Consumer complaint received 2018-04-06
Company: CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: FL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Trouble using your card
Sub-issue: Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit

Complaint:
On Saturday XX/XX/XXXX I applied for a credit increase with Capital One credit card company and was denied. I have been a loyal Capital One customer since XX/XX/XXXX with a small balance of {$900.00}. This is the only credit card company that has never provided an increase to me on their own, or at my request. Over the years I have requested increases and have always been denied. This time the reason was : 1. Recent use of this account 's existing credit line has been too low On that same day I requested a credit limit increase with XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX   and in both cases was given an increase immediately on the spot of {$1000.00}. Mind you I am new to the XXXX since XX/XX/XXXX. I also applied with XXXX XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX, and I was accepted with a large balance and after 6 months received a {$3500.00} increase. 

I decided to see if my husband who also has a two separate Capital One credit cards would be given an increase. I requested an increase that same day Saturday XX/XX/XXXX. He was also denied the credit limit increase stating : 1. Your Average monthly payment has been too low Today I applied for an increase on the second credit card and he was also denied with a second of hitting the enter button. Attached you will find all of the denial letters, and a picture of denial for today 's request. I'm sure a letter will follow in 2-3 days. 

I decided to contact Capital One on Monday XX/XX/XXXX to give them an opportunity to explain why I am denied an increase, and review my credit card history with them. They could not provide what I feel to be a legitimate reason for denying my credit increase. I was then transferred to a Supervisor XXXX who really could not explain it either. I expressed to her that I feel discriminated because of my nationality. Why else would they deny the credit increase? I have a good lengthy credit history, my husband and I never make any late payments, my credit score is good. I just purchased a home in Florida 2yrs ago for {$230000.00}. However, more importantly why has Capital One never provided one single increase on their own or at our request in all those years. I expressed how after being with XXXX less than One Year we have received 2 additional credit increases. I checked and XXXX is considered one of the top 5 credit cards in the business. 
As a matter of fact last year my husband contacted Capital One because we read they could combine the two accounts. They agent on the phone said absolutely they were allowing that, and then after she tried she told my husband it wouldn't allow her to do it. 
When I expressed this concern to XXXX she wanted nothing further to do with this call, she wanted to transfer the call and escalate it. She transferred the call to the Executive Office in which I spoke with XXXX. When XXXX came on the line he immediately stated quote, " I understand you feel discriminated because your XXXX XXXX " end quote. I was shocked because I don't remember telling anyone I was XXXX XXXX. I simply stated because of my nationality. Because it certainly can not be due to my loyal and my husband 's loyal credit history. What's the coincidence the we were both denied credit increases on the same day with Capital One, and yet ACCEPTED with XXXX XXXX And XXXX XXXX. After 36 mins and 7 secs of which I still didn't have a conclusive answer I decided that I wasn't getting anywhere and ended the call. To which XXXX stated someone would be contacting me in 2-3 weeks to follow up. I'm not sure of what! 
I feel very strongly that Capital One credit card company merits a review on their credit card practices in line with increases, possibly even new credit applicants with regard to Nationality. I feel over the course of all these years of being a loyal customer they only kept a quota for keeping a certain amount of minority names on their list. But never increasing limits, keeping people with Spanish names at a very low minimum balance as to not take any chances with higher limits even though we are worthy of the increases. Not because I say so, however because numbers don't LIE. Our credit history speaks for itself. 
I have attached the two denial letters one for me, and the second for my husband. The third denial letter will arrive in a few days which I can submit later if you should need it. I have also attached the letters of Line of  Increases that were approved. I am being completely transparent and have nothing to hide. I simply want to be given the same opportunity as anyone else. My nationality should not play a role. I worked hard all my life to build my credit to where it is today and I am very proud of my credit. I take care to pay my bills on time and and protect my credit so I can be given the same opportunities. 
I urge you to look at this matter carefully and take a good hard look at the credit applications being approved the amounts as it relates to gender, and Nationality so everyone can truly be provided an equal opportunity. 
If in anyway I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to ask. 
Thank you in advance for your co-operation, and look forward to your due diligence in this matter. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation