✈️ Credit card application denied: Here's what to do

+ Southwest with some BIG change coming

Author

Allie Rockwell
July 30, 2024

Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection to keep you traveling for less money and more know how 👊🏽

Let’s dive in.

Here’s what’s on today—

🌎 World: Heads up, the younger generations are making their way onboard
✈️ Flight: Guatemala with points OR miles, either way the tortillas are fresh
💸 Points: What to do after a credit card application is denied
👩🏽‍✈️ News: Southwest end of an era announcement→ no more open seating

✈︎ Today’s World
Airlines globally

Millennial and Gen Z are taking over the show

It’s a new era and the airline industry is feeling the heat to keep up with the younger generations. New data demonstrates that millennials (born 1981-1996) have surged to become the demographic contributing to more than half of all air travel spending. Alongside them, Generation Z (born 1997-2012), the youngest group of paying travelers, is beginning to leave its mark. What’s it mean for the airline industry? They’re scrambling to keep up with the trends.

I would personally like to shout out this newsletter as a must read. Dr. Yasmine Ali, MD is a well acclaimed author and cardiologist who still finds time to put out valuable and actionable knowledge in a bi-weekly newsletter to keep you healthy and happy. Check out Speak for the Heart and ensure you have the knowledge needed to make healthy decisions to live a long, healthful life!

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✈︎ Flight Deal

📉 I’ve traveled to almost 30 countries and the one that will always have my heart is Guatemala. It may seem odd, but I search flights to Guatemala on a weekly basis, just because. Well, today I found a gem of a deal and I’m not sure I have the strength to resist!

While I found it first in points and thought I found the deal of the century- I then looked it up in cash and it is only $68!

Who wants to impulsively buy this and meet me for an adventure?!

✈︎ Points + Miles

The dreaded denial letter→ here’s what to do

If you’re applying for new credit cards, it goes without saying you’re going to get denied at some points. And honestly, it feels personal. Getting the denial letter in the mail feels like you’re getting dumped after the first date, it hurts and you’re left with all sorts of questions.

Here’s the deal when you find yourself having been denied:

“No” doesn’t always mean “no.”

Once you hit “apply” your information goes into a computer system which uses information like your credit score, total amount of card you have opened, timeline of those openings and lots more to determine an approval or a denial.

After that determination has been made, there are real life humans (yay!) to answer calls at a reconsideration department who will hear you out and take a second look at the information. However, you need to call in to plead your case.

Oftentimes, these can be approved right over the phone! Sometimes the denial may have been due to the computer thinking you already had the card- maybe you were an authorized user. Other instances could include not willing to extend more credit in which case you can opt to decrease the credit limit from an existing card and transfer it over.

While there are many reasons for an initial denial, it’s always a good idea to call the reconsideration department and see if this can be overturned. Look at the letter you receive in the mail and note the reason given for the denial before calling the department.

And if they do hold firm in the decision, don’t fret! It happens to all of us and should not deter you away from applying to cards in the future. Just give it a few months, and try, try again.

✈︎ Travel News

Southwest to change their open seat model and more

It may be the most recognized airline differentiator among US carriers: Southwest’s open seating model. For those unfamiliar, this system allows passengers to pick their own seats while boarding the aircraft. In my opinion, you’re either a firm lover or hater of this methodology. Personally, I’m a big fan of the current “open the cabin doors and yell ‘scatter’ method” but for many it causes undue stress and chaos.

It’s not secret that Southwest has had a tumultuous financial year. In fact it reports a 46% drop in Q2 revenue despite record revenue. While it’s not immediate, plans are in the works for aircraft overhauls to include upsells such as premium seats featuring extra leg room as well as include red eye flights.

But not all is lost, my friend. At this time Southwest states there are no plans to do away with free checked bags, for now.

✈︎ Trivia

Let’s check your points + miles valuation knowledge:

Should you pay 12,000 Hyatt points or $97 cash for this hotel?

Hit reply and let me know your answer! And hang on for the answer next week!

Thanks for being here and have a great Tuesday!

Allie