How to Get Prequalified for a Citi Credit Card

Prequalified -- also called preapproval or preselection -- is a way for you to check your chances of credit card approval without damaging your credit. Many card issuers offer some form of prequalification, and Citi has its own prequalification tool that lets you figure out your approval odds before officially applying for a card. While you may have come across a prequalification solicitation from Citi by mail, you can use this tool to see if you match directly with any Citi credit cards.

What is credit card preapproval and how does it work?

Preapproval typically means a credit card issuer has matched some of your basic financial information -- such as your credit score and payment history -- with one of its credit card offerings. You'll generally be preapproved after a soft credit check, or a surface-level check of your financial information, which won't affect your credit score. 

You can submit information yourself to see if you're preapproved for a credit card, or credit card issuers can opt to run a soft credit pull without your permission. Either way, preapproval offers are meant to embolden you to apply.

A preapproval doesn't guarantee approval, but it does indicate that you have a good chance. It can help you understand if it's worth subjecting yourself (and your credit score) to a formal application.

To actually get approved for a credit card, you'll need to submit a formal application with more detailed information including your Social Security number, income and monthly rent or mortgage payments. You'll also undergo a hard credit check, which will temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.

What is the difference between preapproval and prequalification?

Some credit card issuers will use "prequalification" and "preapproval" interchangeably, but generally speaking preapproval means a higher chance of becoming a cardholder than prequalification. 

Preapproval could indicate that the credit card issuer worked with one of the major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- to check if you're a match for one of its cards, which could mean it has more information and thus you having a higher chance of approval.

How to get prequalified for a Citi credit card

Citi makes it pretty easy to see whether or not you're prequalified for one of its credit cards. You can head over to Citi's prequalification tool to check.

You'll need to provide your name, email, address, the last four digits of your Social Security number and which type of credit card you're interested in. Again, this will only result in a superficial soft credit inquiry, which won't affect your credit score at all. 

If you are prequalified and want to submit an application, you'll be subject to a hard credit inquiry that can typically lower your credit score by a few points.

Citi will likely get back to you instantly with its decision unless it requires clarification or additional information. Remember that if you are prequalified, it doesn't guarantee approval -- it just means you have a high probability of your application being accepted.

Why you should check for prequalification before applying for a Citi Card

Getting preapproved, prequalified or preselected for a card can help apply you for a new credit card with more confidence, while mitigating damage to your credit. Citi's preselection tool gives you an idea of how likely you are to be approved before undergoing a hard credit check, which can lower your credit score temporarily.