, although they are waiting on confirmation of my address, I think this is due to my checking account being linked to an old address, I just had it changed to my new address today. I called AMEX customer service to check on my application and I found them to be friendly and customer oriented.

Discover was another story. I called them to check on my application and they said it had been denied because they "couldn't verify my identity/credentials" at first they told me they couldn't tell me over the phone why it had been denied and that I'd get a letter in the mail. They also said that I had applied for the same card twice!! I have no recollection of doing that, and did not receive two confirmation emails from them just one. Does discover always treat customers like this? Discover was actually my first choice due to the great 5% cash back and merchant partnerships, I might apply again in a few months but if I'm going to be treated like that maybe I won't. I told AMEX my story and they said they couldn't imagine why they'd do that since I have a credit rating in the 700s. I have not actually checked to see what my credit rating is, what is the best time to check your credit score and the best website/source to do so?

Should I apply again for the Discover card in a few months? What have your experiences been with AMEX? I've heard they can be pretty conservative with credit limits, and some people have said they've had their accounts closed for no reason. Anymore tips or suggestions for building my credit?

I have a discover student card, the limit is only $500 but the cashback thing makes it worth the while.

The only time I've ever talked to them over the phone though was when I was approved, they had to call me to try to sell me the insurance.