Citi DC chances

[Gmood1]

I don't agree with a foot in the door being better than nothing at all.  Just sneaking in with an approval to me isn't the way to go. Getting a $500 or $1000 SL now rather than waiting 6 months and strengthening your profile to get a $3000 SL (for example) doesn't make much sense.

It really depends on where you see your file now verses say 6 months.  If you've got the type of file that isn't going to change [strengthen] much, perhaps it doesn't matter.  I see all the time though people applying for cards now with a dirty file for example when their file is going to be clean in 3 months.  It just doesn't make a lot of sense sometimes. It's important to look at the longer timeline, not just the immediate.

First of all a foot in the door was in reference to the possibility of a small SL. I remember you whining about your SL with Citi. It wasn't that long ago.
Your CL has since grown. You also built some payment history with them in that time frame.
Something you can't do from the outside looking in.
I get you're score and data focused. Nothing wrong with that either.
Scores and data doesn't guarantee approvals nor denials. Many times there is no real explanation why some are approved while others are denied.

You guys talk as though you are guaranteed to be alive a day from now or six months from now.
Life doesn't work that way and neither does this credit game.

[Anonymous]

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@Gmood1

First of all a foot in the door was in reference to the possibility of a small SL. I remember you whining about your SL with Citi. It wasn't that long ago.
Your CL has since grown. You also built some payment history with them in that time frame.
Something you can't do from the outside looking in.
I get you're score and data focused. Nothing wrong with that either.
Scores and data doesn't guarantee approvals nor denials. Many times there is no real explanation why some are approved while others are denied.

You guys talk as though you are guaranteed to be alive a day from now or six months from now.
Life doesn't work that way and neither does this credit game.

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I'm well aware that you were referencing a small SL with your "foot in the door" comment.  You said that's better than nothing.  Considering the OP, I disagree with your assessment.  There's no need to get argumentative over it.  We're allowed to disagree here and offer up different perspectives, allowing the OP to decide what is best for him.

You're comparing apples to oranges in trying to draw a parallel between my situation and that of the OP.  I was dissatisfied with my Citi SL, but my profile wasn't going to change at all in the next 6 months.  It's been over a year since I obtained that card and my profile today is identically strong to the one I possessed at the time of that app.  There would have been zero reason at all for me to wait on that app and it would have provided no additional benefit.  The OP on the other hand himself above has stated multiple ways that his profile will strengthen (and of course his scores to go along with it) over the course of 6 months, so for him it would make perfect sense to hold off in order to achieve a more favorable result rather than just a possible "foot in the door."

I simply take a more conservative approach to apping.  I started a thread on this very topic coming up on 2 years ago now and my take on it today is the same as it was then.  I completely get it that others may be a bit more aggressive in their approch. 

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Should-I-app-for-Would-I-get-approved-for-...

[Caught750]

I appreciate the arguments both for and against. There are multiple benefits to this card. For some a foot in the door would suffice. I am not against growing a card. For others a solid limit would be more beneficial. I'm in no rush to apply today. In mid to late October I will be well across several thresholds that would likely benefit me. Over a year of current revolving history, no new accounts or HPs at that point in 6 months (reporting yet at least), and higher limits to hopefully get a slightly higher one from Citi. My scores will also be higher. That said, I have looked at the "other" page and my scores are well within the average that are approved. I've seen scores significantly lower get solid approvals there.

[Anonymous]

Smart move IMO waiting 6 months or through October at least before apping, as you've correctly determined that your profile will be in a noticeably better place at that time.

[Caught750]

I have no experience with Citi. While I had no intention of starting an argument I appreciate the info that came of it. Would I likely get approved now, yes even if it needed recon. Would it likely be the best fit for everything I'm looking for, no. The card benefits me at any limit but a limit that allows some room for the 18 months at 0% (for a month or two at most with a low utilization %) is more beneficial.

[Gmood1]

Oh there's no argument. My point was lower your expectations with the Citi DC on the SL.

No matter if you app now or a year from now. The SLs aren't huge on average.

Look at it as " a foot in the door ".  In a year, if they hand you a $2k limit. Be prepared to go another year before it starts to grow.

If you're looking for a higher SL out the gate for BTs or long term financing..look elsewhere.

That's how they get you. They offer one of the longest 0% terms. But they make sure you don't tie too much of their money up while it's in affect.😉

Good luck and don't spend too much time in the shower, if it doesn't go as planned.😆

[Caught750]

Lol thanks gmood. I'm undecided with Citi, if it was Chase or Disco I might be a bit upset but Citi I could take or leave. I like the card and the 18 months but I have a few apps that'll go out at the same time with slightly shorter offers. Major life changes coming up early next year so some extra wiggle room would be great! Thanks for all the advice. It seems citi can be bipolar and hand out $5k SLs one month then back to $500 the next. Hoping for a good month but time will tell.

[CreditInspired]

Good info here but just want to give my DPs for the Citi DC.

Opened 12/2016 with $2K CL with 705-715 FICO scores. I also opened DiscoIT and ChaseFU at the same time.

DC CLIs:
$1,300 in 3/2017
$1,500 in 9/2017
$1,500 in 3/2018

CL now at $6,300

Barely put any purchases on it but I did use their checks twice and paid off way before the 0% promotion ended.

Every CLI I received I asked for — none was auto, they were all SPs, and instant approvals.

[Caught750]

Thanks for the DPs. I should have similar scores with solid income when I do apply so I'm hoping for a similar approval!

[Anonymous]

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@Gmood1Oh there's no argument. My point was lower your expectations with the Citi DC on the SL.

No matter if you app now or a year from now. The SLs aren't huge on average.

Look at it as " a foot in the door ".  In a year, if they hand you a $2k limit. Be prepared to go another year before it starts to grow.

If you're looking for a higher SL out the gate for BTs or long term financing..look elsewhere.

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It's also worth noting here that this discussion needs to be based around the situation [profile] of the OP.  In his case, the SL may be quite secondary to even being approved for the product in the first place.  When that's even a consideration, it's usually most wise to wait it out, especially if you believe that in (say) 6 months you're profile will be stronger and your chances of a more favorable will increase.