How can you get a Barclaycard credit limit increase?

The Barclaycard credit limit is $200 to $250, at a minimum. The exact credit limit depends on the card and on your creditworthiness once your application has been approved. Note that Barclays doesn't always list minimum credit limits in its cards' terms and conditions, unlike some other credit card companies.

You can't request a specific limit for any Barclaycard, even if you have requested to transfer a balance with your application. Barclaycard credit limits are generally based on your credit standing and available income. If you're unsatisfied with your credit limit, it is possible to request a credit limit increase.

Here's what you should know about Barclaycard credit limits:

• Credit limit range: The minimum starting credit limit for a Barclays credit card is either $200 or $250, depending on the card. But you will not know your Barclaycard credit until you get approved. Cardholder reports cover a very broad range according to the particularities of their credit.
• Balance Transfer Limits: Requests for balance transfers made with an application aren't considered requests for a particular credit limit. Credit limits are determined independently and prior to processing any balance transfer requests.
  
  If your credit limit winds up being less than the amount you asked to transfer, Barclays will either deny your request or send a partial payment to your creditor(s). If you're denied a balance transfer request due to the balance being higher than your credit limit, you can either wait for a credit limit increase or apply for a different card.
• Credit Limit Increases: You can request a credit limit increase online or by calling either (866) 928-8598 or the number you see on the back of your card. You'll need to enter the new limit you'd like, plus your income and employment details. You could get approved for the full amount you ask for, or a smaller amount. Note that while it is possible to get an instant decision, it may take up to 10 business days to hear back by email.

You won't know exactly what your Barclaycard credit limit will be until you apply and get approved. If you're not happy with your initial credit limit, you could always request an increase. But keep in mind that each request will result in a hard inquiry which may temporarily damage your credit score. Barclays also regularly reviews members' accounts to see if they're eligible for a higher credit limit.

Automatic credit limit increases offered by Barclays are a result of soft inquiries. So, these will not affect your credit score. There is no guarantee you'll be offered an automatic credit limit increase. However, keeping your account in good standing by paying your bills on time and preferably in full will help.

Requesting a credit limit increase will likely trigger a hard inquiry and cause a short-term decrease in your credit score. Receiving an automatic credit limit increase (i.e. your issuer increases your credit limit without you asking) will not hurt your score. No matter how you receive a credit limit increase, it will provide long-term credit-score benefits to responsible users.... read full answer

A credit limit increase will give you access to more available credit to use. As a result, you will get a better credit utilization ratio, assuming your spending does not increase, too. The lower the ratio, the better your credit score. If you continue to spend and maintain a high balance on your account, you will see a negative impact on your credit score. A credit limit won’t help your credit score if you just max it out immediately.