The easiest Citi credit card to get is the Citi® Secured Mastercard® because it’s the only Citi card that will accept applicants with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history). This card requires a $200 refundable security deposit, but it has a $0 annual fee.
There are a few Citi cards available for people with fair credit, including the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card. In addition, some Citi store cards, such as the Best Buy® Store Card, are relatively easy to get with fair credit (a credit score of 640+). But purchases are limited to the affiliated merchant or its website.
Other Citi credit cardsgenerally require good credit or better (a credit score of 700+) for good odds of approval. You can check your credit score for free right here on WalletHub.
Other Key Things to Remember:
- The easiest Citi cards to get come with limitations. They offer low minimum credit limits, high interest rates and few rewards or benefits.
- Beware ofdeferred interestpromotions on store cards. Deferred interest means that if your balance isn’t paid in full by the end of the promotional period, Citibank will charge interest on the original purchase amount from the date of purchase, as if the promotional period never existed.
- Your Citi Secured security deposit is refundable. If you have the money to put down the deposit now, you’ll get your money back when you close your card with no remaining balance, unlike the annual fees that often come on other cards.
It may also be beneficial to look outside of Citibank to some of theeasiest cards to get from other issuers. Aside from lenient approval requirements, some of these cards offer rewards and have no annual fees. They also report to the three major credit bureaus, so if you use them responsibly, you'll be able to build or rebuild your credit. You’ll then have future access to some of thebest Citi credit cards, or other excellentoptions from different issuers.
This answer was first published on 01/17/24 and it was last updated on 03/07/24. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
American Express credit cards are often more difficult to qualify for than other credit cards. Generally, American Express cards require good to excellent credit to receive approval. What Citi card is easiest to get? The Citi Secured Mastercard is the easiest Citi card to get.
What's the easiest Citi card to get approved for? ›
Citi® Secured Mastercard® is an option for customers with little or no credit history and can help you build your credit when used responsibly.
What is the minimum credit score for a Citi card? ›
What Credit Score Do You Need To Get Approved for a Citi Card? Most cards offered by Citi require a good to excellent credit score—670 to over 800. The cards with such requirements are some of the most rewarding cards offered, but there are options if your score is not quite at that level.
What FICO score does Citibank use? ›
What score model does Citi use and why is the score range different from others? There are various score models available in the marketplace. The FICO® Score we deliver is based on data from Equifax using the FICO® Bankcard Score 8 model. This model has a FICO® Score range of 250-900.
What is the minimum credit score for a Costco Citi card? ›
Credit score requirements: According to the issuer, you'll need excellent credit to qualify for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. That's generally defined as a credit score of 720 or better.
What credit score do you need for Citi Simplicity Card? ›
The Citi Simplicity Card credit score requirement is 700 or higher. This means that you need at least good credit to get this card. It is also worth noting that you never can be 100% sure whether you'll be approved just by credit score alone.
What is the minimum income for a Citi card? ›
Citibank does not have a specific minimum salary requirement for its credit cards, though applicants must report an annual income sufficient to make a card's minimum payment every month. Citibank is one of several major credit card issuers that do not publicly disclose a specific salary or income requirement.
Is it hard to get approved for a Citi card? ›
How hard is it to get a Citibank credit card? It is hard to get some Citibank credit cards, particularly Citicards that require a good to excellent credit score of 700 or higher. Citibank also requires you to have an SSN when you apply online, and you need enough income to afford the monthly bill payments.
Does Citi approve instantly? ›
Citibank gives instant approval on its credit cards, but only some of the time. Instant approval always is possible when applying for a Citibank credit card online, though getting approved for an account immediately is never guaranteed.
What credit card approves everyone? ›
First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard: The First Progress Platinum Elite Secured Mastercard requires no credit history or minimum credit score for approval. Your security deposit is refundable, and the card is accepted nationwide.
Capital One credit cards for fair credit include QuicksilverOne, Quicksilver Secured, and the Platinum Mastercard. Your credit score is only one of the many factors that determine your credit approval odds. The best way to know if you'll qualify is to get pre-approved. It's quick, easy and won't hurt your score.
What's the easiest Citi card to get? ›
The easiest Citi credit card to get is the Citi® Secured Mastercard® because it's the only Citi card that will accept applicants with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history). This card requires a $200 refundable security deposit, but it has a $0 annual fee.
Is Citi Simplicity hard to get? ›
You should have good to excellent credit before applying, which means a FICO® Score of at least 670.
What credit does Citi pull from? ›
Credit bureau used by Citi
Citi pulls credit data from all three credit bureaus depending on the applicant's home state. If you apply for a loan, Citi will review your score from all three bureaus. Citi credit cardholders also get complimentary access to FICO score information through Equifax.
Does Citibank give instant approval? ›
Citibank gives instant approval on its credit cards, but only some of the time. Instant approval always is possible when applying for a Citibank credit card online, though getting approved for an account immediately is never guaranteed.
What is the starting limit for Citibank credit card? ›
The usual Citibank credit card limit is $200 to $2,000 at a minimum, depending on the card. The Citi Double Cash® Card has a $500 minimum credit limit, for example, while the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has a minimum credit limit of $2,000. Citibank doesn't publicly disclose any maximum credit limits.
Which Citi card to get first? ›
Secured cards like the Citi® Secured Mastercard® and rewards cards like the Citi Custom Cash® Card can be great choices if you're looking to apply for a first credit card.
