Update: Since about a week ago, Citi has started approving applicants with limited credit history for the Citi Premier card. We have seen recent approvals for applicants who only have a few months of credit history. However, this is only if the applicant also has an authorized user showing a few years of credit history. In some cases, being an authorized user alone on a good credit card with good history showing on your credit report is also enough to get approved. This is great news for newcomers to credit as they can now also jump in for this insane credit card offer.

If you apply and get approved or declined please share your data here. Thanks!

Many people have asked me how Citi is overall with approvals and how are the approvals on the Citi Premier in particular.

What credit score do I need in order to get approved for the Citi Premier?

In order to get approved for the Citi Premier card, your credit score will need to be good or excellent. In the Credit Card Database, the average score that was approved for the Citi Premier was 765.  

How much credit history do I need in order to get approved for the Citi Premier?

Citi will be looking for a minimum of 12 months of credit history. If you have a Citi checking account, you sometimes can get approved with less than 12 months history. Please note that valid credit history will need to be from your own credit card, not from an authorized user. See update on top for updated information. 

Other factors Citi looks at

Citi is known to also be strict with the following factors:

• Recent credit inquiries within the last 6 months, and especially those within the last 30 days.
• Too many recently opened credit cards within the last 6 months. 
• You can only get approved for one Citi personal card every 8 days and up to 2 Citi personal credit cards every 65 days.
• Some other random stuff – It’s not bizarre for someone with a credit score of 800 plus to just get denied.  

Approvals in numbers

In our Credit Card Database, we have 27 reports of applications for the Citi Premier card. 21 of those were approved, and 6 were declined. The average credit limit approved for was $5,100 and the average credit score that was approved was 765. 

It seems like Citi is currently being a drop picky with who they are approving for the Citi Premier card and even if they approve credit limits are on the lower end. 

Do you want to learn more about the Citi Premier card?

Here are the full details of the Citi Premier card rewards, fees, and benefits.