Can I get a CLI with a balance on the card?

[MrStrode]

I have a CitiBank Forward card with a $6000 limit. I have $1400 on the card now, and am never late for payments. Is it wise or even possible to get a limit increase while there is a balance? I have had the card for 9 months without asking for an increase.

[Tonya-E]

It's absolutely possible. I requested my first at 6 months. I had somewhere around a $4000 balance on it with a $8100 limit. I got a $1500 increase at that time with a soft pull.  Please remember YMMV but I would say it is entirely feasible that they will approve.

[MrStrode]

Asked for a $2000 CLI and got it. Now Im at $8000 now. Thanks for the input Tony. By the way how long should I wait to hit them for another CLI?

[Creditaddict]

---

@MrStrode wrote:

Asked for a $2000 CLI and got it. Now Im at $8000 now. Thanks for the input Tony. By the way how long should I wait to hit them for another CLI?

---

4 months and ask for a lot!, it counters!

[dnice77]

was it a soft for you as well ?

[MrStrode]

Yes it was a soft.

[MrStrode]

It counters? Ah......so if I ask for more than would be approved, they will come back with an amount that is approved automatically? I should have shot for 5 grand more then. Next time.

[Tonya-E]

You're welcome and congrats!!!! You have to wait 6 months after they grant the increase.  It will spit you back out if you ask earlier, saying something like, "you have had a recent line increase." or something like that.

[stefanc]

Yup CITI has gone to 6 months between CLI requests.

[Anonymous]

I would definately wait 6 months before asking especially if they hard pull.  May 1 I asked for an increase w/o a hard and my CL went from 1600 to 3200 with a soft at that time I declinded the hard pull for the possibility of a larger increase.  I ended up apping and getting 3 cards the next day so I figured one more inq will be fine to get a larger CL on the citi.  Well they did a hard pull May 2 and denied me for not waiting 6 months...