fwiw, I just applied for a Citi card & they gave me my lowest credit limit of all major banks.  I have $27.5K with CapOne, $25K with US Bank, $19K with Chase, $15K with AMEX (twice) and Discover.  All those limits were what banks gave me on their own, I've never asked for a limit increase from anyone, not even once.  I own my home free & clear and make 6 figures, so my income is pretty much entirely disposable.  Citi gave me $9400.