Is requesting a credit line increase a hard or soft hit on your account?

[Anonymous]

Recently I went into Bank of America and asked the representative if requesting a credit line increase was considered a soft or hard hit. He said it depends on many factors from FICO and every case is different. Is this true? I have always heard this is considered a soft hit.My credit limit now is only $2,500 and I want to ask for an increase since this is my only credit card. I was in college at the time I applied for the card and now am fully employeed making a better salary. I have 3 hard hits on my account in the last 12 months so I definitely do not want another. 

Should I request the line increase? If so, to what amount do you think I'll be approved?

Thanks,

Mike

Experian score: 790

FICO score: 729

TransUnion: 715

[sgs10]

Not soft always. U have to let them know then u dont want an hard pull. SOme CSR's are not aware of the difference between hard and soft pull either. Courtesy my personal experience with discover.

[CreditPacMan]

It's always a hard pull for Bank of America. I've asked twice for a CLI before the 6 month mark date. One was denied and it was a HP and today I was approved but also with a HP. CL went from $800 to $1500.

[SportBike4Life]

I got the same response (i.e. "it depends") from a discover CSR. I know that chase does a hard pull for all CLI requests, so I think you should just trust the CSR for the particular bank you are trying to get a CLI for.

[Revelate]

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@altayar wrote:

It's always a hard pull for Bank of America. I've asked twice for a CLI before the 6 month mark date. One was denied and it was a HP and today I was approved but also with a HP. CL went from $800 to $1500.

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It's incredibly rare that it's a SP for any customer-initiated CLI by either BOFA, or Chase as another poster mentioned.  It does occur, but I think you'd have better luck with a single monkey with a typewriter composing a Mozart symphony.

Expect a HP regardless, especially when dealing with BOFA.

[OptimasPrime]

I initiated a CLI through the boa luv button a while back to take my cl from 700 to 2000. Had to call in to speak with a rep. I asked if it was hard or soft and the rep said  that all clis were hp. Checked all 3 reports a couple days later and no hard pull ever showed up. They did soft ex on the day of the request though.Obviously ymmv but you could get lucky by trying the luv button rather than calling in, as was the case for me. 

[CreditPacMan]

I actually just checked my CR through AMEX credit secure service. Requesting a CLI today did not result in a HP on my report! That's great!! Maybe because I was talking a credit specialist and she handled the request directly .. Although she said it would be a HP !

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@Revelate wrote:

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@altayar wrote:

It's always a hard pull for Bank of America. I've asked twice for a CLI before the 6 month mark date. One was denied and it was a HP and today I was approved but also with a HP. CL went from $800 to $1500.

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It's incredibly rare that it's a SP for any customer-initiated CLI by either BOFA, or Chase as another poster mentioned.  It does occur, but I think you'd have better luck with a single monkey with a typewriter composing a Mozart symphony.

Expect a HP regardless, especially when dealing with BOFA.

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