@Dw4250 wrote:Universal Law of Credit Card Use In Order to Secure CLIs
1. Use your card regularly
2. Pay on time
3. PIF or pay at least above the minimum.
4. Keep your balances generally below 30% (<10% is optimal)
5. Rinse/Repeat
Hmm, I would say #4 needs modifying. What you wrote is good IF what is keeping you from geting a CLI is a low FICO score. However, someone else may have a high FICO, but the low usage on the card might be what is preventing an increase.
You probably should say something about using the card around 15% - 45% but only let one of your cards report a small amount to the credit bureaus to optimize FICO score.
I'm just going to use my Barclays like any other card. If they don't like how I use cards, I'd rather know sooner than later, so I can develop a relationship with a bank that suits me. I refuse to second guess my usage and try to guess what they want me to do. 
Two weeks ago I had a conversation with two different Barclays CSRs. The issue was that I was not instantly approved for a Sallie Mae - rather I was given the option to move some of the CL that I had from my Arrival - to establish the Sallie Mae account. "Barclays is not willing to extend you additional credit, but will approve you using the CL you already have," said one.
The other was more specific, "Your highest reporting balance was only $3800." Mind you, he did not care that I had run much more through the card- he was only concerned with what I allowed to report. I told him that I was very careful to keep my total utilization below 10% - Then he said something that made it clear to me what Barclays wants - and what was the opposite of what I have often read in credit forums, 'Barclays extends you credit, not to help you improve your credit score, but for you to use your credit line." Who knows, might have had a better chance of getting the SM if I had a history of letting 60% or so of my CL report.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
@changingmantra2 wrote:Two weeks ago I had a conversation with two different Barclays CSRs. The issue was that I was not instantly approved for a Sallie Mae - rather I was given the option to move some of the CL that I had from my Arrival - to establish the Sallie Mae account. "Barclays is not willing to extend you additional credit, but will approve you using the CL you already have," said one.
The other was more specific, "Your highest reporting balance was only $3800." Mind you, he did not care that I had run much more through the card- he was only concerned with what I allowed to report. I told him that I was very careful to keep my total utilization below 10% - Then he said something that made it clear to me what Barclays wants - and what was the opposite of what I have often read in credit forums, 'Barclays extends you credit, not to help you improve your credit score, but for you to use your credit line." Who knows, might have had a better chance of getting the SM if I had a history of letting 60% or so of my CL report.
What was your credit line? If 3800 is 10% that must be a big one. It would make sense to split some of it off for a Sallie Mae if that's the case.
Heavy usage.
Balance carrying.
Paying more than minimums.
Balance transfers from other cards.
People who do this tend to get the fat auto CLIs with Barclays (in my case, a nice $2K auto increase).
People who just park balances (no usage) or always pay in full (no interest?) don't get as much love. This has been well discussed.
But I don't think it's a good idea to change your spending habits just to get a credit line increase.
@Bman70 wrote:
@changingmantra2 wrote:Two weeks ago I had a conversation with two different Barclays CSRs. The issue was that I was not instantly approved for a Sallie Mae - rather I was given the option to move some of the CL that I had from my Arrival - to establish the Sallie Mae account. "Barclays is not willing to extend you additional credit, but will approve you using the CL you already have," said one.
The other was more specific, "Your highest reporting balance was only $3800." Mind you, he did not care that I had run much more through the card- he was only concerned with what I allowed to report. I told him that I was very careful to keep my total utilization below 10% - Then he said something that made it clear to me what Barclays wants - and what was the opposite of what I have often read in credit forums, 'Barclays extends you credit, not to help you improve your credit score, but for you to use your credit line." Who knows, might have had a better chance of getting the SM if I had a history of letting 60% or so of my CL report.
What was your credit line? If 3800 is 10% that must be a big one. It would make sense to split some of it off for a Sallie Mae if that's the case.
CL was $18,400 from having recently combined two cards - I was talking about total untilization. Interseting thing is that that $3800 was on a card with a signficantly lowere CL. Who knows what they are "looking" for. I just use it and pay - and I have gotten a CLI every six months on ever Barclasy card I have ever had.
@Stralem wrote:Heavy usage.
Balance carrying.
Paying more than minimums.
Balance transfers from other cards.
People who do this tend to get the fat auto CLIs with Barclays (in my case, a nice $2K auto increase).
People who just park balances (no usage) or always pay in full (no interest?) don't get as much love. This has been well discussed.
But I don't think it's a good idea to change your spending habits just to get a credit line increase.
... and I won't.
I got my Barclay card last September with a $1200 limit. I bought an iPhone 5s, spent 3 months paying it off... then spent the next 3 months charging $100 and PIF. I got a $1000 auto increase at statement #6 along with a letter thanking me for my responsible card usage.
The last 3 months I've used it the same way... $100 to $200 a month and PIF.
I am expecting another increase when the card hits 1 year old... and as someone else said, Barclay is like that girlfriend who is always checking your cellphone behind your back. She loves you, but doesn't trust you. That must be why they have SP my credit every month.
