What's the Citi Simplicity credit score requirement?

It's possible for Citi to use any of the three major credit bureaus for approval: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Citi tends to use at least two of the three credit bureaus when it reviews credit card applications, according to customer service. Where you live may factor into which credit bureau Citi uses, too.... read full answer

When Citi checks an applicant’s credit report through one of the credit bureaus, it makes a “hard inquiry” or “hard pull.” A hard inquiry may cause your credit score to drop a few points. Plus, it will stay on your credit report for two years, though it only affects your score for the first year.

The easiest Citi card to get is the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. This is the only Citi card that will accept applicants with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history). This card requires a $200 refundable security deposit, but has a $0 annual fee. It also helps you build credit history with monthly reporting to all three ... read full answermajor credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian).

Other things to know about the Citi credit cards:

Aside from the Citi Secured, nearly all other Citi credit cards require good credit or better (a credit score of 700+) for good odds of approval. Some of these cards include the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer and the Citi Premier® Card.

However, there are a number of store cards that also make it among the easiest Citi cards to get. Citi store cards require at least fair credit (a credit score of 640+) for approval. But purchases are limited to the affiliated merchant or its website.

What to know before getting a Citi credit card:

The easiest Citi cards to get come with limitations. They offer low minimum credit limits, high interest rates and few rewards and benefits. Also, with the Citi store cards, beware of deferred interest promotions. Deferred interest means that there’s 0% interest as long as the balance gets paid in full by the end of the promotion. If it’s not paid in full, Citibank charges interest on the original purchase amount from the date of purchase, at the card’s regular APR.

It may also be beneficial to look outside of Citibank to some of the easiest cards to get from other issuers. Aside from lenient approval requirements, some of these also offer rewards and have no annual fees. Also, they report to the three major credit bureaus. So, if you use them responsibly, you'll be able to build or rebuild your credit. You’ll then have future access to some of the best Citi credit cards, or other excellent options from different issuers.

You need a credit score of at least 700 to get a Citi credit card in most cases. That means applicants for Citi credit cards need at least good credit to be approved. But it really depends on which card you’re after. Some Citi credit cards require higher scores, and one accepts applicants with limited credit history.... read full answer

Here are the Citi credit score requirements:

• Limited History: For those with little or no credit history, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a good option. A refundable security deposit of $200 is required. It doesn’t give any rewards, but it does come with a $0 annual fee and can help you build credit.
• Fair credit (640-699): With fair credit, you have a good shot at getting one of Citi’s various store cards. These cards can only be used at their associated store.
• Good credit (700-749): Good credit opens you up to some of Citi’s more attractive credit card offerings. You can get one of the best cashback cards on the market – the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer. Some other good options include the Citi Simplicity® Card, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Citi Rewards+® Card.
• Excellent credit (750 and up): You’ll be eligible for all of Citi’s cards with a score in this range, assuming your income and other information check out. But the only excellent-credit-only option is the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (cash back oriented, offering 1 - 4% cash back on different spending categories).
• Other requirements: It takes more than just a good enough credit score to get Citi credit card approval. In particular, you need enough income to pay the monthly bills, along with your existing debts. You’ll also need a valid Social Security number (or ITIN) and a U.S. mailing address.

If you’re not sure which Citi credit card you’ll be able to qualify for, it’s easy to get pre-qualified for a credit card online. Citi might also send a pre-qualified credit card offer to potential customers. But while this increases your chances of approval, it does not guarantee it. If you have received such an offer, visit Citi’s web page and enter your invitation code and last name to apply.

Also, keep in mind that applying for a Citi or any other credit card triggers hard inquiries and can temporarily lower your score - the more inquiries over a short period of time, the more damage to your score. So, it’s best to know where you stand before applying for any credit card. You can check your credit score and track your progress for free, right here on WalletHub.