How to Get a Credit Card Limit Increase Without Asking

If you want to know how to get your credit card limit increase without asking, we have a solution for you. You may ask why wouldn’t we simply ask? Well, there are certain advantages. If you ask for credit card increase the issuer may use a hard pull to review your credit scores. That means that he can subtract a few points from your score. If, on the other hand, you use the auto credit card limit increase, your issuer will probably use a soft pull which wouldn’t affect your scores.

Asking for a CLI (credit card limit increase) can reduce the chances of getting one. Why? If you ask only one company for an increase, the consequences will be minor.

However, if you ask several companies it may affect your credit score drastically. Also, asking for an increase may imply that you are in financial difficulties and that you need more credit.

To get a CLI, you need to be patient and strategic. Card companies rarely disclose their criteria for auto- CLI, so, you will also need a bit of luck. Here is a list of steps that you should take:

  • Income update
    Although your income is not the only criteria that the issuer may take into consideration, it’s still one of the most important. Let us explain this a little bit. E.g. to get your card approval you need to have some regular sources of income.
  • Self-employment
  • Part-time / Full-time Job
  • Heritage
  • Investments
  • Student’s aid
  • Other sources

It is important since issuers except that you will make at least certain payments when you use your credit card. That’s why you need to have a provable income source. If you don’t have a regular income, you can still get a credit card if you have a cosigner. A cosigner is a person who has a credit and who is ready to be responsible for your payment. Your income will determine your first credit card limit. Logically, the more you earn the higher the limit will be.

However, when/if your income increases, you can get a credit limit increase. There are several ways in which your income can increase. E.g, you can work more, get a raise/promotion, get a full-time job, get married, etc.

Card issuers also have in mind how much money you use every month to pay for your debts, your card, etc. They call this ratio DTI (debt-to-income ratio). If you start earning more, without borrowing or charging more your DTI will be better.

If, on the other hand, your salary rises, but you still borrow or charge more, then your DTI will not get better.

If you want to get CLI, you don’t need to request it from your issuers. You simply need to update your income and they’ll probably review your credit card and give you a credit card limit increase. You can do it either online or by a phone call.

Be Responsible

be responsible

You should be responsible when it comes to your credit card. That means that you have good credit card habits. They include:

  • Paying on time or even early
  • Having credit scores that are higher than average
  • Make a minimum payment, at least
  • Using your credit card longer than 6 months
  • Paying other debts
  • Applying for only one credit
  • Using their mobile apps

Companies can be really generous and reward their customers if they behave responsibly. We can’t say that these behaviors will definitely lead to a credit card increase limit, but you can always try!

Be Patient

be patient

As we’ve already mentioned at the beginning, in order to get your CLI you need to be patient. Sometimes the best you can do is simply wait.

Issuers often review their customers’ credit cards, income, and payment history. So, behaving responsibly and keeping your credit card active for more than 6 months will increase your chances of getting CLI tremendously.

If you want to improve your chances even further you need to make your payments on time every month, using a variety of their services, etc

Here is a list of some card issuers that are known for giving auto credit card limit increases:

Capital One

capital one

You can request a credit card limit increase if you share some of your information, such as your employment status (whether you’re unemployed, self-employed, with a part-time or full-time job), your income and your monthly debts (rent, mortgage, etc).

You have a good chance to get a CLI if you handled your credit card responsibly. That means that you pay your debts on time each month, pay more than the minimum, update your income information regularly, keep your accounts open for more than 6 months and if there has been no change in your credit card limit in the past 6 months.

The approval is given immediately and they offer you a maximum card limit increase. If, however, you want a lower card limit increase, you can choose that option.

Discover

discover card

Discover gives some information about how issuers choose whether to give a card limit increase or not. The criteria they take into consideration include :

  • Payment history (whether you paid your debts each month)
  • How long you have been using your credit card
  • Your income
  • Other debts (rents, mortgage, etc)
  • Credit utilization ratio

A credit utilization ratio shows your available credit. It shows how much credit you have on each of your credit cards and on all your cards collectively. You are more likely to get a credit card limit increase

  • If your credit utilization ratio is low
  • If your credit card history is long
  • If other debts you pay monthly (rents, mortgage) are low in comparison to your income

Citi

citi

In this company, you can make a request for a CLI if you have handled your credit card responsibly. They offer you a limit increase if you’re about to make big purchases soon and if you’re ready to pay the full balance each month. They will also pay attention to your credit card history, your income information, the other debts you pay monthly, etc.

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