Credit Score: 630 Credit Limit: 200 Age: 35-44

Income On Application: $81600

Posted 10/04 2018

I got this card after I got a Capital One secured and I noticed how much of a positive impact having a credit card helped my credit score. However, I rushed it, and opened with the minimum security deposit of $200, which I regret a lot, as the low balance makes the card practically useless since my Capital One gave me a $300 bump in my CL to $500. Since I opened the Capital One card about a year ago, I got a CLI, graduation to unsecured status, and a product upgrade to a Quicksilver card with cash rewards. Meanwhile, the Citi card plugs along, still secured with no possibility of a CLI. If I were to get this card again now, I'd put at least $1000 on it. As it stands, I pretty much have to pay it off after every use to use it more than once or twice a month.

I gave three stars across the board because while the card was definitely helpful in repairing my credit, I've actually put it in the safe and only have one recurring $16 charge going on it per month to keep it active. I'm patiently waiting to graduate and to see what happens with my relationship with Citi after graduation before I decide whether or not to keep it. Overall, while this card has been helpful, it would be my third recommendation to others seeking secured cards to improve their credit records, Discover It Secured being my first choice because of the cash rewards (ironically, it was my third card), then Capital One Platinum secured (because of the automatic CLI after 5 billing cycles, and product upgrade less than a month after graduation at 11 months), and then this Citi card.

Credit scores at approval time were in the 550-580 range, currently sitting at 633-667, 9 months later.

 

Credit Score: 548 Credit Limit: 300 Age: 35-44

Posted 10/07 2016

When I got this card, I deposited $300. Card arrived about a week after I was approved. After six months, I wanted to increase my deposit and credit limit because I wanted to use the card to book a hotel and rent a car. $300 was obviously not enough. However, I found out that I could not increase my limit even if I had the money to increase my deposit. I had to open another secured card instead and I got the Discover secured and deposited $1500.

 

Credit Score: 560 Credit Limit: 500 Age: 25-34

Posted 03/19 2015

This is one of four secured credit cards I have. The other being Capital One, Discover IT and Opensky. So I have a basis for comparing this with the others that I have. I would say that Citi is ok. It is a very vanilla card. Cap One has no annual fee and I got it as partially secured ($99 deposit for $200 limit). Discover has a reward program. Opensky did not do any hard pull. Capital One increased my limit after 6 months. I have not been offered any credit limit increase from Citi. In fact, I called them up and wanted to increase my deposit but they said that was not allowed.

 

Credit Score: 496 Credit Limit: 200 Age: 25-34

Posted 01/21 2015

When I applied for this card, I decided to start with the minimum deposit of $200. For everyone else applying, this was how the application process went. Deposit was withdrawn from my bank account after one week. Got the card a week later. I have been using my card very carefully. I only spend about $20 on the card a month and pay it off in full. 9 months later, I decided that I wanted to increase my deposit and called them. I was told that I was unable to do that. Frankly speaking, this is quite ridiculous for a secured credit card.