topic Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry? in Credit Cards

Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:16:17 GMT

Hi All,

This is my second post and I am really thankfull to all who responded me to my previous post.

Actually I have 2 questions, The first one is: I would like to know if there is any way we can increase credit limit without any hard inquiry on Credit Limit?

2) And why it is soft inquiry for some people and Hard Inquiry for some people when they try to request CLI?

My Scenario for 1st question:

I have a Best Buy Credit Card formerly it was acquired by HSBC & then Capitol One and now Citi has Acquired this Card. My Credit Limit is $1000 now and I am noticing that from almost 2 years that they haven't increased my Credit Limit. Any way to Increase Credit limit without Hard inquiry?

My Scenario for 2nd question:

But when I try to request CLI it says "By submitting this form you authorize Citibank, N.A. to obtain your credit report." Not sure if I click on Continue button it's gonna pull my credit report and it will shows as hard inquiry on Credit report.

But one of my friend has 3 Citi Cards(Citi Platinum, Forward & Dividend) but he requests for CLI every 6 months and he said he never found any hard inquiry on his credit report(that means its a soft inquiry and in fact he see the same message when he tries to request CLI).

Any suggestions or solutions?

Thanks In Advance!!!

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:35:50 GMT

you could try calling I guess

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

chwebb1 — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:36:23 GMT

I've heard that Citi is very YMMV on CLIs as to whether it will be a HP or SP.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

B335is — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:37:19 GMT

Since you're dealing with Citi, increases are very case-by-case basis. Every lender has different policies for addressing customer initiated increases. In the end, you are seeking additional credit, so I can't blame those who hard pull. Chase, for instance, is always a hard pull. Others, like Amex, Cap1, Comenity and GE backed cards are normally soft pulls.

I don't use the Citi website for increases because you don't really know for sure until it's done. If you try calling them, you can ask if your account is eligible for a increase through soft pull. The rep should be able to take you to the point where they will know if a hard pull is needed or not.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:39:55 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks for reply.

I called them and they said it will be a Hard Inquiry but when I asked them that whenever my friend do request for CLI why its a soft inquiry for him and they don't have answer for that.

Kind of Confused.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:42:14 GMT

Thanks for reply!

I will definitely call them today and will check If I am eligible for CLI with soft inquiry...

Thanks again

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

B335is — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:44:57 GMT

Do you know if Citi has soft pulled (AR) any of your files since the conversion from Cap1?

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:37:08 GMT

I have checked all my credit reports there is no sign of Hard or Soft pulling in my credit report. That's strange.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

B335is — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:20:27 GMT

If Citi hasn't softed you yet, that probably explains why they want to HP for an increase. If you have the patience, I would just wait until you see them soft you. With my first Citi card, there was about 2 or 3 soft pulls on Experian within about 10 days. When I called shortly after that, the CSR said she could approve a slightly lower increase than I asked for without a HP.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 14:12:54 GMT

Hello there,

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

Definitely I will wait for few more months.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

takeshi74 — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 14:26:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
But one of my friend has 3 Citi Cards(Citi Platinum, Forward & Dividend) but he requests for CLI every 6 months and he said he never found any hard inquiry on his credit report(that means its a soft inquiry and in fact he see the same message when he tries to request CLI).

Has he actually seen the soft pulls from Citi to verify? It's possible that he isn't looking at a report from the CRA that Citi pulls so he can't just assume that no hards = soft.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:17:24 GMT

Hello there,

He has recently got all 3 Bureau report(Experian, Equifax & Transunion) and we both went through the report thoroughly but we haven't found any Hard pulls from Citi. The last pull from Citi on Equifax was 1.8 years back not recently.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

B335is — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:35:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello there,

He has recently got all 3 Bureau report(Experian, Equifax & Transunion) and we both went through the report thoroughly but we haven't found any Hard pulls from Citi. The last pull from Citi on Equifax was 1.8 years back not recently.

I'm sure Citi is softing him (not hard pulling) and he has established history with Citi. Since you're still pretty new to Citi they are going to want to see how you manage your account and overall credit picture, so it's good that you have decided to garden with it for awhile.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Kratos-TM — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:13:00 GMT

I contacted Citi Best Buy about this issue, and although I do NOT believe him, this is what he said......"When requesting by phone it is a hard pull, but when using the online request it is a soft pull."

Now that sounds like a bunch of balogna.....

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:52:37 GMT

Hi there,

I think you are right. At one point I was thinking the same. Probably I should wait litle while so that they might do the same with me.

Though thanks for reply!

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:27:44 GMT

Hello there,

I know about that. Infact they told me the same. But I hanged up the call and I called them immediately so that I can confirm again with another CSR. But the funny thing is the guy was telling me that It will be always a soft pull via phone as well as via online. I thought let's make a final call and let's see what's they gonna tell this time. So the lady this time she said it will be hard pull every time..it doesn't matter if we request from phone or online.. Not sure to whom I believe. I think they even don't know about this.

Re: Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 20:55:54 GMT

Good advice on this topic. For myself, I have had all soft pulls for Citi, Discover, FNB Omaha. As for Chase it is HP and USAA has only been HP and for me BoA has been HP. Truth, your profile with the card issurer and their most current policies makes the question of CL increases a crap shoot. I always call and find out how to increase with only SP's. It has worked for me.