Background:
- Went on a mini app spree of sorts during the last several days.
- At the last minute, decided to go for a Citi card as I wanted one more Experian (EX) puller and Citi is known to pull EX in my area
- Never had any Citi cards
- In fact, 10 years ago, if I remember this correctly, they closed my checking account
- In fact, 10 years ago, if I remember this correctly, they closed my checking account
- Based on looking at various approvals posted on this board, settled on the Citi Prestige.
- While Prestige card has one of the highest annual fees, based on what I have seen others report, Prestige card also generally comes with a healthy Starting Limit (SL)
- I knew I could take advantage of the rewards if I could get the card
Application:
- Applied online and got the dreaded 7 to 10 business days message:
We have received your application and further processing is required. We will contact you in approximately 7-10 days regarding our decision.
- Immediately also received an alert that my Experian report was pulled
- Also, received an email right away with a link to check the application status
- Checked same day and, of course, there were no updates yet (same 7-10 days message was given when following the link)
Next day:
- Next day, I kept searching this board for more info on the Citi application process and found a good number to call
- Called it and was told that I will receive a call back right away (it's a way for Citi to verify the phone number)
- After this very basic verification, the agent put me on hold to go "work" on the application
- Two minutes later, the agent came back with the approval and the limit, which was the surprising part:
- Approved for just over $30,000
- Based on my research (I felt I was going in prepared), I expected a decent limit but really closer to $8,000-$10,000 mark
Data points:
- Pulled Experian (EX)
- EX Fico 8 just under 770 (was just over but the last 2 inquries took about 8 points off)
- AAofA is around 5 years old
- A total of 5 inquiries in the last year when I applied
- Two new accounts reporting to EX in the last 6 months and just under 10 new accounts reporting to EX in the last 12 months
- Almost 0% utilization (two cards reporting small balances)
- One more interesting data point -- I am AU on a card which has a limit of over $50,000
Again, this would not be possible without the knowledge contained on this board.
Thank you!!
P.S.: Almost done for bit; one more left-- working to get in the door with Synovus, a known Equifax (EQ) puller.
WOW! Congrats!!!!
Starting Score: 784
Congrats and nice SL!!!
Thanks for the DPs 
Awesome Approval!! That's a limit some of us work up to and you just picked up like a 6pack lol almost makes me want to take a stab at it 
Wowza! Congrats!!
