Citi CLI Success via Facebook & Soft Pull

[Bsong]

Hi Everyone,

It’s been awhile since I posted on here and just wanted to share my recent experience for those trying to get a CLI with Citi Bank.

I applied for the Citi Diamond Preferred back in May of 2013 with a limit of $1000.  Just to get the card, I had to call the recon line (708 number) to get approved and was granted a $1000 starting limit.

After 2 months of having the card and using it very lightly and paying it off in full (Balance $50 and paid it to zero for 2 months), I requested for a CLI by phone and was told that it would only be possible with a HARD inquiry. 

Since a hard inquiry was required, I cancelled the request and sent a message to them via Facebook. A rep called me within 30 minutes of my msg and assisted me with putting in a request with a SOFT inquiry.  At that time, I was not approved for an increase using the soft inquiry and was told that for me to increase my line a hard inquiry would be needed. I kindly denied and told them I will try later on. Before ending the call, the rep said it would be best to try after 6 months of opening the acct.

Today (6 Months later from the time I opened the account) I decided to msg them again through Facebook and again received a call within 30 minutes of my msg. I told the rep that I wanted a credit line increase of $15k which is my current highest limit and was hoping they can match it with only a soft inquiry. Rep said she will put in the request and will let me know if a hard inquiry will be needed. After a few minutes on hold, she came back and said she can grant an increase of $1300 (Total $2300) without the hard pull and if I wanted a higher limit, a hard inquiry will be needed. I accepted the $2300 new credit limit and told her I will start using the card again and will request for another increase in the future. 

I hope this path of requesting CLI can help someone else who is struggling to get a simple CLI with CITI... Good Luck! 

Btw... Since July, I never used the card. I plan to use it to buy gum and PIF for the next few months.

Other info about me:

690 + - 10 points on all 3 reports 

Income $110k ($75 employment and $36k own business)

AAoA .5 (Half a year) 

My first trade line was established last year (October 2012) when I purchased a car. 

[coldnmn]

Good for you! Thanks for sharing!

[myjourney]

Congrats 

[09Lexie]

Thank you for the information.

[ezdoesit]

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@Bsong wrote:

Hi Everyone,

It’s been awhile since I posted on here and just wanted to share my recent experience for those trying to get a CLI with Citi Bank.

I applied for the Citi Diamond Preferred back in May of 2013 with a limit of $1000.  Just to get the card, I had to call the recon line (708 number) to get approved and was granted a $1000 starting limit.

After 2 months of having the card and using it very lightly and paying it off in full (Balance $50 and paid it to zero for 2 months), I requested for a CLI by phone and was told that it would only be possible with a HARD inquiry. 

Since a hard inquiry was required, I cancelled the request and sent a message to them via Facebook. A rep called me within 30 minutes of my msg and assisted me with putting in a request with a SOFT inquiry.  At that time, I was not approved for an increase using the soft inquiry and was told that for me to increase my line a hard inquiry would be needed. I kindly denied and told them I will try later on. Before ending the call, the rep said it would be best to try after 6 months of opening the acct.

Today (6 Months later from the time I opened the account) I decided to msg them again through Facebook and again received a call within 30 minutes of my msg. I told the rep that I wanted a credit line increase of $15k which is my current highest limit and was hoping they can match it with only a soft inquiry. Rep said she will put in the request and will let me know if a hard inquiry will be needed. After a few minutes on hold, she came back and said she can grant an increase of $1300 (Total $2300) without the hard pull and if I wanted a higher limit, a hard inquiry will be needed. I accepted the $2300 new credit limit and told her I will start using the card again and will request for another increase in the future. 

I hope this path of requesting CLI can help someone else who is struggling to get a simple CLI with CITI... Good Luck! 

Btw... Since July, I never used the card. I plan to use it to buy gum and PIF for the next few months.

Other info about me:

690 + - 10 points on all 3 reports 

Income $110k ($75 employment and $36k own business)

AAoA .5 (Half a year) 

My first trade line was established last year (October 2012) when I purchased a car. 

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When you sent the PM did you just include your Name, CC #,  and what you were requesting from them?

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Found everything you said to be true for me.

[wche]

It is generally believed that you can request a CLI on citi cards every 6 months. YMMV but it has been SP for me 2/3 times I requested on their website

[BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest]

good to know thanks for sharing!

[Bsong]

@ezdoesit On the email, I simply put the reason I'm sending them a message and requested to be contacted on my cell. No account info was added.