Citi denial over ONE Inquiry?!

[Anonymous]

I saw a post earlier with a community member on the same boat as me, I've been gardening my credit and decided to apply for a Citi Double Cash Card and was denied due to ONE (1) Inquiry?!

I understand they're protecting their assets especially during these times but how can they deny someone who's had over 10 years of history with them, a score of 795+ and other lines of credit that are 10X the amount Citi has ever given me over ONE (1) Inquiry?! 

It's just really upsetting and sickening is all, I hate wasting an inquiry knowing I wasn't approved especially for my credit profile. 

I contacted their "recon" and was told the policy department didn't approve the recon. I did still file a CFPB complaint because that's completely unfair.

This is really the last straw for me and Citi, as much as I would love to have more products from them they clearly don't want to budge and only see it as them losing business from me, not the other way around.

I don't want to discourage anyone else from applying however know I am just warning anyone considering an application with them to be careful! 

AAoA: 9 years

DTI: 0%
INQs: 1 

Citi: $2,500

Chase Freedom Unlimited: $10,000

Capital One Venture: $15,000

American Express Blue: $30,000

Score: 795+

Thanks everyone for listening, I hope the rest of you have had better experiences with Citi than I have!

[Wavester64]

@Anonymous 

I too have been fighting my battles with Citi for different reasons and I think come 2021 I am going to close my lone Citi Card (Citi-Costco).

Time to move on from them..

[Credit12Fico]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I saw a post earlier with a community member on the same boat as me, I've been gardening my credit and decided to apply for a Citi Double Cash Card and was denied due to ONE (1) Inquiry?!

I understand they're protecting their assets especially during these times but how can they deny someone who's had over 10 years of history with them, a score of 795+ and other lines of credit that are 10X the amount Citi has ever given me over ONE (1) Inquiry?! 

It's just really upsetting and sickening is all, I hate wasting an inquiry knowing I wasn't approved especially for my credit profile. 

I contacted their "recon" and was told the policy department didn't approve the recon. I did still file a CFPB complaint because that's completely unfair.

This is really the last straw for me and Citi, as much as I would love to have more products from them they clearly don't want to budge and only see it as them losing business from me, not the other way around.

I don't want to discourage anyone else from applying however know I am just warning anyone considering an application with them to be careful! 

AAoA: 9 years

DTI: 0%
INQs: 1 

Citi: $2,500

Chase Freedom Unlimited: $10,000

Capital One Venture: $15,000

American Express Blue: $30,000

Score: 795+

Thanks everyone for listening, I hope the rest of you have had better experiences with Citi than I have!

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Did they actually tell you that denial was due to the 1 inquiry? Is it possible that it was something else? 

DTI may be low. But Income to Total Credit limit is another factor. Utilization is another factor. If DTI is 0%, then utilization is zero also? Why would they feel you need more credit line when you have $55,000 worth and no utilization.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your reply! 

Yes, Citi confirmed it was due to the single inquiry on my report and solely the only reason.

They said they feared I was a high risk applicant because I had applied for a Chase card a bit ago which I had gotten approved for and that they changed the rules regarding this card after the pandemic.

They don't want to see any INQs which I understand but denying me for a single INQ I think is total BS.

I understand your question completely and feel after gardening my credit, I deserve to treat myself to an additional cash back card with 0% intro rates for the next 18 mo. incase I decide to make a large purchase. 

While my UTL rate is indeed low and have large amounts of credits, those cards introductory promotions have expired and would love to take advantage of new offers.

Unfortunately it seems Citi decided to deny me that opportunity which is really unfortunate and need to move on to another lender. 

[CreditCuriosity]

If that is the sole reason RECON that application to their EO and it will most likely be overturned explain the situation, etc... Best of luck

[markhs777]

I would not file with the CFPB since it deals with improprieties which a denial is not for whatever reason given. As mentioned going thru the EO is your best bet.

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous    This thread below might be of interest to you.  Sorry for your denial, I hope you are able to overturn.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Approvals/Successful-Citi-Recon-Literally-mailed-it-in/...

[ChemE_Bear]

That's... weird.  I was approved for the Citi Double Cash earlier this month with a younger, thinner file (1 revolver, 3 installment loans, AAoA = 2 years) at a lower score with more inquiries and 2 inquiries within the past two months. 

[Harvey26]

@AnonymousYou should contact the recon department again and ask for a supervisior. I got my app reconned back in april with way more than 1 inq. Supervisior reached out back to me and approved me for 5K and then I got a cli a month later to 10K. I have spent probably close to 15K-20K since getting the card.

[LooksAreDeceiving]

I recently was approved for the DC (5300 SL) on 7-4, with 5/12 inquiries, and a thinner and much younger profile than the OP's.

Whatever the reason for the OP's denial, it wasn't the presence of a single inquiry.