People Think Credit Cards Only Get Declined For The Poor, But Rich People Say It Happens To Them Too. 'I Probably Look Poor To People'

A recent Reddit thread is flipping assumptions that declined cards only happen to people who are broke, careless, or financially unstable. The original poster, who claims a net worth of over $2 million, said their credit card has been declined more than once, not because they were broke, but because they maxed out their rewards card before the billing cycle ended.

“I probably look poor to people,” they wrote, after sharing that a barista recently gave them a coffee for free when the card declined. “[They just] looked really sad for me.”

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Credit Card Declines Aren’t Always About Money

The thread, posted to r/Rich, drew comments from people with similar experiences. Most said their cards didn't get declined due to lack of funds, but because of fraud protection systems, unusual purchase patterns, or limits being hit during strategic spending.

“There was a very busy day when I ate all three meals at the same McDonald’s and the bank called me about suspicious activity on my card,” one person shared. “I had to explain that no, I just ate like sh*t today.”

Another explained that even high-limit or no-limit cards can trigger fraud checks. “Buying three iPhones, with all three people in store, on an AMEX Centurion card… Fraud alert from AMEX that took 10 minutes in phone to clear up while the super-busy Apple employee gives me side-eye.”

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Others mentioned international travel as a common trigger. “I told Citi I was going out of the country and the places I would be and timeline. Did my cards work? Nope,” one person said. “I had to call them every time I arrived in a new country.”

Still, for some, the cause was simply hitting their limit. “My rewards cards are 15-20k limit but I often max this out before the end of the month,” a commenter said. “To them it seems like I'm using a debit card and have no money left in my bank account to pay for the 3 euro cappuccino.”

Tips were exchanged throughout the thread. Many suggested making multiple payments during the billing cycle, setting fraud alerts, or switching to cards with no preset spending limit.  “Just have your personal assistant pay off your cards every two weeks,” one person joked. “Or just get a no limit credit card like the rest of us.”

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For high earners juggling credit usage, spending categories, and reward programs, it may be time for a more streamlined approach. Domain Money offers personalized financial planning led by certified professionals, helping people with six-figure incomes manage credit, optimize spending, and build long-term strategies. It’s a reminder that even financially savvy people can run into friction.

In the end, the Reddit thread made one thing apparent: just because someone's card gets declined doesn't mean they're struggling.

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