topic Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization in Credit Cards

Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:47:57 GMT

Hi, I currently have 4 Citi credit cards with the following limits and utilization:

$14,300 — 93.3% utilization
$8,500 — 0% utilization
$12,500 — 0% utilization
$13,900 — 0% utilization

Additional data points:

Experian score: 789
Age of most recently opened account: 1 year 7 months
Total Credit Limit: 180K
AAOA: 4 years 7 months

I’m considering applying for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Given my profile, what are my approval odds?

Specifically, will the high utilization (93.3%) on one card negatively impact my chances, even though my overall credit profile is strong?

Appreciate your inputs. Thanks

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

BankDealer — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:13:59 GMT

I say do it

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

NoMoreE46 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:29:29 GMT

@cchunter wrote:
Hi, I currently have 4 Citi credit cards with the following limits and utilization:
$14,300 — 93.3% utilization
$8,500 — 0% utilization
$12,500 — 0% utilization
$13,900 — 0% utilization
Additional data points:
Experian score: 789
Age of most recently opened account: 1 year 7 months
Total Credit Limit: 180K
AAOA: 4 years 7 months
I’m considering applying for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Given my profile, what are my approval odds?
Specifically, will the high utilization (93.3%) on one card negatively impact my chances, even though my overall credit profile is strong?

Appreciate your inputs. Thanks

$14300/180,000 is only ~ 8% overall

UTI.

Is this $14,300 amount a BT?

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

BrutalBodyShots — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:43:49 GMT

You really like Citi, eh?

The highly utilized Citi card... is it a carried balance? If so, is it from taking advantage of a 0% offer? Since Citi knows the answer to these questions, they can assess risk far better than an outside issuer could that only sees utilization percentage and nothing more.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

FicoMike0 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:20:03 GMT

Should be good data, keep us posted.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:05:06 GMT

Yes, 8% UTI, and I availed a BT on the first card

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:16:54 GMT

Nah, it didn't help. I tried applying for a CLI on one of the zero-utilization cards, and it wasn't approved. I highly doubt a new card will be approved at this point of time.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:02:17 GMT

@cchunter wrote:
I tried applying for a CLI on one of the zero-utilization cards, and it wasn't approved.

Not surprising, as if you aren't using any of your existing limit the issuer has no incentive to raise it.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:11:34 GMT

Yeah, I was going to say, your lack of use of what you already got, other than the BT offer, makes it tough in this environment. They don't see the need to extend you any more credit. Of course keep trying the preapps to see if they are willing? You didn't say how many hard pulls you have had (6,12,24) and which bureau does Citi pull for your location?

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:17:39 GMT

I haven’t had any hard inquiries in the last 18 months, and I’m based in Texas. Would it make more sense to apply for a new card instead of requesting a credit limit increase? Does Citi evaluate those differently? I’m really interested in getting a new Citi card.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:28:42 GMT

@cchunter wrote:
I haven’t had any hard inquiries in the last 18 months, and I’m based in Texas. Would it make more sense to apply for a new card instead of requesting a credit limit increase? Does Citi evaluate those differently? I’m really interested in getting a new Citi card.

Other than the BT balance. Your data looks ripe for approval. Here's an idea, try preapping for another Citi CC that allows it, like the Strata. If they approve you, then go ahead and go for that AA CC, full app. If they don't, I would be worried they would hang that high utilization over your head for a denial.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:33:33 GMT

Yeah, but the thing is pre-approval doesn't guarantee an approval. Also, looks like citi obtains a credit report for pre-qual. Below is what I see in the pre-qual page

"I authorize Citi to obtain a credit report on me to determine if I am pre-qualified for any credit card offers. I understand that this will not affect my credit score. I also understand that this is not a credit card application and that if I receive pre-qualified offer for a credit card, I am not guaranteed to get approved for that credit card. Pre-qualified offers are made available at Citi’s discretion and customers are not evaluated against all Citi credit cards for pre-qualified offers"

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:34:04 GMT

@cchunter wrote:
Yeah, but the thing is pre-approval doesn't guarantee an approval.

That's correct, but it's far better than winging it, without. Your never going to get a 100% guarantee.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

FicoMike0 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:42:07 GMT

Just a thought, if you really want the aa card, wait until high card is under 89%.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:01:39 GMT

Uti < 89%. Could you please tell me more about it?

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

Thomas_Thumb — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:19:16 GMT

In post #1 you list a card at 93% utilization. That card is considered maxed out. Aggregate utilization is more important but, a maxed out card may be considered a red flag for extending additional credit by some CC issuers.

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

cchunter — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:29:47 GMT

Yeah, I get it. So, there is no point in applying for a new card

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

NoMoreE46 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:43:38 GMT

Citi needs to offer CL reallocation.

This would be perfect remedy if you got a low SL on that AA card...

Re: Odds of Citi Card Approval with high utilization

RobertS2 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:25:29 GMT

See what you get prequalified for. That's a good barometer.