Advice for Citi?

[ali5541]

Hey everyone, first and foremost, it is awesome finally getting myself in here and actually making a post. I have been visiting the FICO forums for a long time and I browse through the many different situations and wealth of information that is available on these forums. I am currently enrolled in score watch and I am a interested in really get my score up there!

So, to my question, HOW THE HECK DO I GET MY FOOT IN THE DOOR WITH CITI?!?!?

In the past 2 years, 70% of my IQ are thanks to them and to my luck, they have declined me everytime. I last applied a few days ago for the AT&T Savings and Rewards program (because I pay a hafty AT&T bill and figured could save a few bucks) and got declined. So now, I am waiting on the letter to arrive. The time before that was for a Citi Forward Card for Students (or Citi Dividened, can't remember which) during March.

My credit scores as they stand are:

EQ FICO: 639

TU FICO: 654

EX FICO: 638 (via MyCreditInform)

Only thing working against me atm is my credit file length (and maybe average age).

Opened Jan 11: Cap1 Secured $200

Opened Jun 11: Cap1 MTV Unsecured $750 (Raised from $500 through Credit Steps)

Opened July 11: BB Store Card $3,100 (Joint account with my brother in-law)

Opened Mar 12: Chase Freedom $4,000 (Used Backdoor Number to Approve starting at $2,000 and upp'ed to $4,000 2 days ago. Softpull )

Opened Today: AMEX Zync PSSL of $500 (Auto-Pay Link and what not)

I got my foot in the door with AMEX (advice I read on this forum, credit goes to countless people). But I really want that AT&T card. Now I did apply for the AT&T card before I asked Chase for the CLI. Chase asked me whats up with my inquiry with Citi and I told them the straight forward answer. Since that Chase inquiry was a softpull, Citi won't see it.

Any advice? I would greatly appreciate it.

P.S. I do realize I just added another HardIQ thanks to my AMEX application -_____-"

[Madman94044]

What havebeen theirseasons for denial?

I assume you've tried the back door number for recon.

[CruzImperial]

What is your AAoA? Citi doesn´t like INQs, how many do you have?

If you did not get aproved for the student card, there may be a problem.

[ali5541]

My AAoA is standing at 1 Yr. 1 Mo. and my entire credit history is standing at 2 Yrs. -___-

I have not tried the backdoor number (mainly because I don't know which one it is) but when I apply, I always had 2-3 INQ.

This time around, they pulled EX. There were three other INQ kind of old:

Citi on 3-4-12

Chase on 3-1-12

and BoA on 9-3-11

Could it be my student loans? They haven't affected any other CC app o.O

I have no baddies on my reports. All clean.

[Madman94044]

Why did they deny you in the past?

[ali5541]

They always cited my length of credit history, low credit score, and number of INQ.

I understand my credit history one. I get the low score (thanks to the first one). I always have 2-3 INQ in a 12-month period when I apply for a CC.

One-time they cited my revolving balance which I learned not to make the same mistake again.

[Madman94044]

There are several phone numbers for citi on the sticky at the top of this board.  I would call and talk to them, ask for recon.

[LilNYC]

Is there anyone who could add you as an AU on 1 of their cards that's been open a long time? It could help bump up your score even if it's only artificially. When Citi approved me a few months ago 1 didn't have a single indiv. Acct on my report just a bunch of AU accts that wre 9-20 yrs old & all in good standing. My score was over a 700 & there weren't any baddies aside from a paid tax lien that was over 3 yrs old. YMMV but thar's how Citi approved me. 3 months letter Chase approved me but at a much lower cl since my indiv. length of accts was short. 

[LilNYC]

Were your scores/reports diff. in march when Chase approved you? Is it just me or it's odd that Amex would only approve you on the Zync w/ a hard limit but Chase gave you a $2000 limit (even if it was thru a recon.) Do you have high util? 

[ali5541]

Hmm...to be honest. There is not one person that could add me as an AU. Fairly new and on my own

My scores have always hovered around the 620 - 660 mark. I had high utilization a while back, learned from my mistake not to do it again. Honestly, all I want is this card and than I am going to start gardening. It would save me a bundle on my AT&T Services.

Which Citi number should I try to call when I get the denial letter?