When you ask for a Citi credit limit increase, is a soft pull used?

You can request a Citibank credit card limit increase online or by phone, at 1 (800) 950-5114. Citi may also offer an automatic credit limit increase if its regular reviews of the account show a history of on-time payments and low debt. Periodic reviews typically start after the account has been open for about six months. To make a decision about a credit limit increase, Citi will also review your current income as well as your credit history.… read full answer

Some Citibank credit card limit increase requests may involve Citi doing a hard pull of your credit report, at least as of February 2019. A hard pull may cause a short-term dip in your credit score. Citi will almost always use a harmless soft pull initially, but will do a hard pull if you ask them for a higher increase than they first offer you. And when Citi offers an automatic credit limit increase, they will always use a soft pull. Citi cannot do a hard pull without your permission.

How to get a Citibank credit card limit increase online:

1. Log in to your online account. Click Services, and then “Credit Card Services.”
2. Select “Request a Credit Limit Increase” under the Card Management menu.
3. Choose the Citibank account for which you’re requesting the increase (if you have more than one).
4. Enter your total annual income and monthly mortgage/rent payment. Click “Continue.”
5. Confirm the information entered and click “Continue” to submit the request.
6. Review the decision you will receive after a few seconds. If you’re approved for an increase, the new credit limit is effective immediately.

A Citibank credit card limit increase can boost your credit standing if you use the extra purchasing power responsibly. The added credit can lower your utilization, assuming your spending does not increase, and that in turn can raise your credit score. If you’re planning on making a major purchase soon, an increase will also reduce the risk of maxing out the card’s credit limit.

To raise your chances of being approved for an increase, always pay your bill on time and pay more than the minimum due. And if your income increases, make sure to update that information on your online account, as Citi will see that you can afford higher limits.

Requesting a credit limit increase can hurt your score, but only in the short term. If you ask for a higher credit limit, most issuers will do a hard “pull,” or “hard inquiry,” of your credit history. A hard inquiry will temporarily lower your credit score. Bank of America, Barclays, Chase, U.S. Bank and USAA will conduct a hard inquiry if you request a credit limit increase. American Express, Capital One and Wells Fargo will not. Citi will notify you when you call if they will generate a hard inquiry or a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score. Discover typically uses soft inquiries, but if you don’t accept the credit limit offered and request a higher limit, it will then be a hard inquiry.… read full answer

Hard inquiries will lower your credit score by a few points, but can only affect your score for one year. After two years, hard inquires completely drop off of your credit report. The other thing you need to watch out for is overspending. Requesting a credit limit increase could really wind up hurting your credit score if you use the extra spending power to rack up debt you can’t afford to repay.

Still, the potential negatives that come with requesting a credit limit increase can be managed and are often outweighed by the benefits of having a higher credit limit. The boost in your credit limit could also raise your credit score as long as your spending stays at the same level. The additional credit would lower your utilization, which is the ratio of your balance compared to your credit limit. Ideally, this number should be less than 30 percent for each card. Keeping utilization low tells issuers you’re responsible and aren’t just desperate to max out your card.

Some issuers also extend automatic credit limit increases to eligible cardholders. These increases may occur periodically and do not generate a hard inquiry. To give yourself the best odds of receiving an automatic increase, make all of your monthly payments on time, preferably in full. And give it some time. Issuers tend not to extend automatic increases until you’ve had a card for at least six months. Similarly, if you recently received an increase on an existing account, expect to wait at least six to 12 months before you’re considered for another increase, assuming you manage your account responsibly in the meantime.