topic Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits in Credit Cards

Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:57:31 GMT

What's the best Balance Transfer cards with 18-24 months and higher limits.

760 Fico Score

thanks fir any suggestions 💯

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

NoMoreE46 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:19:37 GMT

WF Reflect and BofA BankAmericard are both on the longer duration at 21 months.

Citi offers a few as well but tend to be a lower CL .

What SL do you need?

@urluckypenny1 wrote:
What's the best Balance Transfer cards with 18-24 months and higher limits.

760 Fico Score

thanks fir any suggestions 💯

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:15:54 GMT

Trying to transfer over about 10-12k

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

mgood — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:42:08 GMT

I got a Wells Fargo Reflect but they started me with only a $1k limit. That did me no good.

BUT, I had a Wells Fargo Autograph with a $25k limit. They allowed me to reallocate some of that limit over to the new Reflect to make it whatever I wanted. I had to wait until the new card arrived and activate it. Then just called and was told that if I wanted to keep the Autograph open, I had to leave at least a $1k limit on it. So I could move up to $24k over to the new card. I moved $11k and now have a $14k Autograph and a $12k Reflect.

[EDIT: That's why you keep asking for CLIs even on a card you only use for the phone bill. Having a higher limit than what seemed necessary on the Autograph gave me the flexibility I needed here.]

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

tcbofade — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:53:42 GMT

US Bank Sheild card has a 24 month BT offer. I was approved for a $17k limit, DW was approved for a $17.5k limit.

Good luck!

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

Kforce — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:22:25 GMT

@NoMoreE46 wrote:

WF Reflect and BofA BankAmericard are both on the longer duration at 21 months.
Citi offers a few as well but tend to be a lower CL .

US Bank "Shield" is 24 months with the same 5% fee as BofA and WF.

Yearly fee equivalent 2.5% verses 2.86% for WF & BofA

USBank best by the numbers, however which will give the highest CL is another consideration.

I got a $20,000 from USB with the "Smartly", 10 months ago with ~830 Ficos, 1 HP,

and average card CL of 20k.

Just another to look at.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:50:59 GMT

If you don't anger USB's underwriting algorithm (sensitive to new accounts - there may be an effective 5/24 rule or something near that) and you are in tip-top shape otherwise, you will probably land an SL of $15K, give or take. Seems to be a number they "like to give."

USB starting lines are pretty much a machine making the call (at least at the low end - to those who landed a $1K or $500 limit reading this, and going oh-no-no-tut-tut, you landed those because their algorithm didn't like something about you, even if it isn't obvious what the something was).

Hope this is at least vaguely useful. USB Shield, with its 24-month 0%, would be my first choice if carrying a credit profile with high FICO, zero or 1 inquiry on the relevant CR in the last 6 months, low utilization, and few new accounts (new in the 5/24 sense). In the same stable would be an Elan Zero+ card with a 24-month 0%. Same underwriting backend, similar sensitivities. Not all Zero+ cards have 24-month intro BTs, but Associated Bank has one and there are presumably others.

Wells Fargo is also sensitive to new accounts (5/24 rule or similar), run afoul of it and you'll probably get an outright decline whose denial letter calls it out explicitly (I did).

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

mgood — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:35:21 GMT

@smcj wrote:
If you don't anger USB's underwriting algorithm (sensitive to new accounts - there may be an effective 5/24 rule or something near that) . . .

I used to see people recommending you be 0/6, and no more than 1/12 when applying with US Bank. I was slightly over that both times I applied and was approved. But one time I was turned down for a CLI or something and the reason listed was too many accounts opened in the last 24 months, so they do look at the x/24 number, at least in some cases.

@smcj wrote:

USB starting lines are pretty much a machine making the call (at least at the low end - to those who landed a $1K or $500 limit reading this, and going oh-no-no-tut-tut, you landed those because their algorithm didn't like something about you, even if it isn't obvious what the something was).

I got a $2k SL on my first USB card. That was low for me at the time, but there were other people around here, who looked like they had profiles at least as good as mine, and who made more money than me, who were getting $500. So I couldn't gripe too much about my 2k. But yeah, my profile was not perfect, especially my "credit seeking behavior."

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:47:15 GMT

@mgood wrote:
I got a $2k SL on my first USB card. That was low for me at the time, but there were other people around here, who looked like they had profiles at least as good as mine, and who made more money than me, who were getting $500. So I couldn't gripe too much about my 2k. But yeah, my profile was not perfect, especially my "credit seeking behavior."

This is good for balancing out my anecdotal feedback. My personal experience with the $15K number is while having multiple accounts open with them. I didn't think much of it until I started seeing posts in various forums citing the same number. While everyone won't land it, there does seem to be something "about" it. That said, it doesn't matter if one doesn't reach it. In that scenario I'm guessing they have one or more other tiers below the $15K that their algorithms will dole out as standard starting points.

I have a hunch that utilization is more important to USB even when they care about new accounts, inquiries, and all that. Just a hunch. FWIW I also have a hunch that any inquiry sensitivity they have -- based on my own experience with spacing inquiries out -- kind of follows the FICO scoring rule of an inquiry mattering if within a year, vs. being on the CR at all. This would be a contrast to, for example, Citi, which I'm pretty sure just hates you for daring to have any inquiries whatsoever on the report (ok, maybe not for having any at *all,* but you get the idea) regardless of how long they've been there, effectively imposing some sort of x/24 inquiry rule.

Standard YMMV caveat. But def appricate your data point, been awhile since I was in that specific space with USB and I had kind of forgotten about it.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 04:57:59 GMT

Took everyone's advice and tried USBank Shield Transfer card.
trying to transfer of about $13k..... they approve me for $10,200. Should I call them and ask if they can higher the limits? Not sure if that will work. Does Us Bank have a second balance transfer I could try with one hard hard quiry.

I've applied and been approved do I have to accept the card... I mean I could just put up to 92% on the card and pay the other amount off with interest.

or chick I call Wells Fargo reflect transfer card and see there offer.. I know that'll be 2 hard inquiries though.

they keep offering my 12 months 0% but I want a longer term.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:58:56 GMT

@urluckypenny1 wrote:
Took everyone's advice and tried USBank Shield Transfer card.
trying to transfer of about $13k..... they approve me for $10,200. Should I call them and ask if they can higher the limits? Not sure if that will work. Does Us Bank have a second balance transfer I could try with one hard hard quiry.
I've applied and been approved do I have to accept the card... I mean I could just put up to 92% on the card and pay the other amount off with interest.

or chick I call Wells Fargo reflect transfer card and see there offer.. I know that'll be 2 hard inquiries though.

they keep offering my 12 months 0% but I want a longer term.

Nothing wrong with calling up and asking for reconsideration of the credit line, but you probably won't get far. If you do go for that option, find and call the 800 number for application status -- I believe that will get you to or near undewriting, vs. any general card service number.

It occurs to me that you could always go for an Associated Bank 24-month Elan Zero+ card. Pro: same underwriting shop, their algorithm apparently likes you enough to offer you a $10K credit line, and you can be pretty sure it's automation that is going to review the app. Con: those being the same underwriting shop, the algo may see the new card you just got (unlike another issuer, since it's not on your CR yet) and hold the new account against you in its decision making.

A new WF Reflect has a 21-month introductory term. Where are you seeing 12 month?

If you need a second card to complete your BT meaningfully, also consider the previous BofA suggestion.

In re inquiry count:

USB and Elan generally pull EQ (in my case at least). Do you know what CR they pulled for your app?
WF and BofA generally pull Experian
having 2 back to back on a given CR won't kill you, but how many inquiries do you already have within the last 6 months and the last 12 months? That context matters if you're trying to gauge potential impact.

Maxing out a card is not a good idea in general (despite the whole BT purpose). Personally, I'd probably (based on a bunch of other assumptions that may or may not apply to you, don't know) try to get a 2nd card, and allocate your BT across the two in a way that yields a less scares-lenders utilization % for both.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:25:16 GMT

I called US Bank today and they said I had to wait until I get the card in hand then call the underwriter and ask for a higher limit. But I'd have to submit another inquiry and they'll see if they would raise it.

I don't want to max it out ....

So my question is should I apply for the Citi Double Cash card and split it between two cards with 0% fir 21 months.
Either way it looks like I'll have to have another hard inquiry, but I'll have enough so I don't max out the card.

Any thoughts would help.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:41:26 GMT

@urluckypenny1 wrote:
I called US Bank today and they said I had to wait until I get the card in hand then call the underwriter and ask for a higher limit. But I'd have to submit another inquiry and they'll see if they would raise it.

I don't want to max it out ....

So my question is should I apply for the Citi Double Cash card and split it between two cards with 0% fir 21 months.
Either way it looks like I'll have to have another hard inquiry, but I'll have enough so I don't max out the card.

Any thoughts would help.

First thing: inquiries are not global. They are per-CR. So your USB dinged one (probably Equifax) but not all three. The other two of your CRs are inquiry-untouched by your USB inquiry and will remain so.

Second thing: USB uses a different CR for CLIs. Last chat I had with Elan, they were using Trans Union for that purpose.

With the above in mind:

(1) I would prioritize a lender that will use a different CR than USB pulled for your app with them. That way you don't have to navigate whether the first inquiry will cause issues for the second card app.

(2) I absolutely would not burn an inquiry on a maybe from USB underwriting, given being in a good position to get a second card (which I presume you are -- if you are not, then be clear that changes your best options significantly).

(3) I would put Citi at dead last. They are (comparatively) SL-stingy.

(4) Be sure you know where you stand with respect to the 5/24 rule before you put in an application for a second card anywhere. Chase, WF, USB, and Citi are all twitchy about new account count. If you don't know what this means, ask this room and we'll fill you in.

Hope this is helpful.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:11:01 GMT

Thanks for the Advice... I agree with the USB maybe scenario, and if Citi is dead last what's another good Balance transfer Card.. so I could split them up between two cards.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:16:55 GMT

@urluckypenny1 wrote:
Thanks for the Advice... I agree with the USB maybe scenario, and if Citi is dead last what's another good Balance transfer Card.. so I could split them up between two cards.

Repeating earlier recommends:

(1) BofA Bank Americard (21 month 0% intro offer)

(2) Wells Fargo Reflect (21 month 0% intro offer)

If you are over the 5/24 rule, do NOT try (2), you'll end up declined. Not sure about (1) in the context of being over 5/24 but others here will know.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

urluckypenny1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:44:19 GMT

I took your advice and tried for the Americard, approved for $22k.... that's plenty enough for the balance transfers I needed.

Question is I was approved for the USbank shield card for $10,800. All ready gig the hard inguiry, I can't cancel the card I heard that was bad.

so should I just split the total amount among the two cards and pay them off that way?

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

smcj — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:44:06 GMT

@urluckypenny1 wrote:
I took your advice and tried for the Americard, approved for $22k.... that's plenty enough for the balance transfers I needed.

Question is I was approved for the USbank shield card for $10,800. All ready gig the hard inguiry, I can't cancel the card I heard that was bad.

so should I just split the total amount among the two cards and pay them off that way?

Because all of your lenders watch your CR, keeping per-card utilization down is wise. Alongside that (and sometimes competing with that) is the fact that your highest-utilization card plays a role in your FICO scoring, which all of your lenders are also watching. If your lenders think you are doing something that represents trouble (in *their* algorithms, not USB or BofA's), they may take adverse action against you like cutting your credit lines with them... which makes your overall utilization look worse, and you can end up with a snowball effect as things that lenders do create situations that lenders do not like which then makes them create more situations and... so on. With a 760 FICO you probably aren't near that boat of trouble. But the point is to ensure you get nowhere near that boat, period, so the choices you make for the BT handling are important ones.

Barring more information from you, my seat of the pants guidance would be to split the $13K you're looking to transfer between the two new cards, at amounts that make the utilization of each of those two cards roughly the same.

So doing some quick math, your new total credit line is $32,800. $13,000 / $32,800 = 39.6% total utilization across both cards no matter how you slice it. I would consider splitting the $13k as follows:

39.6% x $22,000 = $8,712 max balance you want on the BofA card

39.6% x $10,800 = $4,276.80 max balance you want on the USB card

$8,712 + $4276.80 = $12,988, pretty close to $13K, so hopefully you get what I'm getting at here.

3 things.

The calculations above do not include your BT fees, so you'll have to add those in/adjust/you get the idea.
If the BT fee (generally a percentage of what you transfer) is lower on one card vs. the other, consider making adjustments. Not mandatory but, for example, if one card is going to ding you 4% and the other is going to ding you 5%, you will obviously spend more on the balance you transfer to the 5% BT fee card. How you handle that is a judgment call; if you are splitting the balance with % utilization being your priority as I describe, it may not matter enough to fret about.
You should read this post regarding utilization bracket boundaries used in FICO scoring, to better understand how your utilization choices here (and on all your cards) matter, and will continue to matter until you pay the BT-ed amounts off.

Hope this helps.

Re: Best Balance Transfer Cards with Higher Limits

SusanJA — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 23:22:32 GMT

It's so annoying they don't give more transparent limit info. I really don't like basing my applications on hearsay...