Is there any way to Increase Credit Limit without Hard Inquiry?

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

This is my second post and I am really thankfull to all who responded me to my previous post.

Actually I have 2 questions, The first one is: I would like to know if there is any way we can increase credit limit without any hard inquiry on Credit Limit?

2) And why it is soft inquiry for some people and Hard Inquiry for some people when they try to request CLI?

My Scenario for 1st question:

I have a Best Buy Credit Card formerly it was acquired by HSBC & then Capitol One and now Citi has Acquired this Card. My Credit Limit is $1000 now and I am noticing that from almost 2 years that they haven't increased my Credit Limit. Any way to Increase Credit limit without Hard inquiry?

My Scenario for 2nd question:

But when I try to request CLI it says "By submitting this form you authorize Citibank, N.A. to obtain your credit report." Not sure if I click on Continue button it's gonna pull my credit report and it will shows as hard inquiry on Credit report.

But one of my friend has 3 Citi Cards(Citi Platinum, Forward & Dividend) but he requests for CLI every 6 months and he said he never found any hard inquiry on his credit report(that means its a soft inquiry and in fact he see the same message when he tries to request CLI).

Any suggestions or solutions?

Thanks In Advance!!!

[john398]

you could try calling I guess

[chwebb1]

I've heard that Citi is very YMMV on CLIs as to whether it will be a HP or SP.

[B335is]

Since you're dealing with Citi, increases are very case-by-case basis.  Every lender has different policies for addressing customer initiated increases.  In the end, you are seeking additional credit, so I can't blame those who hard pull.  Chase, for instance, is always a hard pull.  Others, like Amex, Cap1, Comenity and GE backed cards are normally soft pulls.

I don't use the Citi website for increases because you don't really know for sure until it's done.  If you try calling them, you can ask if your account is eligible for a increase through soft pull.  The rep should be able to take you to the point where they will know if a hard pull is needed or not.

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Thanks for reply.

I called them and they said it will be a Hard Inquiry but when I asked them that whenever my friend do request for CLI why its a soft inquiry for him and they don't have answer for that.

Kind of Confused.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for reply!

I will definitely call them today and will check If I am eligible for CLI with soft inquiry...

Thanks again

[B335is]

Do you know if Citi has soft pulled (AR) any of your files since the conversion from Cap1?

[Anonymous]

I have checked all my credit reports there is no sign of Hard or Soft pulling in my credit report. That's strange. 

[B335is]

If Citi hasn't softed you yet, that probably explains why they want to HP for an increase.  If you have the patience, I would just wait until you see them soft you.  With my first Citi card, there was about 2 or 3 soft pulls on Experian within about 10 days.  When I called shortly after that, the CSR said she could approve a slightly lower increase than I asked for without a HP.

[Anonymous]

Hello there,

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. 

Definitely I will wait for few more months.