Citi Double Cash - To apply or not to apply

[Anonymous]

So I guess you could say I've been on an extended mini app spree.  I've been approval hopping like a frog jumping on lily pads (not that many lily pads either, only 3).  First was granted a HP CLI from Discover of $1700, then joined NFCU and got the cashRewards card, followed by the Ritz, and yesterday was declined for the Amex Simplycash Plus Business card.  Thankfully, it was only a soft-pull, so no harm no foul.  Now I'll admit, I didn't really need that card, but I thought it had some good perks and I don't yet have any business cards - not to mention there was no AF.

Now I'm wondering if I should apply for the Citi Double Cash.  Another card I don't need.  There's also no AF, I have no accounts with Citi, and with 2% back it would be the best cash back card I would have.

Should I try my odds and get in?  0 Inquiries on EQ <-- report frozen, 3 Experian (1 from 2016, 1 from 2015, 1 from 2014) <--  only unfroze this for the Simplycash app - going to refreeze, 4 TU <--- report frozen

Or should I declare this app spree over and enter The Garden?

Not sure what my true EQ score is, but I imagine it's higher than what it says in my signature.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So I guess you could say I've been on an extended mini app spree.  I've been approval hopping like a frog jumping on lily pads (not that many lily pads either, only 3).  First was granted a HP CLI from Discover of $1700, then joined NFCU and got the cashRewards card, followed by the Ritz, and yesterday was declined for the Amex Simplycash Plus Business card.  Thankfully, it was only a soft-pull, so no harm no foul.  Now I'll admit, I didn't really need that card, but I thought it had some good perks and I don't yet have any business cards - not to mention there was no AF.

Now I'm wondering if I should apply for the Citi Double Cash.  Another card I don't need.  There's also no AF, I have no accounts with Citi, and with 2% back it would be the best cash back card I would have.

Should I try my odds and get in?  0 Inquiries on EQ <-- report frozen, 3 Experian (1 from 2016, 1 from 2015, 1 from 2014) <--  only unfroze this for the Simplycash app - going to refreeze, 4 TU <--- report frozen

Or should I declare this app spree over and enter The Garden?

Not sure what my true EQ score is, but I imagine it's higher than what it says in my signature.

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I stopped reading there (on the bolded red). 

"not to apply"

I'm about to hit the gym. Bye and enjoy the rest of your day.

[Anonymous]

lol - I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else.

Into the Garden it is.

[thummel]

If you don't need it don't apply for it. Plus citi likes to pull EQ a lot and if you have it on ice what's the point

[Anonymous]

Well, I would have it temporarily lifted. I had heard they like to pull EQ and figured since I had 0 inquiries there, it wouldn't hurt to just apply in order to get in with Citi - although at the end of the day, I don't need it right now.

[SouthJamaica]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Well, I would have it temporarily lifted. I had heard they like to pull EQ and figured since I had 0 inquiries there, it wouldn't hurt to just apply in order to get in with Citi - although at the end of the day, I don't need it right now.

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It's not that great a card anyway IMHO.

My experience has been:

-low SL

-no CLI's in over a year and a half

-no BT offers after 1st month

-long wait to get the first round of points

-even longer wait to get the second round of points

-$25 redemption threshold after you finally do get your points

I much prefer my Barclays and Cap One cashback cards.

I even prefer my Amex, Synchrony, and Discover cashback cards.

[Anonymous]

I can only provide my own circumstance since I have both the DC and cashRewards. I had kept the card around for the "in" with citi but it hasn't yielded anything tangible for me other than to stroke my ego. I ultimately decided to keep the cashRewards for the following reasons:

- No FTF (DC is close to 3%)

- Instant posting of rewards (DC can become complicated/delayed but YMMV)

- No redemption minimum - having to wait for the $25 threshold after I redeem led me to think I needed to get back to the $25 threshold (which is what they want)

- Generous SL with potential for growth (DC is known for low limits that can grow but seems like more work)

- Lower APR (DC seems to attach high APRs given the 2% back)

- Advantage of using Visa Checkout (simply exploring the website has saved me money for things I was going to do anyways)

I'm missing a few from my list but you get my point. It's ultimately up to you but I chose to forgo the extra 0.5% for my piece of mind. Nothing they have currently demands my application. Hope this helps. 

[Jerry45]

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@SouthJamaica wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Well, I would have it temporarily lifted. I had heard they like to pull EQ and figured since I had 0 inquiries there, it wouldn't hurt to just apply in order to get in with Citi - although at the end of the day, I don't need it right now.

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It's not that great a card anyway IMHO.

My experience has been:

-low SL

-no CLI's in over a year and a half

-no BT offers after 1st month

-long wait to get the first round of points

-even longer wait to get the second round of points

-$25 redemption threshold after you finally do get your points

I much prefer my Barclays and Cap One cashback cards.

I even prefer my Amex, Synchrony, and Discover cashback cards.

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Well Said. Low SL's and the fact that they send mailers that do not correlate with the online Prequal APR's.