Sorry this is so long, had too much espresso I guess.
I figured it'd be nice to share more details of my prior experiences in case others might benefit...
I would fill out the online application right away.
That's what I ultimately did. I figured if it's easy then great. If not, then I can just worry about it before the next trip.
Every app I've ever filled out asked for your arrival date, which I assumed they use to prioritize your request. I believe that after you submit a CET application, either the next screen gives you a phone number for the credit office, or you get an email with it. I'd suggest calling the day before you leave to see if they've approved it yet.
Yes, I expect I'll either get an email from them about it or get a call from a host.
CET's website implies they don't do a direct credit pull.
I noticed that too. My credit's great, so it's not that I care much (although I suppose I'd prefer to do without inquiries like "Caesars" or even "Central Credit" hanging around for a couple years) but I do have to go and unlock the bureaus, which is easy breezy if they want TU but a bit of a PITA for Experian and Equifax. Based on what their
Casino Credit page said, I didn't unlock them. Then, when I submitted the credit form, the agreement on the next page clearly said I was giving them permission to pull a "consumer credit report" - now whether that's Central Credit or one of the majors, who knows. That is strange though. The
answer sounds like they're trying to say they don't report your lines to the bureaus, which IMO is smart for all parties. I can't imagine how FICO would factor in casino gambling lines ... but it would likely not be good
. But the way the
question is phrased sounds like they're saying that they don't do a hard pull when you apply.
My recollection is that every time I opened a line at an MLife property, it was always months in advance, and I always got an email with a letter attached when it was approved, and it usually took less than two weeks.
Similar here, but a bit compressed. I already had an Mlife player history, and had been wiring in front money before trips. Finally decided to bite the bullet and apply for a marker. There was a hard pull on TU from Central Credit (but nothing ever since). Seems very likely that they contacted my bank, although I'm not 100% sure. For anyone who cares about the minutiae, I believe the account number I gave them is one that generally doesn't have much - or any - money in it. In fact, much of the time it's essentially a
ZBA, drawing from other linked accounts as needed. I expect they deal with that sort of thing enough that either they proactively asked the bank about other linked accounts or my bank just provided them with the full portfolio balance info rather than just that one account.
I received an email within a week or so saying I was all approved, and just had to show up with ID & sign at the credit office. That part took maybe three minutes.
A couple trips later - on a holiday weekend night as I recall - a few of my friends were over at another Mlife property. I don't remember whether I asked my host or what, but I honestly don't think I ever set foot in the other place's credit office and they set me up with an equal line by the time I could even get over there. There was no credit pull and I seriously doubt they contacted my bank that night.
I don't think you'll have any trouble getting a line on short notice, but the administrivia as you put it, might be more than you like.
Maybe! As I mentioned, if it seems like it'll be a pain, I'll just worry about it for the next trip.
I'll be sure to update the thread with the resolution. Thanks again for your input.
