Does getting a credit limit increase affect your score?

Requesting a credit limit increase can hurt your score, but only in the short term. If you ask for a higher credit limit, most issuers will do a hard “pull,” or “hard inquiry,” of your credit history. A hard inquiry will temporarily lower your credit score. Bank of America, Barclays, Chase, U.S. Bank and USAA will conduct a hard inquiry if you request a credit limit increase. American Express, Capital One and Wells Fargo will not. Citi will notify you when you call if they will generate a hard inquiry or a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score. Discover typically uses soft inquiries, but if you don’t accept the credit limit offered and request a higher limit, it will then be a hard inquiry.… read full answer

Hard inquiries will lower your credit score by a few points, but can only affect your score for one year. After two years, hard inquires completely drop off of your credit report. The other thing you need to watch out for is overspending. Requesting a credit limit increase could really wind up hurting your credit score if you use the extra spending power to rack up debt you can’t afford to repay.

Still, the potential negatives that come with requesting a credit limit increase can be managed and are often outweighed by the benefits of having a higher credit limit. The boost in your credit limit could also raise your credit score as long as your spending stays at the same level. The additional credit would lower your utilization, which is the ratio of your balance compared to your credit limit. Ideally, this number should be less than 30 percent for each card. Keeping utilization low tells issuers you’re responsible and aren’t just desperate to max out your card.

Some issuers also extend automatic credit limit increases to eligible cardholders. These increases may occur periodically and do not generate a hard inquiry. To give yourself the best odds of receiving an automatic increase, make all of your monthly payments on time, preferably in full. And give it some time. Issuers tend not to extend automatic increases until you’ve had a card for at least six months. Similarly, if you recently received an increase on an existing account, expect to wait at least six to 12 months before you’re considered for another increase, assuming you manage your account responsibly in the meantime.

You should increase your credit limit as long as it won’t make you overspend. Getting a credit limit increase does more than just give you increased spending power. It also gives you the potential to lower your credit utilization, which can benefit your credit score. But just because receiving a credit limit increase is a good thing does not mean it’s always the right time to ask for one.… read full answer

You shouldn’t ask for a higher credit limit unless your account has been open for at least 6 months and you’ve been paying the monthly bills on time. Otherwise, you’re likely to be rejected, as would also be the case if your credit score has gone down a lot since you got the card. Also, it’s best not to request an increase right before you apply for a credit card, auto loan, mortgage, etc. You’ll want your credit to be in top shape, and requesting a credit limit increase will usually result in a hard pull of your credit report, causing a temporary dip in your credit score.

Assuming the timing works out for your situation, you can look forward to a handful of notable benefits following a credit limit increase.

Why you should increase your credit limit:

1. It gives you higher spending power.
2. It can decrease your credit utilization ratio and help your score.
3. It leaves you better prepared to face a financial emergency.
4. It reduces the chance that you’ll max out your credit card.

If you curious about how a higher credit limit can lead to lower credit utilization and corresponding credit score gains, an example might be helpful. Let’s say you have a $500 credit limit. If you spend $200 in a month, you have 40% credit utilization. If your credit limit goes up to $800 and you still spend just $200, you’d have 20% credit utilization. Anything under 30% is good for your credit score.

So, getting an increase can help you reduce your utilization percentage without having to cut back on your expenses. Plus, if you already have low utilization, a credit limit increase could allow you to spend more without hurting your score.

The difference between a credit card’s available credit and its credit limit is the relationship between the cardholder’s current spending power and his or her total spending power. A credit limit is the maximum amount that can be charged to a credit card overall. Available credit is the credit limit minus any unpaid balance, including pending charges that have yet to post to the account. Your available credit will increase by the amount of each payment you make. A credit card’s credit limit and available credit match when the balance is $0 or the card is “maxed out.”… read full answer

Note that while you can spend up to your entire credit limit, bringing your available credit to zero, it’s not a good idea to do so. A maxed-out credit card will raise your credit utilization, which will damage your credit score. The general rule is to have the balance listed on each of your credit card statements amount to less than 30 percent of the card’s credit limit. That would leave you with more than 70 percent available credit on each account. A maxed out credit card, on the other hand, could leave you with no emergency funds. If you have a big chunk of available credit, you can charge whatever’s needed to deal with an unexpected circumstance such as a hospital bill or a car repair.

Here’s what happens when you try to spend more than your available credit:

If you try to make purchases on a card with no available credit, there may be consequences. In most cases, the transaction will simply be denied. Other cards may process it but then hit you with an over-limit fee (if you’ve opted-in for the ability to spend above your limit) and maybe even reduce your limit, too. A high penalty interest rate might also apply, perhaps canceling any low introductory APR previously in effect. Over-limit policies vary by issuer, so be sure to review your card’s terms and conditions or contact customer service for specifics.