Citi Credit Cards

You can check which Citi cards you pre-qualify for online. To do so, you’ll need to give Citibank some personal information, like your name, address and last four digits of your Social Security Number, so they can check your credit. The credit check is a soft inquiry, meaning it won’t hurt your credit score in any way. Once you submit your information, you’ll almost immediately find out which Citi cards you’d have a good chance of approval for. Pre-qualification doesn’t guarantee approval, but it does give you around a 90% chance of approval if you choose to apply.

Citi might also mail you a pre-qualified credit card offer. The downside to this is that you only get an offer for one card as opposed to the potential for several online.

Here’s how to check which Citi cards you pre-qualify for:

1. Go to Citi’s pre-qualification page.
2. Enter your name, address, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
3. Select which card benefit, if any, matters most to you from the dropdown menu.
4. Check the box acknowledging you know this isn’t a credit card application and won’t affect your score.
5. Click “See your card offer.”

You’ll now be able to see any cards for which you have good approval chances. If you’d like, you can apply for any of those cards right away.

If you received your offer by mail, you can either fill out the enclosed application and mail it back or type in the invitation number on the “Respond to a mail offer” tab of the pre qualification page.

To check your Citi credit card application status, use Citi’s online tool or call ((800) 645-7240 for business cards). Citi may ask for your application ID, zip code, phone number, birthday and/or Social Security number to confirm your identity. Your Citi card application status could be pending for up to 30 days. If approved for an account, your card should arrive within 14 days of the decision. Citi does not offer expedited delivery.

Here’s how to check your Citi credit card application status online:

1. Visit Citi’s status check page.
2. Input your application ID and zip code, or your phone number, zip code and birthday.
3. Click “check your status.”
4. Receive your Citi application status on the screen: approved, denied or still pending.

To check your Citi credit card application status by phone, call (888) 201-4523. Press “1” for English. Then, press “1” for the Costco Visa Card or “2” for other cards. Enter your Social Security number. Get your application status from the Citi representative.

In the unfortunate event that your Citi credit card application ends up being denied, you can still ask for reconsideration. The number is (800) 695-5171. It’s a long shot, and you’ll have to prove your situation is better than it appeared on your application. But there’s no harm in trying.

Yes, Citi Preferred Tickets is a good deal; it is a program that gives Citi credit card and debit card users exclusive access to an allotment of tickets to live events. It’s part of Citi Entertainment, a broader program that helps Citi customers enjoy events and experiences, including concerts, sporting events, fine dining and more.

Citi Preferred Tickets are a good option for popular shows that are likely to sell out fast, as Citi cardholders often get access to presales. You may also be able to score VIP seating, artist meet-and-greets, and more. But Citi Preferred Tickets don’t get you much of a discount, if any.

Here is what you should know about Citi Preferred Tickets:

• Citi Preferred Tickets allows you to access select seats at certain concerts, sporting events, family entertainment, and upscale dining establishments.
• To access the Preferred Tickets feature, visit citientertainment.com.

  You should see a list of events. If you find an event you’d like to attend, click the event image. Then click “Buy,” and you will be redirected to either LiveNation.com or TicketMaster.com to complete your purchase. You will need your passcode – the first 6 digits of your Citi card number – to access your tickets.

• In addition to preferred tickets, you can also get pre-sale tickets and VIP packages using the Citi Entertainment program. You can access those features, if available, when you select the event you wish to attend.

Whether Citi Preferred Tickets is a good deal depends largely on your entertainment preferences. If you frequently attend live events and like the idea of getting first crack at the best seats, or even VIP treatment, that might outweigh the possibility of getting a discounted ticket elsewhere.

If grabbing great seats is not a priority, you’re better off going straight to the ticket vendor’s website. There, you’re not restricted to paying for your tickets with just a Citi card. And you can get seats anywhere in the venue, not just where they’re reserved by Citi.

Also keep in mind that these events usually take place in large cities. If you don’t live near one, you might not find much value in Citi Preferred Tickets or the other Citi Entertainment features.

You need to set a Citi travel notification any time you’re taking a trip. This will prevent your account from being suspended due to suspected fraud when you’re in an unusual area. You’re never required add a travel notice to your Citibank account, but it’s always a good idea for both foreign and domestic travel.

What exactly constitutes “travel” comes down to your judgement. You don’t need to set an alert every time you drive to the grocery store. But if you’re visiting a place well outside your daily geographic radius, it’s a good idea.

You can easily add a Citi travel notification to your account online. Just sign in, click “Services” followed by “Travel Services,” and select “Add a Travel Notice.” Then, enter your travel information and submit.

Here’s how to set a Citi travel notification:

1. Sign into your Citi account online.
2. Click “Services,” then “Travel Services.”
3. Select “Add a Travel Notice.”
4. Enter your destinations as well as the dates of your departure and return.
5. Verify the phone number and email address that Citi has on file are up to date.

A travel alert lets Citi know that charges from a new location don’t mean you’re a victim of fraud. So, it helps you avoid Citi putting a temporary hold on your card while you’re away. You can cancel or update your Citi travel notification at any time by logging in and changing your information. It only takes a few minutes and could potentially prevent a major inconvenience on your trip.

If your card is declined while traveling, you can call customer service at (800) 950-5114 and enter your card number to speak to a representative who can help. Internationally, you can make a collect call to (605) 335-2222.

You need a credit score of at least 700 for 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 has no minimum score at all.

Below, you can see what Citi cards your credit score will allow you to pursue, along with other information about approval.

Here’s what else you should know about the credit score you need for a Citi credit card:

• 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 offer a $0 annual fee and can help you rebuild your 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. Some examples of store cards issued by Citi that require at least fair credit are Staples® Credit Card, Best Buy® Store Card and Goodyear Credit Card.
• 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, Citi® Double Cash Card, if you have at least good credit. Other cards that require at least good include Citi Simplicity Card, Citi Diamond Preferred and the Citi Rewards+ Card. And if you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® also requires at least good credit while offering 2 miles / $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants and on America Airlines purchases (1 mile / $1 on all other purchases).
• 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. Some excellent-credit-only offerings include Citi Prestige (5 points / $1 spent on purchases at airlines, travel agencies and restaurants and 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months) and Costco Credit Card (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 U.S. mailing address.

Citi might send a pre-qualified credit card offer to potential customers, but while this increases your chances for 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.

The best Citi travel credit card is American Airlines AAdvantage Gold if you’re looking for airline miles, the Expedia+ card if you’re a frequent Expedia user, or Citi Premier® Card for general travel expenses. If you’re a Costco member, you could also look into the Costco Anywhere Visa, since it has no foreign transaction fees and rewards you for gas and other travel.

Here are the best Citi travel credit cards:

• American Airlines AAdvantage Gold: 50,000 miles for spending $2,500 in the first 3 months. 2 miles per $1 at gas stations, restaurants, and American Airlines purchases. 1 mile per $1 on all purchases. $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 in a year. 0% foreign transaction fee. $99 annual fee waived the first year. Good credit needed.
• Expedia+ Card: 15,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. 3 points per $1 on Expedia purchases, 1 on everything else. Expedia+ silver status gets you exclusive amenities like free drinks or spa access. 0% foreign transaction fee. No annual fee. Good credit needed.
• Citi Premier® Card: 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. 3 points per $1 on travel, gas, on dining and at supermarkets, 1 on everything else. No foreign transaction fee. $95 annual fee. Good credit needed.
• Costco Anywhere Visa: 4% cash back on $7,000 spent on gas each year, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco, 1% everywhere else. No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee. Excellent credit needed. Must be a Costco member ($55+ per year).

While travel credit cards can have great rewards and perks, you don’t necessarily need one to save on travel. For example, Citi Double Cash offers 2% cash back on all purchases. The only issue is that cash back cards usually charge foreign transaction fees (3% for Double Cash) so they’re not always ideal for going abroad.

You can reach the Citibank credit card customer service by:

• Accessing their website or via the Citi Mobile App
• Calling them at (800) 950-5114
• Visiting your local Citibank branch
• Writing them a mail at the following address:

  Citibank Customer Service

  P.O. Box 6500

  Sioux Falls, SD 57117

If you opt to chat with them online, expect to experience higher than normal wait times.

To get Citi Easy Deals, you must have a Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever or a Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. Those are currently the only cards eligible for Citi Easy Deals, which is a free program offering discounts on products and services as well as access to local deals. If you’re a Citi Simplicity or Citi Diamond Preferred cardholder, it’s definitely worth joining since it’s free and the discounts are easy to use. You can sign up on the Citi Easy Deals site with your first and last name, zip code, and the last 4-digits of your card number.

There are three tiers to the Citi Easy Deals program: Base, Enhanced, and Plus. The tiers are based on how much you spend on your eligible card each year overall. The higher the tier you’re a part of, the more discounts you have access to.

For more information, check out WalletHub’s in-depth look at the Citi Easy Deals program.

You need a good credit score to get approved for the Citi® Double Cash Card. That means applicants need a credit score of 700 or higher for good approval odds. Simply having a 700 credit score does not guarantee approval, however. There are other factors in play, including how your income compares to your debt obligations. That’s actually one reason why we recommend applying for Citi® Double Cash Card only if you have a credit score of 700 or higher.

Most people think of “good” credit scores as ranging from 660 to 719. But it’s wise to adjust your sights a bit higher than the minimum for excellent credit when shopping for an elite credit card offer. After all, if you barely meet the Citi® Double Cash Card credit score requirement, actually getting approved may still be a long shot.

You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, the only site with free daily updates, to get a sense of your Citi® Double Cash Card approval odds. We’ll also give you personalized credit improvement tips to help maximize your chances.

Finally, if you don’t think you have the kind of credit score needed for Citi® Double Cash Card approval, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You can check out the rest of WalletHub’s picks for the best rewards credit cards to find an offer that suits your standing.

The Citi Diamond Preferred credit limit is $500 or more, depending on each applicant’s creditworthiness. Once you’re approved for this card, Citibank will determine your specific credit limit based on factors such as your credit history, your annual salary and wages, additional income, and any debt you owe. Some cardholders have reported receiving starting limits as high as $12,000.

You need at least good credit to be approved for the Citi Diamond Preferred. For your best chances at a high limit, you’ll want good-to-excellent credit and plenty of disposable income. Even if you don’t receive the limit you want, you can always request a credit limit increase later on. You’ll want to wait at least six months from opening your account before requesting an increase though.