Key insights:
- You must activate your new credit card before you can use it
- You can typically activate your Citi® credit card online, by phone or through the Citi Mobile® App
- Once activated, you can usually start using your card right away
When you get your new Citi credit card, you must activate it before you can use it. You’ll typically receive your card in the mail along with activation instructions. There may be several ways to activate it, such as by phone, online or via the Citi Mobile App.
Activating a credit card is usually a quick and simple process. Here, we’ll discuss how to activate your credit card, including what happens afterward and how to handle hiccups along the way.
3 ways to activate your Citi credit card
When you receive your credit card, you’ll get a letter explaining your activation options. Your new card may also have a sticker with activation instructions. You may have several options to activate your card, including online, by phone or in the Citi Mobile App.
The exact steps you’ll follow will depend on the method you choose. You may have to provide personal information (like the last 4 digits of your Social Security number or date of birth) as well as your card’s information (like the security code).
Online
You can choose to navigate to Citi.com/activate and follow the instructions to activate your card.
By phone
You can also activate your card by phone by calling the number on the back of your card. You may be prompted to enter certain information, such as the last 4 digits of the card or your date of birth.
Through the Citi Mobile App
If you have the Citi Mobile App, you can activate your credit card within the app by following the prompts.
