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Credit limits represent the maximum amount a cardholder can spend before paying down an account balance. Requesting a credit limit increase from Citi, a Forbes Advisor partner, is as easy as logging into your online account and submitting a form. Credit limit increases help cardholders facilitate larger purchases and deliver potential boosts to credit scores. Eligibility for a credit increase may be helped with responsible spending habits, the age of a credit account and a lack of recent credit increases on the same account.
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How To Get a Citi Credit Limit Increase
Citi cardholders can request an increase online after logging into a cardholder account. The online form may ask for the requested increase amount, total annual income, monthly rent or mortgage amounts and employment status. Once submitted, the bank will review the request and, per their website, will reach out in 7-10 days.
Card issuers analyze risk. They’ll be willing to lend more to cardholders who aren’t in danger of snowballing debt. In other words—borrowing money is about presenting yourself as someone capable of paying it back. Cardholders in good standing with an issuer have a better chance of receiving an approval for a credit line increase. Good standing usually means a cardholder makes on-time payments, pays more than the minimum monthly balance (if not the whole balance, as we recommend), regularly uses the card and has had the account open for at least six months.
A reasonable request is more likely to be approved than an unreasonable one. For example, requesting a $1,000 increase from $4,000 to $5,000 is asking for a moderate increase, but a cardholder requesting an increase of over $20,000 will more likely be denied.
The more responsible a cardholder is, the more likely Citi will be to approve them for a credit limit increase. In fact, Citi may offer to increase a cardholder’s credit limit without a cardholder requesting the increase: Instead, the card issuer will communicate offers to increase credit to pre-qualified cardholders. These offers do not require submission of any materials—just the card holder’s consent to the increase.
How Often Does Citi Increase Credit Limits?
Citi periodically grants automatic credit limit increases to eligible cardholders. Similarly, many card issuers tend to operate according to a status quo. In general, card issuers may increase a cardholder’s credit limit every six to twelve months either automatically or by request. Don’t request an increase more than once within six months, as it may be denied.
Card issuers like Citi consider income, housing status, credit scores and more when reviewing candidates for credit line increases. While some of these things may feel out of your immediate control, you can keep Citi updated on recent changes to income, rent or mortgage payments. Update this information online to improve your chances of getting an automatic increase.
Do Citi Credit Limit Increase Requests Involve Soft or Hard Credit Inquiries?
Sometimes requesting a credit limit increase may result in a hard inquiry (also known as a hard pull) on the cardholder’s credit report. Hard inquiries will appear on a cardholder’s credit report and can temporarily lower a credit score.
Citi may conduct a hard inquiry or a soft pull to review an increase request you make depending on the situation.
Existing cardholders who request an increase online or new cardholders who request a higher limit than Citi’s initial offer may see Citi hard pull their credit report from a credit bureau.
If Citi offers existing cardholders an automatic increase, it’s likely Citi conducted a soft pull or didn’t need to review your credit at all.
Does Having a Higher Credit Limit Help Improve My Credit Score?
Yes—a higher credit limit can theoretically improve a credit score, but this is entirely dependent on the cardholder’s responsible card use and spending habits.
If cardholders regularly make on-time payments and pay the issuer more than the minimum monthly payment (or pay off the entire balance in full), they’re more likely to see a rise in credit score. Payments and the amount paid impact amounts owed, which in turn affects the ratio of credit used to credit available—also known as credit utilization.
Credit utilization is a significant factor affecting credit scores. Experts recommend cardholders keep credit utilization below 30%, but around 1% to 10% is most ideal.
Take advantage of an increased credit limit by regularly spending no more than the amount you did before the increase—this will reduce your credit utilization and potentially improve your credit score.
If cardholders overspend after a limit increase, fail to pay off balances or accrue interest, they could find themselves in a cycle of debt that will eventually lower credit scores. Be careful not to overspend after getting a credit increase.
Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
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Bottom Line
Citi makes it relatively easy to request a credit limit increase by providing an online form on its website. Just log into your account and be ready with your desired amount and current income and various major expenses like rent. A requested credit limit increase may involve a hard credit pull but regular automatic credit limit increases won’t and are likely with responsible credit use.
