Citi application question

[Patient957]

I'm going to apply for the Citi Custom Cash. I'm trying to decide if I should do it now or wait.

I'm 0/12, 4/24 reporting, but I opened a Venture X on 4/10/2025 that is not reporting yet.

I'm 1/12 inquiries, which is from the Venture X three weeks ago. It's this inquiry I'm concerned about. Should I be?

Fico 8s in 810-830 range, util ~2%.

Should I wait until the inq is 90+ days old and the VX is reporting? I expect my scores will be ~20 points lower once it reports.

Or should I apply now with that inq less than 30 days old but higher scores?

I know Citi can be inq sensitive, but how sensitive?

I have no crefit cards with Citi, but I do have a checking and savings.

I appreciate any advice.

[Patient957]

Also, should I even bother with their pre-approval tool?  Seems like most people say it's not trustworthy.

[coldfusion]

I wouldn't bother with the prequal tool; if it were me I'd roll the dice and apply now since the Venture X inquiries are more than 5 days old.  Citi's had a 6/6 policy that they don't 100% enforce since before COVID but recent history is that they've been all over the map regarding sensitivity to inquiries and accounts.

I'd suggest you go ahead and apply and if denied call for a recon. If recon fails wait a few months without applying for anything else and try again,  you did infer that you're already willing to wait 90 days.

[Patient957]

Thanks for your reply @coldfusion 

So I went ahead and pulled the trigger.  Got the 7-10 day message.  After the letter arrived and I entered the reference number, approved instantly for $8K.  

Approval thread: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Citi-Custom-Cash-Approval-8K/td-p/6822925