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November 1, 2022
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated November 1, 2022 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
Why we choose it: It earns generous rewards and offers a valuable sign-up bonus, plus an introductory APR on new purchases.
If you’ve ever opened a credit card, you know it’s a bit of a mystery what your credit limit will be once the issuer approves your application. It could be $1,000, $10,000 or another number entirely.
In general, people with exceptional credit scores and high incomes have better chances of being approved for high credit limits. It’s also important to consider how you define a high credit limit — for some consumers, it might be a $10,000 credit limit or above, while for others, it might be $80,000 or even six figures.
While each credit card issuer has its own criteria for setting credit limits — and no two people will get exactly the same results — we’ve compiled some of the top cards with which you might be able to land a high credit limit.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® lets you enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Not only is the 3% earning rate solid if you frequently dine at restaurants or make regular visits to the drugstore, but 1.5% back on other purchases is competitive with what you’d earn using some of the popular flat-rate credit cards on the market.
Plus, earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
If you need to make a big purchase, the 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months can help you avoid interest charges during the promotional period. After, a 18.74% - 27.49% variable APR applies.
There is also a Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. After the intro period ends, the regular APR will be 18.74% - 27.49% variable. The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited®‘s annual fee is $0, so you won’t have to pay to carry it. Unfortunately, there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Consumers looking for a credit card with no annual fee and a robust cashback program will appreciate the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. In particular, if you spend a significant portion of your budget on restaurants and fast food, this card can reward you well for doing that.
Do be aware, however, of the unwritten Chase 5/24 rule. If you’ve been approved for five or more personal credit cards from any issuer within the past 24 months, Chase will deny your application.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® lets you enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Not only is the 3% earning rate solid if you frequently dine at restaurants or make regular visits to the drugstore, but 1.5% back on other purchases is competitive with what you’d earn using some of the popular flat-rate credit cards on the market.
Plus, earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
If you need to make a big purchase, the 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months can help you avoid interest charges during the promotional period. After, a 18.74% - 27.49% variable APR applies.
There is also a Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. After the intro period ends, the regular APR will be 18.74% - 27.49% variable. The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited®‘s annual fee is $0, so you won’t have to pay to carry it. Unfortunately, there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Consumers looking for a credit card with no annual fee and a robust cashback program will appreciate the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. In particular, if you spend a significant portion of your budget on restaurants and fast food, this card can reward you well for doing that.
Do be aware, however, of the unwritten Chase 5/24 rule. If you’ve been approved for five or more personal credit cards from any issuer within the past 24 months, Chase will deny your application.
For consumers willing to pay a premium annual fee for a high-end credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out. It charges a $550 annual fee, but the value of the card’s benefits could make it worthwhile for the avid traveler.
You’ll earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
There’s a valuable sign-up bonus, too: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The regular APR is 20.74% - 27.74% Variableand the the foreign exchange fee is $0.
This card also comes with generous credits and benefits.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get a travel credit of up to $300 each account anniversary year. Eligible purchases made on the card will be automatically reimbursed through statement credits.
Cardholders also get a slew of valuable benefits, including a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), which offers entry to more than 1,000 airport lounges in over 500 countries, and a credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA Precheck applications.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which have exceptional flexibility. You can redeem points for 50% more value for travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, or you can transfer them at a 1:1 value to the following airline and hotel partners:
For consumers willing to pay a premium annual fee for a high-end credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out. It charges a $550 annual fee, but the value of the card’s benefits could make it worthwhile for the avid traveler.
You’ll earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
There’s a valuable sign-up bonus, too: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The regular APR is 20.74% - 27.74% Variableand the the foreign exchange fee is $0.
This card also comes with generous credits and benefits.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get a travel credit of up to $300 each account anniversary year. Eligible purchases made on the card will be automatically reimbursed through statement credits.
Cardholders also get a slew of valuable benefits, including a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), which offers entry to more than 1,000 airport lounges in over 500 countries, and a credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA Precheck applications.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which have exceptional flexibility. You can redeem points for 50% more value for travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, or you can transfer them at a 1:1 value to the following airline and hotel partners:
If you spend a lot on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is hard to beat. Add in generous rewards on streaming, gas and transit, and you’ve got a winning combination.
Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. Plus, Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits.
If you need to make a big purchase, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months, after which a 17.74%-28.74% variable APR applies.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee, but if you max out the 6% rate on U.S. supermarket spending, you’ll earn $360 in cash back — more than enough to recoup the amount of the annual fee each year. Be aware, however, that this card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is perhaps the most generous credit card on the market when it comes to rewarding U.S. supermarket purchases. If you spend heavily on groceries, this card is well worth the annual fee. It’s also useful if you have a commute, whether by car or another transit method — the transit category includes taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
If you spend a lot on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is hard to beat. Add in generous rewards on streaming, gas and transit, and you’ve got a winning combination.
Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. Plus, Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits.
If you need to make a big purchase, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months, after which a 17.74%-28.74% variable APR applies.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee, but if you max out the 6% rate on U.S. supermarket spending, you’ll earn $360 in cash back — more than enough to recoup the amount of the annual fee each year. Be aware, however, that this card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is perhaps the most generous credit card on the market when it comes to rewarding U.S. supermarket purchases. If you spend heavily on groceries, this card is well worth the annual fee. It’s also useful if you have a commute, whether by car or another transit method — the transit category includes taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
With this card, you’ll earn 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply. Plus, earn up to $250 – Here’s How: Earn up to $150 back when you shop with PayPal. Earn 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you use your new Card to check out with PayPal at merchants in the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $150 back. Plus, earn $100 back as a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
There’s a solid intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months; after that, a 17.74%-28.74% variable APR applies.
The annual fee is $0, so the cash back you earn is a net gain as long as you don’t incur other fees or interest charges. Beware, though, the foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please click here.
If you do a lot of your grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, but don’t want to pay an annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good alternative. Plus, thanks to the welcome offer and the intro APR on purchases, this card can be an excellent tool for consumers who know a big expense is coming up soon.
With this card, you’ll earn 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply. Plus, earn up to $250 – Here’s How: Earn up to $150 back when you shop with PayPal. Earn 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you use your new Card to check out with PayPal at merchants in the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $150 back. Plus, earn $100 back as a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
There’s a solid intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months; after that, a 17.74%-28.74% variable APR applies.
The annual fee is $0, so the cash back you earn is a net gain as long as you don’t incur other fees or interest charges. Beware, though, the foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please click here.
If you do a lot of your grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, but don’t want to pay an annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good alternative. Plus, thanks to the welcome offer and the intro APR on purchases, this card can be an excellent tool for consumers who know a big expense is coming up soon.
If you’re looking for a credit card with a low interest rate, the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card should be on your radar. This no-frills card has a 9.90% to 26.90% variable APR.
At the lower end of that range is an exceptionally low APR. We always recommend paying off your card in full each month to avoid interest charges, but if you need roll over a balance once in a while, the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card could help you save money in such a scenario.
The annual fee is $0, and the foreign transaction fee is $0 as well.
You won’t earn rewards with the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card, but if you get an APR at the lower end of the 9.90% to 26.90% variable range, that’s one of the lowest credit card interest rates we’re aware of. Because of that, this card is useful for consumers who think they’re going to need to carry a balance from month to month.
Note that USAA membership is open to U.S. military members and veterans, precommissioned officers, and spouses and children.
If you’re looking for a credit card with a low interest rate, the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card should be on your radar. This no-frills card has a 9.90% to 26.90% variable APR.
At the lower end of that range is an exceptionally low APR. We always recommend paying off your card in full each month to avoid interest charges, but if you need roll over a balance once in a while, the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card could help you save money in such a scenario.
The annual fee is $0, and the foreign transaction fee is $0 as well.
You won’t earn rewards with the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card, but if you get an APR at the lower end of the 9.90% to 26.90% variable range, that’s one of the lowest credit card interest rates we’re aware of. Because of that, this card is useful for consumers who think they’re going to need to carry a balance from month to month.
Note that USAA membership is open to U.S. military members and veterans, precommissioned officers, and spouses and children.
Whether you need to make a big purchase or transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card, this card offers a long introductory period of no interest that can help you pay off what you owe.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Purchases. After, a 18.24% -28.24% (variable) APR applies.
There’s also a lengthy 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Balance Transfers, after which a 18.24% -28.24% (variable) APR applies. The balance transfer fee is either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
Take note the card does charge a foreign transaction fee: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars; 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency.
If you want rewards or a sign-up bonus, this card offers neither. But with one of the longest intro APR periods available on purchases and balance transfers, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is still a gem. Plus, some intro APR cards charge a balance transfer fee up to 5%, so this card’s fee is relatively affordable.
Whether you need to make a big purchase or transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card, this card offers a long introductory period of no interest that can help you pay off what you owe.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Purchases. After, a 18.24% -28.24% (variable) APR applies.
There’s also a lengthy 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Balance Transfers, after which a 18.24% -28.24% (variable) APR applies. The balance transfer fee is either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
Take note the card does charge a foreign transaction fee: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars; 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency.
If you want rewards or a sign-up bonus, this card offers neither. But with one of the longest intro APR periods available on purchases and balance transfers, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is still a gem. Plus, some intro APR cards charge a balance transfer fee up to 5%, so this card’s fee is relatively affordable.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. There’s also a welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months.
If you need to make a big purchase for your business, take advantage of the intro APR, 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After, a 16.99% - 24.99% variable APR applies.
You’ll pay no annual fee to carry the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, but be aware that the foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please click here.
This card is ideal for small business owners who want a business credit card charging no annual fee. Your business doesn’t have to be a big operation to qualify — for example, if you sell handcrafts on Etsy or auction off items on Ebay, you could likely apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you need to make a big purchase, this card could also come in handy for two reasons. The first is a solid intro APR on purchases, and the second is a benefit called Expanded Buying Power, which essentially means American Express has the discretion to let you spend above your credit limit. Be aware that you don’t have an unlimited ability to spend above your credit limit — it adjusts based on factors such as use of the card, payment history, credit record and other financial resources you have that the issuer knows about.
Finally, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is great for business owners who like to keep things simple, since the cash back you earn is redeemed as a statement credit to your account monthly.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. There’s also a welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months.
If you need to make a big purchase for your business, take advantage of the intro APR, 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After, a 16.99% - 24.99% variable APR applies.
You’ll pay no annual fee to carry the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, but be aware that the foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please click here.
This card is ideal for small business owners who want a business credit card charging no annual fee. Your business doesn’t have to be a big operation to qualify — for example, if you sell handcrafts on Etsy or auction off items on Ebay, you could likely apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you need to make a big purchase, this card could also come in handy for two reasons. The first is a solid intro APR on purchases, and the second is a benefit called Expanded Buying Power, which essentially means American Express has the discretion to let you spend above your credit limit. Be aware that you don’t have an unlimited ability to spend above your credit limit — it adjusts based on factors such as use of the card, payment history, credit record and other financial resources you have that the issuer knows about.
Finally, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is great for business owners who like to keep things simple, since the cash back you earn is redeemed as a statement credit to your account monthly.
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Intro Purchase APR | Regular APR | Intro Balance Transfer Rate | Regular Balance Transfer Rate | Balance Transfer Fee | Recommended Credit | Card Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
|
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases | $0 | 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 18.74% - 27.49% Variable | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days | 18.74% - 27.49% Variable | Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Excellent/Good | Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review |
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
|
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® | 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards® | $550 | N/A | 20.74% - 27.74% Variable | N/A | 20.74% - 27.74% Variable | Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater | Excellent | Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review |
|
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
|
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 | 0% on purchases for 12 months | 17.74%-28.74% Variable | 0% on balance transfers for 12 months | 17.74%-28.74% Variable | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Excellent/Good | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review |
|
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
|
Earn up to $250 – Here’s How: Earn up to $150 back when you shop with PayPal. Earn 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you use your new Card to check out with PayPal at merchants in the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $150 back. Plus, earn $100 back as a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. | 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply. | $0 | 0% on purchases for 15 months | 17.74%-28.74% Variable | 0% on balance transfers for 15 months | 17.74%-28.74% Variable | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Excellent/Good | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Review |
|
USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card
|
N/A | N/A | $0 | N/A | 9.90% to 26.90% variable | 0% Introductory APR through your 06/01/2024 billing cycle. | 9.90% to 26.90% variable | 3% of the amount of each Balance Transfer | Excellent/Good | USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card Review |
|
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
|
No bonus | None | $0 | 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Purchases | 18.24% -28.24% (Variable) | 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on Balance Transfers | 18.24% -28.24% (Variable) | Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater | Excellent/Good | Review Coming Soon |
|
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
|
$250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% | No annual fee | 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening | 16.99% - 24.99% Variable | N/A | N/A | N/A | Excellent/Good | American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Review |
A high credit limit can help boost your credit utilization ratio, a big factor in determining your credit score. Your credit utilization is the amount of credit card balances you’re carrying compared to your credit limits.
The closer you get to maxing out your card, the more it hurts your credit score. So, if your credit limit is higher, the bigger balance you can carry without dinging your score.
The type of consumers who want high-limit credit cards are also typically those who are looking for high-value rewards, according to Tom Quinn, vice president at myFICO.
“They typically want a higher line, especially if there’s an annual fee with the card, so they can use the card to pay for all their purchases to get rewards points,” he says. As such, they’ll want a higher credit line to support that higher volume of transactions.
When you apply for a credit card, your credit score is just one factor that’s considered. Issuers will typically ask you about your income, job status and fixed expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments. Plus, they’ll also look at how high and how old your other credit lines are, as well as when and how often you’ve applied for other credit.
Even people with scores north of 700 sometimes get denied for credit cards with high credit limits for a variety of reasons, including having debt obligations that are too high relative to their income, or too few accounts. If you’re aiming for a Chase card specifically, you might also get rejected because of its 5/24 rule, which basically means you’ll be automatically denied if you’ve opened more than five cards in the past 24 months.
While there’s no way to guarantee you’ll get approved for a new credit card with a high credit limit, keeping a low balance on your existing cards and not applying for new credit too frequently are good ways to show you’re a responsible borrower. Plus, if you already have an established relationship with a bank through other products — for example, a checking, savings or loan account — it’s possible the institution will be more willing to extend you a generous credit limit when approving you for a new card.
Be aware that if your credit history is limited, you’re likely to be granted a low credit limit when you get your first credit card or even subsequent cards. Before trusting you with a large amount of available credit, issuers want to make sure that you have the capacity to pay your debts (i.e., a strong income and all of your other debts under control), as well as a long history of managing other substantial credit lines.
Every two years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — a government body responsible for protecting consumers and providing education on financial matters — issues a report on the state of the consumer credit card market. The report for 2021 was released in September, and examined average credit limits for both general use credit cards and private label credit cards (commonly referred to as store cards).
In 2020, the average credit limit for general use credit cards was $8,000, according to the report; this was a slight decrease from 2019. Meanwhile, with private label credit cards, the average credit limit was almost $2,700.
It’s important to note that each credit card issuer has criteria for how to set credit limits, and each individual person’s credit limit will likely vary based on a multitude of factors. However, some consumers in online discussion boards have reported credit limits of $100,000 or more.
To find out if a credit card you’re interested in has a minimum credit limit, review the terms and conditions carefully. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be issued as either a Visa Platinum or a Visa Signature. If Chase approves your application and issues a Visa Platinum, your card will have a credit limit of at least $500. But if Chase approves your application and issues a Visa Signature, your card could have a credit limit of at least $5,000.
Yes, it is possible to request a higher credit limit on a card you already have. Some issuers — Capital One and Citi, for example — make it easy to submit for a credit limit increase online. With others, such as Wells Fargo, you’ll need to call in by phone to make the request. Note that in some cases, a hard inquiry might be required when you submit a credit limit increase request, which can be expected to ding your credit score by a few points.
Your credit limit impacts your credit score through something known as utilization. Put simply, utilization is the amount of your available credit that you’re using. This is calculated both on a level of individual cards and across all your cards as a whole. For example, if you have a $200 balance on a card with a $1,000 credit limit, that’s 20% utilization. A high credit limit makes it easier to maintain a low utilization, which is good for your credit score.
Yes, an issuer can decrease your credit limit, or even close your credit card account. Possible reasons this might happen include lack of activity on the account or risky spending. To mitigate the chance of having your credit limit slashed or your account closed, use your card regularly and don’t max it out.
As mentioned throughout, it’s impossible to predict what credit limit you’ll get with a new credit card. However, we’ve selected cards with which there’s a possibility of receiving a high credit limit.
In addition, we considered features such as rewards program, 0% intro APR, regular APR and benefits. Each of the cards on this list excels for certain types of financial needs.
Many of the cards on this list charge no annual fee. At the same time, those that do charge an annual fee offer enough value through rewards and benefits to be worth it.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please click here.
To see rates and fees for the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please click here.
Additional reporting by Dawn Papandrea.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
