How do I increase my Delta Gold Card credit limit?

There is no way to know how high American Express credit limits are as Amex doesn’t disclose this information in their cards’ terms and conditions. Your credit limit will depend on your credit history, debt level, income, and payment history on other American Express cards. So, you won’t know your American Express credit limit until you’re approved for an account.... read full answer

One way to estimate what credit limit you might get on an American Express card is to read customer reviews of the card. People will often post what limit they received, sometimes with their credit score and income. But you should take any of these numbers with a grain of salt. Just because someone with a similar credit score or income got a certain limit, it doesn’t mean you will, too.

You can get an American Express credit limit increase by requesting one online or by calling either the number on the back of your card or (800) 528-4800. To request a credit limit increase online, follow these steps:

1. Log into your Amex account using your credentials.
2. Click on “Account Services” and then “Credit Management.”... read full answer
3. Finally, click on “Increase Line of Credit.”

For phone requests, you’ll be dealing with an automated system at first. But entering your account number and answering the prompts with “Increase credit limit” will get you transferred to a customer service representative who can walk you through the process.

Those are the basics, but there are a few more things you should know before asking for a higher limit.

Here’s how American Express credit limit increases work:

• American Express decides your limit based on your credit reports and scores, your total debt and your payment history with Amex. Your income and the amount of credit you use also play a role.
• You have a stronger chance of being approved for an increase if you’ve made at least your last five consecutive payments on time. Falling behind on your payments or going over your credit limit will most likely get you a denial.
• It is not certain whether Amex will do a hard inquiry or not for credit line increase requests. That means asking for one might cause a temporary dip in your credit score.
• There are anecdotal reports of applicants being denied because they asked Amex for a credit limit increase within 60 days of opening their account. That’s not surprising. Credit card companies generally won’t even consider you for a higher limit unless your account has been open for at least six months. Some people also report that the biggest increase you can get is three times your current limit. But that too is unsubstantiated.

There’s no guarantee you’ll get an American Express credit limit increase, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. So long as you don’t use a higher limit to overspend, asking for one can be an easy way to improve your credit score. After all, spending the same amount of money with a higher limit means a lower credit utilization ratio.

You can request a credit line increase every 4-6 months, or even more frequently. But your chances of being approved for an increase are best if you wait at least 6 months from when you opened your account or last requested a higher limit. If you request an increased limit right after being approved for a new card, it’s unlikely that anything will have changed since the issuer made its initial decision about your credit limit. If you wait 6 months and manage your account responsibly in the meantime, however, you’ll have proven that you can handle your current credit limit.... read full answer

Here’s what you need to know about requesting a credit limit increase:

When you request a credit line increase, the issuer will ask about your current gross income, employment status, key financial obligations, etc. Once you’ve made a request, you should generally wait 6-12 months before submitting another. You can ask for another credit limit increase earlier if your financial situation changes, though. For instance, receiving a raise from your job is a great time to ask for an increase since you’ll have more money to spend. Anytime your overall income goes up, you could be eligible for a limit increase.

Requesting a credit line increase is easy, and you’ll often receive a decision quickly—either instantly or within 10 business days. Just make sure to request an increase when you have the greatest chance of being approved. Asking for a credit limit increase usually leads to a hard credit inquiry, which can cause a temporary dip in your credit score. While your score will recover, it’s best to avoid numerous hard inquiries in a short period of time, especially if you need your credit to be in good shape for a particular reason in the near future.