How long it will take for CITI cards to report to a bureau?

[Anonymous]

Im considering app for a couple of new cards while my credit file is still thin. I have got a HP on EX on Dec 30 for a Citi offer and may get another HP from landlords since I am looking for housing. I wonder how soon the Citi card will be reported to a credit bureau agent? I want to app new cards before the citi card reports yet after my another EX INQ ages to 6 months (maybe this doesn't matter?). Thanks.

[KneelBeforeZod]

My experience - Citi reports after your first statement. This might have changed, but that's what I remember when I got a card through them.

[aubie1kenobie2]

Mine reported after the first statement cut.

[Anonymous]

That's short! So, I should not activate the card to avoid the reporting? 

[FinStar]

Not activating the card is not going to prevent from reporting. Regardless if there's a balance or not on your new Citi card, it's still going to report when it cycles.

[aubie1kenobie2]

The other creditors should see the INQ from Citi if they pull from the same CB. So if they see this and no new card, they might think that you have been declined? Not sure if that's a good strategy...

On the other hand, after you app you have about a couple of weeks before the statement cuts. If your strategy is to app all at the same time and take a big hit to your credit score, then recover from it (and as long as you have no plans of applying for something major in the next 6 months), then by all means, go for it

[KneelBeforeZod]

All that activating th card does is get it working to use for purchases. Once the first statement cuts, it'll report.

I wouldn't worry about a hard pull from a landlord. If they ask questions, tell them it was to take advantage of an offer you couldn't pass up and your report, while thin, should show you're dependable and that you've got to build credit somehow since many landlords do not report monthly payments.

[Anonymous]

---

@aubie1kenobie2 wrote:

The other creditors should see the INQ from Citi if they pull from the same CB. So if they see this and no new card, they might think that you have been declined? Not sure if that's a good strategy...

On the other hand, after you app you have about a couple of weeks before the statement cuts. If your strategy is to app all at the same time and take a big hit to your credit score, then recover from it (and as long as you have no plans of applying for something major in the next 6 months), then by all means, go for it

---

Maybe I should take the second strategy you pointed out: just go for it now. 

You guys really opens my eyes on the fact of card reporting. I will just ativate my citi card to see what is the statement date right in a minute...

[Anonymous]

OMG, on my CITI credit card account page which I just activated shows :

"Minimum Amount Due on 01-13-2016 : $0"

So, decision, decision! Magic forum!

[satasat360]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

That's short! So, I should not activate the card to avoid the reporting? 

---

+1 to Finstar, mine reported even before i received my card. So not activating may not help here.