Phone call today. They will not approve my credit card application as it 'does not meet their lending criteria'.
They have agreed to withdraw my application and remove the hit from my credit file.
First time I've not been successful applying for a credit card, in probably 100+ churns over 20+ years. So this is definitely not about my credit worthiness.
I have informed them that I will be lodging a complaint with AFCA about the manner in which my application was processed.
FURTHER UPDATE:
AFCA complaint lodged. I'm expecting it to come to nothing for my application, but am hopeful at least that G&C may change its processes in the future.
AFCA UPDATE: Had a call yesterday saying that they do not believe that they can take this any further as I suffered 'no financial loss'. I said what about G & C asking for my partners income. What if I was in a domestic violence relationship? Ding. Ding. Ding! AFCA very happy to now proceed and delighted that I could supply them with a written request for this information from G & C.
AFCA UPDATE: Had a call yesterday saying that they do not believe that they can take this any further as I suffered 'no financial loss'. I said what about G & C asking for my partners income. What if I was in a domestic violence relationship? Ding. Ding. Ding! AFCA very happy to now proceed and delighted that I could supply them with a written request for this information from G & C.
I was considering applying for this card as I've run out of other banks for a few months and I refuse to use NAB (also difficult for me). I'm glad I read this thread and won't waste my time!
AFCA UPDATE: Seems the wheels of justice at AFCA turn slowly. I have received the following update:
"At this stage, I am satisfied that the complaint is within our jurisdiction. AFCA can consider the allegations raised by you regarding G&C Mutual Bank Limited’s conduct in that:
• was G&C Mutual Bank Limited entitled to ask for your partners income.
• was your application declined because of this reason alone.
• was there any gender-based discimination.
The complaint will now be re-allocated to a new case worker for further review.
The new case worker will contact you to discuss:
• their understanding of the complaint and
• how we will investigate the complaint."
AFCA UPDATE: Seems the wheels of justice at AFCA turn slowly. I have received the following update:
"At this stage, I am satisfied that the complaint is within our jurisdiction. AFCA can consider the allegations raised by you regarding G&C Mutual Bank Limited’s conduct in that:
• was G&C Mutual Bank Limited entitled to ask for your partners income.
• was your application declined because of this reason alone.
• was there any gender-based discimination.
The complaint will now be re-allocated to a new case worker for further review.
The new case worker will contact you to discuss:
• their understanding of the complaint and
• how we will investigate the complaint."
I'd like more, but I'd settle for these two things:
1) G & C to acknowledge their discriminatory conduct and change their procedures for assessing credit cards (Whilst I am not in a domestic violence situation, you cannot permit a financial organisation to refuse to offer a credit card without a person receiving consent from their partner).
2) The points on offer for the card
Had a call and a follow up formal letter from AFCA’s Dispute Resolution Specialist. AFCA have put the correspondence in a formal letter and given me 14 days to verify/add to the information. This will then be formally put to G & C.
“As we discussed, because the complaint is not resolved, it has moved to the next stage
of our process. This letter sets out:
• my understanding of the complaint and the issues I will investigate
• our approach to some of the issues raised
• the information you need to send me by 10 April 2024
I believe the complaint may resolve by negotiation. I will continue discussions with you
and G&C Mutual Bank Limited to see if this is a possibility.
If the complaint is not resolved within 28 days, I will continue with my review of the
information provided by both parties. I will then provide a preliminary assessment about
the merits of the complaint. After this, if the complaint is still not resolved or if you or
G&C Mutual Bank Limited do not accept the preliminary assessment, we will issue a
So I applied for their card in March 24 because I was out of the other 10 or so other cards waiting for the 12-48 months waiting periods between cards. (NAB now 18 months, Bankwest 24 months and BO specialist 48 months) Like others I was asked for payslips which is totally normal, copies of home loan statements, statement from salary packaging provider for a laptop sacrificed 12 months ago, letters from three other card providers showing that accounts have been closed (some up to 12 months prior) outcomes from last 6 credit cards applied for, copies of partners payslips, explanation of a $3.30 per month salary packaging fee. They also wanted my employers payroll address as my YTD income did not equal annual salary as out employer changed payroll systems mid financial year. These were over the space of 2 weeks and over 5 separate email requests. Unbelievable detail, never before experienced in 10 years of churning.. I persisted. but only after expressing my concern about the repeated, unorganised requests and seeking positive confirmation that this was indeed the last request. received no response after resending my request, I eventually sent the final documents (card closure letters) 5 days later and was called the next day to advice approval. Met the spend criteria and are awaiting to see if 50K points auto awarded at next statement date and will keep open until the extra 10K points in november. then close and never again!!!
So I applied for their card in March 24 because I was out of the other 10 or so other cards waiting for the 12-48 months waiting periods between cards. (NAB now 18 months, Bankwest 24 months and BO specialist 48 months) Like others I was asked for payslips which is totally normal, copies of home loan statements, statement from salary packaging provider for a laptop sacrificed 12 months ago, letters from three other card providers showing that accounts have been closed (some up to 12 months prior) outcomes from last 6 credit cards applied for, copies of partners payslips, explanation of a $3.30 per month salary packaging fee. They also wanted my employers payroll address as my YTD income did not equal annual salary as out employer changed payroll systems mid financial year. These were over the space of 2 weeks and over 5 separate email requests. Unbelievable detail, never before experienced in 10 years of churning.. I persisted. but only after expressing my concern about the repeated, unorganised requests and seeking positive confirmation that this was indeed the last request. received no response after resending my request, I eventually sent the final documents (card closure letters) 5 days later and was called the next day to advice approval. Met the spend criteria and are awaiting to see if 50K points auto awarded at next statement date and will keep open until the extra 10K points in november. then close and never again!!!
Was approved in December and it will take them the full 5-8 weeks to credit it. Met the spend within statement period and didn't get points until March (so pretty much 3 months later)
I've had a few PM's about this so I'll provide one final update.
The matter has been settled. I can't comment further.
But back to churning! Since the G & C debacle, I've made 6 credit card applications with different financial institutions. All 6 have been approved, almost without question. And this included an AMEX card which was approved without any further questions but had a number of problems which I didn't realise until I received my card - seems I put my name and date of birth incorrectly into the application, but it was still approved (this might be why there is no enquiry from AMEX on my credit file). Actually took some effort to get AMEX to change it to the correct details.
I have tried to go through the previous posts you have made and cannot locate the letter you write when you do not receive the points you are entitled too on time?
Do you mind sharing the letter here or via a PM if this more comfortable for you?
I have recently churned a card and not received the points on time which impacted me from buying flights that are no longer available. Bugger but this letter would be awesome for some of us to use!
Grateful for all of your insights!
Post automatically merged:
ALSO has anyone been successful in getting this credit card?
yes got this card when it was 50K points signup offer, now it is less for new applicants. took over 3 months after I met the eligible spend criteria to get the points with multiple phone calls and secure messages. Was told 3 or 4 different stories about when I would receive them, until they arrived. Waiting for the 10k extra points supposed to arrive in november then by and never again. Only positive is that it has not shown up in my illion or experian credit file as an enquiry or open credit card account, like dozens of other credit cards applications from other providers do.
yes got this card when it was 50K points signup offer, now it is less for new applicants. took over 3 months after I met the eligible spend criteria to get the pints with multiple phone calls and secure messages. Was told 3 or 4 different stories about when I would receive them, until they arrived. Waiting for the 10k extra points supposed to arrive in november then by and never again. Only positive is that it has not shown up in my illion or experian credit file credit card as an enquiry or open account, like dozens of other credit cards applications from other providers do.
I have tried to go through the previous posts you have made and cannot locate the letter you write when you do not receive the points you are entitled too on time?
Do you mind sharing the letter here or via a PM if this more comfortable for you?
I have recently churned a card and not received the points on time which impacted me from buying flights that are no longer available. Bugger but this letter would be awesome for some of us to use!
Grateful for all of your insights!
Post automatically merged:
ALSO has anyone been successful in getting this credit card?
Is this what you were after? This, or a variation of it, has been posted previously in other threads.
"In reference to StGeorge Amplify Rewards Signature account number xx_xx_X
Dr Ralph
Wollongong NSW 2500
September xx, 20xx
St.George Customer Solutions via online complaint form
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the account I opened with StGeorge in March xx_X, note the following as part of the terms of the offering of 150,000 bonus points when spending $12,000 and specifically state that StGeorge is in breach of contract:
‘The bonus Amplify Points will be added to your points balance within 12 weeks of the eligible spend criteria being met’
I reached the $12,000 spend required in the statement ending May 5, but the bonus points have not yet been credited to my account. To comply with the contractual terms, StGeorge should have awarded the 150,000 bonus points by the end of July at the latest. Therefore StGeorge is in breach of the terms of the agreement entered into. I regard this breach as a very serious matter as this was a term that I specifically relied upon when entering into the agreement and therefore could be construed as a condition. You would be aware that a breach of a condition gives rise to the opportunity for me to terminate the contract and seek damages.
Please advise what actions you will take to remedy this breach and what compensation you offer as a result of your conduct in breaching the agreement.
Is this what you were after? This, or a variation of it, has been posted previously in other threads.
"In reference to StGeorge Amplify Rewards Signature account number xx_xx_X
Dr Ralph
Wollongong NSW 2500
September xx, 20xx
St.George Customer Solutions via online complaint form
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the account I opened with StGeorge in March xx_X, note the following as part of the terms of the offering of 150,000 bonus points when spending $12,000 and specifically state that StGeorge is in breach of contract:
‘The bonus Amplify Points will be added to your points balance within 12 weeks of the eligible spend criteria being met’
I reached the $12,000 spend required in the statement ending May 5, but the bonus points have not yet been credited to my account. To comply with the contractual terms, StGeorge should have awarded the 150,000 bonus points by the end of July at the latest. Therefore StGeorge is in breach of the terms of the agreement entered into. I regard this breach as a very serious matter as this was a term that I specifically relied upon when entering into the agreement and therefore could be construed as a condition. You would be aware that a breach of a condition gives rise to the opportunity for me to terminate the contract and seek damages.
Please advise what actions you will take to remedy this breach and what compensation you offer as a result of your conduct in breaching the agreement.
Wow, saw the first post and thought I might give this a go. Kept reading the post and am now backing away slowly. Glad I didn't hit the submit button and thanks to Dr Ralph for your efforts.
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