How To Get a Citi Credit Card

(November 2024)

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Do you want to enjoy the convenience and security of a credit card that suits your lifestyle and goals? If so, consider Citibank, one of the world’s leading banks with a wide range of credit cards to choose from. Whether you want to save money with low interest rates, earn cash back or travel rewards, or build your credit history, Citi Bank has a card for you.

A Citi credit card is more than just a plastic card. It is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your financial dreams. You can use it to pay for your everyday expenses, shop online, book flights and hotels, and more. Plus, you can earn rewards, cash back, or discounts on every purchase you make and enjoy low interest rates, flexible payment options, and fraud protection.
However, before you apply for a Citi credit card, you need to know what it takes to get approved.

Read on to find out the requirements, the process, and the tips to increase your chances of getting a Citi credit card:
1. Check Your Credit Score
2. Assess Your Eligibility
3. Choose the Types of Citi Credit Cards that Suit Your Need
4. Know the Requirements to Apply for a Citi Credit Card
5. Apply for a Citi Credit Card
6. Review the Terms and Conditions of the Citi Credit Card
7. Wait for the Approval Decision
Recap

1. Check Your Credit Score

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Before you apply, check your credit score and your credit report to see if you meet the minimum requirements for the card you want. Your credit score is a number that reflects your creditworthiness based on your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit, and new credit inquiries.

Different Citi credit cards have different minimum credit score requirements, so know where you stand before you apply. 

You can get your free credit score and report from various sources, such as Credit Karma, Experian, or AnnualCreditReport.com. Also, if you have a low or no credit score, consider applying for a secured card, such as the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. A secured card requires a security deposit that acts as your credit limit and uses the card to build your credit history and eventually upgrade to an unsecured card.

2. Assess Your Eligibility

Do you want to get a Citi credit card without hurting your credit score? Pre-approval is the perfect option for you; it is a way to check your eligibility for a Citi credit card without affecting your credit score. Just fill out a simple online form and see which Citi cards you have a good chance of getting.

You can also get pre-approved offers in your mailbox or at your nearest Citi branch. To boost your odds of getting a Citi card, make sure you pay your bills on time, use less of your available credit, don’t apply for too many new accounts, and fix any mistakes on your credit report. Don’t forget to pick a card that suits your credit level and your spending habits.

3. Choose the Types of Citi Credit Cards that Suit Your Need

Citibank offers a wide range of credit cards for different purposes and preferences. Here are some of the most popular and best Citi credit cards you can choose from:

Citi Custom Cash® Card

If you are looking for a card that rewards you for your everyday spending, then consider the Citi Custom Cash® Card. This card gives you 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the category where you spend the most on each billing cycle.

You can choose from categories such as restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment, and you also get 1% cashback on all other purchases. You can use your cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit, check, or ThankYou® Points.

That’s not all; the Citi Custom Cash® Card has a great welcome bonus for you. Get $200 cash back if you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account. You don’t need to pay any annual or foreign transaction fees. Also, you get a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months, after which your APR can range from 19.24% to 29.24%, depending on your credit score.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Consider the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card if you’re looking to save on interest and pay off debt faster. Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.24%–28.99% based on your creditworthiness. This extended balance transfer offer provides ample time to clear existing balances without accruing interest. Note that there’s a balance transfer fee of $5, or 3% of each transfer.

If you want to make purchases, the card offers a 0% introductory APR for 18 months, followed by the same variable APR as balance transfers. This flexibility allows you to manage large purchases and pay them off over time without interest. The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and comes with perks like Citi Entertainment®, Citi Identity Theft Solutions, and Citi® Concierge.

Citi Premier® Card

If you are a travel lover and a reward seeker, consider the Citi Premier® Card. This card gives you 3 points for every dollar you spend at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, and air travel, and 1 point for every dollar you spend on anything else. You have many options to use your points, such as travel, gift cards, merchandise, cash back, or transferring them to Citi’s airline partners. 

The Citi Premier® Card has a great welcome bonus for you: 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after you open your account. It allows you to use these points for $600 in travel rewards or $750 in airfare through the ThankYou® Travel Center. However, the card has an annual fee of $95, but no foreign transaction fee. This card also offers you some travel perks, such as a $100 annual hotel credit, no blackout dates on airfare, and car rental insurance.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Consider the Citi Double Cash® Card if you have interest in earning cash back on every purchase without dealing with categories or caps. With this card, you earn 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases, totaling up to 2% cash back on everything you buy, and there’s no limit on your earnings.

Additionally, enjoy a welcome bonus of $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. The Citi Double Cash® Card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. Take advantage of a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by an APR of 19.24%–29.24% based on your creditworthiness. Don’t forget, there’s a balance transfer fee of $5.

Citi Rewards® Card

Are you looking for a card that rewards you for your everyday spending and has some unique perks? Then the Citi Rewards® Card is the best for you. With this card, you get 2 points for every dollar you spend at supermarkets and gas stations, up to $6,000 per year. After that, you get 1 point for every dollar. You also get one point for every dollar you spend on anything else. You can use your points for many things, such as travel, gift cards, merchandise, cash back, or transferring them to Citi’s airline partners. You can even pay with your points at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, and PayPal.

The Citi Rewards® Card also has some special features that make your points worth more. First, the card rounds up your points to the nearest 10 on every purchase, so you can earn more points even when you buy something small. Second, the card gives you back 10% of the first 100,000 points you use per year, so you can keep some points for later. Third, the card has a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then an APR of 18.74%–28.74%, depending on your credit score.

The Citi Rewards+® Card also has a welcome bonus of 20,000 points if you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months after you open your account. That’s equal to $200 in gift cards or $250 in airfare through the ThankYou® Travel Center. Plus, there is no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.

4. Know the Requirements to Apply for a Citi Credit Card

To apply for a Citi credit card, you need to provide some:

  • Personal and financial information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, income, and expenses
  • Proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements
  • At least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or resident
  • A credit score that meets the minimum requirement for the card you want
  • A pre-approved offer, if available

5. Apply for a Citi Credit Card

If you want to get a Citi credit card, you have three options: online, by phone, or in person. The online option is the quickest and easiest, as you just need to complete a secure form and get an immediate answer.

The phone option is also fast, and you can talk to a customer service representative if you have any questions; just call the Citi consumer line at 1-800-347-4934. The in-person option is a good option if you prefer face-to-face guidance and advice from a Citi representative.

6. Review the Terms and Conditions of the Citi Credit Card

Before you submit your application, read the terms and conditions of the Citi credit card carefully. This document contains important information about the interest rates, fees, rewards, benefits, and other features of the card.

Also review the cardholder agreement, which outlines your rights and responsibilities as a Citi credit card user. By applying for a Citi credit card, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

7. Wait for the Approval Decision

After you submit your application, you may receive an approval decision within minutes if you applied online or by phone, or within a few days if you applied by mail or in person. If you are approved, you may receive your Citi credit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are not approved, you can receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial and your right to request a free copy of your credit report.

Recap

Citibank offers a variety of credit cards for different needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a low-interest rate, cash back, travel rewards, or a simple way to build your credit, Citi Bank has a card for you. To apply for a Citi credit card, you can choose from three methods: online, by phone, or in person. Provide some personal and financial information and consent to a credit check.

Getting a Citi credit card can be a simple and rewarding process if you follow the steps above. You need to check your credit score, decide what card you want, see if you are pre-approved, learn the requirements, choose how to apply, review the terms and conditions, and wait for the approval decision. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of a Citi credit card that suits your needs and goals.

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