I got the simplicity for 0%, with a low limit likely due to high utilization.
Well, my total balances are going to be dropping this summer, starting with everyday purchases and balances being PIF, and paying off cards from highest APR to lowest (0%) (ending next summer)
Now this absolutely doesn't matter, but for the sake of raising my scores, how can I best get a CLI on my Citi card. At least double I would love (18K-20K). How long do I want to wait? Minimize the minimum payments I send ever month? any prompts I'll see in app? Teach me, sensi.
@Remedios Is correct on staying app free. CITI gave me a CLI after I was 14 months with no apps. They are sending me checks every 2-weeks and balance transfer offers. I am also getting checks from Wells Fargo now 😃
@Gregory1776 wrote:I got the simplicity for 0%, with a low limit likely due to high utilization.
Well, my total balances are going to be dropping this summer, starting with everyday purchases and balances being PIF, and paying off cards from highest APR to lowest (0%) (ending next summer)
Now this absolutely doesn't matter, but for the sake of raising my scores, how can I best get a CLI on my Citi card. At least double I would love (18K-20K). How long do I want to wait? Minimize the minimum payments I send ever month? any prompts I'll see in app? Teach me, sensi.
There's no formula for maximizing, and Citi is not generous with credit limit increases.
But if you want to put your best foot forward you should
(a) make no new credit applications
(b) do nothing that could trigger a hard pull
(c) pay all accounts in full every month
(d) use the Citi card heavily
(e) let all accounts but one report zero balances
I used a balance transfer to the card, 8500 of 9,100 limit. I could do minimum payments on the balance transfer on the Citi card. or 500-700 a month, but would rather put that to cards that are going to cost me money in interest.
I used the CITI card to get a $500 BR gift card which cost $450. So that's cool.
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:I got the simplicity for 0%, with a low limit likely due to high utilization.
Well, my total balances are going to be dropping this summer, starting with everyday purchases and balances being PIF, and paying off cards from highest APR to lowest (0%) (ending next summer)
Now this absolutely doesn't matter, but for the sake of raising my scores, how can I best get a CLI on my Citi card. At least double I would love (18K-20K). How long do I want to wait? Minimize the minimum payments I send ever month? any prompts I'll see in app? Teach me, sensi.
There's no formula for maximizing, and Citi is not generous with credit limit increases.
But if you want to put your best foot forward you should
(a) make no new credit applications
(b) do nothing that could trigger a hard pull
(c) pay all accounts in full every month
(d) use the Citi card heavily
(e) let all accounts but one report zero balances
A Is easy.
B not sure what that would entail
C Citi has a balance transfer I'll be carrying, my chase Amazon has a BC on it 7,500/22,000limit I'll pay off by January (APR promotion), and my now 11,247/23,000 Wells Fargo balance I'd been racking up since I got it. (Not smart ok.) paying it off well before the end of September (probably July.)
D. Trying not to use the Citi because of the BC, but I really like the giftcards you can buy at 5-10% off for stores I shop at.
if I buy any, it would be paid for. It would be money I've got immediately, and I'm trying to be conservative with my spending. Like I'd love a new pair of Nikes but I have far too many older shoes I want to wear until the soles are un-gluing. So I wait and pay my debt.
all other cards are going to be reported at zero.
try 6 months after the card has been open?
There's no formula for maximizing, and Citi is not generous with credit limit increases.
But if you want to put your best foot forward you should
(a) make no new credit applications
(b) do nothing that could trigger a hard pull
(c) pay all accounts in full every month
(d) use the Citi card heavily
(e) let all accounts but one report zero balances
A Is easy.
B not sure what that would entail
Hard pull CLI requests, cell phone contracts, cosigning a lease for someone, joining some credit unions... etc.
C Citi has a balance transfer I'll be carrying, my chase Amazon has a BC on it 7,500/22,000limit I'll pay off by January (APR promotion), and my now 11,247/23,000 Wells Fargo balance I'd been racking up since I got it. (Not smart ok.) paying it off well before the end of September (probably July.)
Well as long as you're carrying the balance transfer balance I don't think your chances of a CLI are going to be great. I think Citi likes to see you using the card for purchases, which are profitable, rather than promotional balance transfers, which are loss leaders. Maybe I'm wrong about this and some other forum member can correct me. But that's my opinion.
D. Trying not to use the Citi because of the BC, but I really like the giftcards you can buy at 5-10% off for stores I shop at.
Of course, you should never use a card with a balance transfer balance for purchase.
if I buy any, it would be paid for. It would be money I've got immediately, and I'm trying to be conservative with my spending. Like I'd love a new pair of Nikes but I have far too many older shoes I want to wear until the soles are un-gluing. So I wait and pay my debt.
all other cards are going to be reported at zero.Great. But due to your promo balance transfer balance I think your dreams of a CLI are not realistic.
try 6 months after the card has been open?
I think it's hopeless for you as long as you're carrying a promo balance transfer balance. I think you need to wait until after your balance transfer balance is paid off. And then put in 6 months of activity which Citi will find profitable.
thanks.... i guess ill keep my expectations really low, try it in 6 months. I'll have half the debt then, and the CLI is to help with utilization. That said, my scores are not a priority at the moment, lowering balances and saving money is.
last year wasnt good for me - this year is panning out to be good.
PS they got 255 from me in a fee. i cant stand these fees.
@Gregory1776 wrote:thanks.... i guess ill keep my expectations really low, try it in 6 months. I'll have half the debt then, and the CLI is to help with utilization. That said, my scores are not a priority at the moment, lowering balances and saving money is.
last year wasnt good for me - this year is panning out to be good.
PS they got 255 from me in a fee. i cant stand these fees.
Yeah I only do balance transfers with credit union cards that do not have balance transfer fees.
Now you tell me. 😐