How to Increase Your Credit Limit
Most (but not all) credit cards come with a preset credit limit that determines how much you can spend. You usually can’t make additional purchases once your outstanding balance reaches your credit limit. Your credit limit can affect your spending flexibility and even your credit score, which is why it may be useful to increase your credit limit.
While your overall credit limit tends to be higher if your credit score is higher, not every credit card comes with a super high credit limit. Whether you need a higher credit limit for an emergency, more flexibility or just peace of mind, there are several ways to request one with your bank. You can typically do it quickly by filing a request online or by calling the number on the back of your card.
What is a credit limit?
Your credit limit is the total amount of credit that your issuer will allow you to use. For instance, if you have a $10,000 credit limit on a particular card, then you can spend up to $10,000 on your card before the lender will stop authorizing purchases.
Different cards can offer different credit limits — typically, though, the more premium the card, the higher the credit limit in most cases.
Some premium cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, may come with no preset credit limit at all. With these cards, the lender will decide whether to approve transactions on a case-by-case basis depending on your current balance, your overall credit and financial picture, your relationship with the bank and other factors.
Ways to increase your credit limit
If you want to increase your credit limit, you have several options — which mostly don’t require a hard credit check and won’t harm your credit score.
File a request with your issuer
With most major issuers, like Capital One and American Express, you can file a request online to increase your credit limit. One exception is Chase, which will require you to call.
The credit limit increase request process varies by issuer, though it generally consists of filling out a form with basic personal and financial information on the issuer’s website. You’re not guaranteed to have your request granted, but there’s no downside to trying.
Call the number on the back of your credit card
Every credit card has a customer service line on the back of it. You can call this number to speak with a customer service representative, who can take requests for a credit limit increase (or point you in the right direction).
If your card is with a smaller bank or a major issuer that doesn’t take online requests, this may be the next best option. Before calling the number on the back of your card, make sure you have your financial and other information handy. This will help to speed up the process if the customer service representative asks you for that information.
Keep your account in good standing
If you have a credit card in good standing for long enough, issuers may automatically increase your credit limit. Some credit cards even mention this as a listed card benefit. But unless automatic credit line increases are listed as a card benefit, you might not know how frequently increases may occur.
Apply for another credit card
If you want to increase the total amount of credit that you have, you don’t have to limit yourself to increasing your credit line on a specific card. You can simply apply for a new credit card to access more credit.
If you’re getting a card primarily for access to additional credit, you’ll want to make sure the card is a low or no-annual-fee credit card. Plus, you should also keep in mind that your credit score will take a small hit, since the issuer will make a hard inquiry to your credit report.
Upgrade your credit card
Depending on your card, you may be able to upgrade it to another card from the same issuer. This scenario is most likely if the issuer has a more premium version of your current card. More premium versions of cards typically have higher credit limits, but may also come with higher annual fees.
For example, you may upgrade from a Visa Signature card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) to a Visa Infinite card (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®), boosting your credit limit from $5,000 to $10,000. The upgrade will also give you additional perks, like airport lounge access.
How to request a credit limit increase by bank
Most banks have similar processes for receiving credit limit increases and most have online options. Here’s a quick look at how to request a credit limit increase for some major credit card issuers:
How to request an American Express credit limit increase
American Express gives cardmembers a couple of options for requesting a credit limit increase. You can either call the number on the back of your card or request an increase through your online account.
How to request a Bank of America credit limit increase
Bank of America recommends that you sign into your Online Banking account to request a credit line increase. After you’ve logged into your account, click on the “Request a credit line increase link” under “Card Details” in “Account Summary”. If you don’t see that link, you’ll need to call the number on the back of your card to request a credit line increase with Bank America.
How to request a Capital One credit limit increase
You can request a Capital One credit limit increase online. Simply log on to your online account and follow the prompts to request and/or accept a credit line increase. Be prepared with information like your total annual income, employment status and monthly mortgage or rent payment, as you may need to input these details. If you don’t want to make your Capital One credit line increase request online, you can also call the number on the back of your card or the phone numbers listed above.
How to request a Chase credit limit increase
Unlike many other major issuers, Chase doesn’t currently allow you to request a credit line increase online. Instead, Chase suggests that you call the number on the back of your credit card to speak to a customer service representative. The representative can assist you in checking to see if Chase will increase the credit limit on your card.
How to request a Citi credit limit increase
Citi makes it easy to request a credit limit increase online. Once you log in to your account, choose “Credit Card Services” under the “Services” menu. You’ll then see a link to request a credit limit increase. You’ll need to enter in your total household income, as well as your monthly mortgage or rent payment amount, to be considered for a credit line increase. You can also call Citi’s customer service number and/or the number on the back of your card to request a Citi credit limit increase.
How to request a Discover credit limit increase
Discover makes it easy to request a credit line increase from the Discover mobile app or your online Discover account. Go to “Services” and select “Credit Line Increase.” If you’d rather not request a credit limit increase online, you can also contact customer service using the number on your card.
How to request a U.S. Bank credit limit increase
U.S. Bank does allow cardholders to request a credit limit increase online or through its mobile app. You’ll need to have financial information available, like your total household income and your monthly mortgage or rent payment. You can log in to your account, select your card and choose “Request Credit Limit Increase.” You can also call U.S. Bank customer service at the phone number above or via the number on the back of your card.
Pros and cons of having a higher credit limit
| Emergency safety net: You can access more credit in an emergency. Credit score boost: Having a higher credit limit should lower your utilization rate, which may improve your credit score. Higher spending power: A higher credit limit gives you additional spending power Make large purchases more efficiently: A higher limit may help you avoid splitting up a large payment across multiple cards | You may spend more: Having a higher credit limit may tempt you to spend more. May require a hard credit inquiry: While many credit issuers can increase your limit without a hard pull, some may initiate a hard pull, which could lower your credit score temporarily. May limit future credit increases: Most lenders have a total amount of credit they’re willing to extend to you. Increasing your credit limit on one card may prevent you from getting additional credit in the future. |
When is the best time to request a credit limit increase?
You can request a credit limit increase at any time, but your odds of approval may be higher in the following instances:
- Your account is in good standing: If you’re regularly paying your credit card each month with no late or missed payments, the bank may be more likely to grant a credit limit increase.
- You’ve had your credit card for over six months: It’s a good idea to wait a few months after opening your credit card before requesting a credit limit increase can also be a good idea. That gives you time to show the issuer that you can use your credit responsibly.
- Your income has increased: If your income has increased, the card issuer may be more likely to grant your credit line increase. A higher income will generally give you more money to better handle a higher credit line.
- Your credit score has increased: A higher credit score improves your odds of receiving a credit limit increase. Banks will often do a soft check on your credit when you request a limit increase. If they see a higher score, they may be more likely to increase your credit line.
Frequently asked questions
There isn’t a set amount for credit limit increases. Instead, card issuers will look at your credit score and overall financial picture to decide whether to increase your credit limit and the amount of the increase.
Yes, some issuers do proactively increase your credit limit on certain cards. This often happens if you start out with a small credit limit or you’ve established a long history of being responsible with the card.
Generally, more premium and luxury credit cards will come with higher credit limits. However, it’s important to know that some ultra-premium cards don’t have a preset credit limit. With these cards, issuers may allow you to continue to spend as long as your financial situation and spending habits fit certain algorithms or criteria.
You can request a credit limit increase at just about any time, though you may be more likely to have your request granted if you fit certain criteria. This might include having the card open for at least several months, using your card responsibly or having an increase in income or credit score.
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