A secured credit card will increase your limit under certain conditions. You can add additional funds, up to $25,000 in some cases, to your security deposit to raise your credit limit. Also, if you make several consecutive timely payments, the issuer may increase your limit without an additional deposit.
When you have a secured credit card, you put up a security deposit to establish your credit limit. As secured cards are designed for people with less than good credit, the deposit also serves as collateral for the issuer should you default on the account. The amount of your deposit determines your credit limit, depending on creditworthiness. Some credit cards are only partly secured, depending on the specifics of an applicant’s credit. … read full answerCapital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, for instance, offers a minimum credit limit of $200 in exchange for a $49, $99 or $200 minimum security deposit, depending on the specifics of an applicant’s credit.
You’ll be refunded the deposit in full when you close your account in good standing. Any unpaid balance or fees owed will be deducted from your balance when you close the account.
How to increase your secured credit card limit
Increase the amount of security deposit
Contact customer service or log on to your secured card’s website to start the process. Provide your name, address, account number, date of birth, Social Security Number and any other information need to verify your account. Please note that some credit card issuers require that you make additional deposits, up to the maximum amount allowed, before the account opens.
Check with the issuer to make sure your deposit is within the secured card’s limits. Some of the best high limit secured credit cards, such as the U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card, allow security deposits of around $5,000. . The First Tech Federal Credit Union Platinum Secured Mastercard® also stands out, as it allows approved applicants to make refundable security deposits of up to $25,000.
Automatic credit limit increases
Some issuers will evaluate your account and credit history after you make your first several payments on time and consider an increase in your credit limit without an additional deposit. Capital One Platinum Secured is one such example. The drawback is you have no control over how much you credit limit will be increased, if at all.
Also, you won’t know when the issuer will evaluate your account. The issuer will perform a soft inquiry on your credit report to determine if you’re eligible for a credit limit increase. A soft inquiry does not affect your credit score, nor does the issuer need your permission to generate the inquiry. Not all secured credit cards offer automatic credit limit increases, though. But your card may be eligible for graduation to an unsecured credit card. If you’ve kept up timely payments, and have had your secured card for more than 12 months, contact your issuer and see if you are eligible for graduation. If approved, you will receive a refund on your security card. And you may be eligible for automatic credit limit increases or request them yourself if you’ve used your card responsibly. If you are not eligible or graduation, you can always search elsewhere and apply for an unsecured that best fits your credit profile.
Keep in mind that a credit card application generally, results in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Hard inquiries can have a slight negative impact on your credit score, so if you’re teetering on the border of good credit, it might be best to wait a few months and apply after you’ve raised your credit score a few more points. Secured credit cards are a great way to build credit as long as you make payments on time and preferably in full. Also, try to keep you credit utilization below 30%.
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