How hard is it to get the Citi Secured card?

Yes, the Citi Secured will do a hard pull. You can apply for it with bad credit though.

There is no way to get pre-approved for the Citi Secured. A hard pull usually causes an applicant's credit score to drop by 5-10 points. Most people’s scores bounce back within 3-6 months with responsible credit management, but it can take up to 12 months. You can learn more about how to minimize the credit score damage … read full answerhere.

To qualify for a Citi Secured credit card graduation, you must have had your account open for at least 18 months. While there are no specific guidelines for how to ensure your Citi Secured graduates to an unsecured card, your credit performance will factor into it.

How to increase your chances of graduating with the Citi Secured:… read full answer

• Keep your account in good standing by paying your bills on time and in full.
• Keep your credit utilization below 30%.
• Monitor your credit score and review your credit reports frequently.

Unfortunately, you cannot request an earlier graduation date for the Citi Secured. You will have to wait until the maturity date. If your account is eligible for graduation, you will be notified by mail at least 30 days prior to reaching 18 months since account opening.

In the event that your account does not graduate, a letter informing you of this matter will be sent out to you 20-30 days before approaching 18-months of account opening. When a Citi Secured account does not pass graduation, it can either remain secured, or you can close it.

You can request a Citibank credit card limit increase online, through the Citi Mobile App, or by phone, at (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

When requesting a credit limit increase, Citibank will consider several factors that determine whether a soft pull or a hard pull will be used. But you can rest assured that Citibank will always notify you before doing a hard pull on your credit report. In case the request will result in a hard pull, it may cause a short-term dip in your credit score. When Citi offers an automatic credit limit increase; they will always use a soft pull.

How to get a Citibank credit card limit increase online:

1. Log in to your online account or your Citi Mobile App. 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. You should receive the decision within a few seconds of submitting the request. 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.