Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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With advanced algorithms hard at work behind the scenes of every bank and credit card issuer, the average credit card application takes only about 60 seconds to get a response. But when you’re dealing with poor credit, that 60 seconds can feel like 60 minutes as you wait to see whether you’ll be approved.
While you can improve your approval chances by applying for an easy-to-get credit card from an issuer that specializes in subprime credit products, such as PREMIER Bankcard, that anxiety is hardly eliminated. Few guarantees exist in the world of credit cards.
And it gets even worse if you get the dreaded “pending” decision that indicates the algorithm can’t make a decision about your application. If you find yourself in approval limbo, the good news is that you can contact the bank for an update and easily put an end to the waiting.
Below, we detail how to get in touch with PREMIER Bankcard — and in the event that your application is denied — we offer some alternative card options.
By Phone | Online | Denial Options (9)
Call Customer Service For an Update: 1-800-987-5521
When an application isn’t approved or denied right away, it often means the bank needs more information. This can include the verification of some of the data on your application, such as verifying your income, or it can require you to submit additional documents to the issuer.
As occurrences of identity theft and digital fraud increase, identity verification has become a common reason for pending applications. Thankfully, this is easy to fix, as it often simply requires a call to customer service.
You must call customer service to check the status of your application.
Whatever the reason the application process couldn’t be completed online, you should receive an update on your application status from PREMIER Bankcard by mail. The letter will be sent to the address you provide when you originally apply.
Keep in mind that it can take anywhere from seven to 10 business days to receive your correspondence from PREMIER Bankcard. This is because of the time required for a human to review your application, as well as the time it takes for the letter to reach you.
If you’re impatient for information or have yet to hear from PREMIER Bankcard despite the time frame passing, you can contact them by phone for an update about your application.
This is accomplished by calling the customer service line during business hours:
1-800-987-5521
PREMIER Bankcard’s customer care representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (CT), Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT) on Saturdays. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to call for a status update until your application has been processed in PREMIER Bankcard’s system.
The site instructs applicants to, “Please wait at least 48 hours from the day you completed your application. This will ensure your application has been entered into the bank’s system.”
You Can’t Check Your Status Online
Although anyone looking to apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card can do so online, the same cannot be said of getting updates. In fact, if you’d rather not wait for the mail, checking your credit card application status can only be done over the phone, during the set hours of operation.
If Denied, Try Applying For a Different Credit Card
PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are designed specifically for those with low credit scores. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be approved when you apply, even if your credit score is higher than that of the typical applicant.
While reasons for denial vary, they can be based on anything from your income to your credit report. Since each issuer has its own standards for approval, being denied by PREMIER Bankcard doesn’t mean you’ll be denied by other issuers.
Those who are unsure about their chances for approval and don’t want to risk a hard credit pull can check for pre-qualification offers with each bank. Although pre-qualification doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be approved, it can be an indicator that your chances are good.
You can filter more card options for your credit rating by using the following links:
Fair Credit | Bad Credit | No/Limited Credit
Fair Credit Alternatives
Depending on how your credit score is calculated, a fair credit score is somewhere between 580 and 670. Having a score lower than this range doesn’t mean an automatic denial, but you’d do well to check for pre-qualification before applying.
Credit cards for fair credit will likely have much better interest rates than the subprime cards designed for bad credit consumers. They may also offer cash back rewards on eligible purchases or other spending bonuses after account opening.
+See More Credit Cards for Fair Credit
Bad Credit Alternatives
While the exact range varies by scoring model, if your credit score is below 580, you qualify as having bad credit. If you’ve been denied a PREMIER Bankcard credit card because of your credit, your best bet is to apply with another subprime issuer or to get a secured credit card.
Because subprime issuers are taking a greater risk than issuers that have higher credit score requirements, they often charge higher interest rates and fees, unless you opt for a secured card. Make sure you understand the exact fees you’ll be expected to pay before you apply for any credit card.
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
+See More Credit Cards for Bad Credit
No Credit Alternatives
If you don’t have an established credit score, you’re considered to have no credit. That doesn’t mean your credit score is zero — there’s no such thing as a zero credit score. It simply means you lack information on your credit reports from which to calculate a credit score.
The following cards are great options with lower interest rates and fewer fees than those of the PREMIER Bankcard card lineup. Some are even rewards cards for students new to credit.
- The secured Self Visa® Credit Card* requires no credit check or minimum score.
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish and build credit, with free access to your credit score.
- Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit as low as $100.**
- Deposits are returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances.
- *The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
- **Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria subject to change.
- No minimum balance requirements*
- No credit check**
- 2% cash back on category of choice with direct deposit***
- The perks of credit building meet the best of banking****
- Chime Checking Account required to apply for the Chime Visa® Credit Card
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.
*Money added to Chime CardTM will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
**Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
***With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 2% cash back on category of choice on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.
****On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Top rated mobile app
Rebuilding Credit Can Start With the Right Card
Despite all of the advanced credit algorithms, some applications simply need the human touch. Not every “pending” means an instant denial, so have patience. If your PREMIER Bankcard application is denied, however, plenty of options are out there to find a quality credit card.
No matter which credit card offer you choose, be sure to use it responsibly. Only charge what you can pay off completely by the due date. Not only can this help you avoid paying interest on your purchases, but responsible use of a credit card over time is a good way to rebuild* — or start building — a healthy credit history.
* Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
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