How to get a Citi credit limit increase

One of the rewards of being a responsible credit card holder is having your request for a credit limit increase approved. By raising the maximum amount you can borrow with your card, you have greater flexibility to cover everyday expenses, unexpected emergencies and finance larger purchases. 

A credit limit increase not only boosts your purchasing power, but it also can have a positive impact on your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio (the amount of debt you’re carrying relative to your credit limit). 

Let’s walk through how to get a Citi credit limit increase on your card.

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Steps to get a Citi credit limit increase

Here are the steps you need to take to request a credit limit increase on your Citi credit card.

1. Log into your card account on Citi’s website or app.
2. Click on “services” or “credit management” and then “credit card services.” 
3. Click on the link for requesting a credit limit increase.
4. Fill out the form with the required information.
5. Click “next” or “continue.”
6. Citi will either approve or deny your request in seconds.

If your request is denied, you can always call the number on the back on your Citi card to speak to a representative for further clarification on why you’ve been turned down for the increase. If you’d like a higher increase than what you were awarded online, you’ll also need to call to see what your options are, if any.

If you’d prefer to make the request over the phone, you can call the same number and speak to a representative. This can be helpful if you need to explain in more detail why you want or need an increase. For example, you may need a higher limit to take advantage of a balance transfer offer.

Can I decrease my Citi credit limit?

If you find yourself tempted to overspend due to having too much available credit on your Citi card, reducing your credit limit can help you safeguard against accumulating too much card debt. A lower credit limit can help you impose stricter boundaries on your spending.

You can easily reduce your Citi card limit by calling the number on the back of your card and asking the representative to lower the amount of available credit on your card. Just know that your credit limit most likely won’t be lowered below whatever balance you are currently carrying on the card. 

For example, if your card has a $2,000 credit limit and your balance is $1,800, the most you can ask for is a $200 reduction until you pay down some or all of that balance. 

Also, be aware that, reducing your credit limit can negatively impact your credit utilization ratio. The closer you are to maxing out your credit limit, the worse it is for your credit score. 

Experts recommend that to maintain a healthy credit score you carry as low a balance as possible and aim to carry no more than 30% of your credit limit. With a lower credit limit, you run the risk of maxing out your credit limit more quickly.

That said, if reducing your credit limit is what’s best for your situation, you shouldn’t have an issue having your request granted.

Thinking about applying for another credit card? Here’s what to know about how many credit cards you should have.

Should you ask Citibank for a credit limit increase?

While Citi conducts periodic reviews of its cardholders’ accounts to determine whether to grant a credit line increase, you don’t have to wait to make your own request. 

Just know that if you just got a new Citi card, you’re likely to be denied an increase until you’ve had the account for six months to a year. That’s because the issuer will want to see how well you manage the account before granting a higher credit line. 

Also know that if you have more than one Citi credit card, the issuer may restrict the total amount of credit you have available across those cards.

When a Citi credit limit increase may be a good idea

Increasing your Citi credit limit can be wise under the following circumstances:

• Your initial credit line is low, but you’ve managed the card responsibly for more than six months and would like to have more borrowing power.
• Your income or credit score has increased since you first applied for the card, giving you more spending (and repayment) power.
• You continually max out the card due to a low credit limit, which negatively impacts your credit score.
• You want to reduce your credit utilization ratio with a higher limit, thereby potentially boosting your credit score.
• You need a higher credit line to accommodate a balance transfer.
• You haven’t received an automatic credit limit increase after a year or more and have managed the card responsibly. 
• You need to make a large purchase that exceeds your existing credit limit.
• You’ve closed one Citi card and need more borrowing power on another Citi card.

When it may not be a good idea

Conversely, a credit line increase may not be a smart move for the following reasons:

• You will be tempted to overspend on your card with a higher credit line.
• You are trying to qualify for a large loan, as Citi may initiate a hard inquiry, temporarily lowering your credit score.
• You’ve only had the card for a few months.
• Your income has dropped or your debt load has increased substantially, which may result in Citi denying your credit line increase, or even worse, result in a credit line decrease.
• If you already have a large credit limit on another Citi card, the issuer may restrict the total amount you are allowed to borrow across multiple cards.

How often will Citi increase my credit limit?

While Citi conducts periodic reviews of its cardholders’ credit limits and may grant an increase from time to time, you can always make your own request, provided you don’t get overzealous and make repeated requests frequently.

To increase your odds of success, use your card frequently, use your credit line every month, always pay your bill on time and pay more than the minimum amount due.

If your income and credit score have substantially increased since you first applied for the card, then that can play to your favor when making a credit line increase request as well.

Will asking Citi for a credit increase affect my credit score?

If Citi grants you an automatic credit limit increase, it is likely based on your borrowing and repayment behavior and shouldn’t impact your credit scores as a hard pull of your credit wasn’t initiated. 

However, if you make the request, Citi may or may not perform a hard pull on your credit, but a hard pull will result in a temporary hit to your credit score. If you want an increase higher than what Citi grants you via an online request, then the issuer may need to review your creditworthiness (aka a hard pull) before making a decision.

The good news is that the impact of a hard inquiry is temporary and fades over time, while a credit line increase can give your credit score a quick boost by reducing your overall credit utilization ratio. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)