DP: Fidelity Rewards Visa Application – Unspoken Approval

Timeline:
For years, I had received multiple mailed offers to apply for Fidelity Visa. Recently said "why not?" to 18 months of 0% APR.

• Day 1: Unfroze bureaus and applied. Screen said I would be contacted within 7 – 10 business days.
• Day 12: Followed up with Elan, at approx. 10 biz days. Got stuck in automated message tree, due to no record of my application via SSN.
• Day 18: Followed up, out of curiosity at this point. Got through automated message tree. Asked rep about status, as it was more than 10 business days. Rep "transferred" me…back into the automated message tree. Gave up.
• Day 22: Received mail, dated Day 14, that Elan wasn't able to process my application due to TransUnion (TU) being frozen, so I needed to unfreeze and call Elan.
• Day 25: Unfroze again and called. Rep pulled TU while I was on the line, and was told that there was nothing more for me or her to do. Figured this was a denial due to lack of instant approval.
• Day 26: Woke up and logged into Fidelity and saw a new ~$30K CC (largest personal) account. Of note is that I still have not received any communication from Elan that I was actually approved for the card. Am also left skeptical that the 0% promo offer will actually be applied without me needing to follow up again.

Stats & History:

TransUnion

• 780 – 800 FICO
• ~5% utilization of ~$125K (across 8-12 non-biz, non-charge cards)
• 0/12, 2/24

Fidelity

• ~$300K assets across accounts.

Overall:

Roughest application process I've ever had, but can't say it was altogether unexpected since US Bank (aka Elan) was my previous worst when I dealt with USBAR/checking/savings. Plan to use card, but ready to ditch upon any hassle.