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When you apply for a credit card, the issuer will determine the highest amount you can borrow. This amount is called a credit limit. Your limit will depend on your income, financial history, and credit score. You're more likely to get a higher limit if you have a history of on-time payments and a good or excellent credit score.
But what if you want to increase an existing credit card limit? How does the process work, and what are your chances of approval? Read on to find out.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
How is your credit limit determined?
When you apply for a credit card, the issuer looks at your gross (pre-tax) annual income and credit report. Your income is important because the lender wants to make sure you have enough money coming in to pay your credit card bill. The higher your income, the more chance you’ll be offered a higher credit limit.
Credit history and score are also important. A strong credit score can get you a higher credit limit and other perks like a lower APR and access to premium cards with generous welcome offers. The issuer will also want to know how many credit cards you currently have. Too many cards can be a red flag and cause them to decline your application.
Considerations to make before requesting a higher limit
Before requesting a higher credit limit, it’s important to consider the following:
- What is your credit score? A good or excellent score will put you in a much better position when requesting a higher credit card limit.
- How high are your current credit card balances? If they are too high, your request might be denied.
- Do you have sufficient income? You’re unlikely to be approved for a credit limit increase if you don’t have enough income to pay your bills.
- Do you really need a higher limit? It’s important to be responsible with credit card usage, so ask yourself whether you really need a higher limit.
How to get a higher credit limit
If you’re ready to increase your credit limit, there are several ways to get the ball rolling. Most credit card issuers allow you to request a credit limit increase online or by phone. Alternatively, you might be lucky enough to get an automatic credit limit increase from your card provider.
Online request
Many credit card companies allow cardholders to request credit limit increases online. This is usually the easiest way to go about it; you just need to log into your bank using a web browser or mobile app and follow the instructions.
Phone request
If you prefer to request a credit limit increase by speaking to someone, you can call the credit card company and ask about your options. Look for the customer service phone number on the back of your credit card. You can also find the number on the issuer’s website or app.
Automatic credit limit increase
Sometimes, a credit card issuer will automatically increase your credit limit. This can happen if you’ve had the card for a while and proven that you can use it responsibly. Some cards may advertise automatic increases after the customer has owned the card for a while.
Keep an eye out for this when applying for new cards, and check your statement each month to catch any automatic credit limit increases.
Benefits of a higher credit limit
A higher credit limit can help you in two ways—by improving your credit score and providing you with more purchasing power. Here’s a closer look at each of these benefits.
Increased credit score
A higher credit limit can result in a lower credit utilization ratio, which can lead to an increased credit score. Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you use as a percentage of your overall credit limit. Ideally, you should keep your credit utilization at or below 30%. That means if your overall limit across multiple cards is $10,000, you’ll want to ensure you don’t carry a balance higher than $3,000, or 30% of your available credit.
Increasing your limit on one or more cards can lower your credit utilization without paying down your balance. Of course, having too many credit cards or excessively high balances can hurt your credit score, so use your new higher limit responsibly—after all, you still need to pay off the money you spend.
More purchasing power
A higher credit limit means you have more spending room. This can help you cover a major purchase or expense, such as an emergency home or car repair, or an unexpected medical bill.
What to do before requesting a credit line increase
If you’re considering requesting a credit card limit increase, it helps to be prepared. Here are some things you can do to put yourself in a better position for approval.
Check your credit score
You should know your credit score before requesting a credit limit increase. A low credit score means it’s less likely you’ll be approved for the increase, so knowing your score beforehand can help you avoid any nasty surprises. Consider using a credit monitoring service such as Experian or myFICO to keep tabs on your credit score.
Make payments on time
Paying your bills on time is essential for a good credit score, and it’ll improve your chances of being approved for a credit line increase. Opting into automatic bill pay will help ensure you’re not accidentally missing any payments.
Pay down credit card balances
A high credit card balance can be a red flag for lenders. If your balance is on the higher end (more than 30% of your current limit), work on paying down that balance before applying for a credit limit increase.
When should you apply for a credit line increase?
It might be the right time to apply for an increase to your credit card limit if one or more of the following has occurred:
- You’ve received an increase in your gross annual income.
- After several months or years of responsible credit card use.
- When your credit score has recently improved.
- When you can make payments above the minimum to pay down your balance.
For specific eligibility requirements, contact your credit card company.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
How do you improve your chances of being approved for more credit?
The biggest thing you can do to boost your chances of being approved for a credit limit increase is to improve your credit score. A strong credit score indicates that you can use credit responsibly and won’t go out on a spending spree once your limit is increased.
To achieve and maintain a good credit score, ensure you pay your bills on time. That includes your housing, utilities, and existing credit card bills. Payment history is the primary factor in a credit score calculation.
In addition to keeping up with payments, you’ll want to keep your credit utilization low and have a mixture of installment loans (such as student loans) and revolving credit (such as credit cards).
What to do if your request is denied
If the credit card issuer rejects your request for a credit limit increase without an explanation, you can contact the issuer. Common reasons requests are denied include:
- You have a thin credit file. If you’re new to credit or have limited credit history, your card provider may not feel comfortable raising your credit limit.
- Your credit score is lower than you thought. Even if you miss a couple of payments without realizing it, your credit score may be lower than you realized.
- Your current balances are high. If you’re utilizing more than 30% of your available credit, lenders may consider your profile risky and be less likely to increase your credit limit.
If your request is denied, it’s not the end of the world. Take time to build your credit score to improve your chances the next time you apply.
What happens if you go over your credit limit?
If you make a purchase that puts you over your credit limit, the transaction will usually be denied. If you exceed your limit, you may be subject to late fees and a penalty APR
It’s best not to get too close to your credit limit, as it can hurt your credit score. To maintain your credit score in an acceptable range, keep your total credit utilization under 30%.
Alternatives to requesting a credit line increase
If you need to make a large purchase but don’t want to request a credit limit increase, there are a couple of options to consider.
Transferring a balance from one credit card to another would allow you to make a larger purchase on a single card instead of splitting the purchase across two or more cards. This can also increase your reward potential.
For example, if you have one card that offers 2% cash back and another with 5% cash back, transfer the balance to the 2% card and make your large purchase with the 5% card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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You can also apply for a new credit card. Although not technically a credit limit increase, applying for a new card with a higher limit can achieve the same goal. If you have a strong credit history and two or three credit cards to your name, applying for a new card offers many of the same benefits that increasing the limit on your current card offers.
TIME Stamp: Requesting a credit card limit increase isn’t hard but getting it approved might be
At the end of the day, it’s important to ask yourself whether you need a credit limit increase and, if so, whether you’re likely to have your request approved. A higher credit limit can help if you’re looking to make a large purchase or decrease your credit utilization, but it can also make it more tempting to spend money you don’t have.
If you’re confident a higher credit limit is a good idea, contact your provider about how to get one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do credit card companies decide to increase your limit?
Credit card companies take several factors into account when deciding whether or not to increase a credit limit. These include:
- Your income. If your income has recently increased, you’re more likely to be approved since you should have more disposable income to pay off your balance.
- Your credit score. A high credit score suggests to lenders that you’re responsible and will pay your bills on time. A fair or poor score suggests the opposite.
Why did my credit limit increase automatically?
If you’ve had your credit card for a few years and have been using it responsibly, your credit card provider may automatically increase your limit without your official request.
How much of my credit limit should I use?
Ideally, as little as possible. To avoid damaging your credit score, keep your total credit utilization at or below 30%. That could mean using a higher percentage of your limit on one card and a lower percentage on another—as long as your overall utilization is less than 30%.
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