Should I increase my credit limit?

To get approved for a high limit credit card, you will need good to excellent credit and proof that you can afford a high spending limit. More specifically, your credit limit will be determined by several factors, including your income, assets, and existing debt obligations. Picking the right credit card goes a long way, too.… read full answer

How to Get Approved for a High Limit Credit Card

• Apply for a credit card with a high starting limit: Top-notch credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card typically offer credit limits starting at $5,000. You may find minimum starting credit limits listed in some cards’ terms and conditions. In other cases, you might be able to get some information from cardholders’ reviews.
• Improve your credit score: High limit credit cards typically require good or excellent credit. Before you apply for such a card, you should check your credit score to gauge your approval odds. If you’re unlikely to qualify based on your score, you will need to add positive information to your credit report. Once you’ve established a strong credit profile, you can then target credit cards known for their high initial credit limits.
• Increase your income and reduce your debt: The higher your income is, the better chance you have of getting a new card with a high initial credit limit. Similarly, reducing your debt boosts your odds. Also, if your income goes up in the future, be sure to update your credit card’s information, as this could help get you a higher credit limit.
• Get a credit limit increase: Some credit card issuers may automatically review your account for a credit limit increase every 6 to 12 months, but it’s not guaranteed. You can also request a credit limit increase, either online or by calling the issuer’s customer service department. Keep in mind that requesting a credit limit increase on your own may result in a hard inquiry, which could hurt your credit score.

Ultimately, to have a better chance at getting approved for a high limit credit card, you should also make sure to always pay bills on time, use 30% or less of your available credit, and otherwise make good financial decisions.

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.