9 Tips To Increase Your Citi Credit Limit (And What To Do if You Are Denied)

If you want more spending flexibility or need to improve your credit utilization, it could be a smart move to request a credit limit increase on your Citi credit card. With a higher credit limit, you can make larger purchases, earn more rewards, and boost your credit score — especially if you spend responsibly.

You can get a credit limit increase from Citi either with an automatic review or by request. Some cardholders receive automatic credit line increases without asking, but others need to submit a request online or by phone. Citi considers various factors before improving a credit limit increase, including your account history, income, and creditworthiness.

In this guide, you’ll learn how you can request a credit limit increase with Citi, the best strategies for approval, and what to do if Citi denies your request to increase your credit limit.

Reasons To Request a Citi Credit Limit Increase

Getting a credit line increase from Citi can be a good idea if you typically spend close to 30% of your credit limit each month. That’s a sign that you could use more of a credit line on your card and need more wiggle room. 

If you get an increased credit line and still spend the same amount, that can help you use less of your available credit and help you improve your credit utilization ratio, which is a major factor in your credit score.

An increased credit line can also be helpful if you’re planning to make a large purchase and need to spend more than your credit limit currently allows.

Or maybe you’ve gotten a raise and plan to spend more on your Citi card. Getting a higher credit limit can allow you to increase your spending without maxing out your card’s limit — and spending more can help you earn more rewards.

Citi’s Credit Limit Increase Policies

Like other credit card issuers, Citi considers various factors when setting your credit limit. These factors include your card product, account age, your payment history, how much you spend and pay off on your card, and your annual income and employment.

You can make a request for an increased credit limit, but Citi automatically reviews accounts for upgraded credit lines and may grant an increase without a request. Automatic reviews only use a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit score, but if you ask for an increased credit limit, you might get a hard credit inquiry that can temporarily affect your score.

Understand Citi’s policies for getting a higher credit limit on your card:

• Automatic credit limit increases: Citi regularly reviews accounts for credit limit increases, and you may have your credit line increased without having to ask for it.
• Eligibility factors: When considering a credit line increase, Citi factors in your account age, payment history, spending patterns, and income level relative to your credit line.
• Request frequency: If your account is less than 6 months old or you’ve increased your credit line within the past 6 months, you probably won’t get another credit line increase soon.
• Potential hard credit inquiry: Sometimes, Citi needs to check your credit report to determine eligibility for increasing your credit limit. If that’s the case, it may trigger a hard inquiry on your credit.

If your account is new within the last 6 months or you’ve had a credit line increase within the last 6 to 12 months, you may not get approved for a credit line increase. Your request for a higher credit line may also be denied if you have a low credit score, you’ve been past due paying your bill, you don’t pay enough of your balance, or you’re not using enough of your existing credit line.

Hot Tip:

Citi may use a hard inquiry to check your credit when you ask for a credit line increase. This can affect your credit score, but shouldn’t have a major impact. There’s no fee for requesting a credit line increase with Citi.

9 Ways To Increase Your Citi Credit Limit

1. Use Your Citi Card Consistently Without Maxing It Out

The best way to get a credit limit increase with Citi is to use your card regularly and responsibly. Frequently using your card without getting too close to your credit limit and then paying your bill on time shows Citi that you could probably handle spending more and paying off your bill at a higher limit.

Plan to keep your credit utilization at or below 30% of your credit limit. Ideally, you should pay your credit card bill in full each month, but you should at least make the minimum payment on time.

2. Make Your Payments on Time and Pay Over the Minimum

A strong payment history is key to getting a credit limit increase approved because being able to spend more with Citi also requires that you’re able to pay back more. Citi needs to see that you can consistently make your payments on time and that you’ll pay back what you owe.

You should make your payments on time each month for at least the minimum payment, as late payments within the past 6 months disqualify you from being approved for a credit limit increase. But paying your balance in full each month is better, as it keeps your credit utilization low.

3. Keep Your Income and Employment Information Updated

Your income is one of the factors Citi uses to determine your credit limit, whether it’s doing an automatic credit line review or you’re asking for an increase. If you’ve recently increased your income with a raise or new job, you should update your income information in your online account. That way, Citi can consider your increased income when it reviews your account for a higher credit line.

You can update your information online by logging in and clicking on the “Profile” link at the top. Once you click “Profile,” a menu will come up that includes “Update Income Information.”

You’ll see your current income information. You can click the “Edit” buttons to update your information.

Once you click “Edit,” you’ll be taken to a form where you can update your income information. You can include your total annual income and indicate if any of your income is tax-exempt. You should also update your monthly housing payment.

Then, click “Save My Info” to complete updating your income with Citi.

4. Submit Your Credit Limit Increase Online

If you’d like to request a credit limit increase, one way to do it is in your online account. First, select the account you want to request an increase on, then click on “Access Available Credit” to view your options for the current credit card.

That will bring up a box for ways to use available credit. You’ll see options available to you, such as a Citi Flex Loan or a balance transfer offer. Below that is a link for “Request a Credit Limit Increase.” Click the link to submit your credit limit increase.

We recommend updating your income information before requesting a credit limit increase. When you make your request, ask for about 10% to 25% more than your current credit limit, which is a reasonable request that’s more likely to be approved than a larger request.

5. Contact Citi Customer Service for a Personalized Request

If you’d like to consult with a Citi customer service agent about getting a credit limit increase, you can call Citi at 800-950-5114 to speak to Citi customer service. This can be helpful if you don’t know how much to ask for or if you tried to get a credit line increase in your online account but received an error or a denial of your increase. An agent could help explain why you were denied or suggest an amount that might be approved.

When you contact Citi, be prepared with information on why you want to increase your credit limit and how you plan to use it. For example, you can explain that you have increased your income or plan to spend more.

6. Apply for a New Citi Card Instead

Tried to get a higher credit line but couldn’t? You might be out of luck, though Citi could extend more credit to you with a new Citi credit card. Although that doesn’t change the amount of available credit on your current Citi credit card, it can help you increase your total available credit.

These are some of the best Citi credit cards that Upgraded Points recommends:

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Strata℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

30,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$480

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then a variable APR 19.24%-29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata card offers a fresh way to earn Citi ThankYou Points with a $0 annual fee, allowing you to maximize your spend at gas stations, supermarkets, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
• 3x points at supermarkets, select transit and at gas and EV charging stations, and an eligible self-select category of your choice: fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salon or pet supply stores
• 2x points at restaurants

Cons

• Doesn’t offer access to the entire collection of Citi transfer partners
• Charges foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
• Earn 5x points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3x points per $1 on supermarkets, select transit, gas, and EV charging stations, and an eligible self-select category of your choice every quarter (fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores).
• Earn 2x points per $1 at restaurants.
• Earn 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then a variable APR 19.24%-29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Special Offer
  Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal via cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711). Offer is valid through 12/31/2025.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, without an annual fee!

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, without an annual fee!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, with a $0 annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• $0 annual fee
• Multiple redemption options

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Get 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• $0 annual fee.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

100,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

20.24% — 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is a must-have for frequent American Airlines flyers who want Admirals Club lounge access, to earn more miles on their daily expenses, and a fast-track to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aadvantagehotels.com and aadvantagecars.com
• Earn 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 5x miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• Earn 1x mile and 1 Loyalty Point on all other purchases

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% — 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.49% - 27.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi is a great Citi’s cash-back rewards card designed specifically for Costco Members.

Card Highlights

• Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

7. Time Your Credit Limit Increase Request Wisely

Citi doesn’t grant credit line increases frequently. If you’ve just opened your account within 6 to 12 months, it’s not likely that you’ll get a credit limit increase approved soon. We recommend waiting a year after getting a new card to request a higher credit limit. For established Citi card accounts, you should wait at least 6 months between credit line increases.

If you’re denied, wait at least another 6 months to a year, then ask again. During that time, it’s best to improve your approval factors, such as increasing your income, improving your credit score, or lowering your credit utilization. It’s also a good idea to continue using your Citi card actively so the issuer sees you have a reason to need more of a credit line.

8. Monitor Your Account for an Automatic Credit Line Increase

Although you can request a credit line increase with Citi, you might not have to. Citi automatically reviews accounts for credit line increase eligibility, so you may get a notification that your credit limit is higher even if you don’t ask for it. You can be prepared for an automatic credit line increase by keeping your income information updated and consistently maintaining your card with on-time payments. You’re more likely to get an automatic increase if you’ve regularly used your card and paid at least the minimum payment on time each month.

9. Request a Balance Transfer To Justify an Increase

Asking for a balance transfer could give Citi another reason to grant your request for a higher credit limit. You can use a balance transfer to consolidate credit card debt, and Citi will collect a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% along with interest charges on the balance. The fee and interest charges could make it worth it for Citi to increase your credit limit to accommodate the additional debt so you can transfer your balance over.

What To Do if Your Citi Credit Limit Increase Is Denied

Feel like you did everything right, and you’re still not getting a credit limit increase from Citi? First, find out why your request was denied, and then figure out what you need to do to get a higher credit line in the future. It could be that you didn’t use your card enough, your credit score is too low, you have recent delinquencies, or your income isn’t high enough to support a larger credit limit.

Find Out Why Your Request Was Denied

The easiest way to get approved for a credit limit increase with Citi after being denied is to find out the specific reason why you didn’t get approved. Look for communications from Citi following a denial of your increase request, or contact Citi customer service to get more information on why you didn’t get the higher credit line you asked for. Then you can work on improving that factor so you’re more likely to be approved the next time you ask for a credit line increase.

Improve Your Financial Habits

A higher credit score, lower credit utilization, or more on-time payments may be what you need to get approved for a larger credit limit with Citi. You can use Citi’s credit-building tools to check your credit score and view your credit report to see where you stand on your credit health.

If you have recent delinquencies, focus on making on-time payments across all of your accounts, especially with Citi. If you’re spending too close to your credit limit on any of your accounts, you might need to spend less each month to lower your credit utilization.

Wait at Least 6 Months Before Reapplying

Frequently asking for a credit line increase won’t help you with Citi — you’ll just keep getting denied if you ask again too soon. If you’re denied a credit line increase, wait at least 6 months before you ask again. While you wait, keep using your card and practicing responsible credit habits.

Try Getting a Different Credit Card

You might not be successful with getting a higher credit limit from Citi, but you could ask a different issuer for more access to credit. Consider using the CardMatch tool to check for preapproved offers and find another card you’re likely to get approved for.

Final Thoughts

A higher credit limit on your Citi credit card could give you the flexibility you need to make larger purchases and lower your credit utilization ratio. You can improve your chances of being approved for a higher credit limit with Citi by keeping your income information up to date, regularly using your card without maxing it out, and making payments on time each month — ideally paying your balance in full.

If you’re granted a credit line increase with Citi, remember to continue using your credit line responsibly, as you’ll eventually have to pay back any charges you add to the card. But if you’re turned down for a higher Citi credit limit, you can ask again after 6 months or a year. While you wait, you can improve your financial habits and continue using your Citi card so you’ll have a better chance of approval the next time you ask for a higher credit limit with Citi.